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Gregg S. (epicurus) - , - Reviews

1 to 17 of 17
And Another Thing... (Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, Bk 6)
Review Date: 7/10/2014


The person has none of the skill that Douglas Adams had in one toenail. This book took over 50 pages to explain what took place to get the characters from a dream world to a ship that was in danger of exploding. Some of you may think that is not a lot of pages but try reading this and see how long that is and how painful. NOTHING that was written was remotely fun, zany or funny. For no real reason at all the writer has Tricia Mcmillian walk of to her death (later an intelligent person knows it is because he has no way of writing around the character meeting herself when the ship comes to save them so he does the cowardly thing and has her commit suicide). Another infuriating part of the book is that on almost every page he injects a 'Guide Note', most make little or no sense and are weak, childish attempts to be funny and or sarcastic, each fail horribly. Despite this site giving Douglas Adams credit as co-author the book was published 8 years after his death so he had NOTHING to do with its writing and that cannot be more evident than when you read the first 50 pages which is as far as I got or ever will. If I am lying may a Ravenous Bugblater Beast visit me.


And Another Thing... (Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, Bk 6)
Review Date: 4/2/2015


The person has none of the skill that Douglas Adams had in one toenail. This book took over 50 pages to explain what took place to get the characters from a dream world to a ship that was in danger of exploding. Some of you may think that is not a lot of pages but try reading this and see how long that is and how painful. NOTHING that was written was remotely fun, zany or funny. For no real reason at all the writer has Tricia Mcmillian walk of to her death (later an intelligent person knows it is because he has no way of writing around the character meeting herself when the ship comes to save them so he does the cowardly thing and has her commit suicide). Another infuriating part of the book is that on almost every page he injects a 'Guide Note', most make little or no sense and are weak, childish attempts to be funny and or sarcastic, each fail horribly. If I am lying may a Ravenous Bugblater Beast visit me.


Authority (Southern Reach Trilogy, Book 2)
Authority (Southern Reach Trilogy, Book 2)
Author: Jeff VanderMeer
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 6/25/2015


I can see in the background of this book a great story trying very hard to get out. It seems that the author has it trapped in rambling paragraphs about things that have nothing to do with the main story of Area X. He seems to believe that all the jumping back and forth in mid sentence and paragraph between the story and random unattached thoughts is somehow artistic or new wave or whatever crap he believes he is writing. Thank goodness I am getting these books for free because if I were paying I might just need a few years on a couch with a Dr. to help me get past my feelings of lose for having spent good money on these. I am going to read the 3rd only because I am reluctant to give up hope that Jeff will get over himself and actually allow this story to escape the babble he has trapped it in.


Breakaway (Cassandra Kresnov, Bk 2)
Breakaway (Cassandra Kresnov, Bk 2)
Author: Joel Shepherd
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 7
Review Date: 4/11/2011


Readable in a pinch. It is a bit wordy. Takes 15 words to say what could be said in 7 more effectively. Also it does not develop into an interesting story but always remains right on the edge. Making you say well maybe at the next chapter it will get started. The concept for the story is interesting but the delivery is lacking.


The Critique of War
The Critique of War
Author: Robert Ginsberg, editor
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 9/26/2012


This collection of philosophical views reagarding the differant asspects of war, specifically nuclear war is a very interesting read. If you remember the 60's and the turmoil of those times then these writings published in 1969 will bring back some of those times. The essays (18 of them) cover, The War System, The Causes of War as well as other aspects of war. The different Proffesors of Philosophy all write with an aim to show why war is the way it is, why we fight or why it is unjustified or what must happen to stop further wars. Some it can easily be seen are biased in one way or another in their views and they let that come through, however this is not true of all the writers.

By far the best essay is National Sovereignty and International Anarchy by Paul Arthur Schilpp. It is a look at the way in which the sovereignty that nations claim is also a source of anarchy internationally because no true enforcable international laws/rules exist to cause nations to interact respectfully and peacefully with each other. They can and do make and break treaties at will and for any reason.

True hard line philosophy people may find this book not to their liking. However, it is a interesting look and viewpoint regarding war and nuclear war from a time when their was a very serious concern that any day may be the final day before nuclear holocaust. These times were full of competing view points on war and the Vietnam War was in full swing with protests all over college campuses acroos America. These respected people were attempting to send out an educated outlook on war and its purpose and use in modern times. I believe there are some points in these writting worthy of being made required reading for people today.

