Writer. Gamer. Geek. Father. Husband. Worrier. Not necessarily in that order.
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Enjoyable but obviously carefully curated biography of the author's time as the golden droid. It mostly keeps the interest but you can tell that Anthony is keeping some details close to the chest, possibly protecting other people or even himself. Still, worthy reading for fans.
The nonfiction book The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War …
(I listened to the audio book)
I happened across a random news article about the discovery of the remains of the USS Johnston (DD-557), the deepest wreck ever located at 6,468.6 metres (21,222 feet). A Second World War history buff, I read with interest the story of how she came to her final resting place. Comments on the story pointed me to this book.
The Battle of Samar, part of the much larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, is not as famous as other Second World War naval engagements but its story deserves to be shared and remembered. A small force ("Taffy 3") of escort carriers (smaller, thinner-skinned ships who's aircraft were mostly used to support land-based forces) and its guardians, a handful of destroyers and destroyer-escorts, faced off against one of the mightiest Imperial Japanese fleets ever assembled that included the largest warship in existence at the time, the battleship …
(I listened to the audio book)
I happened across a random news article about the discovery of the remains of the USS Johnston (DD-557), the deepest wreck ever located at 6,468.6 metres (21,222 feet). A Second World War history buff, I read with interest the story of how she came to her final resting place. Comments on the story pointed me to this book.
The Battle of Samar, part of the much larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, is not as famous as other Second World War naval engagements but its story deserves to be shared and remembered. A small force ("Taffy 3") of escort carriers (smaller, thinner-skinned ships who's aircraft were mostly used to support land-based forces) and its guardians, a handful of destroyers and destroyer-escorts, faced off against one of the mightiest Imperial Japanese fleets ever assembled that included the largest warship in existence at the time, the battleship Yamato. And while they were ably supported by nearby small fleets of similar composition, it was the tenacity of the ships of "Taffy 3" that delayed, distracted and bloodied the Japanese fleet in an effort to keep them from sailing on to destroy the landing grounds of Leyte Gulf in the Phillipines.
This is a fascinating, amazing story of battle, heroism, stoicism and loss excellently told by the narrator. The writing is grand when it needs to be, sharp when it wants to be, witty when appropriate, and respectful of both sides. The narrator makes listening easy, and puts appropriate spin on his words to differentiate quotations.
I am so glad I had this book recommended to me, and if you are at all interested in history, this is a book to which you should listen.
I re-read this book every couple of years. It's funny and scary. And now, having started another re-read at the beginning of 2021, it is still relevant and scary. Imagine Donald Trump smart, backed by real money, and Australian and you have Luther Langbene.
The mission of Commander George Krause of the United States Navy is to protect a convoy of thirty-seven merchant ships …
I’m stranded on Mars.
I have no way to communicate with Earth.
I’m in a Habitat designed to last 31 …
This novel reveals more about the Battle of Gettysburg than any piece of learned nonfiction on the same subject. Michael …
Cuts through all the myth and hype you may have heard about Ebola (looking at you, The Hot Zone) and presents facts. Updated to include the 2014 outbreak. Equal parts frightening and fascinating as Quammen delves into the history, the science and the legend around Ebola and its sister viruses.
Excellent novel. As it went on I started to guess where it was going but it still managed to pull off surprises. Interesting use of the time travel concept and very good play on reader perceptions. Would make a fine film or TV mini series.
Quick to learn and compete in, here is all the information you will need to play the game Force on …
Felica Day's writing has a particular quirky, personal style that draws you in. You want to be her friend.
My only quibble is the book does seem light on detail. There are quirky moments from her youth and some history of her, quirky moments from her pre-internet fame days, quirky moments from shooting The Guild, and some revealing moments regarding addiction and depression. However there is a sense she is holding things back, possibly from a desire to not expose parts of her life she feels are more private (for example her boyfriend is mentioned a couple of times, but never identified nor are we told anything about him or interactions with him.)
Regardless, I very much enjoyed the book, identified with her chapters on WoW addiction and depression, and after finishing it got the audiobook to hear it read in her own voice. Recommended.
57 years after Ellen Ripley survived an an encounter with an unknown alien lifeform that slaughtered her ship-mates abord the …
