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Reading Thread 08/10/2025
Click the cover image for a PDF
Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
Tolle Lege
Posted by: Skip at August 10, 2025 09:00 AM (+qU29)
2
That new thread smell.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:00 AM (0eaVi)
3
Of course, we don't actually have to read that book, Weasel. Unless nothing else comes along.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:01 AM (0eaVi)
4
Besides thanks for filling in Weasel
Little more than a hundred pages to go in Rick Atkinson's Day of the Battle, a account of the Italian campaign in WWII
Little more than a hundred pages to go in Rick Atkinson's Day of the Battle, a account of the Italian campaign in WWII
Posted by: Skip at August 10, 2025 09:02 AM (+qU29)
5
Mon capitain Weasel! Bonjour!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:02 AM (omVj0)
6
Good morning fellow Book Threadists. I hope everyone had a great week of reading.
Mucho thanks to Weasel for filling in.
Mucho thanks to Weasel for filling in.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 09:02 AM (yTvNw)
7
Nowadays, all RCMP are dicks. Or so I've heard...
Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at August 10, 2025 09:03 AM (XMwZJ)
8
Good Sunday morning, horde!
Thanks for filling in, Weasel. I love vintage books with amusing covers. Look at Sergeant Dick, there, shootin' double-handed!
Thanks for filling in, Weasel. I love vintage books with amusing covers. Look at Sergeant Dick, there, shootin' double-handed!
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 10, 2025 09:03 AM (h7ZuX)
Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 17.9% at August 10, 2025 09:04 AM (jvJvP)
10
Morning, Weasel.
Howdy, Horde, and if you're hanging around this morning, hello to the Perfessor.
The book cover reminds me of stuff I saw on my grandfather's bookcase when I was in 4th grade. Can't recall ever seeing him read one of 'em, but they were there. If failing memory serves, I read my first Tom Swifts from that shelf -- the old ones, not the later Tom Swift Jrs. Don't recall titles now, just that I read them and they were kinda fun.
Howdy, Horde, and if you're hanging around this morning, hello to the Perfessor.
The book cover reminds me of stuff I saw on my grandfather's bookcase when I was in 4th grade. Can't recall ever seeing him read one of 'em, but they were there. If failing memory serves, I read my first Tom Swifts from that shelf -- the old ones, not the later Tom Swift Jrs. Don't recall titles now, just that I read them and they were kinda fun.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 09:05 AM (q3u5l)
Posted by: Perfessor Sqiurrel at August 10, 2025 09:05 AM (1O6D8)
12
Sergeant Dick is a dick, so I've heard.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 09:06 AM (n4GiU)
13
Morning, everybody,
It was suggested in the comments last week that we turn the Book Thread into a rotating pulpit, with several moderators/presenters taking turns. I'm willing to do my part!
This week, I finished another Jack Reacher, The Affair. It's a prequel to the first novel in the series, and recounts JR's last job in the military police and tells us why he left the army. This one is set in a small town in NE Mississippi. Fascinating stuff.
For those of you who read the series: How do you picture JR? We know Tom Cruise, good as he was, is way too short and slight for the role. I haven't seen the TV series, but photos on the DVD case suggest that actor is right. To me, JR looks like Rory Calhoun when he was about that age, thirty-six.
It was suggested in the comments last week that we turn the Book Thread into a rotating pulpit, with several moderators/presenters taking turns. I'm willing to do my part!
This week, I finished another Jack Reacher, The Affair. It's a prequel to the first novel in the series, and recounts JR's last job in the military police and tells us why he left the army. This one is set in a small town in NE Mississippi. Fascinating stuff.
For those of you who read the series: How do you picture JR? We know Tom Cruise, good as he was, is way too short and slight for the role. I haven't seen the TV series, but photos on the DVD case suggest that actor is right. To me, JR looks like Rory Calhoun when he was about that age, thirty-six.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:06 AM (omVj0)
14
Could've been worse - he could've handed us all a Hornaday reloading manual and told us to memorize how many grains of Bullseye you need to push a 185 gr SJHP vs a 230 gr. FMJ.
Posted by: PabloD at August 10, 2025 09:07 AM (APp3S)
15
Yay book thread! Hi, Weasel!
I met a Sgt. Dick in the Air Force. She was in public affairs, and had that look of someone who knows the joke and is weary of hearing it.
I met a Sgt. Dick in the Air Force. She was in public affairs, and had that look of someone who knows the joke and is weary of hearing it.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:07 AM (ZOv7s)
16
I just started a 900+ page book on Ulysses S. Grant. Aptly titled Grant by Ron Chernow, it's already very interesting and I'm only a few pages in. It will take me a while to plow through this one! One thing I learned already that I didn't know. His name is not actually Ulysses S. Grant. It's Hiram Ulysses Grant. When he went into the military, they somehow messed up his paperwork and it came out "Ulysses S. Grant" and he just went with it!
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 10, 2025 09:07 AM (qBdHI)
17
Yes, an actual book for this inaugural Reading Thread but be forewarned, the longer I do this, you may not be so fortunate.
* suspenseful music plays *
Just you wait, my pretties!!! You won't want to miss me!
* suspenseful music plays *
Just you wait, my pretties!!! You won't want to miss me!
Posted by: The Fourth Book at August 10, 2025 09:08 AM (0sNs1)
18
so this week, among other stuff, I read a couple of anthologies about haunted liberries, titled, oddly enough The Haunted Library Anthology: Volume 1 (& 2). Just ghost stories, not horror. Well, how horrible could it be in a library?
recommended. plus, it's a fund raiser for a library. and it's KU.
recommended. plus, it's a fund raiser for a library. and it's KU.
Posted by: yara at August 10, 2025 09:08 AM (EbWSH)
19
Could've been worse - he could've handed us all a Hornaday reloading manual and told us to memorize how many grains of Bullseye you need to push a 185 gr SJHP vs a 230 gr. FMJ.
Posted by: PabloD at August 10, 2025 09:07 AM (APp3S)
---
"And now a reading from Ezell's Handguns of the World..."
Posted by: PabloD at August 10, 2025 09:07 AM (APp3S)
---
"And now a reading from Ezell's Handguns of the World..."
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:08 AM (ZOv7s)
20
A younger David Morse would have been nice casting for Reacher, I think. Oh, well; timing is everything.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 09:08 AM (q3u5l)
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at August 10, 2025 09:08 AM (snZF9)
22
I read Prodigal Son by Greg Hurwitz. This is the sixth book in the Orphan X series. Evan Smoak, Orphan X, is contacted by his long-lost mother with a job which will pull him out of retirement. He battles dragonfly, bee and ant drones as well as the usual bad guys. He also learns about and meets his half brother. Not only a thriller, but one learns more of X's background.
Posted by: Zoltan at August 10, 2025 09:09 AM (VOrDg)
23
Good morning Weasel, Horde
Posted by: callsign claymore at August 10, 2025 09:10 AM (U08HM)
24
When he went into the military, they somehow messed up his paperwork and it came out "Ulysses S. Grant" and he just went with it!
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 10, 2025 09:07 AM (qBdHI)
---
In his day, states had rules for citizenship. Grant was an Ohioan, and when he got stationed in Michigan, declined to change his citizenship and so did not vote while assigned there. The Michigan-Ohio thing goes back before football.
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 10, 2025 09:07 AM (qBdHI)
---
In his day, states had rules for citizenship. Grant was an Ohioan, and when he got stationed in Michigan, declined to change his citizenship and so did not vote while assigned there. The Michigan-Ohio thing goes back before football.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:10 AM (ZOv7s)
25
Currently I'm trying a modern novel called The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister, a supernatural semi-Gothic set in West Virginia. The family in the story are descendants of a long-ago Irish brood who formed a peculiar alliance with a bog -- the eldest son marries the "wife" sent to him by the bog, has children with her, and the eldest son carries on the tradition. It's sort of a curse, I guess. No idea yet what happens if the eldest son won't, or can't, marry a bog wife, but it's got to be serious.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:10 AM (omVj0)
26
Good morning dear horde and thanks Weasel
A prayer for Perfessor Squirrel who is facing personal and professional challenges, and who had been providing a Book Thread for us morons in this space for a long time.
