Heroes in Hard Times: Cop Action Movies in the U.S

Book Description

King studies how, in the cop action genre, working-class police officers weigh in on such topics as racial justice, homosexuality, misogyny, unemployment, worker resistance, affirmative action, drug use, poverty, divorce, and the use of violence to deal with social problems. Facing their enemies with wisecracks and firepower, these men prove themselves at once complicitous in a system of violence and corruption and worthy to "blow away," with neither hesitation nor remorse, their—and society's—menacing threats. The central male figures in these stories are heroes in their fight against criminals, but, as individuals, they feel undervalued by women, unappreciated by their bosses, and out of place in a society where fat cats and liberals have all the power. Such "hard times," King's study reveals, position them to simultaneously long for, disdain, and heroically—if violently—stake their frustrated claim to white male privilege.

Discussing such topics as white male guilt and the rage of the oppressed and examining such films as Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, and Silence of the Lambs, King's book notes the socially-charged roles given to American culture's fictional police heroes. The last artisan in a culture that has become increasingly corporate and bureaucratized, the movie cop is the last 'real man' in a world that has emasculated men and the last non-conforming patriot in a world that pays more attention to rules than what is morally right. A book that shows how modern mythology makes sense of rampant corruption (and provides entertainment in its punishment), Heroes in Hard Times will educate and provoke those interested in American popular culture, film, and gender studies.

Customer Reviews:

An interesting (if disturbing) take on the cop action movie.......2003-07-03

Man. As a privileged white male, author Neal King has some issues. While his premise is interesting, and seems to hold up under cursory scrutiny, after only a few pages it becomes apparent that King is approaching his subject from a position of guilt about his own white male privilege. Early on it is uncomfortably evident that he sees himself as akin to the "cop heroes" he writes about--someone from a working-class background out to right the wrongs perpetrated on non-whites by rich white males who feel they're "losing ground" to the same non-whites. As a sociology professor, King has no doubt seen the irony in that.

His agenda shows early on when he begs the question, positing social theory as fact without so much as hinting at another viewpoint (e.g., parroting the "rich get richer and the poor get poorer" mantra). By page 25 I had coined a new oxymoron: "conservative sociologist." I'll bet King surrounds himself with non-white friends and sees himself as the Great White Savior (not that he'd actually admit it). That's not only the portrait of the cop heroes he writes about, but also the portrait of the classic elite liberal academic.

I hate too sound too harsh about King, because the book is really fascinating, and meticulously researched. And that he ably defends his theories against competing (and yet more farfetched) theories shows how much he truly loves cop action movies. Perhaps the most disturbing part of the book, though, is that King finds homoeroticism lurking under every stone. If he's not straight, then he obviously hasn't come to terms with his homosexuality. Certainly many "guy" movies contain homoerotic under- or overtones (just look at any movie starring Tom Cruise, particularly "Top Gun"), but saying that in the climactic sequence of Point Break, "Johnny jumps from an airplane without a parachute to take Bodhi from behind in a close, drawn-out embrace...all grunts, groping, and intertwined legs..." is a little much. ... Methinks King doth protest too much.

What I find really fascinating is that although King writes about cop heroes in movies as if they are actual living entities, the fact remains that they are all the product of artists in an industry that is overwhelmingly left-liberal. So cop heroes don't reflect real life so much as they reflect the worldview of a small group of liberal artists who are likely pursuing their art not only for the money, but also to "make a difference." That is, to push their own social agendas any way they can. And we all know that cop movies bear little resemblance to real life. Something else to consider: The heroes of Hong Kong cop movies are remarkably similar to the heroes of Hollywood cop movies. Is this purely because HK films are but carbon copies of Hollywood's? I can't imagine that it's because Chinese cop heroes have their own guilt over Asian Male Privilege to exorcise. And what about the protagonists of the thousands of no-budget Mexican cop movies? On a larger stage, King's theory starts to get wobbly.

