Nov 30 2009

Red To Black by Alex Dryden

Red to Black by Alex Dryden seems to be clearly aiming for the blend of current events and espionage made famous by John Le Care but Dryden adds in a large dose of love story.

It also has the feel of an indictment of Vladimir Putin‘s Russia, and a castigation of the West’s response, in fiction form. Put it all together and it makes for an interesting read; some of it works very well other aspects less well.

Here is a video trailer for the book:

For the more textual among us here is the blurb:

Finn is a veteran MI6 operative stationed in Moscow. In the guise of an amiable trade secretary, he has penetrated deep into the dangerous labyrinth that is Russia under Vladimir Putin to discover some of its darkest secrets, thanks to a high-level source deep within the Kremlin.

The youngest female colonel in the KGB, Anna is the ambitious daughter of one of the former Soviet Union’s elite espionage families. Charged with helping to make Russia strong again under Putin, she is ordered to spy on Finn and discover the identity of his mole.

At the dawn of the new millennium, these adversaries find themselves brought together by an unexpected love that becomes the only truth they can trust. When Finn uncovers a shocking and ingenious plan—hatched in the depths of the Cold War—to control the European continent and shift the balance of world power, he and Anna are thrust into a deadly plot in which friend and foe wear the same face. With time running out, they will race across Europe and risk every-thing—career, reputation, and even their own lives—to expose the terrifying truth.

For my take see below.

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By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,

Nov 25 2009

The Beautiful Stories of Life by Cynthia Rylant

At a recent trip the local library with the kids I stumbled upon this little gem.  As regular readers will know, I am interested in myths and fairy tales and enjoy seeing how authors rework and retell this classic stories for young and old.

The Beautiful Stories of Life: Six Greeks Myths, Retold by Cynthia Rylant is aimed at children but it makes for an enjoyable read no matter how old you are.

Here is the publishers blurb:

Newbery Medal-winner Cynthia Rylant retells her favorite stories from Greek mythology, breathing fresh life into the tales of Pandora, Persephone, Orpheus, Pygmalion, Narcissus, and Psyche. The writing is lyrical and understated, a perfect tone for stories that introduce young readers to themes of love and loss, pride and forgiveness. Carson Ellis‘s elegant black-and-white illustrations lend an aura of beauty and mystery.

Rylant’s style and tone reminded me of a good story teller sitting down and offering their version of these famous stories.  They are simple and straightforward – and thus enjoyable for young people – but they also contain brief commentaries or observations about human nature and life – which make them interesting and enjoyable for adults.

The reason these stories have stood the test of time is because they offer reflections and insights into human nature. And even as she simplifies them, Rylant keeps this foundation intact. But she doesn’t beat you over the head with some didactic lecture, but instead slyly offers her take on what these stories are getting at and why they resonate with us even today.

I think PW sums it up well:

The small format reflects the book’s purpose: to be a pleasurable sampling of some well-known Greek myths, their ideas and morals distilled to their core.

This would make a nice collection to have for bedtime reading, or storytime, but it would also be great for older readers wanting to get their feet wet with a simple introduction to the Greek myths.

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Nov 24 2009

Mrs. Scrooge by Carol Ann Duffy

I realize it isn’t even Thanksgiving so perhaps I shouldn’t be reviewing Christmas books just yet.  But I thought I would offer a quick take on this slim volume now otherwise I would probably forget to write about it come Christmas.

Here is the publisher’s blurb for Mrs. Scrooge: A Christmas Poem by Carol Ann Duffy:

With her husband, Ebenezer, now “doornail dead,” the coldest Christmas Eve on record finds Mrs. Scrooge outside the supermarket, protesting consumerism and waste. “Spoilsport!” shout the passersby as they load up their shopping carts with Christmas goodies. Just as Ebenezer did, Mrs. Scrooge keeps to her frugal ways…but in the present economy, with loads of meaningless material goods bought on credit, maybe Mrs. Scrooge has the right idea.

