Missive #121 Published 6 September 2023
These are thee very good stories that the author wished to be called short novels not novellas. She wrote mostly short stories with only one completed novel. The book that I read had a Cronology of her life that was an interesting read as well. She was married four times and quite a minx even into her more mature years. A good read.
Missive #120 Published 4 September 2023
This was the first book in the Kelly Turnbull Series but is #5 in the story chronology. It is much better than the first book that I read by Schlichter but would not call it great literature. It is of the political fiction or dystopia genre depending on the book seller or reviewer. It is good entertainment.
Missive #118 Published 1 September 2023
I did not like this book although there were some reviewers that thought it was great. There were two reviews that I have quoted that express what I did not like. First, was the non-linear narrative1 and second was too much philosophy2. Huxley once stated that his aim in his fictional works was to “arrive, technically, at a perfect fusion of the novel and the essay.” Perhaps he thought that he did that with this book. I think he made a hash of it and would have been better to publish the 'story' as a novel and the rest as a collection of essays.
Missive #117 Published 31 August 2023
An interesting book that makes a good point about one of the things that has created the new aristocrats/elites and the 'deplorables'.
Missive #116 Published 29 August 2023
I read a lot of Berry’s books while living in Reno and could get them as dead trees from the Reno library. When they changed their policy about charging for Interlibrary Loans I let him slide. Very glad that I have picked up again about where I left off with this book published in 2000. If you read nothing else in the book read the last essay, Chapter VIII Some Notes In Conclusion.
Missive #114 Published 25 August 2023
I liked the subject matter of this book but did not like the style. To use 'an oral history form' for a speculative alternative history just didn't work for me. the author has written a series of novels that I'm going to give a try and hope he uses a more conventional style.
Missive #113 Published 22 August 2023
Classical liberalism promised to overthrow the old aristocracy, creating an order in which individuals could create their own identities and futures. To some extent it did--but it has also demolished the traditions and institutions that nourished ordinary people and created a new and exploitative ruling class. This class's economic libertarianism, progressive values, and technocratic commitments have led them to rule for the benefit of the "few" at the expense of the "many," precipitating our current political crises.
Missive #111 Published 18 August 2023
Another trip into Reserve for breakfast and pick up a few things at Jake’s. Also another stop at Catron Garage. This time I need to have a circuit breaker in my electrical converter fixed. When we had the storm with a lot of hail the circuit breaker for the line to to the refrigerator and one wall plug tripped off.
Missive #110 Published 15 August 2023
This is the first book in a trilogy and is Tim Severin's first novel. He has used his research from years ago when he followed The Brendan Voyage and wrote his first nonfiction book about that adventure.
Missive #107 Published 9 August 2023
I don't recommend this book but do suggest that you read Chapter 1. If you are still interested then do as the author says; "If you are not interested in mathematical details, by all means skip this chapter [2] and go directly to Part II." OR go to the Conclusion. A lot of mathematical detail in all the chapters plus a profusion of graphs.