King's book is an enjoyable read, even if it is, at times, difficult (in more ways than one). I have never considered really analyzing my movie genre of choice--although I was aware that Evil White Men were always the "safest" villains--but now I will certainly look at it in a new light. Additionally, I'll need to rethink my own cop action screenplays. Yes, my cop protagonist and his sidekick were white males. And their supervisor was a well-spoken black man. Perhaps, unfathomably, I do indeed harbor some guilt over being an attractive, intelligent heterosexual white male. Never mind that White Male Privilege hasn't paid my credit card bill, or given me a new car or my own house.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Women's Studies in Communication, published by Organization for Research on Women and Communication on March 22, 2000. The length of the article is 1358 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Heroes in Hard Times: Cop Action Movies in the U.S.(Book Review)
Author: John W. Jordan
Publication: Women's Studies in Communication (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 2000
Publisher: Organization for Research on Women and Communication
Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Page: 271(4)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Amazon.com

Ender Wiggin is a very bright young boy with a powerful skill. One of a group of children bred to be military geniuses and save Earth from an inevitable attack by aliens, known here as "buggers," Ender becomes unbeatable in war games and seems poised to lead Earth to triumph over the buggers. Meanwhile, his brother and sister plot to wrest power from Ender. Twists, surprises and interesting characters elevate this novel into status as a bona fide page turner. It captured the Nebula and Hugo Awards.

Book Description

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer-simulated war games at the Battle School; in fact, he is engaged in something far more desperate. Ender is the result of decades of genetic experimentation, Earth's attempt to make the military genius that the planet needs in its all-out war with an alien enemy. Ender Wiggin is six years old when his training begins. He will grow up fast. Ender's two older siblings, Peter and Valentine, are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between three of them lie the abilities to remake a world-if the world survives. This, the author's definitive edition, also includes an original postscript written and recorded by the author himself, in which he discusses the origins of the novel.

Customer Reviews:

Goodness.......2007-10-04

This book made for a great bus ride to work. Easy to follow and can't wait to watch it play out in my head again.

Great introduction into Sci- Fi.......2007-10-03

If you never were the science fiction type this is a great one to get your feet wet. Enders game isn't too far out and doesn't make you feel too nerdy reading it. There are times where you really feel respect for ender the genius child who thinks more like a man. Well written and hard to put down.

One of the best science fiction books ever written.......2007-09-23

I read this book for the first time nearly 20 years ago and still recall it's excellent story line. Ender and his siblings are developed into incredibly realistic and believable characters. Ender's Game is perfectly written and perfectly concluded. Definitely one of the best ever.

Ender's Game.......2007-09-03

The book Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card, was a fabulous piece of work. In the story aliens have invaded planet Earth and then retreated. The world has united in trying to fight the enemy. They are training young gifted children in the ways of military strategy. The story takes place on a training ship in outer space. For training, the children must learn to battle each other in a simulation room, these are called games. Ender Wiggins, the main character, is the smallest and youngest of the recruits. He must fight his way through battle school and overcome many obstacles to prove that he is the best.

Orson Scott Card was born on August 24, 1951 in the state of Washington. He won the Hugo award and the Nebula award in consecutive years, making him the first author to ever do that. He won those awards with Ender's Game and its sequel, Speaker for the Dead. Currently Card is a professor of writing and literature at Southern Virginia University. He is also still writing books.

The end of the story had an unbelievable twist that would catch any reader off guard. The book deals with moral issues that every one struggles with. Card is able to use children to set an example to everyone. The way the children ban together to triumph over the challenges is inspiring. He also deals with issues of compassion, mercy, and the greater good. Also, throughout the story the reader gains an excellent understanding of all the characters because their development is very expressive. Battle school not only teaches the children about war but it makes them grow up very fast.

