S. Seigel

Every Servicemember Should Read This

Revisado: 03-27-25

I served as an intel soldier. My wife did too. We met during training. She later returned to service as an aviation officer and pilot. I have no clue how Heinlein managed it, but he seems to really “get it.” So many who do can only write dry, technical reports or wild, emotional streams of consciousness or tragedies or manic fantasies of mayhem. What Heinlein wrote was all of these in equal parts, but much more—honest introspection with cynicism and optimism in turns. The touches of luck and fate remained throughout.

A few other authors get it; very few. The title is dated in many ways Yet it holds up so well that I’d still give a copy to every recruit, conscript or officer candidate on Earth.

ON THE BOUNCE!

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Emotional roller coaster

Revisado: 01-26-25

I can’t right now, oh my god! Why does it have to be such a big cliffhanger and when does the next book come out!

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Not For YOU!

Revisado: 03-02-24

ENOUGH! I’m struggling in almost every conceivable way. I’ve experienced huge personal tragedies in the last two decades with the deaths of my wife and granddaughter in the last 3 years. But that shouldn’t matter because I’m a (visually) white. Not only does the author/narrator constantly insult me based on my demographic, she acts like “we of diminished melanin” have each somehow benefitted from some kind of magic that she and the rest of the world’s people—the vast majority—lacked. Was it sleeping in my car to afford the TIME to go to college? Or joining the military to afford the cost? Clue me in here!

It’s just an alienating, off-putting and insulting way to write. I work almost exclusively with at-risk kids. They also happen to be tribal members. I refuse to let them use that status to excuse misconduct or a lack of effort. They are brilliant, wonderful kids. They need to be challenged. It’s true not because of their ancestry, but regardless, even in spite of it. Everyone needs to be challenged to grow.

The book is continually harping on something that doesn’t matter. If we were to “flip the script,” every time replacing the words when she drops race with “white” it would be shocking. It’s the test I use to challenge my kids:
If you replaced [any racial/cultural/sexual group identity] in a statement with white/European/cis/straight, would that statement be okay? It’s usually not. In the same way, too much of this book isn’t okay.

It sends such a strong “not for you” message to me that I just can’t continue despite some really creative ideas. While I believe there is a place for turnabout, it’s not when people are down.

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esto le resultó útil a 8 personas

Great Book, Stellar Narrator

Revisado: 02-18-24

MILD SPOILER WARNING:




Thunderhead is the second book in Neal Shusterman’s Scythe series, It is a compelling and satisfying continuation of the first book, not the predictable, formulaic or lackluster effort that first sequels (and second books in a series) so often can be. He creates excellent new characters. Strong story lines are developed. The book might even be a worthy stand-alone story, but I’ll never know. Obviously I’m moving right into book 3

And now for my highest praise, this story introduces the merger of two quite disparate men. As an actor I find that very notion abominable and the idea of portraying such a character frankly insurmountable. Yet much to his credit, Tremblay manages to put voice to this complex chimera with subtly and sophistication. Bravo!

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Unexpectedly Delightful

Revisado: 12-22-23

Upon re-listening I have to say both this book and its predecesor are written by someone who does not think stereotypically or in any way predictably. The problems are often ludicrous; the solutions just as insane. He successfully walks the tightrope of improbability and idiocy to cross the chasm of predictability with his fantastic story craft and world building. Definitely one of my favorite authors and series!

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Short & Sweet

Revisado: 12-02-23

A fun little adventure installment not boring or heavy, but it seemed a bit short. I love this universe—a good mix of fun, frustration, peril, moral quandaries, the supernatural, romance, awkwardness, stupidity, brilliance, misfortune and luck.

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book of the year ✨️

Revisado: 11-02-23

S9+ One of the best books I have listened to.

Read this book it is 100% worth every minute of your time. I can't wait for the next one!!!

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Great Heroine!

Revisado: 08-27-23

Riley is developed so well that I’m frankly disappointed to have read this out of sequence. AO’s side quests contain important material and should not be skipped.

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outstanding

Revisado: 05-06-23

much better than other reviews give it. little slower than the previous entries, still 100% worth the read.

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Excellent Analysis and Exposé Of Race-Baiting

Revisado: 04-08-23

While it’s an older book of contemporary cultural analysis and political commentary, the author wrote well enough that it remains entirely relevant today. The arguments are well supported by numerous case studies and the message may even be truer in 2023 than it was 10 years ago.

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