A prayer for Perfessor Squirrel who is facing personal and professional challenges, and who had been providing a Book Thread for us morons in this space for a long time.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 10, 2025 09:10 AM (JvZF+)
27
We spent summers in a beach cottage of my grandfather's in the family's home town, and it was full of the thirties versions of the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift (not Jr), Nancy Drew,etc.
I may have been one of the last to refer to friends as chums.
I may have been one of the last to refer to friends as chums.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 09:10 AM (n4GiU)
28
He was too nice when he was on st elesewhere when he ended up on film he was almost invariably a thug or a bully
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at August 10, 2025 09:11 AM (bXbFr)
29
For those of you who read the series: How do you picture JR? We know Tom Cruise, good as he was, is way too short and slight for the role. I haven't seen the TV series, but photos on the DVD case suggest that actor is right. To me, JR looks like Rory Calhoun when he was about that age, thirty-six.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:06 AM (omVj0)
Haven't read, haven't seen - certainly not interested in that little fairy Cruise in anything anymore - only read about the show, but I'd think if you don't see Clint Walker in the role, you may be wrong in your choice.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:06 AM (omVj0)
Haven't read, haven't seen - certainly not interested in that little fairy Cruise in anything anymore - only read about the show, but I'd think if you don't see Clint Walker in the role, you may be wrong in your choice.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:11 AM (0eaVi)
30
I read Prodigal Son by Greg Hurwitz.
Posted by: Zoltan at August 10, 2025 09:09 AM (VOrDg)
---
Not to be confused with Radical Son by David Horowitz. Quite different!
Posted by: Zoltan at August 10, 2025 09:09 AM (VOrDg)
---
Not to be confused with Radical Son by David Horowitz. Quite different!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:11 AM (ZOv7s)
31
Good morning!
Posted by: gp at August 10, 2025 09:12 AM (0I+GC)
32
Sergeant Dick of the Royal Mounted Police - A Thrilling Story of the Canadian Woods.
A tale that is prescient to today’s headlines coming out of Nova Scotia and Newfieland. Where if you go into the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise. Yeah, the RCMP will bust your sorry butt.
Combatting forest fires by banning everyone from traipsing through the woods under threat of fines or jail. Ban excludes Climate Change, Lightning, Arsonists, etc.
A tale that is prescient to today’s headlines coming out of Nova Scotia and Newfieland. Where if you go into the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise. Yeah, the RCMP will bust your sorry butt.
Combatting forest fires by banning everyone from traipsing through the woods under threat of fines or jail. Ban excludes Climate Change, Lightning, Arsonists, etc.
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025 09:12 AM (DTBr0)
Posted by: callsign claymore at August 10, 2025 09:13 AM (U08HM)
34
We've been weaseled?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 10, 2025 09:13 AM (Y+jbb)
35
He was too nice when he was on st elesewhere when he ended up on film he was almost invariably a thug or a bully
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at August 10, 2025 09:11 AM (bXbFr)
---
His character got raped during a prison riot and I think he did not want to be typecast, so he only took roles where he played tough guys after that. I mean, it's typecast, but in a better way.
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at August 10, 2025 09:11 AM (bXbFr)
---
His character got raped during a prison riot and I think he did not want to be typecast, so he only took roles where he played tough guys after that. I mean, it's typecast, but in a better way.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:13 AM (ZOv7s)
36
Duel wielding 1911s. Eat yer heart out, John Wick.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 10, 2025 09:13 AM (emWn/)
37
Thanks to Weasel for jumping into the breach!
*******
I'm still progressing through "All My Best Friends" by George Burns. Now he's writing about their investments, including the greatest investment -- marriage. Some did well, others failed.
Today is service project day at church, so this will be my only contribution. I'll spend this morning working in somebody's yard. I hope the heat holds off, but I'm packing plenty of water.
*******
I'm still progressing through "All My Best Friends" by George Burns. Now he's writing about their investments, including the greatest investment -- marriage. Some did well, others failed.
Today is service project day at church, so this will be my only contribution. I'll spend this morning working in somebody's yard. I hope the heat holds off, but I'm packing plenty of water.
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 10, 2025 09:14 AM (p/isN)
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at August 10, 2025 09:15 AM (bXbFr)
39
Dare I say, “Holy Shitballs!”.
Posted by: RI Red at August 10, 2025 09:15 AM (4TuXE)
40
Speaking of the "Gothic": How would you define a Gothic novel? No, not something about barbarian hordes ravaging Rome or Europe in general. Apparently the subgenre started in the 18th century with something called The Castle of Otranto and The Mysteries of Udolpho. There is atmosphere, brooding and dark, and ruined mansions or houses, and the suggestion of supernatural goings-on.
"Southern" Gothic is stuff like Faulkner's Sanctuary (though I couldn't finish the book, it's supposed to be squarely in the SG tradition), and things like Erskine Caldwell's Tobacco Road and God's Little Acre, and that novel The Beguiled (movie with Clint Eastwood long ago).
Probably "Gothic," Southern or not, is like pr0n: You know it when you see it.
"Southern" Gothic is stuff like Faulkner's Sanctuary (though I couldn't finish the book, it's supposed to be squarely in the SG tradition), and things like Erskine Caldwell's Tobacco Road and God's Little Acre, and that novel The Beguiled (movie with Clint Eastwood long ago).
Probably "Gothic," Southern or not, is like pr0n: You know it when you see it.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:15 AM (omVj0)
41
Prayers for the professor
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at August 10, 2025 09:15 AM (bXbFr)
42
"And now a reading from Ezell's Handguns of the World..."
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:08 AM
* uplifting orchestral music plays *
"A reading from The Guns of John Moses Browning ... "
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:08 AM
* uplifting orchestral music plays *
"A reading from The Guns of John Moses Browning ... "
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 09:15 AM (0sNs1)
43
It's been a great week for new reading discoveries and rediscoveries.
First, I came across a reference to "The Outermost House" by Henry Beston. It's about his observations of living in a small house on Cape Cod in the early 1920s. Since I grew up in that general area I thought it might be nostalgic, maybe with a nod to "Walden Pond". Beston's writing isn't just observation and philosophy. It is rich and poetic. His prose, consciously or not, uses many of the techniques that make a poem flow in pacing and sound. I should try reading parts aloud. His observations remind me, in clarity and attitude, of John Muir's essays in the American west. High praise.
First, I came across a reference to "The Outermost House" by Henry Beston. It's about his observations of living in a small house on Cape Cod in the early 1920s. Since I grew up in that general area I thought it might be nostalgic, maybe with a nod to "Walden Pond". Beston's writing isn't just observation and philosophy. It is rich and poetic. His prose, consciously or not, uses many of the techniques that make a poem flow in pacing and sound. I should try reading parts aloud. His observations remind me, in clarity and attitude, of John Muir's essays in the American west. High praise.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (yTvNw)
44
"Sergeant Dick of the Royal Mounted Police" really needs to be made into a...specialty film, if it hasn't already.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (kpS4V)
45
It seems Sgt. Dick of the RCMP has a revolver in each hand along with another revolver in his holster.
I guess that's why they always get their man.
Superior fire power.
I guess that's why they always get their man.
Superior fire power.
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (I0N4X)
46
Combatting forest fires by banning everyone from traipsing through the woods under threat of fines or jail. Ban excludes Climate Change, Lightning, Arsonists, etc.
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025 09:12 AM (DTBr0)
---
Lots of forest fires are found by people just wandering the woods. I found one many years ago (probably from a cigarette butt) and because we spotted it quickly, it was put out before it could get going.
This being a book thread, I am reminded of Patrick F. McManus, whose woodsy anthologies I read quite a bit back in those days.
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025 09:12 AM (DTBr0)
---
Lots of forest fires are found by people just wandering the woods. I found one many years ago (probably from a cigarette butt) and because we spotted it quickly, it was put out before it could get going.
This being a book thread, I am reminded of Patrick F. McManus, whose woodsy anthologies I read quite a bit back in those days.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (ZOv7s)
47
Got a bunch of books started, all petered out for varios reasons.
Latest is Downfall, Richard Frank's book about the end of imperial Japan.
Hope this one keeps me reading. Recommended here I'm sure.
Latest is Downfall, Richard Frank's book about the end of imperial Japan.
Hope this one keeps me reading. Recommended here I'm sure.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (n4GiU)
48
Well, thanks Weasel, for keeping the tread alive.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:17 AM (Lhaco)
49
25 Currently I'm trying a modern novel called The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister, a supernatural semi-Gothic set in West Virginia.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:10 AM (omVj0)
That sounds fascinating, put it on my library kindle ebook list.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:10 AM (omVj0)
That sounds fascinating, put it on my library kindle ebook list.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 10, 2025 09:17 AM (h7ZuX)
50
Our latest GAINZZ discussion of diets led to Piper's recommendation of "Understanding Nutrition" by Whitney and Rolfes. I've had it for a day now, and find it very accessible, practical and useful.
Posted by: gp at August 10, 2025 09:17 AM (0I+GC)
51
Consider FWDixon, Danger Trails of the Sky
Posted by: epador at August 10, 2025 09:17 AM (2blGY)
52
After author Michael Crichton died, his family found various screenplays and manuscripts among his papers. One of these was published posthumously as Pirate Latitudes.
This is the story of Charles Hunter, a privateer in Port Royal, Jamaica. When a ship reaches port, bringing a new assistant for the governor, it also reports that a galleon is in the harbor of Matanceros, a well guarded Spanish island. What everyone in Port Royal knows is that a galleon in harbor there is loaded with gold and silver for the king of Spain. Hunter formulates a plan to capture the ship.
After a bloody struggle, Hunter and his crew manage to capture the galleon and take it out of the harbor, and return home. Meanwhile, the governor's new assistant, Hackett, has taken over Port Royal and charges Hunter with piracy. Hunter must use every favor he is owed to avoid the hangman. The story reflects the harshness of the age, but is an engaging read.
This is the story of Charles Hunter, a privateer in Port Royal, Jamaica. When a ship reaches port, bringing a new assistant for the governor, it also reports that a galleon is in the harbor of Matanceros, a well guarded Spanish island. What everyone in Port Royal knows is that a galleon in harbor there is loaded with gold and silver for the king of Spain. Hunter formulates a plan to capture the ship.
After a bloody struggle, Hunter and his crew manage to capture the galleon and take it out of the harbor, and return home. Meanwhile, the governor's new assistant, Hackett, has taken over Port Royal and charges Hunter with piracy. Hunter must use every favor he is owed to avoid the hangman. The story reflects the harshness of the age, but is an engaging read.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 10, 2025 09:18 AM (Vfq+S)
53
"A reading from The Guns of John Moses Browning ... "
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 09:15 AM (0sNs1)
---
The planet he rules is a mecha-world. Imagine the guns Browning would make as a demigod. Like Warhammer 40k but everything is fire-blued with walnut stocks - even the space ships.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 09:15 AM (0sNs1)
---
The planet he rules is a mecha-world. Imagine the guns Browning would make as a demigod. Like Warhammer 40k but everything is fire-blued with walnut stocks - even the space ships.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:18 AM (ZOv7s)
54
"Sergeant Dick of the Royal Mounted Police" really needs to be made into a...specialty film, if it hasn't already.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (kpS4V)
Neigh.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (kpS4V)
Neigh.
Posted by: Sgt. Dick's Mount at August 10, 2025 09:19 AM (0eaVi)
55
Weasel, thanks for helping out the book thread.
Posted by: dantesed at August 10, 2025 09:19 AM (Oy/m2)
56
I read every day, just no longer for pleasure, it's largely technical proposals, rfi's, scope documents, technical papers and manuals.
And bitchy communications from vendors and clients.
And bitchy communications from vendors and clients.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at August 10, 2025 09:19 AM (XV/Pl)
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:19 AM (I0N4X)
58
I just put some money down to pre-order some cowboy comic books. "Tex: The Author Collection" over at kickstarter. A boxed set of 6 stories about a Texas Ranger named....Tex. From the review art, one story will likely look meh, two will look awesome, with three books looking somewhere between. Fortunately, one of the great looking books is also written by Chuck Dixon, which made it really easy to make the purchase. Here's hoping it'll be worth it.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:19 AM (Lhaco)
59
Thanks, Weasel. We did not get the short end of the straw by you hosting today. Thanks for filling in. Sounds like an interesting book
Thanks also to " Perfesser" for hosting the book thread for so long and doing it so capably.
I have church and need to get things ready, but I wanted to lift up this story . Former Marine and social worker died at age 92, but he kept a record of the books he had read ( over 3000, but there's no list in the article) and his local library remembered him:
https://tinyurl.com/23u67yht
Thanks also to " Perfesser" for hosting the book thread for so long and doing it so capably.
I have church and need to get things ready, but I wanted to lift up this story . Former Marine and social worker died at age 92, but he kept a record of the books he had read ( over 3000, but there's no list in the article) and his local library remembered him:
https://tinyurl.com/23u67yht
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 10, 2025 09:20 AM (hDBOA)
60
Wait. There's a pants policy?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 10, 2025 09:20 AM (XQo4F)
61
I've seen just about every iteration of "Treasure Island", including the Muppet version and "Treasure Planet", but I'd never read the book. I am now. It's good! Wyeth illustrations are a must.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:20 AM (kpS4V)
62
It seems Sgt. Dick of the RCMP has a revolver in each hand along with another revolver in his holster.
I guess that's why they always get their man.
Superior fire power.
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (I0N4X)
——————-
Okay the revolver in his left hand goes into the left side holster. Since there’s a revolver already in the right side holster, one can only guess where the gun in his right hand is going to be “holstered”.
Welcome to Trudeau’s/Carney’s Brand New RCMP!
I guess that's why they always get their man.
Superior fire power.
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (I0N4X)
——————-
Okay the revolver in his left hand goes into the left side holster. Since there’s a revolver already in the right side holster, one can only guess where the gun in his right hand is going to be “holstered”.
Welcome to Trudeau’s/Carney’s Brand New RCMP!
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025 09:21 AM (DTBr0)
63
Picked through a couple of collections of reviews and essays by a guy named Scott Bradfield. Titles are
Why I Hate Toni Morrison's Beloved: Several Decades of Reading Unwisely
and
Reading Great Books in the Bathtub: Essays and Reviews 2005-2021
Both are cheap on Kindle, and can probably be ordered in print from Amazon or direct from Bradfield (don't have that info handy, though). He's got a YouTube channel with something like 500 videos; guy's been at it for a while.
Why I Hate Toni Morrison's Beloved: Several Decades of Reading Unwisely
and
Reading Great Books in the Bathtub: Essays and Reviews 2005-2021
Both are cheap on Kindle, and can probably be ordered in print from Amazon or direct from Bradfield (don't have that info handy, though). He's got a YouTube channel with something like 500 videos; guy's been at it for a while.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 09:21 AM (q3u5l)
64
I guess that's why they always get their man.
Superior fire power.
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM
Let us not be, how you say, misogynistic. Superior fire power is a great aid in getting your woman, too.
Superior fire power.
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM
Let us not be, how you say, misogynistic. Superior fire power is a great aid in getting your woman, too.
Posted by: Paolo at August 10, 2025 09:22 AM (0sNs1)
65
Haven't read, haven't seen - certainly not interested in that little fairy Cruise in anything anymore - only read about the show, but I'd think if you don't see Clint Walker in the role, you may be wrong in your choice.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025
***
Walker had the size and heft. But somehow I see Reacher as being deceptive in his size -- that an opponent might underrate him because, while he is tall, he does not immediately appear so hefty. Sort of like the way John D. MacDonald had Travis McGee describe himself: "A man who gets a look at my wrists will realize I am bigger than I appear to be." Or words to that effect.
Rory Calhoun had the "dangerous edge" look, and you can imagine him moving whip-fast to finish a fight before the other guy knows it's started.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025
***
Walker had the size and heft. But somehow I see Reacher as being deceptive in his size -- that an opponent might underrate him because, while he is tall, he does not immediately appear so hefty. Sort of like the way John D. MacDonald had Travis McGee describe himself: "A man who gets a look at my wrists will realize I am bigger than I appear to be." Or words to that effect.
Rory Calhoun had the "dangerous edge" look, and you can imagine him moving whip-fast to finish a fight before the other guy knows it's started.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (omVj0)
66
So it's a book thread in gun thread wrapped in a movie thread?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (XQo4F)
67
Got a bunch of books started, all petered out for varios reasons.
Latest is Downfall, Richard Frank's book about the end of imperial Japan.
Hope this one keeps me reading. Recommended here I'm sure.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (n4GiU)
---
I certainly did. Not for the faint of heart. The description of the firebombings - which are almost entire forgotten - is much worse than just being vaporized.
If nothing else, the book forces critics to actually articulate an alternative. Call it quits and let Japan effectively win? If not, the only other options were a slow siege that would see millions die of disease and starvation or launching MacArthur's dream campaign that would also kill millions.
Pick one, and then explain why it's more moral than the others.
Latest is Downfall, Richard Frank's book about the end of imperial Japan.
Hope this one keeps me reading. Recommended here I'm sure.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (n4GiU)
---
I certainly did. Not for the faint of heart. The description of the firebombings - which are almost entire forgotten - is much worse than just being vaporized.
If nothing else, the book forces critics to actually articulate an alternative. Call it quits and let Japan effectively win? If not, the only other options were a slow siege that would see millions die of disease and starvation or launching MacArthur's dream campaign that would also kill millions.
Pick one, and then explain why it's more moral than the others.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (ZOv7s)
68
Interesting, I have an original hardback copy of "Benton of the Royal Mounted" by Ralph S Kendall dated 1918, but I shannot offer a book report today!
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (hOUT3)
69
Okay the revolver in his left hand goes into the left side holster. Since there’s a revolver already in the right side holster, one can only guess where the gun in his right hand is going to be “holstered”.
Welcome to Trudeau’s/Carney’s Brand New RCMP!
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025
***
Slid into his belt; it was captured from one of the bad guys!
Welcome to Trudeau’s/Carney’s Brand New RCMP!
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025
***
Slid into his belt; it was captured from one of the bad guys!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (omVj0)
70
I met a Sgt. Dick in the Air Force. She was in public affairs, and had that look of someone who knows the joke and is weary of hearing it.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
I worked with a 'BJ'. She much preferred that over 'Bobbi Jo'.
She had 'the look' - you didn't dare comment on her name.
Congrats Weasel!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
I worked with a 'BJ'. She much preferred that over 'Bobbi Jo'.
She had 'the look' - you didn't dare comment on her name.
Congrats Weasel!
Posted by: Tonypete at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (WzM/W)
71
Would Poe be considered gothic or Southern Gothic?
His stories were always creepy.
I think he’s credited for inventing the mystery novel with his Auguste Dupin stories; The Murders in the Rue Morgue being the obvious one.
His stories were always creepy.
I think he’s credited for inventing the mystery novel with his Auguste Dupin stories; The Murders in the Rue Morgue being the obvious one.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (6ydKt)
72
Tess Trueheart!
Dare I say "Hubba, Hubba"?
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:19 AM (I0N4X)
__________
Prudence Pimpleton!
Dare it say "Ugh"?
Tess Trueheart!
Dare I say "Hubba, Hubba"?
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:19 AM (I0N4X)
__________
Prudence Pimpleton!
Dare it say "Ugh"?
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (kkTda)
73
I find the absence of cigars disturbing.
Posted by: the Trees at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (L3gF5)
74
Okay the revolver in his left hand goes into the left side holster. Since there’s a revolver already in the right side holster, one can only guess where the gun in his right hand is going to be “holstered”.
Welcome to Trudeau’s/Carney’s Brand New RCMP!
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025 09:21 AM (DTBr0)
---
Appendix carry. Or on his horse.
Welcome to Trudeau’s/Carney’s Brand New RCMP!
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025 09:21 AM (DTBr0)
---
Appendix carry. Or on his horse.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (ZOv7s)
75
When I saw "Weasel" I laughed, then I scrolled down and the first thing I see is "HA" "hahaha". That was great. Thanks for the Sunday morning laugh, Weasel.
Posted by: Indiana Lurker at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (3ZVqj)
76
Gothic?
It's a paperback novel showing an attractive young lady in a not-quite-sheer-enough nightgown coming toward the reader across the dark moor; in the background is an ominous-looking castle with a light in one tower window.
Everyone knows that...
It's a paperback novel showing an attractive young lady in a not-quite-sheer-enough nightgown coming toward the reader across the dark moor; in the background is an ominous-looking castle with a light in one tower window.
Everyone knows that...
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (q3u5l)
77
So it's a book thread in gun thread wrapped in a movie thread?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 10, 2025
***
Any thread can be all three, and more!
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 10, 2025
***
Any thread can be all three, and more!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:25 AM (omVj0)
78
So it's a book thread in gun thread wrapped in a movie thread?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (XQo4F)
---
For much of the week every thread is a dildo thread, so this is an improvement.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (XQo4F)
---
For much of the week every thread is a dildo thread, so this is an improvement.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:25 AM (ZOv7s)
79
Rory Calhoun had the "dangerous edge" look, and you can imagine him moving whip-fast to finish a fight before the other guy knows it's started.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (omVj0)
Well, I don't remember what Rory looked like, but from what apparently Reacher does, I assumed the person should be a rather good size. Certainly not poofter Cruise.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (omVj0)
Well, I don't remember what Rory looked like, but from what apparently Reacher does, I assumed the person should be a rather good size. Certainly not poofter Cruise.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:26 AM (0eaVi)
80
Missus Muldoon and I are currently working our way through an oral reading of the OT book of Jeremiah, a couple chapters a day over morning coffee, with commentary, sharing our own thoughts and relating to current world affairs. Nothing like a little light escapism to start your day. Lots of dire predictions, but also promises of redemption.
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:26 AM (I0N4X)
81
Walker had the size and heft. But somehow I see Reacher as being deceptive in his size -- that an opponent might underrate him because, while he is tall, he does not immediately appear so hefty.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (omVj0)
Alan Ritchson, the actor in the series, doesn’t fit that description then.
He’s more like Clint Walker, a little smaller, but still built like a tank.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (omVj0)
Alan Ritchson, the actor in the series, doesn’t fit that description then.
He’s more like Clint Walker, a little smaller, but still built like a tank.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 10, 2025 09:27 AM (6ydKt)
82
This week, I read The Sins of the Father, by Lawrence Block. You would think I'd be tired of gritty ex-cop stories, but you would be wrong.
This is mid-1970s NYC, and ex-cop Matthew Scudder makes a modest living doing favors for people. Not a licensed P.I., but he's good at the investigation. He works intuitively, drinks too much, accepts a system police being bribed, sleeps with prostitutes, you get the idea. He's not a moral beacon, but he's a good guy nonetheless.
Did one of you Morons recommend Lawrence Block, or did I come across this by accident?
This is mid-1970s NYC, and ex-cop Matthew Scudder makes a modest living doing favors for people. Not a licensed P.I., but he's good at the investigation. He works intuitively, drinks too much, accepts a system police being bribed, sleeps with prostitutes, you get the idea. He's not a moral beacon, but he's a good guy nonetheless.
Did one of you Morons recommend Lawrence Block, or did I come across this by accident?
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 10, 2025 09:27 AM (h7ZuX)
83
I’ve been reading Anno Dracula: One Thousand Monster. Japanese monsters are *weird*
Posted by: Perfessor Sqiurrel at August 10, 2025 09:28 AM (1O6D8)
84
So it's a book thread in gun thread wrapped in a movie thread?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM
* taps finger on chin *
Good start, but it's lacking a certain something to qualify as an average AoSHQ thread.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM
* taps finger on chin *
Good start, but it's lacking a certain something to qualify as an average AoSHQ thread.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 09:28 AM (0sNs1)
85
Book thread in a gun thread wrapped in a movie thread...
Do we contradict ourselves? Very well, then, we contradict ourselves. The Horde is vast, we contain multitudes. Or something like that.
Do we contradict ourselves? Very well, then, we contradict ourselves. The Horde is vast, we contain multitudes. Or something like that.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 09:29 AM (q3u5l)
86
Would Poe be considered gothic or Southern Gothic?
His stories were always creepy.
I think he’s credited for inventing the mystery novel with his Auguste Dupin stories; The Murders in the Rue Morgue being the obvious one.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 10, 2025
***
Poe came along a while after the subgenre started, so he could. Certainly the atmosphere in "The Fall of the HOuse of Usher" is Gothic.
The reason I ask, Miss Linda is going to a book club thing at the library this week and suggests I come along. They will be discussing the Gothic. I think this The Bog Wife qualifies. The ruined abode you usually find in such tales does not have to be a castle or a mansion; it could be a family home that has fallen on hard times even as its family did.
Anne Rivers Siddons' "haunted" house story The House Next Door -- even though it features a brand-new house being built as the story opens -- could be Southern Gothic. The house is "bad" from the beginning and ruins the lives of the people who live there.
His stories were always creepy.
I think he’s credited for inventing the mystery novel with his Auguste Dupin stories; The Murders in the Rue Morgue being the obvious one.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 10, 2025
***
Poe came along a while after the subgenre started, so he could. Certainly the atmosphere in "The Fall of the HOuse of Usher" is Gothic.
The reason I ask, Miss Linda is going to a book club thing at the library this week and suggests I come along. They will be discussing the Gothic. I think this The Bog Wife qualifies. The ruined abode you usually find in such tales does not have to be a castle or a mansion; it could be a family home that has fallen on hard times even as its family did.
Anne Rivers Siddons' "haunted" house story The House Next Door -- even though it features a brand-new house being built as the story opens -- could be Southern Gothic. The house is "bad" from the beginning and ruins the lives of the people who live there.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:29 AM (omVj0)
87
Would Poe be considered gothic or Southern Gothic?
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (6ydKt)
---
Gothic, but credit has to be given to Ann Radcliffe, who was referenced by both Jane Austen and Alexandre Dumas, who at one point described a scene as being reminiscent of Radcliffe's work. She was that well known.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (6ydKt)
---
Gothic, but credit has to be given to Ann Radcliffe, who was referenced by both Jane Austen and Alexandre Dumas, who at one point described a scene as being reminiscent of Radcliffe's work. She was that well known.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:29 AM (ZOv7s)
88
Pick one, and then explain why it's more moral than the others.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (ZOv7s)
Because then it would have cost hundreds of thousands of Allies lives, also it would let Stalin get in the war and possibly take over Japan. Which is what the Ds would have preferred happen.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (ZOv7s)
Because then it would have cost hundreds of thousands of Allies lives, also it would let Stalin get in the war and possibly take over Japan. Which is what the Ds would have preferred happen.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:29 AM (0eaVi)
89
So it's a book thread in gun thread wrapped in a movie thread?
----
A turducken of all the best threads!
----
A turducken of all the best threads!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:29 AM (kpS4V)
90
40 Speaking of the "Gothic": How would you define a Gothic novel?
A story full of suburban teenagers who are overly angsty for no good reason, who like to dress in black....no, wait...
From someone who isn't a connoisseur of the genre; Mood. Mood and setting. It needs to take place in over-sized and overly-grand buildings, which are no longer used for their intended purpose. The characters are a little bit lost, or feel small or lonely when set in their imposing surroundings.
...I actually need to read more stories about barbarians raging across Europe. The crumbling provinces of the Roman Empire would make for a really interesting (although hopefully not too timely) setting.
A story full of suburban teenagers who are overly angsty for no good reason, who like to dress in black....no, wait...
From someone who isn't a connoisseur of the genre; Mood. Mood and setting. It needs to take place in over-sized and overly-grand buildings, which are no longer used for their intended purpose. The characters are a little bit lost, or feel small or lonely when set in their imposing surroundings.
...I actually need to read more stories about barbarians raging across Europe. The crumbling provinces of the Roman Empire would make for a really interesting (although hopefully not too timely) setting.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:30 AM (Lhaco)
91
>>Good start, but it's lacking a certain something to qualify as an average AoSHQ thread.
Adding a pair of a certain something would certainly qualify it.
Adding a pair of a certain something would certainly qualify it.
Posted by: Nazdar at August 10, 2025 09:30 AM (NcvvS)
92
This week, I read The Sins of the Father, by Lawrence Block. You would think I'd be tired of gritty ex-cop stories, but you would be wrong.
This is mid-1970s NYC, and ex-cop Matthew Scudder makes a modest living doing favors for people. Not a licensed P.I., but he's good at the investigation. He works intuitively, drinks too much, accepts a system police being bribed, sleeps with prostitutes, you get the idea. He's not a moral beacon, but he's a good guy nonetheless.
Did one of you Morons recommend Lawrence Block, or did I come across this by accident?
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 10, 2025
***
We've mentioned the series here, and Block's work overall. He is one of the people who, when I see a book with his name on it, I grab it off the library shelf without reading the blurb.
I think Sins is the first in the Scudder series.
This is mid-1970s NYC, and ex-cop Matthew Scudder makes a modest living doing favors for people. Not a licensed P.I., but he's good at the investigation. He works intuitively, drinks too much, accepts a system police being bribed, sleeps with prostitutes, you get the idea. He's not a moral beacon, but he's a good guy nonetheless.
Did one of you Morons recommend Lawrence Block, or did I come across this by accident?
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 10, 2025
***
We've mentioned the series here, and Block's work overall. He is one of the people who, when I see a book with his name on it, I grab it off the library shelf without reading the blurb.
I think Sins is the first in the Scudder series.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:31 AM (omVj0)
93
Well, I don't remember what Rory looked like, but from what apparently Reacher does, I assumed the person should be a rather good size. Certainly not poofter Cruise.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:26 AM (0eaVi)
Here’s an entire page of Rory Calhoun on Pinterest (somebody really likes the guy):
https://tinyurl.com/ycx6r5d6
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:26 AM (0eaVi)
Here’s an entire page of Rory Calhoun on Pinterest (somebody really likes the guy):
https://tinyurl.com/ycx6r5d6
Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 10, 2025 09:31 AM (6ydKt)
94
Posted by: Indiana Lurker at August 10, 2025 09:24 AM (3ZVqj)
Hey, Wolfus! Maybe this lurker has some info that might help you decide where to move?
Hey, Wolfus! Maybe this lurker has some info that might help you decide where to move?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:31 AM (0eaVi)
95
I’ve been reading Anno Dracula: One Thousand Monster. Japanese monsters are *weird*
Posted by: Perfessor Sqiurrel at August 10, 2025 09:28 AM (1O6D
---
Have you gotten to the demon rape scene? I hear those are quite common.
"Legend of the Overfiend" is something of an epistome.
Posted by: Perfessor Sqiurrel at August 10, 2025 09:28 AM (1O6D
---
Have you gotten to the demon rape scene? I hear those are quite common.
"Legend of the Overfiend" is something of an epistome.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:31 AM (ZOv7s)
96
Dash,
Several of us have recommended Lawrence Block. He did the first three Scudders as paperback originals for Dell. Gap of several years, and then he picked it up again with A Stab in the Dark in hardcover. That's when the series really started to take off.
Enjoy.
Several of us have recommended Lawrence Block. He did the first three Scudders as paperback originals for Dell. Gap of several years, and then he picked it up again with A Stab in the Dark in hardcover. That's when the series really started to take off.
Enjoy.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 09:32 AM (q3u5l)
97
61 ... "I've seen just about every iteration of "Treasure Island", including the Muppet version and "Treasure Planet", but I'd never read the book. I am now. It's good! Wyeth illustrations are a must."
AHE,
OMG!!! Treasure Island was the first 'grown up' books I read. I was maybe 7 years old and had a dictionary at hand the whole time for the many unfamiliar words. Worth every second. And the Wyeth illustrations are mandatory for full enjoyment. I've said before, his painting of Blind Pew approaching the inn is still scary. It was terrifying, in a cool way, to a little boy. (I've given several copies as gifts over the years.)
FWIW, my favorite film version is with Charlton Heston as Long John Silver.
AHE,
OMG!!! Treasure Island was the first 'grown up' books I read. I was maybe 7 years old and had a dictionary at hand the whole time for the many unfamiliar words. Worth every second. And the Wyeth illustrations are mandatory for full enjoyment. I've said before, his painting of Blind Pew approaching the inn is still scary. It was terrifying, in a cool way, to a little boy. (I've given several copies as gifts over the years.)
FWIW, my favorite film version is with Charlton Heston as Long John Silver.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 09:32 AM (yTvNw)
98
Wiki, of all places, gives Edmund Burke some props for defining the Gothic novel:
Burke's thoughts on the Sublime, Terror, and Obscurity helped shape Gothic fiction's emotional and psychological tone. These sections can be summarized thus: the Sublime is that which is or produces the "strongest emotion which the mind is capable of feeling"; Terror most often evoked the Sublime; and to cause Terror, we need some amount of Obscurity – we can't know everything about that which is inducing Terror – or else "a great deal of the apprehension vanishes"; Obscurity is necessary to experience the Terror of the unknown.
Burke's thoughts on the Sublime, Terror, and Obscurity helped shape Gothic fiction's emotional and psychological tone. These sections can be summarized thus: the Sublime is that which is or produces the "strongest emotion which the mind is capable of feeling"; Terror most often evoked the Sublime; and to cause Terror, we need some amount of Obscurity – we can't know everything about that which is inducing Terror – or else "a great deal of the apprehension vanishes"; Obscurity is necessary to experience the Terror of the unknown.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 10, 2025 09:34 AM (XvL8K)
99
...I actually need to read more stories about barbarians raging across Europe. The crumbling provinces of the Roman Empire would make for a really interesting (although hopefully not too timely) setting.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:30 AM (Lhaco)
---
Ammianus Marcellinus is a good primary source if you are into that sort of thing.
Evelyn Waugh's Helena also presents an interesting perspective as the generals are constantly moving about, cruching barbarians or each other.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:30 AM (Lhaco)
---
Ammianus Marcellinus is a good primary source if you are into that sort of thing.
Evelyn Waugh's Helena also presents an interesting perspective as the generals are constantly moving about, cruching barbarians or each other.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:34 AM (ZOv7s)
100
Yay!!! Good morning, Book Nerdz.
I'm reading Edward Ashton's "Mal Goes To War," which is about a sentient malware program that tries to survive a war between the US government and a rebel group that hates technology. Interesting so far. Ashton is the author of Mickey7 and a couple of other clever science fiction works. I enjoy reading him.
I'm reading Edward Ashton's "Mal Goes To War," which is about a sentient malware program that tries to survive a war between the US government and a rebel group that hates technology. Interesting so far. Ashton is the author of Mickey7 and a couple of other clever science fiction works. I enjoy reading him.
Posted by: Sharkman at August 10, 2025 09:35 AM (/RHNq)
101
Went to half price books yesterday and came home with How to read and do proofs... I've always been interested in that subject but never had any exposure to it other than a couple of weeks during HS geometry.
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at August 10, 2025 09:35 AM (3Ope8)
102
I can't find much information about J. G. Rowe but I'm tempted to look for his books. Sounds like they might be like early Hardy Boys or original Tom Swift stories, written for young people but not dumbed down. I still enjoy reading those now and then.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 09:35 AM (yTvNw)
103
“Rory Calhoun…wasn’t he the actor who was always standing on his hind legs?”
C. Montgomery Burns
C. Montgomery Burns
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM (DTBr0)
104
Dash,
Several of us have recommended Lawrence Block. He did the first three Scudders as paperback originals for Dell. Gap of several years, and then he picked it up again with A Stab in the Dark in hardcover. That's when the series really started to take off.
Enjoy.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
Only two Scudders have been filmed as far as I know: The important to the book series Eight Million Ways to Die (mangled, but with Jeff Bridges as Scudder) and A Walk Among the Tombstones a few years ago, a good job with Liam Neeson.
Block's work dates back to the late Fifties or early Sixties. He was a buddy of Donald Westlake and others of the NYC-based crime writers of the time.
Several of us have recommended Lawrence Block. He did the first three Scudders as paperback originals for Dell. Gap of several years, and then he picked it up again with A Stab in the Dark in hardcover. That's when the series really started to take off.
Enjoy.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
Only two Scudders have been filmed as far as I know: The important to the book series Eight Million Ways to Die (mangled, but with Jeff Bridges as Scudder) and A Walk Among the Tombstones a few years ago, a good job with Liam Neeson.
Block's work dates back to the late Fifties or early Sixties. He was a buddy of Donald Westlake and others of the NYC-based crime writers of the time.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM (omVj0)
105
Poe died not seeing any fame or fortune. He died of alcohol poisoning or something like that.
Posted by: dantesed at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM (Oy/m2)
106
I think Sins is the first in the Scudder series.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:31 AM (omVj0)
Scudder who?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:31 AM (omVj0)
Scudder who?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM (0eaVi)
107
JTB, yes on the Heston version, and it has young Christian Bale as Jim.
Barnes & Noble has a nice hardcover edition with Wyeth illustrations in its Classics section, if anybody needs a good gift idea for Christmas.
My own is an old 1930's library book I got at a library sale. Think of how many kids read it.
Barnes & Noble has a nice hardcover edition with Wyeth illustrations in its Classics section, if anybody needs a good gift idea for Christmas.
My own is an old 1930's library book I got at a library sale. Think of how many kids read it.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:37 AM (kpS4V)
108
Burke's thoughts on the Sublime, Terror, and Obscurity helped shape Gothic fiction's emotional and psychological tone. These sections can be summarized thus: the Sublime is that which is or produces the "strongest emotion which the mind is capable of feeling"; Terror most often evoked the Sublime; and to cause Terror, we need some amount of Obscurity – we can't know everything about that which is inducing Terror – or else "a great deal of the apprehension vanishes"; Obscurity is necessary to experience the Terror of the unknown.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 10, 2025
***
I suppose, then, Henry James's Turn of the Screw and Conrad's Heart of Darkness might come in under Gothic. Obscurity is everywhere in those two.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 10, 2025
***
I suppose, then, Henry James's Turn of the Screw and Conrad's Heart of Darkness might come in under Gothic. Obscurity is everywhere in those two.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:37 AM (omVj0)
109
Good start, but it's lacking a certain something to qualify as an average AoSHQ thread.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 09:28 AM (0sNs1)
Penguins? Bats? Evil River Otters?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 09:28 AM (0sNs1)
Penguins? Bats? Evil River Otters?
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025 09:37 AM (vOjEn)
110
Poe died not seeing any fame or fortune. He died of alcohol poisoning or something like that.
Posted by: dantesed at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM
He still holds the record for the shortest eulogy ever.
"Nevermore."
Posted by: dantesed at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM
He still holds the record for the shortest eulogy ever.
"Nevermore."
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 09:38 AM (0sNs1)
111
Poe died not seeing any fame or fortune. He died of alcohol poisoning or something like that.
Posted by: dantesed at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM (Oy/m2)
---
If you want some insight into his work through life experience, visit Fort Monroe in Virginia. The casemates are massive, the interiors gloomy and forbidding. You can well see how serving there in the Army he was inspired. Note that the crypt in The House of Usher had a copper floor, like a powder magazine.
Authors write what they know, and he probably spent enough nights gazing out at the mist over the ocean feeling chained to a dungeon.
Posted by: dantesed at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM (Oy/m2)
---
If you want some insight into his work through life experience, visit Fort Monroe in Virginia. The casemates are massive, the interiors gloomy and forbidding. You can well see how serving there in the Army he was inspired. Note that the crypt in The House of Usher had a copper floor, like a powder magazine.
Authors write what they know, and he probably spent enough nights gazing out at the mist over the ocean feeling chained to a dungeon.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:39 AM (ZOv7s)
112
Last week I finished reading a graphic novel called "Zagor: Zombies in Darkwood." It was basically Dawn of the Dead (the modern remake) set in a frontier town. I didn't enjoy. I'm not a zombie fan, and the amount of death (an entire town and most of the countryside wiped out) in the story...was off-putting. The scale of the bloodshed didn't work with the pacing, didn't work with the mood, it probably doesn't work with the continuity (Zagor is an ongoing series) and I absolutely hated how it contrasted with the main-character plot armor. The main characters were obviously going to survive, while the newly introduced character were obvious cannon-fodder...so why care about anything.
That leads into a question for the horde: is there a level of death and destruction that actually takes you out of a story? I know I have my limits. And those limits are very tight in any sort of on-going story. I hate when those stories go too catastrophic, because the consequences will only ever be dealt with for one or two following installments, before fading into the background. Best to keep the stakes at a level where it is believable that a character can move past them...
That leads into a question for the horde: is there a level of death and destruction that actually takes you out of a story? I know I have my limits. And those limits are very tight in any sort of on-going story. I hate when those stories go too catastrophic, because the consequences will only ever be dealt with for one or two following installments, before fading into the background. Best to keep the stakes at a level where it is believable that a character can move past them...
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:39 AM (Lhaco)
113
Weasel, thanks for stepping in.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 10, 2025 09:39 AM (6Tzur)
114
Penguins? Bats? Evil River Otters?
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025 09:37 AM
The many chiroptophiles in The Horde always consider one of those a good addition to any Thread!
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025 09:37 AM
The many chiroptophiles in The Horde always consider one of those a good addition to any Thread!
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 09:40 AM (0sNs1)
115
I think Sins is the first in the Scudder series.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:31 AM (omVj0)
Scudder who?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025
***
"Scudder? I don't even know her!"
Matthew Scudder, known as Matt. He appears first as a ex-NYC cop, divorced, drinking way too much (important to the character), and making a living not as a licensed private eye but "doing favors for people," investigating things, for money. He is a very sharp detective, and the mystery plots are very good, but his alcoholism (which he does not acknowledge at first) is important to the series as a whole. I recommend them.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:31 AM (omVj0)
Scudder who?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025
***
"Scudder? I don't even know her!"
Matthew Scudder, known as Matt. He appears first as a ex-NYC cop, divorced, drinking way too much (important to the character), and making a living not as a licensed private eye but "doing favors for people," investigating things, for money. He is a very sharp detective, and the mystery plots are very good, but his alcoholism (which he does not acknowledge at first) is important to the series as a whole. I recommend them.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:40 AM (omVj0)
116
And re: Block
For years he also wrote a column for Writer's Digest, and they were collected in 3 or 4 volumes later. All still available, all well worth a look for anyone hanging around the AoS writer's group, and even if you're not looking to do any writing they're filled with references and examples from tons of good writers so you'll get lots of recommendations of other good stuff.
For an account of his time starting out in the writing biz grab his more recent A Writer Prepares. An excellent read, as is almost anything by Block.
For years he also wrote a column for Writer's Digest, and they were collected in 3 or 4 volumes later. All still available, all well worth a look for anyone hanging around the AoS writer's group, and even if you're not looking to do any writing they're filled with references and examples from tons of good writers so you'll get lots of recommendations of other good stuff.
For an account of his time starting out in the writing biz grab his more recent A Writer Prepares. An excellent read, as is almost anything by Block.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 09:41 AM (q3u5l)
117
Poe died not seeing any fame or fortune. He died of alcohol poisoning or something like that.
Posted by: dantesed
I think it was some sort of stroke, after going on a several day bender and sleeping in the gutter for a few days. If I recall, he was found in the street and taken to some sort of hospice but died soon after.
Posted by: dantesed
I think it was some sort of stroke, after going on a several day bender and sleeping in the gutter for a few days. If I recall, he was found in the street and taken to some sort of hospice but died soon after.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 10, 2025 09:41 AM (Vfq+S)
118
101 "How to Read and Do Proofs" by Solow added to my list, thanks!
Posted by: gp at August 10, 2025 09:41 AM (0I+GC)
119
This week, I read The Sins of the Father
*********
Interestingly, when Jeremiah singles out a particular individual and prophesies a dire punishment for iniquities, the prophecy often includes "you and your descendants shall not return from the Babylon captivity unto Judah" or some such. So the sins of the father were indeed punished in the sons..
*********
Interestingly, when Jeremiah singles out a particular individual and prophesies a dire punishment for iniquities, the prophecy often includes "you and your descendants shall not return from the Babylon captivity unto Judah" or some such. So the sins of the father were indeed punished in the sons..
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:41 AM (I0N4X)
120
47 Got a bunch of books started, all petered out for varios reasons. Latest is Downfall, Richard Frank's book about the end of imperial Japan. Hope this one keeps me reading. Recommended here I'm sure.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (n4GiU)
I think I actually have that book on my shelf. I read it years ago, and I found it to be an engaging read, even if I can't remember anything specific about it now...
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 09:16 AM (n4GiU)
I think I actually have that book on my shelf. I read it years ago, and I found it to be an engaging read, even if I can't remember anything specific about it now...
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:42 AM (Lhaco)
121
Thanks Weasel for filling in. You bring your unique personal style to everything you do here so that I actually see gou talking about this book.
Back to Reading..
I would like to get back to reading. I finally got a copy of the 4th book in the Pierce Brown trilogy(third book story line successfully closed up but picks up same characters a little later on). Have not been able to actually get started. It's an electronic copy and surprisingly now that I've managed to read two actual books, seem to prefer them.
Back to Reading..
I would like to get back to reading. I finally got a copy of the 4th book in the Pierce Brown trilogy(third book story line successfully closed up but picks up same characters a little later on). Have not been able to actually get started. It's an electronic copy and surprisingly now that I've managed to read two actual books, seem to prefer them.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 09:42 AM (t/2Uw)
122
Last week, I read The Good Old Boys by Elmer Kelton, who was one of my dad's favorite authors. It's about Hewey Calloway, a footloose cowboy, who, after a few years, goes home to visit his homesteader brother and family. It's set in West Texas in 1906 when things are changing faster than Hewey is ready to deal with. He's damn good with cattle and horses, but not so much with authority and civilized behavior as defined by the modern world.
If it sounds familiar, it's because Tommy Lee Jones directed a movie based on the book thirty years ago, but which I never saw. Now, I'd like to see it. I'll look around. Everything is on the internet.
If it sounds familiar, it's because Tommy Lee Jones directed a movie based on the book thirty years ago, but which I never saw. Now, I'd like to see it. I'll look around. Everything is on the internet.
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025 09:43 AM (98kQX)
123
That leads into a question for the horde: is there a level of death and destruction that actually takes you out of a story?
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:39 AM (Lhaco)
---
Yes, and I avoid it by staying away from the horror/disaster genre entirely. Looking at TV/movies I see plenty of examples where the stakes are always global annihilation, massive CGI effects make the scale ludicrously big, and I completely lose interest.
It is much harder to write a "small" story of relatable people solving practical problems.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:39 AM (Lhaco)
---
Yes, and I avoid it by staying away from the horror/disaster genre entirely. Looking at TV/movies I see plenty of examples where the stakes are always global annihilation, massive CGI effects make the scale ludicrously big, and I completely lose interest.
It is much harder to write a "small" story of relatable people solving practical problems.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (ZOv7s)
124
Recently Will Henry published a hardcover collection of all the Sunday "Wallace' comics. "Sunday Funday Wallace: A Treasury of Wallace the Brave Sunday Comics". These are the best comics and make me laugh out loud. The only one better is Calvin and Hobbes. (I have the complete collection of C and H in hardcover as well.) For twenty bucks, it is a gem of delight. His setting is based on my home area which adds to my enjoyment.
Thanks to JackStraw for turning me onto to these comics some years ago.
Thanks to JackStraw for turning me onto to these comics some years ago.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (yTvNw)
125
jeremiad /jĕr″ə-mī′əd/ noun
1. A literary work or speech expressing a bitter lament or a righteous prophecy of doom.
2. A tale of sorrow, disappointment, or complaint; a doleful story; a dolorous tirade; -- generally used satirically.
3. A long speech or prose work that bitterly laments the state of society and its morals, and often contains a prophecy of its coming downfall.