Overall the book was a joy to read. The action was intense and the dialogue was intriguing. Although there were dull moments they were few and far between. The dull moments come during training periods when everything seems routine. However, these dull moments do not last long and are generally followed by intense action.

This book is a great read for young adults and adult readers. Some parts may be too violent or frightening for younger readers. There are two sets of books that follow Ender's Game. The Ender Series which follows Ender's life after this book and the Shadow Series which follows a character Ender meets at Battle School. Both series are excellent reads after Ender's Game.

I'm crazy...but I think I'm OK........2007-09-01

This is a really great story. Great sci-fi is another thing, but this isn't bubblegum writing. What I thought was going to happen, partially happened. I was surprised at how predictable, yet unpredictable the story was. The pace of this book alone is pretty fun, making for an enjoyable read. Ender, along with his siblings and friends, are very interesting characters. What does Ender really want? How does he live with himself and what he's done? Worth checking out, whether you end up loving or hating it.

Ender's Game Gift Edition (Ender Quartet)

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Beautiful Edition - One of My Favorite Books
the best book of all time
Science Fiction Classic

Ender's Game Gift Edition (Ender Quartet)
Orson Scott Card
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765317389
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Book Description

Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards

For the perfect holiday gift for the reader on your list, pick up this special gift edition of one of the most beloved Science Fiction novels ever written.

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games at the Battle School; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. Ender is the most talented result of Earth's desperate quest to create the military genius that the planet needs in its all-out war with an alien enemy.

Is Ender the general Earth needs? The only way to find out is to throw the child into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast.

But Ender is not the only result of the experiment. The war with the Formics has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings, Peter and Valentine, are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways.

Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Edition - One of My Favorite Books.......2007-09-16

Simply put, this is one of the very best fiction stories I have ever read.

This hardcover edition is nicely bound and the print is the best of all of the editions available. It does cost more than the others, but is worth it if it will be read more than once - which is very likely.

the best book of all time.......2007-05-04

this is the only book good enough that i read it twice. the characters are original and believable, the style is simple enough for a gradeschooler, yet the social theory is post-grad.

Science Fiction Classic.......2007-04-24

If you did not read this book by the time you graduated high-school, you owe it to your self to read it. I have read it many times and the story is never tiresome. This is a wonderful 'coming of age' story with roots in Lord of the Files. I loved the idea that childern are the focal characters, but not just any ordanary childern. Great ending as well. No matter how many times I read it, I can never seem to put it down. I only gave it five stars, because there wern't more to give.

After the wager, the dice, and the games: Making up a quartet

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After the wager, the dice, and the games: Making up a quartet
Andrew Cruickshank
Manufacturer: Macdonald Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 0863340512

Five Star First Edition Westerns - Quincannon's Game: A Western Quartet (Five Star First Edition Westerns)

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Five Star First Edition Westerns - Quincannon's Game: A Western Quartet (Five Star First Edition Westerns)
Bill Pronzini
Manufacturer: Five Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

Anthologies | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Book Description

John Frederick Quincannon, a former United States Secret Service agent, and Sabina Carpenter, one of the first female Pinkerton operatives, joined forces to form the firm of Carpenter and Quincannon, Professional Detective Services. Their various cases take them all over the American West in the 1890s. Now they're back in four new adventures. In "The Bughouse Caper," Quincannon matches wits with Sherlock Holmes to solve a series of burglaries and a baffling locked-room murder. "The Cloud Cracker" finds Quincannon called to a small California town to expose an itinerant rainmaker as a charlatan and confidence man, only to run into an unexpected murder. In "Medium Rare" Quincannon and Sabina attend a seance, but more is involved than exposing psychic phenomena as fakery, since they are witnesses to a murder that seems to have been supernatural. "Quincannon in Paradise" is set in the Hawaiian Islands, with the detective on the trail of a pair of swindlers.

Customer Reviews:

A literary rendition of post-war confusion........1997-09-30

Of the Dagerman books that I have managed to find in English (a considerable difficulty) this one raks among the best (I've yet to read A Burnt Child).

