|
Post by EdoBosnar on Feb 12, 2019 18:18:10 GMT -5
My Lord Barbarian by Andrew J. Offutt A pretty solid sword & planet tale that actually mildly surprised me at a few places. I'd never read anything by Offutt before, but given the fact that - besides SF - he was also known for writing dozens of erotic novels in the 1970s and 1980s under various pseudonyms and the book's racy Vallejo cover, I was expecting something a little more campy and raunchy. It wasn't that for the most part. To be sure, there was lots of violence, but the (two) love/sex scenes were basically PG-13. But more than anything, it was a just a well-plotted and nicely paced action story.
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Feb 12, 2019 18:48:15 GMT -5
He definitely wrote some of the later Conan novels as well. (not this one I'm reviewing, of course...) Conan the Wanderer Conan leads the desert hoardes against king Yezdigerd.. it's a good story, but one doesn't really need to read it 5 times. These definitely a a formula... sort of like when you buy a CD for the one song on the radio you like, and it turns out the album has 10 more exactly like it. I do really like the the general in the Flame Knife.. just the sort of non-magical tactician that makes a good foil for our hero. I wouldn't have minded forgoing the magic demon city and had a good old fashioned break out of a military trap. It strikes me a bit at what de Camp and Carter decide to 'fill in', too. In the case of the story, the tales that mention they don't know in the chapter notes sound far more interesting that the one they tell in Black Tears (where Conan, IMO, is far too heroic).
|
|
|
Post by brutalis on Feb 14, 2019 9:14:55 GMT -5
Caught up on 2 art books I had purchased before the holidays. Finally some time to sit back and enjoy the splendor with leisurely reading and poring over the exquisite delineation. Highly recommend both books if you haven't already gotten them as they spotlight some very fine craftsmanship that everyone should take time to see.
Masters of Spanish Comic Book Art by David Roach celebrates Spanish comic book artists that wee have all seen in the pages of Warren's Vampirella, Creepy, Eerie horror comics and from the science-fiction of the British 2000 AD Weekly, or Marvel and DC covers and insides. Covering over 80 artistic legends like Sanjulian, Jose Gonzalez, Jordi Bernet, Esteban Maroto to some you may recognize the art but never knew their names. The book provides very brief biographies for the artists while providing many small pictures on a page as samplings of their skills and a page or 2 of full page reproductions. It gives a great overview and taste of what was coming around in the 70's and 80's from Spain for us comic readers. There is great artwork to savor on every page and well worth your time and effort.
The Art of Robert E. McGinnis by Art Scott is a spectacular production that you will spend hours upon drooling and eyeballing the incredible art from McGinnis. I grew up seeing his paperback covers on all sorts of detective books and romance books that my grandfather and mother would read. Have seen his movie posters and most recently again finding new art on the Hard Case Crime paperback reprinting's since 2004.
The man started his career in 1947 and as of the printing of this book in 2014 is still going strong. You will recognize his artwork when you see it (if only i could post pictures) as his skill has graced everything in the world from books, to magazines to movies and his women are the stuff of dreams. Sultry, sensual, seductive and mesmerizing and powerful women to behold. Do yourself a favor and invest in this book as you will keep going back to it time and again. Since reading it over the weekend I still have opened and spent time poring over a page or 2 each morning over breakfast. Truly beautiful. Includes covers and full paintings and many preliminary sketches fill this 176 page book
|
|
|
Post by Slam_Bradley on Feb 14, 2019 11:41:20 GMT -5
The Art of Robert E. McGinnis by Art Scott is a spectacular production that you will spend hours upon drooling and eyeballing the incredible art from McGinnis. I grew up seeing his paperback covers on all sorts of detective books and romance books that my grandfather and mother would read. Have seen his movie posters and most recently again finding new art on the Hard Case Crime paperback reprinting's since 2004. The man started his career in 1947 and as of the printing of this book in 2014 is still going strong. You will recognize his artwork when you see it (if only i could post pictures) as his skill has graced everything in the world from books, to magazines to movies and his women are the stuff of dreams. Sultry, sensual, seductive and mesmerizing and powerful women to behold. Do yourself a favor and invest in this book as you will keep going back to it time and again. Since reading it over the weekend I still have opened and spent time poring over a page or 2 each morning over breakfast. Truly beautiful. Includes covers and full paintings and many preliminary sketches fill this 176 page book I keep looking for an inexpensive copy of that book. But I don't find one. Art books tend not to depreciate in value.
|
|
|
Post by beccabear67 on Feb 14, 2019 13:07:08 GMT -5
Mostly been reading local and area history books in snatches. I follow a line of interest around two or more books and then see what the library has to supplement it. Interested in the Hudson Bay Company forts of the NW, particularly Fort George/Astoria, and Fort Vancouver where the first premiere of British Columbia started out. Interesting time period.
