Ambrose

Don’t be misled by the title

Revisado: 05-01-23

I got this on a whim after watching her bit on Colbert. I enjoyed Veep, and the book was positioned in a similar vein—insider look on the dysfunction of Congress.

There were a few such nuggets, but this is mostly a campaign tool for the author. She’s unquestioningly convinced of her moral superiority to those around her, evidenced by every selected anecdote from her life, emphasizing how those around her failed to live up to her ideals and how she alone brought goodness and light—even strongly criticizing her Democratic colleagues.

And that’s what most of the book is. One has to give her credit for moxie.

If you already like her and share her political opinions, you’ll probably like the book. But there’s not much here for the rest of us.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Felt Too Juvenile

Revisado: 02-09-21

As someone trained in philosophy and history, I thought this would be right up my alley, an interesting concept to explore. But the writing, for me, came across as too juvenile and superficial. Sounds like it's written from the vantage point of a tween girl, which if I were that, would be great, I can only assume. I am not, though.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Great overview

Revisado: 07-23-19

Really enjoyed the history. It honestly made me wonder if this is the main source that Bernard Cornwell used for his Saxon series. So much seems lifted right from these pages.

I was amused that the reader used ancient Latin pronunciation rather than medieval, which would have been more appropriate. And why Latinize English words? “Carolingian” should use a soft ‘g’ just as if it were an English word—because it is! Also, I think she could have listened to Seamus Heaney’s Beowulf to at least get an approximation of correct Old English pronunciation. Some serious butchery there. 😂

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

I Wanted to Like This

Revisado: 07-13-17

I really wanted to like this. It has all the basics for a story right up my alley--AI, future science, sci fi, allusions to popular media, etc.

But the author spoils it by trotting out the tired atheistic canard that religion (and religious people) are inimical to science and scientific advancement. Not only did he trot it out, but he made it a central, recurring theme.

This is a real pet peeve of mine, and you'd think that given the vast majority of humans are still religious/theists of some stripe, an author wouldn't want to unnecessarily alienate them. And yes, this aspect was wholly tangential to the core plot line. People by nature are afraid of change and things they don't understand; this is not intrinsic to religion, so he could have easily created some group opposed to the research/advancement without relying on this tired, inaccurate perception of religious people.

I respect the autonomy of an author to inject his worldview into his books, but I'm just so tired of this showing up in the great genre of sci fi. The premise is demonstrably not true, despite the overly hyped (and mostly inaccurately recounted) Gallileo story and the overblown controversy around evolution/creationism being taught in schools. Contrast that to the thousands upon thousands of scientists who have been and are religious/theists, not to mention the oodles of scientific institutions sponsored by and populated with believers.

So although I almost never boycott anything, I'm going to pass on the rest of this series. I have to assume it will continue to feature "those ignorant religious people who are opposed to reason and science" given the prominence of that theme in this book.

SOME POTENTIAL SPOILERS FOLLOW

As for the other aspects, I did like the idea of Brazil becoming/being a major power. I haven't seen that before, so it was original at least to me. They were, however, pretty flat in terms of character development.

I did like the exploration of incorporating actual human mind scans as the basis for quasi-AI, and dealing with some of the psychological issues that might crop up from that was clever.

The cantankerous English general/colonel/whatever he was was another cliche. In fact, most of the parties on Earth were cliches. It reminded me of BV Larson in that it was lazy character usage--just seemed to be an easy way to move the action forward.

The overbearing condescension of the Bobs was a bit much too. I did like the exploration of the individuation of personalities post copying.

Then there's that indigenous species of the one planet with the apes and the others--I can't remember what they were called. That was just another way for the author to expose his philosophical views on humanity/evolution, which are wholly unoriginal and pretty banal, IMO. If you want a much more imaginative treatment of this line, I suggest Star Maker by Stapledon. He was incredibly imaginative in treating alternative evolutions. Taylor's apes were reminiscent of Burroughs' Barsoomian ape creatures, but less imaginative. Then there's the whole "smart, tool-using creature that shows up the big dumb athletic ones"--again, tired cliche.