Dagerman's work is incredibly dark, and the simple vocabulary of the story takes on darkened tones akin to some of the films of Ingmar Bergam (such as Through a Glass Darkly).

While heavy usage of metaphor and simile makes Dagerman's style something of a chore to get through, the end is rewarding, in that one gets a clear picture of a lost conciousness trying to interpret the immediate post-war world. In more than one way Dagerman echos the french existentialists, notably Albert Camus (The Fall).

As American film noir of the 1950s expressesed the pent-up depression of the 1930s and the post-war confusion of the 1950s in the US, so Dagerman's work appears to confront a country forced into change by external forces.

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Quartet: "Happy Families" With a Musical Twist! (The Game Series)

Manufacturer: Amsco Music
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Classical Snap! (Music Games)

ASIN: 1844496945

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Bible Quartet Game

Manufacturer: Candle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1859850456

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Orson Scott Card's "Ender Quartet" Four-book Set (Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind) (Ender Quartet, Numbers 1 through 4)
Orson Scott Card
Manufacturer: TOR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VRMULO

Product Description

Ender Quartet (4 book series) published as mass market paperbacks.

Set of 7 Novels. Ender Wiggins Quartet Volumes 1-4 + Shadow Saga Volumes 1-3 By Orson Scott Card - Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind, Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets

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Set of 7 Novels. Ender Wiggins Quartet Volumes 1-4 + Shadow Saga Volumes 1-3 By Orson Scott Card - Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind, Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets
Orson Scott Card
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000VNUZ92

Product Description

Book Description

In the explosive climax of the Dragon Temple saga, Zarq Darquel has secured a dragon estate for herself, in violation of every law which forbids women to own property. She had not seen herself as a revolutionary, but her enemies have given her no choice in her fight for freedom.

Abandoning the estate where she thought she would be safe, Zarq journeys deep into the jungle in search of an ancient dragon secret that would give her the power to overthrow both Kratt and the corrupt Dragon Temple. She has taken with her some of the female dragons from her own estate, and in the jungle she will once again risk the dragons' highly addictive, hallucinogenic venom-renewing a craving that is becoming an obsession.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting, gripping read........2007-09-14

I was really impressed, and on some level deeply disturbed by these books. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Still, an great storyline woven in a very interesting world, that kept me at least confused until the end, and wanting more even though all the plots were tied up. Also, the end is like the rest of the series, rather brutal and somewhat expected, but not nearly as hopeful or idealistic as other fantasy.

Breathtaking Finale.......2007-04-19

A breathtaking ending for this gripping tale of revolution and the feminist revolutionary,Zarq, who forged it.

In this final installment, Zarq has little time to savour her victory in the Arena in winning the ownership of her own Clutch at the end of Book 2. She and her few supporters are immediately attacked by Temple Auditors and again, she must hide, renounce her claim and also again, she forges relationships amongst the brutalised rishi she shelters with.

Still struggling with her dragon venom addiction, she is captured and then escapes with a pair of winged female dragons. Arriving deep in the jungle she finally learns the secret of breeding male dragons, the secret that will ultimately lead to breaking the power of the Temple and spark the revolution.

Janine Cross brilliantly weaves the realism of political intrigue and conflicting self-interests, while creatively overturning traditional magical fantasy narrative, into a rich detailed exploration of oppression, where the personal is indeed the political.

vivid dark fantasy .......2007-04-05

Though the Dragon Temple forbids females from owning property, Zarq Darquel ignores the tenet. Instead she makes a home for herself by purchasing a dragon-egg producing farm in Clutch Xxamer Zu. She also struggles with her craving for addictive dragon venom while finding herself nurturing the young victims of the repressive regime.