That night, alone in her bed with Catchit the cat beside her, Mrs. Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. As each in succession takes her by the hand and sweeps through the scenes of her life, Mrs. Scrooge learns not only what the “Christmas Spirit” really means, but the nature of the real gifts we give and receive.

The author is most famous for being the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom and perhaps it speaks to my literacy that I had not previously heard of her.

I would guess that you will enjoy this poem if when you think turkey you think animal cruelty and when you think North Pole you think of global warming and melting polar ice caps. If you think the commercialism of the holidays are tied to the inherent greed of capitalism.

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By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Nov 21 2009

In the Mail

–>Decoding The Lost Symbol: The Unauthorized Expert Guide to the Facts Behind the Fiction

Description

Dan Brown’s new novel once again features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, this time in the United States, racing to uncover clues and crack codes involving secrets that are perpetuated to this day. But how much of the novel is true and what is pure fiction? Simon Cox, bestselling author of Cracking the Da Vinci Code and Illuminating Angels & Demons, offers the first definitive guide to all the mysteries featured in The Lost Symbol.

Based on extensive research, this A-to-Z guide lists the real people, organizations, and themes featured in Dan Brown’s latest novel, explains their histories and their meanings, reproduces and analyzes the symbols themselves, and provides insider knowledge gleaned from years of exhaustive study. From the monuments of Washington, D.C., to the secrets of Salt Lake City and the hidden enclaves in Langley, Virginia, Cox knows where the facts are hidden about the Freemasons, Albert Pike, the Rosicrucians, the Founding Fathers, and more.

–> Mrs. Scrooge: A Christmas Poem

Description

With her husband, Ebenezer, now “doornail dead,” the coldest Christmas Eve on record finds Mrs. Scrooge outside the supermarket, protesting consumerism and waste. “Spoilsport!” shout the passersby as they load up their shopping carts with Christmas goodies. Just as Ebenezer did, Mrs. Scrooge keeps to her frugal ways…but in the present economy, with loads of meaningless material goods bought on credit, maybe Mrs. Scrooge has the right idea.That night, alone in her bed with Catchit the cat beside her, Mrs. Scrooge is visited by the
Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. As each in succession takes her by the hand and sweeps through the scenes of her life, Mrs. Scrooge learns not only what the “Christmas Spirit” really means, but the nature of the real gifts we give and receive.

By Kevin Holtsberry • In The Mail • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Nov 18 2009

The Pacific War by William B. Hopkins

Caption: :en:SBD

Image via Wikipedia

I have read a lot of books on the individual battles fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II, but I have not read much on the strategy used by American political and military leaders – other than Plan Orange.  So, in order to learn more about the strategy, I decided to read The Pacific War: The Strategy, Politics, and Players That Won the War by William B. Hopkins.

At a little less than 400 pages, this book is an excellent overview of the strategy and major personalities that shaped the American war effort in the Pacific.  Hopkins succinctly explains the various strategies in competition with each other on how to defeat the Japanese – some of these strategies were advocated by one armed service over another one.  For example, General Douglas MacArthur advocated that the main thrust of the American counterattack should start from Australia and move north with the U.S. Army taking the lead and the U.S. Navy taking a support role.  However, Admiral Ernest King (Chief of Naval Operations), with the full support of Admiral Chester Nimitz (Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet), advocated an island hopping strategy across the Central Pacific with the U.S. Navy taking the lead (Hopkins is very partial to this plan).

Hopkins also brings much-needed attention to the unsung heroes of the Pacific Theater – the cryptologists and the submariners.  The cracking of the Japanese military code and the information obtained – codenamed Japanese ULTRA – was a major intelligence coup that gave the United States a decided advantage over the Japanese.  The Americans used ULTRA to its advantage in many battles.  For example, Hopkins adroitly points out that the Americans knew where to send their precious carriers for maximum effect in the Battle of Midway.

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By Jeff Grim • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

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