The reason I did not rate it higher than three stars is because there are some writers that used this book to climb onto a soapbox and peach but overall the thoughts in these writing are measured and well thoughtout.


Earth Strike (Star Carrier, Bk 1)
Earth Strike (Star Carrier, Bk 1)
Author: Ian Douglas
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 15
Review Date: 4/2/2015


Not at all impressed with this book. The first I have read by this author and the last. He fills space n the book by over explaining things as if speaking to a 3 year old and he repeats himself. I am sure he does this to add bulk to a otherwise very short story however, it could have been done so much better. I like the storyline and the plot and the characters are mostly okay. I did get overly tired of the hole thing about being hated by his flight and the prim crap that kept interfering with the actual story. So I stopped reading about 2/3s into it.


Eastern Philosophy
Eastern Philosophy
Author: Kevin Burns
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 7/2/2020


A brief overview of Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern philosopher/theologians. (to include small sections on Korean and Japanese). I found this to be a bit difficult to follow and I attribute that to my lack of knowledge as this was a first look (for me) at these things. The book gave a overview of these men and how they contributed to the world of philosophy both locally and in a broader sense. I got a sense while reading that the author had his own views on some of these philosophies.


The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason
The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason
Author: Sam Harris
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 81
Review Date: 4/27/2014


This book follows along with and expands on many thoughts and reflections I have had for years regarding religion and faith in the "Bible, Koran, Torah etc. How can a reasonable person take the word of men from over 1500 years ago. These same men used religion to control and subjugate people. Religion once subjected to the light of thought and reason and true discourse cannot survive. This is not an attack on spirituality or true faith is things that are proven or have a sound basis in known facts. It is a questioning of the doctrines of many religion that preach the destruction of non-believers or the subjugation of non-believers.


The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War Without End
Review Date: 1/12/2014


I learned some interesting things regarding the Iraq War but nothing truly ground breaking. I agree with the author in that the Iraqi people are almost always misrepresented by the American public.


Fractal Mode (Mode, Bk 2)
Fractal Mode (Mode, Bk 2)
Author: Piers Anthony
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 75
Review Date: 1/12/2014


You can never miss with Piers.


Freemasonry and the Birth of Modern Science
Freemasonry and the Birth of Modern Science
Author: Robert Lomas
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 5/3/2016


I found this book to be poorly written and extremely difficult to read. I also found the book to have an extremely misleading title. the book was about the Royal Society not Freemasonry. These groups are completely different. Simply belonging to both does not make them linked or the same in any way. I failed to see that the author linked the two together in a sufficient manner to warrant the titles claims.


Iliad
Iliad
Author: Homer, Stanley Lombardo (Translator)
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 7
Review Date: 9/14/2010


The style of the writing is difficult to read at first if you have never read books from this time. However after getting accustomed to this the reading flows nicely. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story.


In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner (Inspector Lynley, Bk 10)
In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner (Inspector Lynley, Bk 10)
Author: Elizabeth George
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 149
Review Date: 1/12/2014


Great series, really enjoy Inspector Lynley.


One Shot (Jack Reacher, Bk 9)
One Shot (Jack Reacher, Bk 9)
Author: Lee Child
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 181
Review Date: 1/12/2014


The movie does not do Jack Reacher justice.


Operation Buffalo: Usmc Fight for the Dmz
Operation Buffalo: Usmc Fight for the Dmz
Author: Keith William Nolan
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 7/26/2011


The size and fluidity of this battle seems to make its telling a daunting task if not impossible. However Keith W. Nolan does the impossible. He has managed to take an insane and confused series of events and transform them into and understandable chain. Any historian, amateur or not, should read this and enjoy this book.


Ragnarok
Ragnarok
Author: Patrick A. Vanner
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 9/23/2011


A very good read for any sci-fi fan. This story is well told and keeps you interested.


Spycatcher: The Candid Autobiography of a Senior Intelligence Officer
Review Date: 1/12/2014


I truly remarkable telling of a first hand look at the secret war during and after WWII. I was sorry to see this end.


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