Whatcha reading redux.

[slowpoke]

Just bought Lawdog's book on kindle. It hit top paid kindle book on Amazon
I hadnt read much of his older content, so enjoying it even more. I highly recommend.

[blackeagle603]

Part way thru "Guns, Germs and Steel." Will get back to it soon as I finish the latest Brad Thor book that just came out (Use of Force).

[Weetabix]

To Kill A Mockingbird

[MiddleAgedKen]

Just finished Vietnam: A History, by Karnow. Had to force myself through the last 50-60 pages. Did you know that the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was actually Goldwater's fault? Pore Lyndon, he was just worried about having his right (political) flank in the air....

About to start We Were Soldiers Once...And Young, and re-reading the Pacific naval operational parts of Wouk's War and Remembrance. I've read The Winds of War and War and Remembrance nearly as many times as I've read Lord of the Rings.

[toad]

The African Law dog is coming out in August and this time I got in on order.
I've started "Blenhiem: Battle for Europe, How two men stopped the French." By Charles Spencer. I figured what the hey 300 years ago......sigh. Narcissists, people inbreeding by marrying first cousins, religious fanaticisms, A King who couldn't stand to have people smarter than himself as advisors, ....same old same old in different clothing....Fascinating Jim.
Even fantasy gets its licks in. "The weres, mages, demons, fey, and etc. are leaving California, it is impossible to make money out there with all the rules, regulations, an punitive taxation.
As a side note: I'm going to keep on using Kindle unlimited but I'm not ordering things from Amazon online any more. They screw up the orders and they'll use the US Postal service and If my local post office get's a hold of it, it will never get delivered.

[randy]

Just started the Lawdog books. Africa book pre-ordered

I recognize some so far, others I haven't read before. The mark of a good storyteller is that I don't mind re-reading his stuff. The journey is half the fun even if you do know how it ends.

Found a place to download Jeff Cooper's Commentaries from 93-06 in PDF format. (http://myweb.cebridge.net/mkeithr/Jeff/)

Will carry them on the tablet for times when I just need something short to read without getting too into a story.

[Langenator]

Just finished Monster Hunter: Siege and Straight Outta Tombstone.

Now working on Edward Luttwak's Grand Strategy of the Byantine Empire.

Next on the list is David Glantz Colossus Reborn: the Red Army at War, 1941-1943

[HTRN]

Just finished Monster Hunter: Siege

Just finished Nemesis.

Franks may be a "good guy", but man, what an asshole.

[Johnnyreb]

Picked an old favorite off the shelf today. Elizabeth Moon, Sheepfarmer's Daughter. First book of a trilogy about the creation of a paladin. Always wanted to see that one turned into a movie. But I guess a story with very little swearing and no graphic sex doesn't have much chance these days.

[Rich Jordan]

Picked an old favorite off the shelf today. Elizabeth Moon, Sheepfarmer's Daughter. First book of a trilogy about the creation of a paladin. Always wanted to see that one turned into a movie. But I guess a story with very little swearing and no graphic sex doesn't have much chance these days.

I've got those too. It was actually quite good, unlike a lot of books written only for the purpose of making the main protagonist a woman/minority/whatever. Paks was real.

[Netpackrat]

Siege arrived today, but I am going to try to save it for when I am traveling next week.

[Weetabix]

Understanding Radio, 1951 edition

[evan price]

Craig Wilson "Longmire" series
The tv show was great.
The books are better.

[Johnnyreb]

When I got out of bed and headed off to the royal throne this morning I didn't feel like taking 3 whole steps back toward the bed to grab my book. So I grabbed the next in line since it was closer. Lawdog's book, I bought the paper one. I had to stop at page 50 and do something about breakfast. Suicide by 6 foot chickens. This stuff ought to be a movie, its hilarious.

[Rich]

When I got out of bed and headed off to the royal throne this morning I didn't feel like taking 3 whole steps back toward the bed to grab my book. So I grabbed the next in line since it was closer. Lawdog's book, I bought the paper one. I had to stop at page 50 and do something about breakfast. Suicide by 6 foot chickens. This stuff ought to be a movie, its hilarious.

Got the African tales delivered to my Kindle last week. It's even better than Vol.1.

[randy]

Just finished African Tales last night. The only problem with his books is that they are too short!

[Rich Jordan]

Jerry Pournelle passed away today (Friday) according to a post from his son at his site.