|
|
|
Post by brutalis on Feb 14, 2019 13:20:55 GMT -5
The Art of Robert E. McGinnis by Art Scott is a spectacular production that you will spend hours upon drooling and eyeballing the incredible art from McGinnis. I grew up seeing his paperback covers on all sorts of detective books and romance books that my grandfather and mother would read. Have seen his movie posters and most recently again finding new art on the Hard Case Crime paperback reprinting's since 2004. The man started his career in 1947 and as of the printing of this book in 2014 is still going strong. You will recognize his artwork when you see it (if only i could post pictures) as his skill has graced everything in the world from books, to magazines to movies and his women are the stuff of dreams. Sultry, sensual, seductive and mesmerizing and powerful women to behold. Do yourself a favor and invest in this book as you will keep going back to it time and again. Since reading it over the weekend I still have opened and spent time poring over a page or 2 each morning over breakfast. Truly beautiful. Includes covers and full paintings and many preliminary sketches fill this 176 page book I keep looking for an inexpensive copy of that book. But I don't find one. Art books tend not to depreciate in value. Like you I was hoping for a used or special sale mark down. But after around 2 years with no luck and it remained at the same price on Amazon I went ahead and pulled the trigger and got it for around $27. I thought that was a fairly good price and it proved worthwhile as there it is a spectacular book. I helped rationalize it in the fact I willingly spend $4.99 for a single comic that I will likely read once then put in a box to read again down the line whereas with a really good art book I will keep it out and peruse through it often and repeatedly. McGinnis is truly one artist WORTH the few extra pennies.
|
|
|
Post by Slam_Bradley on Feb 14, 2019 14:37:35 GMT -5
Other Worlds, Better Lives: A Howard Waldrop Reader: Selected Long Fiction, 1989-2003 by Howard Waldrop A collection of Waldrops longer works from 89-03. I actually read about half of this book because I'd read two or three of the stories herein in different collections. Waldrop is a master of the short form and he never writes down to his readers. I discovered his work in the last ten years or so. I really can only imagine reading it before the internet became a constant presence and allowed easy research. I'm quite well-read, but Waldrop will still stump me with historic and cultural knowledge and send me scurrying to Google to look into the background of his stories. Most of Waldrop's work is some sort of alt-history. This isn't hard SF. Now and then it verges on fantasy. But it's always incredibly intelligent. "A Dozen Tough Jobs" sets the Labors of Hercules in the deep South in the 1930s. "You *Could* Go Home Again" finds a world in which FDR dies and Huey Long is elected President in 1932...but not for long. In "The Other Real World" we follow the children from 50s SF films dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis. This is the kind of stuff that Waldrop gives us. Interesting. Well researched. Unlike what you get from anyone else. He doesn't always hit a home run (the last story "A Better World's in Birth!" didn't work for me at all) but they are always interesting.
|
|
|
Post by berkley on Feb 15, 2019 0:28:11 GMT -5
Caught up on 2 art books I had purchased before the holidays. Finally some time to sit back and enjoy the splendor with leisurely reading and poring over the exquisite delineation. Highly recommend both books if you haven't already gotten them as they spotlight some very fine craftsmanship that everyone should take time to see. Masters of Spanish Comic Book Art by David Roach celebrates Spanish comic book artists that wee have all seen in the pages of Warren's Vampirella, Creepy, Eerie horror comics and from the science-fiction of the British 2000 AD Weekly, or Marvel and DC covers and insides. Covering over 80 artistic legends like Sanjulian, Jose Gonzalez, Jordi Bernet, Esteban Maroto to some you may recognize the art but never knew their names. The book provides very brief biographies for the artists while providing many small pictures on a page as samplings of their skills and a page or 2 of full page reproductions. It gives a great overview and taste of what was coming around in the 70's and 80's from Spain for us comic readers. There is great artwork to savor on every page and well worth your time and effort. The Art of Robert E. McGinnis by Art Scott is a spectacular production that you will spend hours upon drooling and eyeballing the incredible art from McGinnis. I grew up seeing his paperback covers on all sorts of detective books and romance books that my grandfather and mother would read. Have seen his movie posters and most recently again finding new art on the Hard Case Crime paperback reprinting's since 2004. The man started his career in 1947 and as of the printing of this book in 2014 is still going strong. You will recognize his artwork when you see it (if only i could post pictures) as his skill has graced everything in the world from books, to magazines to movies and his women are the stuff of dreams. Sultry, sensual, seductive and mesmerizing and powerful women to behold. Do yourself a favor and invest in this book as you will keep going back to it time and again. Since reading it over the weekend I still have opened and spent time poring over a page or 2 each morning over breakfast. Truly beautiful. Includes covers and full paintings and many preliminary sketches fill this 176 page book Both those sound good, but as usual with art books I'd like to have a look at the interior before spending money for them. Tempting, though.
