It's hard to believe this was published between 1794 - 1807. Much of what Paine argues and proves is still being debated today. Now it has a fancier name, the "Documentary Hypothesis", but it's basically the same argument with a different goal. I like how talks so much shit in such a sophisticated way, too.
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Mostly post-apocalyptic, dystopian, horror, sci-fi, history, books that explore religion and spirituality, manga, comics, and graphic novels.
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US Army Veteran. MA in History, BA in History & Jewish Studies from the City College of the City University of New York.
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Sergeant Cat commented on The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine
Sergeant Cat reviewed The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers
The King in Yellow is a book of short stories by the American writer Robert …
A really random collection of stories
3 stars
This is a really random collection of stories. I read this on the Serial Reader app, so I didn't really know much about it when I went into it. As I progressed, I had this idea that it was going to be a collection of stories that in some way all had The King in Yellow in them, but that wasn't the case. The stories also aren't all the same genre.
My two favorite stories out of the bunch are the one about the guy in the church who sees the same guy twice and the story about the guy who gets lost in the moors, Phillip. The final story wasn't too bad either, except it ended without any sort of resolution regarding Hastings. It could have been a good story but it just wasn't finished.
Sergeant Cat finished reading The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers
The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers
The King in Yellow is a book of short stories by the American writer Robert W. Chambers, first published by …
Sergeant Cat wants to read Everyday Life in Ancient Mesopotamia by Jean Bottéro
Everyday Life in Ancient Mesopotamia by Jean Bottéro
Everyday Life in Ancient Mesopotamia, based on articles originally published in L'Histoire by Jean Bottéro, André Finet, Bertrand Lafont, …
Sergeant Cat rated The Voice of the Buddha: 4 stars
Sergeant Cat commented on Underground by Haruki Murakami
In this haunting work of journalistic investigation, Haruki Murakami tells the story of the horrific …
I'm listening to the audiobook version of this. I saw that it was about the Aum Shinrikyo terrorist attack in Tokyo and thought it would be a detailed analysis of the cult and their motivations. It's actually (so far) a set of transcribed interviews from victims and survivors of the attacks.
To say that it's heavy on the heart is an understatement. It's told in a dry, unembellished way that makes it easy to empathize with the people who are relating their experiences.
Sergeant Cat started reading Underground by Haruki Murakami
Underground by Haruki Murakami
In this haunting work of journalistic investigation, Haruki Murakami tells the story of the horrific terrorist attack on Japanese soil …
Sergeant Cat quoted Dune by Frank Herbert
Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, …
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
— Dune by Frank Herbert
This really reminds me of Stoicism and Buddhism. It's brilliant, and it's amazing how Frank Herbert worked so much of existing religions and philosophies into his Dune novels.
Sergeant Cat replied to The worlds greatest noodler's status
@Duckhunter4life I just finished reading this last week I think. It's very good!
Sergeant Cat reviewed Children of Dune by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #3)
The science fiction masterpiece continues in the "major event,"( Los Angeles Times) Children of Dune. …
Review of 'Children of Dune' on 'GoodReads'
4 stars
I'm surprised by how well the story has held up, considering that it was written in the 70s.
I need to reread the part about the transformation in the desert, because I'm not sure how or if that really fit into the story's world. It felt more like magic than science or evolution.
The author describes patterns of human activity that repeat over eons. He approaches the idea that people need to stay connected to the immediacy of life and human nature. Somehow, the story strikes me as being anti-technology and a call for people to be spiritual but not religious.
The end of the story gave me some ideas about Shai-Hulud. Unless I really misread things, the goal of the Dune story is to describe replacing the big worm or driving force below the desert, which makes me wonder if this is a repeating cycle that has happened before. …
I'm surprised by how well the story has held up, considering that it was written in the 70s.
I need to reread the part about the transformation in the desert, because I'm not sure how or if that really fit into the story's world. It felt more like magic than science or evolution.
The author describes patterns of human activity that repeat over eons. He approaches the idea that people need to stay connected to the immediacy of life and human nature. Somehow, the story strikes me as being anti-technology and a call for people to be spiritual but not religious.
The end of the story gave me some ideas about Shai-Hulud. Unless I really misread things, the goal of the Dune story is to describe replacing the big worm or driving force below the desert, which makes me wonder if this is a repeating cycle that has happened before.
Herbert draws heavily on various religions in the creation of his universe, so a circular conception of time and the embodiment of "divinity" in an actual character whose existence becomes the literal and spiritual foundation for galactic civilization would be right up his alley.
The scale and complexity of the ideas the author is tackling grows in each new Dune book. Some people may not like it or understand a lot of it. I know I didn't when I tried to read these books at 13, but they are thought-provoking and fascinating to me now, 27 years later and being much more well-read.
Review of 'P. S. I Love You More Than Tuna' on 'GoodReads'
5 stars
Today is the two-year anniversary of the passing of our favorite cat, Thumper. I picked up a copy of this book a few months ago and hid it on top of the bookshelf. This evening, I pulled it down and my wife and I read it together. Even after two years, it's hard to comprehend that she's gone, and the world still managed to spin around the sun two times without her being here with us.
The book is excellent. Not all cats are the same, but somehow, the stuff in this book was about 95% on point, and it brought back a lot of good and sad memories.
Thank you, to the author and illustrator.
Sergeant Cat rated Eat the Buddha: 4 stars
Eat the Buddha by Barbara Demick
Just as she did with North Korea, award-winning journalist Barbara Demick explores one of the most hidden corners of the …
Sergeant Cat reviewed Descender Volume 6 by Jeff Lemire (Descender #6)
A new, cataclysmic chapter of the Descender saga is here! All the various factions who …
Review of 'Descender Volume 6' on 'GoodReads'
5 stars
That was a great ending to the series. I'm looking forward to reading Ascenders.