Normally, I'm pretty easy to please with sci fi, but this was too much laziness, too much use of tired cliches (one of which happens to be a pet peeve), so I can't recommend it.

That said, Porter did a fine job of narrating and a bang up job on some of the popular character impersonations. Kudos to him!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Lots of Fun!

Revisado: 04-29-15

Good clean fun. Like the playing with time continuity. Humorous and well written characters. Performance was stellar. Def recommend it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Good Sampler

Revisado: 05-29-13

The problem with a collection of short stories is that just as you are really settling into a story you like, it is over. On the other hand, the ones you don't like require shortened suffering. I only skipped one story in this collection--the Coxswain one--because I don't care for ugliness for the sake of ugliness, where the author seems to think it is a dare to see how much filth you'll put up with when it has very little, if anything, to do with the actual story. I'm not squeamish, but I don't like pointless crap.

Most stories in this were "meh," and I liked a few well enough to wish they didn't end so quickly. The main value I see in this book, and doubtless why some authors participate, is discovery. You can get a sampling of each author's style and potentially find some you want to read full works from. Not a bad deal all told.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Enjoyed It; Reminiscent of Dresden

Revisado: 03-19-13

Entertaining book. I liked the sense of realism regarding the weaponry, tactics, and fights.

It reminded me to some extent of the Dresden Files, but it is definitely its own thing.

There was maybe a little too much deus ex machina type stuff going on, but it's okay.

Would recommend it to folks who like this sort of thing.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Like Something I Would Write

Revisado: 02-11-13

I really enjoyed this. Much more than I expected to. Saying it is like something I would write gives you some sense about how much it resonated with me.

I liked the story within a story within a story technique. That was fun in itself. I like that his characters have depth, for the most part. Let's say the ones that should have depth, do have depth. I like the balanced treatment of magic (as a fan of Tolkien, of course)--people aren't just throwing magical rays at each other all the time. It is used occasionally (thus far). It has fairly good/realistic rules. It has consequences. The prodigy-hero just doesn't master it easily, for free. It doesn't feel like a get out of jail free card.

Given the depth of the hero's background he covers, he does a great job of keeping things feeling real. There are some cliche thematic elements, of course, but he reins them in well.

I like the treatment of dragons. Very original (as far as I know). :)

I don't have many books these days that I feel like I don't want to set aside. This one kept me wanting to listen and wanting to not stop.

My only real criticism is more of a philosophical one. The author has a clear anti-clerical streak that is sadly very cliche. I suspect for most of his audience, they'll lap it up, but I don't appreciate the superficial large brush painting of an entire class of people.

The reader does a fine job, too. So well that he neither stands out to me nor gets in the way--everything you could ask for from a professional reader.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Fun, Wry Homage to Sci Fi

Revisado: 01-02-13

Being a long-time Star Trek fan, I fully expected to enjoy this, and I did. Beyond the basic idea of poking fun at the whole redshirt theme, I didn't know what it was about, and I was pleasantly surprised at the novel twist on that. Scalzi does a good job of keeping it fun and interesting despite what you might think of as a shallow concept initially.

Wheaton is a decent narrator, but having listened to a few books read by him, I will say that he has this one particular voice when he is being scornful or derisive that wears on the nerves. It's kind of like a petulant teenager tone, and it shows up too often and is too emphasized, even when it feels like the text doesn't support it. I mention it simply because it stands out to me, but overall, he does a fine job and is suited especially to a book like this given his acting background. That adds something to it.

Bottom line, if you like Star Trek and have a sense of humor, you'll enjoy this book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Fun and Original

Revisado: 10-29-12

Shades of steampunk. Mystery. Science fiction. Thriller. Historical characters. Lots of fun stuff in this story with interesting twists. I especially liked the way he tied in **REDACTED**.

Recommended.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas