Missive #66 Published 28 April 2023
This is a good book that provides a lot of background that explains the opioid epidemic in the United States. There was a eight episodes TV series based on the book that was shown in 2021 which probably got more attention than the book since people in the United States get most of the information/entertainment from TV rather than books. Recommended! I plan on reading more of Macy books. Read the rest
Missive #65 Published 26 April 2023
As I said when posting about VALIS; 'I was seriously considering NOT reading the other two books in the series until I read this review'. I'm glad that I gave this second book in the series a chance. It is very strange SiFi but better than the first book. I'll read the third book in the series and then move on to what is considered Dick's better works. Read the rest
Missive #63 Published 21 April 2023
If you have been keeping up with the economic News as presented by the MainStream Media there is little to be gained by reading this book. The author has VERY liberally quoted from many of those same sources that you have been reading. The author is very much against central banks but generally follows Western government narrative. Seems to think crypos are going to become the new 'money'. Read the rest
Missive #62 Published 19 April 2023
This is the first of eight historical novels by Eileen Mary Challans, known by her pen name Mary Renault. She was best known for her historical novels set in ancient Greece. I think I will read the other seven just to get a Greek history education. Read the rest
Missive #60 Published 14 April 2023
This is probably the best book by Dos Passos that I have read so far. The stories of those whose lives impinged on Jefferson's were stories that you never heard when studying history in school. Reccommended! Read the rest
Missive #59 Published 12 April 2023
This is the last book in The Time of Troubles tetralogy, a part of the Videssos Cylcle. It is good Turtledove but I like his alternative history novel the best. Read the rest
Missive #58 Published 9 April 2023
This is the first of his books in The Border Trilogy. It has a lot of Spanish narrative which it is worth you time to translate. Some of it is Border Spanish slang but the translation is better than nothing if you do not read Spanish. I don't know who wrote the Book Promo but I didn't find there to be much comic adventure; tragic perhaps, comic I think not. Read the rest
Missive #57 Published 7 April 2023
The most sweeping account of how neoliberalism came to dominate American politics for nearly a half century before crashing against the forces of Trumpism on the right and a new progressivism on the left. Read the rest
Missive #56 Published 2 April 2023
I would classify this book as being a historical parody. It is one of about an half dozen of Kunstler's books that were out of print. This one has been brought back to life maybe I can find the others. It is a fun read! Read the rest
Missive #55 Published 31 March 2023
This is not a historical fiction novel which Cornwell is known for. The first of five sailing thrillers that I enjoyed. Probably will not be more. Cornwell had this to say "I enjoyed writing the thrillers, but suspect I am happier writing historical novels. I’m always delighted when people want more of the sailing books, but I’m not planning on writing any more, at least not now — but who knows? perhaps when I retire." Read the rest