I've been a paying member there for a couple of years but had been just too busy to keep up. I grew up with his books, both fiction and non, and read his every Chaos Manor column in Byte magazine. I still think about what a different, and better place this world would be if his 'survival with style' guidelines had been followed even partway.

Rest in peace, sir, and thank you for all the great stories

[MiddleAgedKen]

Sad news about Dr. Pournelle. It was ironic that I just read an article (can't recall where) a day or so ago, talking about Project Thor (aka Rods from God) as if it were back under consideration.

On the book front, just finished Silas Marner and C.S. Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet.

[Weetabix]

Recently reread the first three Monster Hunter books. Bought Monster Hunter Legion and Monster Hunter Nemesis. Damn that Correia. I read Legion one night after work. Went to bed verrrry late. Skipped a night and told myself I could limit myself. Read Nemesis after work. Went to bed verrry late again.

The books are engaging. I like the backstory on Franks. Some of the fights went over long for me, so I skimmed a bit. I'll read them again later and hope I can restrain myself to reasonable sittings.

[MiddleAgedKen]

Just started Monster Hunter Alpha (recently read Nemesis) and C.S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength (recently finished Perelandra), and also just finished Nick Cole's Soda Pop Soldier (that and CTRL-ALT-REVOLT! are both very good).

[Greg]

Recently reread the first three Monster Hunter books. Bought Monster Hunter Legion and Monster Hunter Nemesis. Damn that Correia. I read Legion one night after work. Went to bed verrrry late. Skipped a night and told myself I could limit myself. Read Nemesis after work. Went to bed verrry late again.

The books are engaging. I like the backstory on Franks. Some of the fights went over long for me, so I skimmed a bit. I'll read them again later and hope I can restrain myself to reasonable sittings.

I read MH Siege very recently. It was good, but LC has done such a good job with his 'supporting' characters, made them so interesting and so sympathetic that when they get their own books it's awesome.

So awesome that 'Owen' books are almost a bit of a letdown.

[Old Grafton]

Just opened a box of R.A.Heinlein novels I last closed about 1987 when we last moved. I'll be busy for a while.

[Rich Jordan]

I dug up my copy of "A Step Farther Out" by Jerry Pournelle. Probably won't have time until the weekend but its time to re-read it. It has been too long.

I'm sure parts of it are dated, but survival with style will never go out of style.

[Jered]

I'm reading Green Leader: Operation Gatling, the Rhodesian Military Response to the Viscount Tragedy

I'm at the part where the Rhodesians are figuring out who was behind shooting down their civilian airliner. They also murdered the survivors.

[Netpackrat]

I finished this last week:

https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Hinsons-One ... 589806409/

[toad]

Got the paper back of Wilbur Smith's "War Cry." It covers the pre war years of Hitler's rise to power. "De Ja Vue all over again." and "History doesn't repeat itself but it does rhyme." Interesting the figures in England that embraced the communists and the Nazi's. Sounds like the people we have at present only they aren't doing it as well.

[Weetabix]

Red Storm Rising

[Rich Jordan]

Red Storm Rising

I always liked that one; pre Jack Ryan world.


Just finished two books; The Hidden Truth and A Rambling Wreck by Hans Schantz; I'll admit part of the enjoyment was the preaching to the choir nature of it for me, but still an enjoyable techno-fantasy conspiracy romp. Next book not yet released.

[Rich]

From fishy stories to something way out there.

Found something I had read about 40-50 years ago and now offered in Kindle format.

Yup, I'm rereading Atlantis, the Antediluvian World by Ignatius Donnelly. It's good bedtime reading. Just read until your eyes glaze over, then you're ready for sleep. Saves on the Opiods, don't ya know.

Earlier, I have read volumes 1-5 of Marko Kloos Frontier series, and will probably buy volume six whenever. I know some don't like his politics, but that has never stopped me before.

[Captain Wheelgun]

I'm currently re-reading the 'Grey Man' series by J.L. Curtis, aka blogger 'OldNFO'. I'm about halfway through book three.

[Windy Wilson]

I finished "Amazing Grace", Eric Metaxis's biography of William Wilberforce, charged through "Killing Floor", Lee Child's first Jack Reacher novel, and am now about 1/3 of the way through Ernle Bradford's "Ulysses Found". He's *(was, unfortunately) a very engaging writer. His Great Siege of Malta: 1565 is a real page turner even though we know the Hospitaliers won. His Ulysses book shows that the poem follows the geography of the central Mediterranean very closely, particularly the details about sailing.