|
|
|
Post by Slam_Bradley on Feb 18, 2019 15:41:54 GMT -5
Rumble Tumble by Joe R. LansdaleHap and Leonard are back in their fifth adventure. The boys aren't getting any younger. And the last few years have put a lot of extra miles on them. But when word comes, via a red-headed midget and a rather dull hulk, that Brett's daughter wants out of the prostitution business Hap isn't going to let his lady-love go it alone. And Leonard certainly isn't going to let Hap go into trouble without having his back. The story leads from east Texas, to a brothel in Oklahoma, to a "pleasure ranch" across the Mexican border. And during the course of the story the boys both give and take, plenty of lumps. While it's generally a fun ride, I'd say this is by far the weakest entry so far. Generally Hap and Leonard have trouble thrust upon them (controlling for Leonard's propensity for burning down drug houses). In this one they go looking for trouble. Now, it's certainly for a good reason, getting Brett's daughter out of a life of prostitution. But they are still at the forefront of the mayhem that includes multiple killings, shooting the foot off of a tough-guy and pistol-whipping a midget. I think one of the things missing is the spark of humor is a bit subdued this time around. But you will find no greater demonstration of true friendship than that between Hap Collins and Leonard Pine.
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Feb 22, 2019 23:10:26 GMT -5
Circe Madeline Miller
Reading this for book club.. I had seen it, but honestly Circe didn't particularly interest me as a character. For the 1st half of the story, nothing changed my opinion... the author is giving Circe the 'Wicked' treatment.. taking a clear villain (but a relatable one) and give her solid justifications for her actions to make us rethink who's good and who isn't.
The style is quite good, and she moves through the classic stories nicely, but there's nothing particularly unique until she continues the story AFTER the events of the Odyssey and goes in her own unique direction... I really thought the ending was great!
|
|
|
Post by brutalis on Feb 25, 2019 8:39:12 GMT -5
Finished up Sharpe's Enemy by Bernard Cornwell over the weekend. Our good Captain of the Rifle's finally becomes Major Sharpe. Of course like all good promotions it is NOT the blessing it seems as it all puts Dickie boy into conflicts one after another which he eventually overcomes and triumphs. Along with the return of several earlier Sharpe characters Sargent Hakeswell (finally gets his just desserts) and the money seeking Lady Isabella. Sharpe rescues Lady Isabella and a French Colonel's wife from Hakeswell and his group of deserters only to end up having to fight the French Colonel in order to prevent the French from advancing in to Portugal. Sharpe creates another enemy, French Major Ducos (who will return) and in the end Hakeswell murders Sharpe's Spanish Resistance Fighter/Wife Theresa. Sharpe both wins and looses in this one and it is one of the BEST Sharpe stories in the series. This one was adapted in the BBC television series and is worth watching as well.
|
|
|
Post by Prince Hal on Feb 25, 2019 9:05:39 GMT -5
Circe Madeline Miller Reading this for book club.. I had seen it, but honestly Circe didn't particularly interest me as a character. For the 1st half of the story, nothing changed my opinion... the author is giving Circe the 'Wicked' treatment.. taking a clear villain (but a relatable one) and give her solid justifications for her actions to make us rethink who's good and who isn't. The style is quite good, and she moves through the classic stories nicely, but there's nothing particularly unique until she continues the story AFTER the events of the Odyssey and goes in her own unique direction... I really thought the ending was great! Curious if the ending (trying not to come close to any spoilers) involves a character named Telegonus and/or a stingray.
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Feb 25, 2019 13:56:12 GMT -5
Telegonus is a main character in the 2nd half of the book.. no Stingray though
|
|
|
Post by Slam_Bradley on Feb 25, 2019 14:03:29 GMT -5
Circe Madeline Miller Reading this for book club.. I had seen it, but honestly Circe didn't particularly interest me as a character. For the 1st half of the story, nothing changed my opinion... the author is giving Circe the 'Wicked' treatment.. taking a clear villain (but a relatable one) and give her solid justifications for her actions to make us rethink who's good and who isn't. The style is quite good, and she moves through the classic stories nicely, but there's nothing particularly unique until she continues the story AFTER the events of the Odyssey and goes in her own unique direction... I really thought the ending was great! This is on my To-Read list. Which isn't terribly meaningful. But still.
|
|
|
Post by Prince Hal on Feb 25, 2019 14:15:35 GMT -5
Telegonus is a main character in the 2nd half of the book.. no Stingray though Ah- HAH. Just curious. In the myths, he uses the a stingray's barb on the tip of his spear to deliver a death-blow.
|
|