Reviews and Comments

Marc

m2c_n3e@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 11 months ago

Reading books in German and English. You can also find me at https://mastodon.xyz/@m2c_n3e

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Andrew Davie: Atari 2600 Programming for Newbies (Paperback, 2018, Lulu.com)

This is the printed version of the Atari 2600 programming tutorials by Andrew Davie that …

A great introduction

The content of this book has been compiled from several tutorials which were posted on the AtariAge forum. The single chapters reference each other and a common thread is clearly recognizable. Andrew Davie does a great job explaining the very limited hardware of the Atari 2600 and how it interacts with the TV. He also explains all assembler commands which are used in the book. I would have wished for a few more chapters on handling of joystick input or sound programming. Overall, the book is a great and easy to understand introduction to programming the Atari 2600. Even though you probably won't program the next blockbuster game afterwards, it teaches you great respect for the developers who were able to achieve so much with so little.

reviewed Worst Case Scenario by Richard Raaphorst

Richard Raaphorst, Eron Sheean: Worst Case Scenario (Hardcover, Uitgeverij L)

A dark graphic novel about two children fighting to survive a long dormant evil, an …

Not for the faint of heart

I stumbled over the DVD of "Frankenstein's Army" (which was directed by Richard Raaphorst) in a local supermarket. I was fascinated by the monster design and I found the trailer for the movie "Worst Case Scenario" on the Internet. Sadly this movie was never made, but Raaphorst turned his vision into a graphic novel. Without the financial and technical limitations of a movie, he was able to draw the story exactly as he envisioned it and it turned out great. I would not have expected that the pacing of a movie would translate to a graphic novel this perfectly. First it is the final 1974 soccer world cup game which sets the pace, later it is the monsters that chase the characters of this dark story. This book is definitely nothing for the faint of heart, but you will very likely enjoy it if you like watching a Zombie movie …

John Christopher: When the Tripods Came (Paperback, 2014, Aladdin)

Fourteen-year-old Laurie and his family attempt to flee England when the Tripods descend from outer …

More than just an add-on

I liked this prequel better than the original Tripods trilogy. I can relate more to the main characters and have a better understanding of their actions than in the other books. The story has a better flow and is more concise. One of the few cases where an "add-on" to an existing story actually adds value.

Philip Hoare: Albrecht Dürer und der Wal (EBook, German language, 2023, Klett-Cotta)

1520 segelte Albrecht Dürer in die Niederlande, um ein sagenumwobenes Ungeheuer, einen Wal, zu sehen. …

Ein wilder Ritt

Ein wilder Ritt durch die Zeit, Europa und die USA, sowie die Gedanken und Erlebnisse des Autors. Ist es eine Biografie oder ein Sachbuch? Und wenn ja, worüber? Man muss sich auf das Buch einlassen und aufmerksam lesen, wird dafür aber auch belohnt. Für mich war Dürer bisher nur "der mit den betenden Händen und dem Hasen". Das Buch hat mir einen völlig neuen Blick auf Dürer ermöglicht und mir nebenbei u.a. noch Thomas Mann näher gebracht.

reviewed Der gelbe Elefant by Heinz Strunk

Heinz Strunk: Der gelbe Elefant (EBook, German language, 2023, Rowohlt E-Book)

Die Welt von Heinz Strunk ist der unseren in vielem ähnlich. Aber im Alltäglichen lauern …

Kurzgeschichten

Kurzgeschichten von Heinz Strunk, manche nur eine halbe Seite lang. Geschichten über Menschen, die man kennt, die man nicht sein möchte oder die man selber ist. Gut beobachtet und genau beschrieben. Lustig, tragisch oder beides gleichzeitig und manchmal bleibt einen das Lachen im Hals stecken.

Claire L. Evans: Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet (Paperback, 2018, Portfolio)

Misleading Title

The title book is a little bit misleading. The book is not limited to the influence of women on the Internet, it tells about women in computing in general. I really enjoyed learning about many biographies which have been omitted from the history of computing for a long time. The criteria for the selection of the portrayed women was not always clear to me. I loved the notes in the appendix which are a great starting point for further reading.

John Irving: Die wilde Geschichte vom Wassertrinker (Paperback, German language, 1992, Diogenes)

Eine wilde Geschichte

Mein erster früher Irving. Dass seine Geschichten voller skurriler Charaktere und Einfälle sind, mag ich an ihnen. Bei diesem Buch hatte ich allerdings das Gefühl, dass Irving alle Ideen, die er hatte, ungefiltert in das Buch einfließen lassen hat. Das wirkt stellenweise etwas überladen und die Fixierung auf weibliche Brüste wirkt schon fast zwanghaft. Ich hatte trotzdem viel Spaß beim Lesen und habe die letzten Kapitel extra langsam gelesen, um noch etwas länger was vom Buch zu haben.