Meanwhile her former overlord Waikar Re Kratt, outraged by her behavior even before she defied the ruling paternal oligarchy, is coming for her. He wants her incarcerated at the least but his real goal is to see her dead. Forced to react, Zarq flees into the jungle lair of the dragons where accompanied by her female dragons, she seeks an ancient power to defeat Kratt and his male priestly supporters of the status quo.

The final book of the Dragon Temple fantasy trilogy (see TOUCHED BY VENOM and SHADOWED BY WINGS) is a vivid dark fantasy starring an intriguing heroine struggling with an addiction yet ironically her only hope to survive is using the venom that she craves. The story line is action-packed as Zarq lands in one nasty escapade after another. While not for everyone as this tale and miniseries is graphic, Janine Cross provides a deep look at the crippling impact of sexism, racism, slavery, addiction, and oppression in a wonderful over the top saga.

Harriet Klausner

The White Dragon (In Fire Forged, Part 1)

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Just remember-white dragons have NOTHING to do with this book
Slow, but has strengths
Extremely engaging - Laura Resnick does it again!
Laura Resnick continues a compelling story arc.
Enjoyable but Average

The White Dragon (In Fire Forged, Part 1)
Laura Resnick
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0812555481

Book Description

By the author of In Legend BornIt is a time of vast changes in the island nation of Sileria. Oppressed for centuries by one conqueror after another, this land of fierce pride and ancient rivalries awaited the prophesied Firebringer, who would free them. Josarian, a mountain peasant, survived his leap into the volcano to become the Firebringer. He united the impoverished shallaheen, the magical fire-wielding Guardians, and the vastly powerful mages known as Waterlords in an unprecedented alliance that defeated the foreign Valdani who had ruled Sileria for too long. But now Josarian is dead, betrayed by the alliance and slain by the ice-dragon of Kiloran, the most powerful Waterlord in Sileria. Tansen, Josarian's second-in-command, has taken up the banner of independence, and leads the shallaheen and the Guardians against the Waterlords so that Sileria can be free of a tyranny far worse than Valdani rule. As the volcano goddess Dar rumbles her displeasure in earthquakes and lava flows, the forces of fate, prophecy, and magic combine to create new heroes--from the desolate mountains, from the water-starved cities, from the sea, and even from beneath the earth. Ancient forces join with unlikely allies to fulfill the prophecies that inspire revolt and excite religious fervor. But in Sileria, betrayal has long been a way of life, and it wears many faces as the ambitions of the high and the low ensnare the fates of people across the land, wreaking havoc among the faithful.With consummate narrative skill, Laura Resnick brings to life the excitement and adventure of this magical land in its epic struggle to find its true leaders, heal ancient wounds, and chart a path out of chaos to a new day of peace.

Customer Reviews:

Just remember-white dragons have NOTHING to do with this book.......2007-04-02

I have often wondered why most fantasy series come in trilogies. The answer is, of course, that the publishing companies, bookstores and authors want your money! So in this case, what was supposed to be a duology with the really cool titles of "In Legend Born" followed by "In Fire Forged" turned into a trilogy. So what is really the second book was split into two books because otherwise it would have been over a thousand pages (which is not so long for epic fantasy actually) and now we have to pay more (the author claims it was not her intention to squeeze her poor readers and because she is a great writer I will believe her and blame this on the crappy booksellers) for a book with the completely lame title of "The White Dragon". This title by the way has nothing to do with the events of this novel. Nothing at all.

Anyway, so this book starts out differently. We b begin with a clan of the sea-bound sea folk, who are bound never to set foot on land until the last Dragonish (something like a shark I think but I can't help picturing really large versions of the fish in Chinese restaurant fish tanks) is dead. Our third person narrator is a 14 or 15 year old boy named Zarien, who is about to have his first Dragonfish hunt, which will make him officially a man. Unfortunately, he gets killed by one of these fish, only to be brought back to life by one of the nine goddess of the sea, the only one without a consort. She tells him to go find her mate-the sea king and King of the sea born people-on land. Naturally he's appalled, because not only is this a little sacrilegious (the sea goddess wants a land man?) but if he sets foot on land he will shunned by everyone he knows forever. He resists, the goddess threatens him with returning to being dead, and he agrees.

