M3

Perhaps Best of the Series, but (ugh) CLIFFHANGER

Revisado: 02-09-20

Fantastic story line and story telling by the Alanson/Bray team. Less Joe+Skippy bickering and more heart-stopping space battles, though former still brings a laugh. During the in-depth descriptions of human-vs-alien fighting, the author's real-world experience shows through and lends credibility to the action. It doesn't matter that this is a science fiction story - the person writing it knows what the hell he's talking about, from tactics to strategy to comradery.

Summarily, the Pirates are primed for a set of well-deserved victories in this story, and it is a tremendous ride as they continue to kick butt across the universe. Be prepared for a roller coaster in the last chapter, where the revelations come almost too quickly, and leave you on the edge of your seat.

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Fascinating & Scary at the Same Time

Revisado: 01-18-20

Amazing story built from (released) documents 50+ years old and aggregated research about CIA's MK Ultra project. This book starts at the end of WW2 and moves through the late 80s and 90s, when the exploits of this secretive collection US researchers came to full light. Gottlieb's work was terrifying because he had such broad authority, and his work in the 50s, 60s, and 70s built on the worst of what German/ Japanese scientist did to human subjects. The greater impacts of his work affected elites, academia, and the defense establishment in ways that are still being measured. Absolutely fascinating (and simultaneously scary) what researchers will do in the name of science and national defense.

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Fantastic as Usual, and (this time) New Direction

Revisado: 01-18-20

The crew is all here, and the usual banter between Skippy and Joe continues. However, there are some plot twists and and new, laudable direction for the Band of Monkeys at the conclusion of this book that leave me in anticipation.

Author Alanson glosses over some technical details in an effort to keep the story moving (i.e. reconstruction of the Dutchman stranded the Pirates on a planet for months, but rebuild of Valkyrie parts happened almost instantaneously), Still, fantastic yarn, superb presentation by R.C. Bray, and concurrence that Craig Alanson has a deeper knowledge/ relevant experience to build an enjoyable/ believable science fiction adventure.

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Relevant/ Researched/ Verifiable Points

Revisado: 01-18-20

If the reader can get past the author's ego, there are some very salient points in this book. Highlights:

1. Western powers look at War as binary: either we are at war or we aren't.
2. With that binary outlook, western powers adhere to the Laws of War (large, defined force-on-force, defined endstate).
3. Other countries are running circles around the US, using non-conventional forces and methods to get to their own undeclared end states.
4. Best example: Russia, with its annexation of Crimea and continuing (denied) battle for Ukraine.

Conclusion: No bad guy wants to go toe-to-toe in all-out War with the US, so they find ways around our policies, doctrines, and weapons systems. YES, Sean McFate has some very good points here.

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Not bad, though I thought it was the Original

Revisado: 08-23-17

Good, fast paced story telling with references to current headlines artfully written into the narrative. I could definitely tell it was written from a woman's perspective ("the rippling muscles of his six-pack abdomen" sheesh), but still well done, with excellent diction and spectacular detail. A tad predictable, but I will still be back for books 2 and 3.

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Rethink what motivates you, others

Revisado: 06-27-13

A well written, objective scientific review of how our minds help us over ride our baser instincts...most of the time. This book sounds much like a philosophical doctoral thesis that tries to tie in the philosophies of the world, from Buddhism to Christianity.That aside, it does provide some key insights into human nature and helps one to overcome understand primal urges, and how to manage them. The chapters are logical in progression, and frequent historical examples (from philosophical texts and actual history) are frequently given to support assertions.

I would add that this book endeavors to identify biological and psychological bases for everything from charity to spirituality. It is not for those who fear having their religious beliefs challenged.

A quick listen by a talented presenter. I listened to this on long runs and was never bored.

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Showing its Age, but Still a Good Read

Revisado: 04-12-13

Grabbed this book because I read and enjoyed Starship Troopers so much. I figured an author that managed a successful marriage of real-world military experience, leadership lessons, and science fiction deserved more of my attention. I readily identified with Starship Troopers because much of it mirrors my experience (except fighting bugs - I never fought bugs).

SIASL is a different animal. This book moved far away from the personal military narrative that was Starship Troopers and began to delve into personal relationships, religion, sexuality, and intergalactic law. This may be familiar territory for some, and granted, the entire story takes place on earth, but the story doesn't cover the same timeless ideas that Starship Troopers does. Summarily, SIASL is showing its age.

It is worth saying that many of Heinlein's predictions about these areas have come true, and it is amusing to read them through the eyes of the story's main character. However, the main character's ties to Mars are essentially the only science fiction aspect, and the gist of the story reminds me of many "character out of place" stories pushed out by Hollywood, and the resulting confusion/ hilarity that ensues. This story is heavy on the confusion, and low on the hilarity.

Bright points include the author's assessment of megachurches, which figure prominentely in the story, and the main character's assessment of the effectiveness of tying one's shoes together vs. tying them correctly: "One way holds the shoes on the feet. The other way is only good for lying down." The performance is also a high point - the reader personifies a wide variety of characters with a high degree of effectiveness.

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A Personal History, Not a Researched Book

Revisado: 04-12-13

After hearing a personal recommendation from Steven Levitt of Freakonomics fame, I jumped to download this book. Knowing Levitt to be a levelheaded, logical, and pragmatic economist with a tremendous ability to assess cause and effect, I figured that this book would cover the basics of how and why violence blossomed in America. This came on the heels of my most recent reading of Pinker's "Better Angels of Our Nature", and exhausting but tremendously informative tome that covers the history, motivations, and science of violence in the human race.

As a result, I found "Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun" to be...not what I expected, but still an interesting listen. As the title implies, the books outlines author Canada's personal experience growing up in rough neighborhoods, and his personal choices to fix that. Canada tells an amazing story about how rough life in the big city can be, and compares it to the new threats that youth faces in the forgotten ghettos today. He also describes how he dove head-first into these rough areas to tackle the problem, and how his methods brought a surprising degree of success.

I was taken aback by the Canada's assertion that certain types of violence, applied strategically, can cause more serious violence to be mitigated, but his point is believable in light of his personal experience in this area.

If you are looking for a scientific study about how violence happens and why, look elsewhere (I would recommend the aforementioned Pinker book). If you are looking for a fast read that combines personal experience with one man's successful efforts to quell violence in an area he calls home, your search is over.

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Outstanding, with Many "Oh REALLY?" Moments

Revisado: 09-19-12

For starters, "Sharon" is a he, not a she. And Sharon presents a well researched, logically laid out argument for how evolution sometimes bites us in the butt. In a nutshell, the same genetic characteristics that allowed your forefathers to survive the plague of the dark ages are likely the root cause of some present-day genetic affliction (in this instance, hemochromotisis). It appears that sometimes nature may trade the ability to survive in the short term for the ability to survive in the long term. Moalem points out multiple examples of how genetic evolution can have second and third order effects...and they are not always for the better.

This is a quick listen that doesn't bore. If I had one complaint, it would be the heavy-handed preaching about evolutionary theory at the beginning of the book, which will undoubtedly grate on the ears of creationists and make them refuse to listen to the REST of the book...which is phenomenal.

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Outstanding - Much Better Than the Film

Revisado: 09-19-12

Although I can't argue much with the casting of characters in the recent movie, the movie pales in comparison to the book. Hearing thoughts and background provides a richer experience that helps to crystallize what the author meant to say, or more correctly, meant to express. The tapestry of this story comes alive with imagined situations that give depth to the protagonist, the people she interacts with, and the scenario she is forced into.

Strongly recommend this - it is a quick "can't put it down" listen.

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