[Weetabix]

The Stand by Stephen King. Apparently, I'm on a thick book spree.

I'm about 2/3 of the way through. I'd forgotten a lot of it. Some of it is kind of gross.

[First Shirt]

Calexit an anthology with short stories from a number of authors that I really like. They've got it up on Amazon right now, either Kindle or dead tree version.

[Captain Wheelgun]

Calexit an anthology with short stories from a number of authors that I really like. They've got it up on Amazon right now, either Kindle or dead tree version.

Just started that one myself.

[blackeagle603]

Just started Eric Metaxis' "Martin Luther". Good story teller and researcher (or reader of the current research).

[g-man]

Working my way through When Violence is the Answer by Tim Larkin. Wouldn't be alarming to most readers of this forum, in that we understand that once the threshold gets crossed, ending the fight as quickly and effectively as possible is advised. However, since I pre-ordered, I got access to a video companion course which has some good content highlighting the differences between antisocial aggression and asocial violence.

[Jered]

The Stand by Stephen King. Apparently, I'm on a thick book spree.

I'm about 2/3 of the way through. I'd forgotten a lot of it. Some of it is kind of gross.

Spoiler! :

...cold, cold...semen?

Have you read 11/22/63?

That's a good one of King's books.

[Weetabix]

The Stand by Stephen King. Apparently, I'm on a thick book spree.

I'm about 2/3 of the way through. I'd forgotten a lot of it. Some of it is kind of gross.

Spoiler! :

...cold, cold...semen?

I'm not there yet, but...

Spoiler! :

Nadine and Harold and especially Trashcan Man and The Kid make me uncomfortable.

Have you read 11/22/63?

That's a good one of King's books.

Nope. I'll look out for it. But the "to read" pile is pretty big right now. Curse you, ABEbooks.com!

[Wrenchbender1]

Emden : My experiences in S. M. S. Emden
Interesting so far. The Emden was a German light cruiser/commerce raider that was sunk during WWI. Hopefully, I'll come across a book about the SMS Seeadler as well. Both crews were well respected on both sides.

[Johnnyreb]

The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsarrat.

I've got the old black and white movie, must have watched it a hundred times. One of my all time favs. But it occurred to me of late that I had never read the book. So now I have the book. It is fiction, but based on real stuff, Monsarrat served on corvettes and ended the war in command of a Frigate.

[Greg]

I've recently done a bunch of rereading.

Glen Cook's Sweet Silver Blues. Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms. David Drake's Redliners. Somewhat eclectic taste, I know.

Of original reading, I'm currently working on Gary Taube's The Case Against Sugar.

[Weetabix]

I enjoyed Patriots by John Wesley, Rawles (though I don't know what the comma is about)

So, I ordered Survivors, Expatriates, and Founders. Much the same, which is to say enjoyable. He presents contemporaneous stories in different parts of the country and over seas. The stories move along well. Decent character development. Not as many detailed "instructions" ("for entertainment only - seem professional advice before trying any of this at home") as in Patriots. I recommend them, if you liked Patriots.

Expatriates got here first, then Survivors. Haven't gotten to Founders yet.

[Rich Jordan]

I've been caught up in a set of John C Wright stories; the Swan Knight trilogy and the subsequent Daughter of Danger series. There is the human daylight world, the Night world where the forsaken Elfs maintain a hidden dominion over humans, and the twilight world of those 'in between'. Not twilight sparkly vampires, please...

So far they've been a lot of fun to read.

[Rich Jordan]

Finished the fantasy series; it got a little conflicted in the end between a bouncy happy plot line ending and some pretty ugly stuff likely coming up in a subsequent series. But it was still a fun read.

Currently reading the Legionnaire series by Nick Cole; it is making obvious references to some current events but book one (Legionnaire) was good; book two (Galactic Outlaws) seems somewhat disjointed and I'm wondering if a co-authors are writing alternating sections. Still enjoying it.

[First Shirt]

A Dog in the Cave: The Wolves That Made Us Human. Interesting study of how dogs and humans have co-evolved. Lots of insight into why your dog acts the way it does.

[Windy Wilson]

I finished The Monuments Men, on which the movie was based. It is as the coworker who gave me the book said, even better than the movie.