So where does one start to look on land for the sea king? Well Zarien, being one cool kid, thinks, it must be the firebringer, our old pal Josarian from "In Legend Born" ( there is a flaw in this reasoning, Josarian is Dar, the Volcano Goddess's consort and she is really jealous) only, as we know, the firebringer is dead, eaten by the white dragon. So who's the next best contestant-well, Tansen!

Naturally Tansen doesn't believe this but pretty soon he's being followed everywhere by this kid, and it's an weird mirroring of his own meeting and bonding with his blood father, who he killed at the 15 to protect the country from the Waterlords.

But that's not the only thing going on. We have the Valdani actually leaving the country-for good on hopes after some "convincing" by an assassin, a new blood feud sworn by Tansen against the Waterlords, which means civil war since some of the country loves them (who knows why?) Meanwhile Mirabar is getting visions of a new leader while feuding with Tansen, and alternating flirting with him, about his refusal to kill Elelar for betraying Josarian in order to get the Valdani to leave (this is the feuding part, not the flirting) and Najdan, Mirabar assassin's guardian/father figure, who betrayed Kiloran to be by her side muses about matchmaking and how Tansen should go out and gather sheep (as a bride price for Mirabar but he just sort of says "maybe you should think about sheep" when they're planning life or death strategy, clearly leaving everyone going, "WTF? ). Also Cheylan the other demon eyes Guardian revels his true nature, Baran, Kiloran's worst Waterlord enemy, who hates him beyond all reason and is just a wee-bit insane, shows up and acts, well, insane (yet charming) and Tansen and Kiloran fight over who's side he'll take in the civil war, Tansen and some of his men have one hilarious fight in the mud at a Waterlords house, and Elelar's half Valdani husband, Ronall runs around the country getting very drunk indeed. Also we get flashbacks into Tansen's past, into the terrible dark days with his blood father, and the night he killed him. And Dar stars throwing tantrums in the forms of earthquakes, strange lights and clouds of Gas, and visions seen by all at the most sacred guardian stronghold....visions with a voice that say "He is coming!"

As the experienced ruthless Waterlords fight the peaceful guardians, who may be powerful but have no clue on how to fight, and Tansen desperately tries to hold together his Blood brothers rebellion to save the country from a worse slavery than the Valdani ever had it under, while attempting to do something with Zarien, and come to some resolution with Mirabar...well things happen. And those things are in this book. And you will just never guess how things turn out.

Read the damm book. Five stars. The sequel to this, which finishes of the two part "In Fire Forged" is "The Destroyer Goddess" just buy it now to save yourself time. Once you get to the end you'll need to start the next book right away.

Slow, but has strengths.......2006-06-12

Resnick's follow up to In Legend Born continues the struggle for freedom of the island of Sileria.

Having dispensed with foriegn occupiers in the first volume, the rebels are now facing the more formidable opposition of the island's native Waterlord sorcerers, led by the talented and ruthless Kiloran. Being more powerful, it seems the Waterlords require two volumes to defeat.

Most of the characters from the first book are back. The principal new addition is Zarien, a boy from the sea-born people who violates his clan's taboos by going on land to search for a ruler for his people at the command of his goddess.

What I like about this book is the way she has built up the Silerian culture, which is fully realized , not just a few noblemen and a bunch of peasants. There are complex relations between rural and urban, as well as the classes in each group. She also does character well, with a wide variety of characters from different backgrounds who help create the society's feeling of believability.

The main problem in this book is that, as often in the middle volume of trilogies, there is a shortage of action. To see this, one need look no further than the title. In fact, there is no white dragon in this book. The cover art shows the confrontation of Kiloran's white dragon with Josarian the Firebringer, which was a climactic event of In Legend Born.

