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Ancient Puzzles: Classic Brainteasers and Other Timeless Mathematical Games of the Last Ten Centuries
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Review Date: 8/7/2009
Helpful Score: 2
This book is an interesting read - once but is full of math puzzles that are beyond me why someone would find them fun. Challenging yes and the historical anecdotes are interesting, maybe if you are a math historian (does such a person exist?) the ancient puzzles of China, Greece and Egypt might be your cup of tea. I would find puzzles like this more a chore or an assignment ffrom school.
Review Date: 1/16/2008
Helpful Score: 4
I like the earlier books better in the series before Anita picked up the Ardeur. I like the earlier Anita who seemed grittier and I liked her morals that she stuck to. Although the newer Anita has some serious magical power, I liked the hands & guns proficient Anita better who relied on her wits more than magic. I do not mind a little sex but the newer books are becoming more erotica than fiction. Seems each new book adds more lovers to Anita's bed, I wonder when she will reach enough.
Review Date: 7/31/2009
Helpful Score: 1
This was one of the best war stories that I have read - and of course I like the movie by the same name a lot too.
I was disappointed in this book in that it lacks comprehensive diagrams of the towers and the bridge. I was hoping for a larger book with more illustrations and diagrams.
I was also hoping for more historical information and pictures of the history of the bridge. They have never rebuilt the bridge and today the towers house a museum, but not sure which side of the Rhine the museum is in or if it occupies both sides.
I was disappointed in this book in that it lacks comprehensive diagrams of the towers and the bridge. I was hoping for a larger book with more illustrations and diagrams.
I was also hoping for more historical information and pictures of the history of the bridge. They have never rebuilt the bridge and today the towers house a museum, but not sure which side of the Rhine the museum is in or if it occupies both sides.
Review Date: 1/4/2010
Helpful Score: 1
Started a little slow, but gets better as the writer seems to settle into the characters. Most of the first few pages are taken up with establishing how the demons interact with the humans, thier history, and back ground. Really hits its stride about page #100 when the author has established the world, the characters, and the current conflicts. Does contain graphic sex, although not as graphic as some other writers, and is more "vanilla" if you will than some writers. Although I guess some would consider sex with demons really kinky. Would like to see more books if this is to be a series, and see how Allay (pronounced A-Lay per the book) matures.
Review Date: 7/7/2009
This is the 2nd Ed of the Cyberpunk game with some needed refinements and some interesting expansions.
Review Date: 9/21/2017
I have enjoyed this author's various space opera series including the Heritage, Inheritance and Legacy Trilogies featuring Marines in space. A veteran of aircraft carrier service myself, I am somewhat familiar what kind of command structure and manning requirements are needed.
One thing that I do not like about these books (and this is merely a personal belief) is the prevalent emphasis on casual and recreational sex. Sandy rarely takes lovers and although he is still a Prim and a monogie, his lovers were not.
I disliked Taggart admitting that she had other lovers as well as Sandy encouraging him to sleep with other women as well as her. I admire Sandy for being able to love Taggart despite her proclivities which must have hurt him. Taggart's suggestions for Sandy to sleep with other women, and her confession that she would continue to see other men, makes me dislike the Taggart character somewhat.
This is my personal belief not a reflection on the author. While I may not be a Prim, I am definitely a monogie. I cannot do casual or recreational sex because I do not find it fulfilling for me or my partner.
One thing that I do not like about these books (and this is merely a personal belief) is the prevalent emphasis on casual and recreational sex. Sandy rarely takes lovers and although he is still a Prim and a monogie, his lovers were not.
I disliked Taggart admitting that she had other lovers as well as Sandy encouraging him to sleep with other women as well as her. I admire Sandy for being able to love Taggart despite her proclivities which must have hurt him. Taggart's suggestions for Sandy to sleep with other women, and her confession that she would continue to see other men, makes me dislike the Taggart character somewhat.
This is my personal belief not a reflection on the author. While I may not be a Prim, I am definitely a monogie. I cannot do casual or recreational sex because I do not find it fulfilling for me or my partner.
Review Date: 1/30/2009
I was a little disappointed in this book in some areas. While the book does have many useful ideas for a campaign - there seemed to be more that could be done with the book. It is certainly worth a read and may get a Game Master with campaign burn-out or writer's block unstuck.
Review Date: 2/21/2009
This is a decent overview of the Gunsmith trade. However, most of the ideas within the book require a considerable investment in tools. Also assumed is some skill with wood and metal working - if you lack these skills then this book while interesting reading will not be useful. There are no patterns or technical drawings within the book, so if you are looking for a project plan seek another source. Nothing earth-shattering in this book, but it is interesting to read about some of the author's personal projects. Mentioned (IIRC caveat emptor) are a .270 Weatherby and a .458 x 2 American on a Win 94 action.
Review Date: 12/25/2007
This is absolutely my favorite series from my favorite sci fi author. Hard broiled action with hard wired sci fi. Good military action with excellent characters with depth.
Review Date: 12/30/2007
This book is really interesting but beyond the skills of the average hobby gunsmith. The designs inside are very complete and easy to follow if you have a good knowledge of metal working and machinist skills. The average shop lacks several of the tools mentioned in the text, and since most of us lack end mills, lathes, compound mills, and other machining tools, most of this book is not useful. That being said, this is an interesting and informative read, with lots of B&W pictures of various guns.
Review Date: 12/30/2007
Much like the other Mauser book I put on the list, this one has lots of machining information. I was most interested in the history of the Mauser rifles and all of the variants. A most interesting read if you care about the history of this rifle which is the basis of America's most popular sporting rifles. This book details refinishing, repairing, and identifying the various models of Mausers which can be a great asset to a collector. This book was published in 1991, and the proliferation of the Internet has made a lot of the information readily available.
Review Date: 10/20/2009
I enjoy several of Ben Bova's books, particularly the Orion series. This is a good short story but only takes the first half of the book. The other half of the book is a somewhat dated breakdown of LASER technology.
Review Date: 8/18/2009
Well my first thought within the first few pages was "great more bi-sexual French-speaking vampires in New Orleans - how original." While I did not feel anything special about this book it did get slightly better towards the end. I like the Fallen idea, and some of the different ways that the author has created her own type of vampire-world. I disliked her graphic sex scenes - they are not done that well and I did not find them very erotic. Would have been more satisfying if she just mentioned the couple ended up in bed and left out the graphic sex - it seemed contrived and forced - perhaps more of an idea that graphic sex would sell the book rather than good writing.
Review Date: 5/17/2009
I was not quite sure what this book was going to be like - I was led to believe that it would be an erotic demon and magic murder/sacrafice tale. The Bible-touting set will surely ban this book and I imagine the Catholic Church will not think highly of it either.
I read this in one sitting and it was quite good. I did not found the sex (and there is plenty and quite graphic) erotic - depending on how far from "vanilla" you are you may agree. I found the sex well, not at all erotic and more slaughter house or Fangoria. If you find sex with the dead, sex coated in fresh blood and sex lying on a bed of fresh human entrails erotic - you might consider seeking some professional help.
This being said the story is quite good although a little predictable. I did like the end with a good hanging opening for another book in what may become a series of sorts.
I read this in one sitting and it was quite good. I did not found the sex (and there is plenty and quite graphic) erotic - depending on how far from "vanilla" you are you may agree. I found the sex well, not at all erotic and more slaughter house or Fangoria. If you find sex with the dead, sex coated in fresh blood and sex lying on a bed of fresh human entrails erotic - you might consider seeking some professional help.
This being said the story is quite good although a little predictable. I did like the end with a good hanging opening for another book in what may become a series of sorts.
Review Date: 2/24/2010
This book was not really my cup of tea. While I enjoy erotic fantasy stories concerning S&M, B&D, and graphic sex this tale is more a romance than eroticism. Too romantic for my likings and although the lesbian sex is not described in great detail there is a fair amount of it in the text as well as several rapes. Worth a read but not worth adding to my house collection of erotic stories.
Review Date: 9/18/2017
An unexpected forced convalescence has allowed to pick up on my reading of my favorite space opera series.
I like how Kris Longknife's character is maturing and learning. In this book I also like that Kris is not necessarily the focus of the assassination attempt. It is also nice to see at least one planet where Kris is welcome to come back, unlike many others were she is persona non grata.
Lots of politics in this book and the action does not start until about the middle of the book where stuff finally starts blowing up and the Marines demonstrate just how non-deadly they can be (a rarity for Marines in my experiences).
As usual Kris gets stuck in the middle, and nearly dies because she ditched her protection detail. But if she hadn't ditched her protection detail, then most of them would have died because they were not wearing armor unlike Kris.
Some really stupid business choices in this book as well. A whole planet that refuses to build a space station, because that would allow other ships to dock and open trade and competition for goods on the planet. Ignoring a market out of spite is not sound business principles, but then neither is blowing up the opposition.
I like how Kris Longknife's character is maturing and learning. In this book I also like that Kris is not necessarily the focus of the assassination attempt. It is also nice to see at least one planet where Kris is welcome to come back, unlike many others were she is persona non grata.
Lots of politics in this book and the action does not start until about the middle of the book where stuff finally starts blowing up and the Marines demonstrate just how non-deadly they can be (a rarity for Marines in my experiences).
As usual Kris gets stuck in the middle, and nearly dies because she ditched her protection detail. But if she hadn't ditched her protection detail, then most of them would have died because they were not wearing armor unlike Kris.
Some really stupid business choices in this book as well. A whole planet that refuses to build a space station, because that would allow other ships to dock and open trade and competition for goods on the planet. Ignoring a market out of spite is not sound business principles, but then neither is blowing up the opposition.
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