[MiddleAgedKen]

Got about 130 or so pages to go in Middlemarch. I think I like Eliot better than Dickens.

[Rich]

Harry Harrison's West of Eden trilogy is now available for Kindle at a reasonable price. I have 2/3 of the print version, and have not been able to replace volume one at a reasonable price.

I am happily rereading the entire trilogy,

Bliss!

[Langenator]

Empire of Liberty by Gordon S. Wood. Book II of the Oxford history of the United States. Covers the period from the Constitution to the end of the War of 1812. Wood is the author of The Radicalism of the American Revolution, so it's not a bunch of SJW whining.

As soon as I can get to the library, I'll be starting on the third book in Michael Connelly's Bosch series, Concrete Blonde. I decided that $10 was more than I'm willing to pay for a novel on Kindle. Interestingly, the university library doesn't have it, but the county library does.

[Weetabix]

An old collection of Arthur C. Clarke's sci fi short stories.

I find that old sci fi, read before bedtime, is a bit soporific.

[Jered]

I finished A Splendid Savage, which was a biography of Frederick R. Burnham.

[evan price]

Death's Head trilogy by David Gunn.
It's ok.

Trying to finish the Repairman Jack books also.

[Windy Wilson]

Empire of Liberty by Gordon S. Wood. Book II of the Oxford history of the United States. Covers the period from the Constitution to the end of the War of 1812. Wood is the author of The Radicalism of the American Revolution, so it's not a bunch of SJW whining.

I read The Radicalism of the American Revolution. He's good, I'll look up Empire of Liberty.

[MiddleAgedKen]

Revolutionary Characters is another good one by Gordon Wood.

Just finished Middlemarch, and am about 180 pages into Doctor Zhivago. Pasternak is no Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, but once you get past the first 60 or so pages it gets pretty good.

[Weetabix]

but once you get past the first 60 or so pages it gets pretty good.

A lot of older books seem to be that way.

I'm on Thoreau's Cape Cod. Kind of an interesting step back in time.

[Netpackrat]

Finished Lucifer's Hammer yesterday. In the middle of a book on how to survive storms on a small boat in big oceans.

[Langenator]

Empire of Liberty by Gordon S. Wood. Book II of the Oxford history of the United States. Covers the period from the Constitution to the end of the War of 1812. Wood is the author of The Radicalism of the American Revolution, so it's not a bunch of SJW whining.

I read The Radicalism of the American Revolution. He's good, I'll look up Empire of Liberty.

It's the third book of the Oxford American history that I've read. The other two I've read so far are The Glorious Cause (about the Revolution) by Middlekauf and Battle Cry of Freedom (Civil War) by James MacPherson (the dean of American Civil War historians).

Battle Cry is particularly good. I credit MacPherson with planting the idea in my skull that the annexation of Texas did more than any other single event to massively accelerate the coming of the Civil War.

-the annexation itself was shady, and somewhat dubious from a Constitutional legal point of view. (It was not done by treaty, which would have required a 2/3 vote in the Senate, which they weren't going to get, because there were enough free state votes to block it. It was done instead by simple majority in a joint resolution of Congress.)
-Northern (free) states opposed annexation and admission of Texas to the Union.
-Annexation of Texas led quickly and directly to the Mexican War, which was also greatly opposed in the free states
-the Mexican War resulted in the acquisition of even more land
-it was the question of how to handle all of this land, plus the still unorganized parts of the Louisiana Purchase specifically, whether slavery could/should be banned or allowed in the Territories (and thus, the character of the eventual states from the territories thus organized, and thus, the future balance of power in the Federal government between slave states and non-slave states.) that ultimately led to the explosion.

(The central plank of the Republican party platform in 1856 and 1860 was barring any further expansion of slavery into the territories, not removing it where it already existed. The South, especially the Deep South states, viewed this as the next thing to a death threat.)

[HTRN]

Finished Lucifer's Hammer yesterday. In the middle of a book on how to survive storms on a small boat in big oceans.

Thuktun_Flishithy over on Spacebattles.com is doing a merged Footfall and Worldwar story called Worldfall..

Among the highlights:
A Chinese serial killer of lizards.
"Ow Guns"
M1A5 Abrams, which i contributed the nickname "Thumpers"( an internet cookie for those who recognize the reference. )
"Ghostcraft"
And over course, everybody's favorite "small men with big knives", Gurkhas (the Race, which didn't have a word for "demon", now use "Gurkha" )
Battleships - the Missouri goes down fighting. The Constitution even gets in a few symbolic licks..

In short, two alien species run into a 21st century Earth, that knew they were coming, and promptly go into a full war footing..

Its done as a series of interviews post war by somebody writing a book.

[Netpackrat]

I guess I would have to know what Footfall and Worldwar are to fully get the gist of that.

[randy]

I guess I would have to know what Footfall and Worldwar are to fully get the gist of that.

Footfall by Niven and Pournelle

Worldwar series by Harry Turtledove

[Weetabix]

I guess I would have to know what Footfall and Worldwar are to fully get the gist of that.

You must read Footfall.

My daughter bought me a copy at a used book store after I wore my old one out. Turns out it's signed by the authors. To someone else... but still.

[Netpackrat]

Thanks for the info. Lucifer's Hammer was okay, but I am not sure that I liked it enough to read another of their collaborations.

[Weetabix]

Your call obviously. I thought Footfall was much better. Good aliens, if you like that sort of thing.

[Windy Wilson]

Thanks, Langenator!

[Langenator]

OK, now I'm a little bit frustrated. I've finished the first 7 books of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series, but neither the county libraries nor the university library has #8 (A Darkness More Then Night, FWIW). An $9.99 is more than i generally prefer to pay for a kindle book.

Guess I'll have to ask about an inter-library loan.

Next on the non-Fiction list is probably Guadalcanal by Richard Frank.

[Netpackrat]

In the middle of a book on how to survive storms on a small boat in big oceans.

I just finished this and it is a really fucking outstanding book, filled with lots of practical knowledge that I wouldn't want to learn the hard way. I probably won't ever have much need for most of it, but the same can be said of a lot of useful and worthwhile knowledge and skills.

[randy]

Just finished Prime Target by Kim du Toit.

I know it's been out for a while but I missed it when it was published, and just found it from a link on Kim's reawakened blog.

Good read. Kept me interested and tapping for the next page.


Recommended.

[MiddleAgedKen]

Finished Doctor Zhivago, and am about 300 pages into With Fire and Sword, the first volume of the epic trilogy of Poland by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Man, is it good. Do yourselves the great favor, if you haven't already.

[toad]

Empire of Liberty by Gordon S. Wood. Book II of the Oxford history of the United States. Covers the period from the Constitution to the end of the War of 1812. Wood is the author of The Radicalism of the American Revolution, so it's not a bunch of SJW whining.

I read The Radicalism of the American Revolution. He's good, I'll look up Empire of Liberty.

It's the third book of the Oxford American history that I've read. The other two I've read so far are The Glorious Cause (about the Revolution) by Middlekauf and Battle Cry of Freedom (Civil War) by James MacPherson (the dean of American Civil War historians).

Battle Cry is particularly good. I credit MacPherson with planting the idea in my skull that the annexation of Texas did more than any other single event to massively accelerate the coming of the Civil War.

-the annexation itself was shady, and somewhat dubious from a Constitutional legal point of view. (It was not done by treaty, which would have required a 2/3 vote in the Senate, which they weren't going to get, because there were enough free state votes to block it. It was done instead by simple majority in a joint resolution of Congress.)
-Northern (free) states opposed annexation and admission of Texas to the Union.
-Annexation of Texas led quickly and directly to the Mexican War, which was also greatly opposed in the free states
-the Mexican War resulted in the acquisition of even more land
-it was the question of how to handle all of this land, plus the still unorganized parts of the Louisiana Purchase specifically, whether slavery could/should be banned or allowed in the Territories (and thus, the character of the eventual states from the territories thus organized, and thus, the future balance of power in the Federal government between slave states and non-slave states.) that ultimately led to the explosion.

(The central plank of the Republican party platform in 1856 and 1860 was barring any further expansion of slavery into the territories, not removing it where it already existed. The South, especially the Deep South states, viewed this as the next thing to a death threat.)

When a Texan was trying to sell the annexation of Texas to Congress he reportedly said: " All Texas needs is people and water." , "The Congressman said the same could be said of Hell Sir! "

[Langenator]

I had a history prof, at Texas A&M no less, who delighted in tweaking the 'Republic of Texas' folks by pointing out that pretty much the first thing Texas did after gaining independence was try to join the United States. The only thing that stopped it was U.S. domestic politics.

Now, back OT:

Fiction: City of Bones by Michael Connelly (Harry Bosch #9)

Non-Fiction: A War to Be Won: Fighting the Second World War by Murray and Millet

[Weetabix]

Kipling's Just So Stories - gotta get back in the swing of story telling for when the grandson starts talking

[First Shirt]

Kipling's Just So Stories - gotta get back in the swing of story telling for when the grandson starts talking

Don't wait that long! I started reading Winnie the Pooh stories to my daughter when she was just a couple months old. That may explain why she was reading "Starship Troopers" at age 8.

[Windy Wilson]

Starship Troopers at age 8? Well done, SIR!
I've given my nephew Treasure Island, and a number of other adventure stories, as well as all sorts of stuff that doesn't require batteries or run on the computer, and I am despairing of the guy reading anything, and he's 12. Of course my brother isn't a reader, either, except maybe those news stand Beatles magazines I get him.

Weetabix, being able to tell the story rather than reading it pays dividends greater than what the Hildabeest got on her cattle futures trade. *


*And legal ones you won't be called before the Congress critters to explain why you were investing on their turf.

[Weetabix]

Weetabix, being able to tell the story rather than reading it

I had a whole slew of made-up stories I told my kids when they were little. I need to have them help me remember those.

[Langenator]

OK, I finished City of Bones, and Bosch retires at the end. I know there's something like a dozen more Harry Bosch books, where I guess he's either a PI or just freelance following up on old cases he never solved.

Are these books any good, or has Connelly just been playing out the string, cashing in on a loyal following that just buys the books because he keeps writing them?

[Rich Jordan]

Blood on the Stars series by Jay Allan. Humans expand out into the galaxy, form a great (empire?), which falls apart in apocalyptic fashion. Various surviving planets start forming new alliances and of course come into conflict. The story has a lot of tropes; it focuses on a warship captain who is the grandson of the 'savior of the confederation' and his ship's exploits. It is entertaining but not great.

Just finished book 7 of Jason Anspach and Nick Cole's 'Galaxy's Edge' series and Robert Kroese' "The Dream of the Iron Dragon". The latter is book one of a trilogy of high-tech humans stuck in Viking era Earth and needing to build a vehicle capable of reaching orbit (to save the human race as it happens)

Galaxy's Edge is a series about a human-run nearly galactic republic that is experiencing roman-level decadence ad corruption, and the Legion that saved the Republic hundreds of years before (and has constitutional power to 'reset' it if needed) versus spread of new enemies and internal ones (some of which sure resemble current situations here and now). Up to book 7, don't know how many more to go. It can be a little jarring to see phrases and terms that make you think "Star Wars" but so far it has been pretty enjoyable too.

[HTRN]

Rich, you might want to check out the community contributed fanwork "Jenkinsverse". It's a HFY style of story, with humans being short, incredibly strong (Earth is a heavy gravity world compared to the rest of the occupied planets in the galaxy), and aggressive species. Which is a nice change of pace from the previously scariest species in the galaxy, which liked to eat "people".

They're first attempt to perform a harvesting on the deathworld known as earth? A Canadian hockey game.

[Weetabix]

I was feeling too happy and optimistic, so I'm reading The Gulag Archipelago.

[Netpackrat]

I was feeling too happy and optimistic, so I'm reading The Gulag Archipelago.

This is all you need to know:

And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say good-bye to his family? Or if, during periods of mass arrests, as for example in Leningrad, when they arrested a quarter of the entire city, people had not simply sat there in their lairs, paling with terror at every bang of the downstairs door and at every step on the staircase, but had understood they had nothing left to lose and had boldly set up in the downstairs hall an ambush of half a dozen people with axes, hammers, pokers, or whatever else was at hand?... The Organs would very quickly have suffered a shortage of officers and transport and, notwithstanding all of Stalin's thirst, the cursed machine would have ground to a halt! If...if...We didn't love freedom enough. And even more – we had no awareness of the real situation.... We purely and simply deserved everything that happened afterward.

See how much time I saved you?

[Weetabix]

I already read that part, so I guess I'm done.

[MiddleAgedKen]

No, read the whole thing. I still need to get and read Volume III myself.

[toad]

Feeling grumpy, tried to find "Through Time and Space with Ferdinand Feghoot" , I could only find paperback sources ranging from $152 for partials to $528 for the whole collection.
I can only remember a few of them with punch lines like , "Ziggarats that are risky, and vile, vile Rimmon, they'l make you go crazy they'l drive you insane.
"You'll have to wait till the nun signs Shelly. "

[Langenator]

Fiction: Sins of Her Father by Mike Kupari

Non-Fiction: Reconsidering the American Way of War: U.S. Military Practice from the Revolution to Afghanistan by Antulio J. Echvarria II

[toad]

Meme's I'm tired of. The hostile aliens come and the world has to form one government to cope. I prefer all the different countries and states stay separate and kick their asses around. "Son, can you go see if the O'Malley's will loan us their Earth to Orbit Plasma gun in exchange for a dozen pecan pies?

[Captain Wheelgun]

I'm currently reading 'The Grey Man- Twilight', the 5th book in J.L. Curtis' 'Grey Man' series. So far it's just as good as the other ones.

[Rich Jordan]

I'm waiting on continuation books for 5 series now. To fill the gap, the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series by W. J. Lundy. Follows a small group of American troops who were out in the sandbox and missed the spread of a 'living zombie' epidemic that turns victims into nearly mindless rage monsters. Their expedition is caught far from base, their forward base is overrun, and they miss all the recalls to be sent back to the States. So they start making their own way back.

So far I like it. Its not stellar writing but its good enough to read smoothly, and the characters, while somewhat 'thin' are still not jarring paper cutouts (one almost is but by volume 4 they seem to be filling out).

Recommended if you can get them on sale.

[TheArmsman]

Rich, you might want to check out the community contributed fanwork "Jenkinsverse". It's a HFY style of story, with humans being short, incredibly strong (Earth is a heavy gravity world compared to the rest of the occupied planets in the galaxy), and aggressive species. Which is a nice change of pace from the previously scariest species in the galaxy, which liked to eat "people".

They're first attempt to perform a harvesting on the deathworld known as earth? A Canadian hockey game.

This is one hell of a time sink. And a lot of fun to read. Only up to chapter 40.

[Langenator]

Meme's I'm tired of. The hostile aliens come and the world has to form one government to cope. I prefer all the different countries and states stay separate and kick their asses around. "Son, can you go see if the O'Malley's will loan us their Earth to Orbit Plasma gun in exchange for a dozen pecan pies?

You might want to give Christopher G. Nutall's Ark Royal series (12 books; #12 just came out last week) a try. No formal unified government, although the various Earth governments do generally work in the same direction. The series does feature one of it's trilogies having a space war between the UK and India.

Nutall also has his Learning Experience series (currently 4 books), which is a whole different take on humans vs aliens, at least how it starts.

[Langenator]

March is turning out to be quite a month for releases on my fiction list:

First up, the aforementioned Sins of Her Father by Mike Kupari https://smile.amazon.com/Sins-Father-Pr ... her+father

Next up, Invincible (Ark Royal 12) by Christopher G. Nutall https://smile.amazon.com/Invincible-Ark ... invincible

Chronlogically out the same day as Kupari's book, but I just noticed it today, Call to Vengeance by Timoth Zahn and David Weber https://smile.amazon.com/Call-Vengeance ... +vengeance

Also a 6 March release, not on the list of books I was waiting for, but probably going to buy it anyway because it's got David Drake and Michael Z. Williamson, Star Destroyers from Baen Books https://smile.amazon.com/Star-Destroyer ... destroyers

I also picked up Michael Z. Williamson's Wisdom From My Inernets just because Mad Mike pisses liberals (especially FB liberals) off.

I'll be in my chair.

[toad]

Meme's I'm tired of. The hostile aliens come and the world has to form one government to cope. I prefer all the different countries and states stay separate and kick their asses around. "Son, can you go see if the O'Malley's will loan us their Earth to Orbit Plasma gun in exchange for a dozen pecan pies?

You might want to give Christopher G. Nutall's Ark Royal series (12 books; #12 just came out last week) a try. No formal unified government, although the various Earth governments do generally work in the same direction. The series does feature one of it's trilogies having a space war between the UK and India.

Nutall also has his Learning Experience series (currently 4 books), which is a whole different take on humans vs aliens, at least how it starts.

Damn, Thanks for reminding me. I read one of the "learning Experience" books but I forgot to keep track of the sequels. I may go back and read some of Christopher Anvil's books also. The alien's developed Faster Than Light travel because they were too dumb to realize it couldn't be done.

[HTRN]

Rich, you might want to check out the community contributed fanwork "Jenkinsverse". It's a HFY style of story, with humans being short, incredibly strong (Earth is a heavy gravity world compared to the rest of the occupied planets in the galaxy), and aggressive species. Which is a nice change of pace from the previously scariest species in the galaxy, which liked to eat "people".

They're first attempt to perform a harvesting on the deathworld known as earth? A Canadian hockey game.

This is one hell of a time sink. And a lot of fun to read. Only up to chapter 40.

Just once, I'd like to read a scifi story where humans arent the backwards newcomers on the scene the best I've managed to find is "with friends like these" and The Ancient

[toad]

I've busted my book budget for the month or I'd buy the collection of Playboy short science fiction stories. There was one in particular in which a FTL ship landed in New York's Central Park and proceeded to do their SOP or overawing the natives by slaughtering a bunch with their superior weaponry. Unfortunately this doesn't work well for them. Black Power muzzle loaders vs. SWAT.

[First Shirt]

Just once, I'd like to read a scifi story where humans arent the backwards newcomers on the scene the best I've managed to find is "with friends like these" and The Ancient

The Empire of Man series, by David Weber and John Ringo are pretty good. Advanced humans land on primitive planet. Well, I enjoyed them, anyway!

[randy]

Just once, I'd like to read a scifi story where humans arent the backwards newcomers on the scene the best I've managed to find is "with friends like these" and The Ancient

The Empire of Man series, by David Weber and John Ringo are pretty good. Advanced humans land on primitive planet. Well, I enjoyed them, anyway!

Well, when you have a main character that adopts the motto of "Peace Through Superior Firepower", what's not to like?

The only bad part about that series is when you re-read them, you start to realize that someone, (I'd put money on that Ringo bastard) sets up some pretty horrendous puns in character and place names, some of which take multiple volumes to set up.

[Weetabix]

The Empire of Man series, by David Weber and John Ringo are pretty good. Advanced humans land on primitive planet. Well, I enjoyed them, anyway!

I have that on my Nook. I'd forgotten completely about that. I need to dig it out, dust it off, and see if it will take a charge.

[Netpackrat]

I've busted my book budget for the month or I'd buy the collection of Playboy short science fiction stories. There was one in particular in which a FTL ship landed in New York's Central Park and proceeded to do their SOP or overawing the natives by slaughtering a bunch with their superior weaponry. Unfortunately this doesn't work well for them. Black Power muzzle loaders vs. SWAT.

So, you are saying they fired 87 rounds in order to hit 2 aliens and 5 bystanders?

[HTRN]

I've busted my book budget for the month or I'd buy the collection of Playboy short science fiction stories. There was one in particular in which a FTL ship landed in New York's Central Park and proceeded to do their SOP or overawing the natives by slaughtering a bunch with their superior weaponry. Unfortunately this doesn't work well for them. Black Power muzzle loaders vs. SWAT.

I know that story, there was a sequel too it too.

Give me a.day or two, and I'll remember the title and author.

[Rich Jordan]

I've busted my book budget for the month or I'd buy the collection of Playboy short science fiction stories. There was one in particular in which a FTL ship landed in New York's Central Park and proceeded to do their SOP or overawing the natives by slaughtering a bunch with their superior weaponry. Unfortunately this doesn't work well for them. Black Power muzzle loaders vs. SWAT.

So, you are saying they fired 87 rounds in order to hit 2 aliens and 5 bystanders?

87 rounds per SWAT team member...

The High Crusade plot line showed it might not matter if the earthlings were still fighters and villager from the middle-ages, an unprepared or over-eager high tech alien group thinking they can just drop in and conquer might have some painful surprises coming.

[toad]

I've busted my book budget for the month or I'd buy the collection of Playboy short science fiction stories. There was one in particular in which a FTL ship landed in New York's Central Park and proceeded to do their SOP or overawing the natives by slaughtering a bunch with their superior weaponry. Unfortunately this doesn't work well for them. Black Power muzzle loaders vs. SWAT.

So, you are saying they fired 87 rounds in order to hit 2 aliens and 5 bystanders?

I can't remember if they were using smooth bores or rifled muskets. If they were using rifled muskets, one alien, two bystanders with ramrods, and ten bystanders, and two dogs, in the first volley.

[toad]

The High Crusade....Long Bows in space, no flash to give away positions IIRC.