Extremely engaging - Laura Resnick does it again!.......2006-06-10

Laura Resnick's THE WHITE DRAGON contains almost everything one could ask for in a historical fantasy, and she does it with such a polished, contemplative nature that she is almost retelling history, not fantasy. She brings to bear her full writing prowess to accomplish what few writers before her have - bringing to life a whole new land, with a believable history and fully encompassing vision, along with personable characters and even a romantic subplot. Resnick's engrossing dialogues and intricate politics keep her readers guessing at every word and turning every page. Her complex depictions of Sileria's people, including their religion, racism, and history, make the reader feel and believe that they are actually in Sileria. Resnick is able to incorporate as well more than just a brief glimpse of a completely fantastical facet of Sileria, with the many forms of magic discussed and beautifully described. Completely removed from the trouble that most fantasy writers face, that is, to come up with something completely original, Resnick's novel actually contains only one major flaw - her story completely drops off at the end of the novel. There is absolutely no conclusion. The novel is continued in the next book, THE DESTROYER GODDESS. This technique would be advantageous if used anywhere else in the novel, which Resnick does incorporate, but not at the end of the book. In the end, though, it doesn't really make a difference. Fantasy lovers across the world will ear up Laura Resnick's THE WHITE DRAGON, which is a truly original fantasy adventure as well as a remarkable read.

Laura Resnick continues a compelling story arc........2005-08-23

After reading the first novel in the series, In Legend Born, I could hardly wait to tackle The White Dragon - Part one of In Fire Forged. Laura Resnick has created a fully formed continent of multiple nations, cultures, religions, societies and peoples with a fascinating history. Some writers excel at writing action sequences while others depict characters with depth and complexity. Laura Resnick is superb at both. She is unique in her ability to create both male and female characters with equal dexterity. In fact it is her portrayal of women that gives The White Dragon its outstanding appeal. More so than other authors of sword and sorcery she has created a universe in which women are much more than secondary characters. Intrigue and action are woven together in a profoundly exhilarating epic tale. The White Dragon is a continuation of the story that begins with In Legend Born, so I would encourage anyone to read it first. Great story, great writing, great reading.

Enjoyable but Average.......2004-08-13

WHY YOU SHOULD READ:

If you were one of those people who enjoyed In Legend Born and have been waiting to resolve the cliffhanger ending, then this is worth a read. Though be prepared to rehash a lot of old ground! Other than those individuals, we can't really recommend this book to anyone not already familiar with the story. It does not break new ground or provide any interesting concepts such to warrant an independent read of its own (in fact, it ends with yet another cliffhanger and the promise of yet another 500 page book). We suppose that those parties intensely interested in Hawaiian myth might be interested in the treatment of the goddess Dar. If you delight in seeing religion mixed with politics to the exclusion of other merits in a book then you might also be satisfied with the treatment of Tansen, Josarian, Zarien, and the dictates of their various deities.

wHY YOU SHOULD PASS:

Other writers have taken up these subjects and done them better. Certainly for the ultimate treatise on religion and politics you should take up Dune by Frank Herbert from which so much of this book is taken. Huge fans of Herbert should stay well away from this whole series lest cries of plagiarism arise and pollute the waters.

READ MORE AT INCHOATUS.COM

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Forged by Dragons Fire (Mage)
Kraig Blackwelder , Leonard Gentile , and John Snead
Manufacturer: White Wolf Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

LOOOONG SHIPMENT.......2005-11-16

I ordered this book on October 24th and paid instantly through my credit card, I am in an accelerated course which started on October 26th and the first assignment wasn't until like November 1st...I didn't receive the item until November 14th! Wow, Now I'm two weeks behind and luckily I was able to wing it for two weeks and still maintain an A...If you are going to order give them at least a month to ship it out.

Ordered October 24th
Recieved Nov. 14th

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