Otter Creek Used Books

My brother Timothy is an avid reader. Always has been and always will be. He’s always been my hero in that regard. He’d start and end his day reading. I remember when we were tree climbers and he would take a book up with him and perch on a couple of branches and read. And in our forts that we would build across the street from our house he’d bring with him a couple of blankets for his comfort  while he read. Yeah, as kids books were very important to him. “Always have an adventure with a good book,”  he’d say. So when we bought Otter Creek Used Books he was very excited for us and I think a tad jealous. Or at least wishing he lived a little closer. He lives in Maryland and takes the train into DC. where he works. Of course, he brings a ‘good book’ with him for the ride. One day we were talking and we came up with the idea that he would write a book review for the blog. How exciting! I like family adventures and we kids, there are five of us, were always ready for a good adventure. We still are even though we are all *ugh* over middle-aged. So here is Tim’s first review. Oh, and the reference to #3 in the title is that we go by our birth order and Timothy is #3. Oh, you got that. Well, if you must know I’m #2. Yeah, the one who always tries harder. Just like Avis. Guess you got to be ‘over middle-aged’ to understand that reference. Avis car rental used that within their ad campaign years ago. #2 to Hertz which was rated #1. So, as #2 I’m always trying to prove myself. It’s a family joke. Nothing to get. That’s just my family. Not weird but poking fun at anything we can. You should hear us when we all get together. Head’s spin. Anyways, here is Timothy’s - #3 - first book review. And thanks, Tim! I look forward to reading more. Yah, you have to write more now. It’s out there now! Hee-hee-hee.

As way of introduction (and non-disclosure) my sister, Barbara Harding is the owner of the Otter Creek Book Store. Since I typically read in the range of 50 books a year I suggested to her I provide a book review for this webpage. My selections vary quite a bit: from history; science fiction; business; biographies as well as the classics. Several years ago I came across a list of the best 100 classics and I frequently select from that (I am about halfway through).

Review #10 by #3 -  The Mote in God’s Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

This is a science fiction book with many interesting concepts – including a novel approach to alien psychology. I have read a lot of science fiction and this one is very entertaining and thought provoking. It reads quite well and moves along rapidly despite its 560 page count. The plot has a real mystery to it along with everything else. The book is popular and a testament to the two authors who have collaborated on several books. I have read several of their collaborative books and all are well worth reading if you like science fiction, particularly if you pick up a copy from a certain used book store.

As the book has a large following it is no surprise there is much information available on the web. Because of that I won’t go into specifics in this review. A link to an article with great detail on the characters, plot and technology is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mote_in_God’s_Eye

Review #9 by #3 - The Mystery of Villa Sineste by Walter Livingston

Review #8 by #3 - Deep Six – A Dirk Pitt® Adventure, By Clive Cussler

Review #7 by #3 - Wings by John Monk Saunders

The book ‘Wings’ is a novel based on a photo play (film) of the same name.  The screenplay and novel were both written by John Monk Saunders.  He was an American writer born in 1897 who served as an aviator in World War I - so he has a strong basis for writing the book (I didn’t know that until I started to write the review).

The movie was an outstanding success and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.  The plot is rather straight forward.  A young teenaged boy, Johnny Powell, has a car with which he races around town and is labeled a trouble-maker.  He falls in love with the same girl as his rival, Dave Armstrong.  World War I breaks out and both Johnny and Dave sign up to be aviators.  Johnny, being the reckless speed demon he is, turns out to be a natural.  Dave needs help though but Johnny helps him out sealing their friendship.  The plot twist though revolves around girls.  Johnny is secretly loved by Mary but both Johnny and Dave are in love with Sylvia.  Just before leaving for Europe, Johnny winds up with a locket with Sylvia’s photo.  On the back is an inscription from Sylvia to Dave of which Johnny is unaware until much later.

On the war front, Johnny and Dave are paired up and are quite successful.  However, during a pass where several aviators are enjoying Paris the mystery of the locket is discovered.  Johnny is terribly upset and angry with Dave because he realizes both Sylvia and Dave were aware of the misplaced locket.  The war goes on with both aviators volunteering for a dangerous mission.  Johnny, being the hotshot pilot fly’s off.  Both are charged with covering for each other but Johnny is still angry.  Johnny completes the mission but Dave is
shot down and captured.  He ultimately escapes, steals an enemy airplane and winds up being shot down by Johnny.

Overall, the book is what you might expect for being written in the 1920’s. It follows a familiar path and the phrasing is consistent for the decade.  Predictability in the plot is there but I enjoyed the read.  The last chapter was the best I thought and worth the time.

Review #6 by #3 - The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

What more can be said about the greatest science fiction/fantasy trilogy in literary history?  Obviously, I am a big fan and have been for a long time. My first reading was back when I was about 10 or so and hunting for a hard copy book to read in my local library.  Since that first moment when I unfolded the map in the back of the book I was hooked.  There was a time when I would read the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings once a year but I haven’t done that in a while now.   However, I expect I have read the trilogy in the range of 30 times or so.  For this review I include all three books as Tolkien intended there to be only one book - the publisher is the one who insisted the book be separated into three parts for marketing and publishing purposes.

The difference in this reading for me is that I purposefully read it as slow as I could to focus on the quality of the writing.  Instead of tearing through the text from action to action sequence I wanted to experience the
story the way Tolkien wrote it - slowly and deliberately.  I was impressed with the book in a whole new way.  Of course, Tolkien can be trusted to ‘get his English right’ as he was an Oxford Don for English Language and Literature.  So, when he used a particular word I can be assured of it being used correctly.

Comparing The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King) to other books I have read recently would be an injustice to the other books.  I believe the reason why the book has lasted so well is twofold - it is an excellent story but just as importantly, it is very well written.  The plot hangs together and inconsistencies are practically nonexistent.  For example, several scholars who have written books about Tolkien and the trilogy observed that as the story unfolds it is true to the phases of the moon.

Another sidelight to this reading is my comparison to the Peter Jackson movie(s).  There are significant differences between them and some are incredibly glaring - such as when Sam leaves Frodo before the entrance to Shelob’s lair at Cirith Ungol.  However, I understand there had to be differences between the two as it would be impossible to make a movie totally in concert with the book.  I am impressed by how Peter Jackson was able to remain relatively true to the book and collapse the story for the movie.  If you know the book as well as I, it is a challenge to pick out the dialogue from one character in the movie and identify which character in the book actually said it.  My hope is that after watching these very entertaining movies people will actually read the books.  My highest recommendation goes to this/these book(s).

Review #5 by #3 - The Afghan by Frederick Forsyth

This review is from a used hard cover book I picked up recently.  It is a spy thriller and one that ties in actual events to a fictionalized plot - very topical.  I found the book to be a quick read and entertaining.  The
ending was somewhat disappointing but overall it provided what was expected - a thrilling plot with spys (a shocking revelation I know).

When I started reading the book I had no clue where the story was going.  As I did not read the dust jacket I didn’t know what I was getting into.  At first I thought the book was non-fiction because it read rather dry and covered historical events closely.  Only when the plot was starting to get established was it made clear it was fiction (thank goodness).

The plot twist of significance to the book was having an englishman pass himself off as an Afghan native.  Most of the first half of the book (after the dry stuff) was devoted to establishing this possibility as plausible. Well, ok, the author had to lay this groundwork or the rest of the book would not work at all.

I thought about detailing the plot blow-by-blow but come on folks,  What good does it do to know exactly what will happen?  The fun is finding out on your own and in trying to figure out what will happen!  Suffice it to say that the plot involves a Guantanmo Bay detainee, lots of travel, a cargo ship or so, and the potential to do great damage through a terror plot.  Oh yes, Osama Bin Laden makes a guest appearance.

I did notice a few inconsistencies and factual errors that just leaped off the page to me.  One such error was reference to a civil servant flunky at the GS-15 level (not right at all as I can attest from first-hand experience).  The author is British so it shows he did not do his homework on this little detail. There was something else I was going to include in the review but it was rather meaningless overall and would only make a difference to a very small audience.  Since I read this mostly on an airplane I didn’t take any notes.

All in all, the book was pretty much what I expected and therefore, did its job.  My trip to Albuquerque went well and I was entertained on the long flight.  Will I read this book again?  I doubt it very much.  On a scale of
one to ten (ten is great) this was a six.  Anything below a five would be hardly worth the time to read.  I will admit, once I was over the halfway part of the book I wanted to find out what would happen so I recommend it for those who like the spy thriller genre.

Review #4 by #3 - Branchwater by Steven Maus

This is a science fiction/fantasy novel by a first time writer.  The author created a new world with several twists such as a “human” race called the Mantliks who were created to protect the natural humans of the fourth continent.  Most of the plot revolves around siege warfare from a race of humans who reside on the first continent.  The attack is precipitated by the first continent’s desire to enslave the fourth continent humans and Mantliks to obtain the secret for creation of the Mantliks.  To me, the most unusual aspect of the book was that Almighty God had a group of seven advisors.  These advisors became jealous of God and killed him. Based on the back cover, Mr. Maus started writing this book when he was 15.  This shows at times through some of the plot and his writing style.  Nevertheless, the story is interesting in its own way.  The science and warfare aspects don’t quite add up all the time but this is science fiction after all.  I spent 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserves so I am rather picky about what I think makes sense on military tactics.  Tolkien this isn’t but credit goes to Mr. Maus for his first effort.  He has gotten much further than I have at writing a book.

Review #3 by #3 - Peril! by Sydney Horler
Peril!  An interesting title for a book published in 1930 by the Mystery League Inc.  The author, Sydney Horler was born in Great Britain in 1888 and is credited with writing 157 novels most of which were of the mystery or horror variety.   Peril! was apparently published another name as it does not show up on the list of 157 other novels he wrote.
The plot starts off with the hero, Jimmy Hannay, down on his luck in London.  He is out of a job and living on the streets.  Miraculously, a luxury car pulls up nearby and the wealthy owner invites him home and gives him a meal as well as a job.  Unfortunately, it turns out the wealthy owner is a crook.  Jimmy finds this out when he is on his first job for the man which is to guard a door.  When he hears a woman scream inside the room he rushes in to save her.  She, of course being grateful, invites him home to meet her father who happens to be the wealthiest man in England worth a whopping $12 million dollars (weren’t the 1930’s wonderful?)  He, of course gives Jimmy a job guarding his daughter whom he saved earlier in the night.  To make matters more coincidental, the crook works for the arch enemy of the wealthy man.   Adventures ensure with kidnapping, murder, electrocutions and other mayhem involved.
The book is of the dime novel variety.  Not deep, but fun to read.  I make no apology for reading it or for enjoying the reading.  It was perfect for late night reading particularly since I have the hard cover edition.  Nothing beats the luxury of a good hard cover book!

Review #2 by #3 - The Way of the World by Ron Suskind
I have just finished reading The Way of the World by Ron Suskind.  While it was not a used book since it was released in August 2008, I read it because there is a work-related connection for me – I work for the Department of Energy.  Now that my disclaimer is over here is the review.
The book revolves around the decision by the United States to invade Iraq mixed with related concerns like detainees at Guantanamo Bay, refugee camps, Arab-American relations, and religious views among other things.  It was written with several interwoven sub-stories seemingly to prove the authors premise that the war was a bad idea.  This is a rather openly opinionated and shallow book in my estimation, almost brazen in the authors’ political belief.  Suskind is a very good writer in the mechanics of writing.  His opinions though to me are suspect.  He uses his writing ability to knit together a story in an attempt at leading the reader to his way of thinking.  I have no problem with that at it is his right after all (one of my favorites).  To me, he did not succeed in swaying me with his arguments.  He was way too transparent in his choice of words and how he tied concepts together.  My point is – he may be right or at least good points but I did not care for how he framed his argument.  Simply put, I felt he was trying to ram his argument down the reader’s throat while using a bit of honey to soothe the pain.

I have met and know some of the people who are central to the book which is the primary reason I read it.  My thought was, ‘how many times can I read about a book involving someone I know?’  The book is talked about at the Department of Energy but no one is overly focused on it – more of a curiosity than anything else.  What I noticed in the book was Suskind placing himself in the life of his characters as if he was alongside them in very intimate circumstances such as alone in a car driving home.  Literary license after all is and should be allowed but this book is not fiction or historical fiction.  It is portrayed to be a serious essay on the facts, a peek behind the curtain, as it were.  Suskind took the literary license a bit too far in my view as it seemed self-serving to his point of view.

Would I recommend this book to the casual reader?  No, I really can’t go that far.  I read it because it is related to my work.  For those folks looking for an unbiased book about Iraq and terrorism – nope, this is clearly not the book to read.  I wish I had the writing talent of Suskind but there is only one reason why I enjoyed the book and that was because I have some ‘inside knowledge’ on the subject and a few of the people involved.  If you are anti-Bush and totally against the invasion of Iraq you will probably love the book.  But, that is only because the premise will reinforce your current views.

I can just imagine the reaction if Mr. Suskind read this review.  He might possibly shake his head at how I downplayed his deeply researched and carefully crafted argument.  I don’t really care what he might think though.  My opinion is mine after all and I read the book for information and the pleasure of reading.  While he took years of work to write his book it took me about a half-hour to prepare this review.  This is intentional as I want to capture my first impressions and feelings rather than dazzle someone with my insight.  Read the book yourself if you like.  I am glad I did read it but not by much.

Review #1 by #3 - Footfall by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle

Most recently, I finished the science fiction novel “Footfall”. It is a science fiction novel written in 1985 by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle which was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1986 and a No. 1 New York Times Bestseller. For a real synopsis of the plot I suggest going to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footfall. The Wikipedia article is quite detailed so there is no reason for me to rehash the plot.

When it comes to science fiction there are several types and I would categorize this one as ‘reality based’. By that I mean it successfully melds current science and fiction – with the focus on reality or believability. I did not have to ‘suspend reality’ often. It is a rather long book at 581 pages but captivating in its own way – a quick read and a nice diversion. I like the phrasing and style of writing even though there were several little irritating things to me such as many of the characters “giggled” in some circumstances which just didn’t seem right. However, when it comes to creating a new world or story with a unique language and culture both Niven and Pournelle are masters. There really needs to be some ‘new words’ and concepts that weave into our current reality to make the book work.

As a testament to how I feel, I have probably read this book at least three or more times. This most recent reading I enjoyed it but probably not as much as the first or second. Why do I read books more than once? The last time I read this particular one was in the early 1990’s. Much has changed since then and to read the book with reflection is a very interesting thing indeed. I recommend the book for those people who enjoy light science fiction.

Up next on my reading list is a very recent book entitled “The Way of the World: A Story of Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism” by Ron Suskind. I was drawn to the book because I have met and work with some of the central people in the book.