Not sure what to really say about this book. I'm certainly not an avid fantasy reader, but I have read quite a bit of it, and in the end, this book just seems to be a bit average.
I wouldn't say the book is poorly written by any stretch, Brooks sense of action and pace gets better throughout the Shannara series, and you can tell his style is getting even more refined. However, this book lacked any punch with it's characters. They're just the same basic characters that showed up in "Sword of Shannara," just with different names. Some might see it as stability, I see it as boring and keeps me from growing to care for the characters. There's just no diversity, and in the worse instances, it's down right annoying.
Of course Brooks is far from the only person writing in the fantasy genre that's guilty of this. Many avid fantasy readers trace everything back to "Lord of the Rings," and those parallels exist so strongly in the Shannara books that Brooks has taken a lot of heat for it. Still, the same can be said of other great fantasy authors such as David Eddings. Indeed, Tolkein wasn't original in his work either, borrowing much from the myths he so loved. After all, in the final analysis, you can trace most stories and characters back to an archetype, I just wish Brooks would change it up a bit.
Still, fantasy readers should enjoy the book on the whole, just don't expect any resolution at the end.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Book Thoughts: "Hurricane Watch" by Bob Sheets and Jack Williams
Great book with great info that should be read by anyone who is interested in the history and science of tropical cyclones. It contains extensive chapters on the various historical eras since hurricane records have been kept, as well some pretty heavy scientific chapters on topics such as hurricane recon flights as well as computer modeling.
The only draw back to this book is that it's a bit outdated now, covering only the period ending in 2000. However, it's interesting to look back now and see the author's warnings about future US hurricanes reflected in names we now know like Katrina, Rita, and Ike.
I would love to see a supplement or new edition to this book with info on recent storm seasons, still, it deserves a respected place on the shelf of anyone interested in tropical weather.
The only draw back to this book is that it's a bit outdated now, covering only the period ending in 2000. However, it's interesting to look back now and see the author's warnings about future US hurricanes reflected in names we now know like Katrina, Rita, and Ike.
I would love to see a supplement or new edition to this book with info on recent storm seasons, still, it deserves a respected place on the shelf of anyone interested in tropical weather.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Book Thoughts: "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck
First off, let me say, this could be the greatest book I've ever read, and I can totally see how it has influenced so many people.
The book follows the Joad family in an almost biblical exodus from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression. The Dust bowl has destroyed the Joads crops, and defaulting on their loans, they head for California and the promise of high pay and steady work. What they find is quite a different story. The book has a lot to say on both power of corporations and organized labor. While the labor movement doesn't actually win the day in the book, Steinbeck's view is obviously that it will.
Similar to "East of Eden," there's a ton going on this novel with characters, symbols and plot. My favorite character is the Preacher, Jim Casy. To delve into his character, just look at his initials. Of course, Stienbeck's style is very accessible as well, which ultimately brought this book and this story to the common man. Every American should read this book.
The book really resonated with me because of the strong advocacy of organized labor and commentary on corporate greed and exploitation. I feel very strongly about these subjects. For every CEO in this country that makes millions of dollars, there are hundreds of thousands of people working under him doing the grunt work: building the cars, flipping the burgers, producing the software, selling the towels, running the registers, cleaning the bathrooms, etc. These workers are the people that make this country run, not the CEOs. These workers are also the people getting screwed over again in this economy, the worst situation since Steinbeck penned this novel. The CEOs get millions in bonuses for running the company into the ground, while the worker hits the unemployment line. The banks get bailouts, the workers have to watch congress fight over whether to continue their measly unemployment benefits. It's all very mixed up.
Do yourself a favor. Read this book. Enjoy it as a good story, but pay attention. Pay attention to what Steinbeck is saying. You may not like it. When it first came out, liberals and conservatives alike denounced him as a communist and called this book propaganda. I can see why, it has a lot to say.
"...and in the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath. In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage."
--Chapter 25.
The book follows the Joad family in an almost biblical exodus from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression. The Dust bowl has destroyed the Joads crops, and defaulting on their loans, they head for California and the promise of high pay and steady work. What they find is quite a different story. The book has a lot to say on both power of corporations and organized labor. While the labor movement doesn't actually win the day in the book, Steinbeck's view is obviously that it will.
Similar to "East of Eden," there's a ton going on this novel with characters, symbols and plot. My favorite character is the Preacher, Jim Casy. To delve into his character, just look at his initials. Of course, Stienbeck's style is very accessible as well, which ultimately brought this book and this story to the common man. Every American should read this book.
The book really resonated with me because of the strong advocacy of organized labor and commentary on corporate greed and exploitation. I feel very strongly about these subjects. For every CEO in this country that makes millions of dollars, there are hundreds of thousands of people working under him doing the grunt work: building the cars, flipping the burgers, producing the software, selling the towels, running the registers, cleaning the bathrooms, etc. These workers are the people that make this country run, not the CEOs. These workers are also the people getting screwed over again in this economy, the worst situation since Steinbeck penned this novel. The CEOs get millions in bonuses for running the company into the ground, while the worker hits the unemployment line. The banks get bailouts, the workers have to watch congress fight over whether to continue their measly unemployment benefits. It's all very mixed up.
Do yourself a favor. Read this book. Enjoy it as a good story, but pay attention. Pay attention to what Steinbeck is saying. You may not like it. When it first came out, liberals and conservatives alike denounced him as a communist and called this book propaganda. I can see why, it has a lot to say.
"...and in the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath. In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage."
--Chapter 25.
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