1. A literary work or speech expressing a bitter lament or a righteous prophecy of doom.
2. A tale of sorrow, disappointment, or complaint; a doleful story; a dolorous tirade; -- generally used satirically.
3. A long speech or prose work that bitterly laments the state of society and its morals, and often contains a prophecy of its coming downfall.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (0sNs1)
126
Perfessor, thank you for all your contributions to the book thread and the Horde in general. I always checked in on your threads while getting ready for church. And it was a pleasure to have you join us at our midsouth MoMe.
Weasel, thanks for stepping up. I also always check in on your gun thread and chuckle at your presentation of content.
Weasel, thanks for stepping up. I also always check in on your gun thread and chuckle at your presentation of content.
Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (FMtrg)
127
I saw a few weeks ago a recommendation for "Mal Goes to War" by Edward Ashton. I was meh, thought it could have been (a lot) better - neat premise, just less than excellent execution, and kept wondering how an author such as Philip Jose Farmer would have done with such a premise. ALSO, someone mentioned MURDERBOT as being along the same lines as MGTW, so, having an Apple TV subscription, I checked it out...for a bout five minutes...The actor voicing MURDERBOT was all wrong, terribly wrong IMHO. Stories like this just seem so promising, by as written and executed by 30 something year olds just don't fit my expectations. Sad.
So, when I moved about 4-5 years ago, I got rid of a LOT of books, donated to a local library / used book store. What I did keep are all truly excellent books n stories: "The Descent" by Jeff Long. THIS is a grabber, and frankly kinda freaked me out. Heavy shit man.
"Blood Music" by Greg Bear. I could not put it down and still sometimes consider the ending "what just happened here?!?!?!"
"Heavy Weather" by Bruce Sterling. Great story, interesting characters and locations. Have read this one dozens of times in the last 10 or even 15 years. Most recommended.
So, when I moved about 4-5 years ago, I got rid of a LOT of books, donated to a local library / used book store. What I did keep are all truly excellent books n stories: "The Descent" by Jeff Long. THIS is a grabber, and frankly kinda freaked me out. Heavy shit man.
"Blood Music" by Greg Bear. I could not put it down and still sometimes consider the ending "what just happened here?!?!?!"
"Heavy Weather" by Bruce Sterling. Great story, interesting characters and locations. Have read this one dozens of times in the last 10 or even 15 years. Most recommended.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 09:45 AM (Qd0+U)
128
It is much harder to write a "small" story of relatable people solving practical problems.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM
For instance, 'raindrops' keep falling on my head?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM
For instance, 'raindrops' keep falling on my head?
Posted by: WNBA player at August 10, 2025 09:46 AM (0sNs1)
129
61 I've seen just about every iteration of "Treasure Island", including the Muppet version and "Treasure Planet", but I'd never read the book. I am now. It's good! Wyeth illustrations are a must.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:20 AM (kpS4V)
When I read the novel, the main thing I noticed were the little plot cul-de-sacs that never made it into any movie version; like Jim going back to the ship in that little round boat/raft thingy, and barely making it...
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:20 AM (kpS4V)
When I read the novel, the main thing I noticed were the little plot cul-de-sacs that never made it into any movie version; like Jim going back to the ship in that little round boat/raft thingy, and barely making it...
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 09:47 AM (Lhaco)
130
Also last week I read Meet Me at the Fountain, a non-fiction book about the development and death of shopping malls in America. Unfortunately the writer is a NYC or East Coaster, and so she only deals with malls in CA, Chicago, NY area, Atlanta, and Dallas -- no mentions of the ones I know in Da Swamp. Some of the info is fascinating, some of the telling of how a mall came to be (financing, etc.) is dull. Very politically correct -- it's a recent book. Not sure I'd recommend it. But the pictures were well-chosen.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:47 AM (omVj0)
131
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:40 AM (omVj0)
The response I was looking for was:
Scudder, Hay!*
*real groaner pun
The response I was looking for was:
Scudder, Hay!*
*real groaner pun
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:47 AM (0eaVi)
132
Then there is "The Apocalypse Troll" by David Weber. My brother is a big fan of the Horn Harrington series...but *space opera* stuff just seems to drag on n on. So. Much. Ruminating. But TAT is another grabber, lots of action and interesting characters n locations. Great premise.
Finally I still have a copy of Michael Crichton's "Timeline". Time travel story done right.
Finally I still have a copy of Michael Crichton's "Timeline". Time travel story done right.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 09:48 AM (Qd0+U)
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 09:50 AM (viF8m)
134
Okay the revolver in his left hand goes into the left side holster. Since there’s a revolver already in the right side holster, one can only guess where the gun in his right hand is going to be “holstered”.
Welcome to Trudeau’s/Carney’s Brand New RCMP!
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025 09:21 AM (DTBr0)
Any way you look at it he's still rootin' tootn' straight shootn' Sergeant Dick.
Welcome to Trudeau’s/Carney’s Brand New RCMP!
Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 10, 2025 09:21 AM (DTBr0)
Any way you look at it he's still rootin' tootn' straight shootn' Sergeant Dick.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 10, 2025 09:50 AM (g8Ew8)
135
sheesh..... "Honor Harrington"
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 09:50 AM (Qd0+U)
136
Yes, and I avoid it by staying away from the horror/disaster genre entirely. Looking at TV/movies I see plenty of examples where the stakes are always global annihilation, massive CGI effects make the scale ludicrously big, and I completely lose interest.
It is much harder to write a "small" story of relatable people solving practical problems.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025
***
The latter is much more my speed. A global annihilation story, or a global conspiracy/threat tale like Tom Clancy's, would be beyond me. My favorite James Bond novels are the ones where he is operating alone, or perhaps with Felix Leiter and the lady of the hour, like From Russia With Love and Doctor No. When he has help from a horde of U.S. Navy frogmen in Thunderball, I lose interest.
It is much harder to write a "small" story of relatable people solving practical problems.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025
***
The latter is much more my speed. A global annihilation story, or a global conspiracy/threat tale like Tom Clancy's, would be beyond me. My favorite James Bond novels are the ones where he is operating alone, or perhaps with Felix Leiter and the lady of the hour, like From Russia With Love and Doctor No. When he has help from a horde of U.S. Navy frogmen in Thunderball, I lose interest.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:51 AM (omVj0)
137
"Block's work dates back to the late Fifties or early Sixties. He was a buddy of Donald Westlake and others of the NYC-based crime writers of the time.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM (omVj0)"
This one was written in 1976. I'm in kind of a '70s reading mood right now, so this fits. I enjoyed this bit from his Goodreads author bio:
"Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptive of them."
If you know anything about Antioch College, this makes perfect sense.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:36 AM (omVj0)"
This one was written in 1976. I'm in kind of a '70s reading mood right now, so this fits. I enjoyed this bit from his Goodreads author bio:
"Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptive of them."
If you know anything about Antioch College, this makes perfect sense.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 10, 2025 09:51 AM (h7ZuX)
138
Level of death and destruction that takes you out of the story?
That's kind of a sticky one. In your average disaster movie, you've got a few characters you follow. Everyone else is just another shack washed away in the flood. Like the extras in a war movie. In Richard Matheson's I Am Legend, practically everyone's already dead -- it's background. Just as it is for any after the bomb or zombie apocalypse.
Then you take something like Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door, or Mendal Johnson's Let's Go Play at the Adams. Both based on the same incident as I recall, and both restricted to one victim. Both very well done and both excruciating to read. I've read them both, but won't be revisiting them any time soon.
That's kind of a sticky one. In your average disaster movie, you've got a few characters you follow. Everyone else is just another shack washed away in the flood. Like the extras in a war movie. In Richard Matheson's I Am Legend, practically everyone's already dead -- it's background. Just as it is for any after the bomb or zombie apocalypse.
Then you take something like Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door, or Mendal Johnson's Let's Go Play at the Adams. Both based on the same incident as I recall, and both restricted to one victim. Both very well done and both excruciating to read. I've read them both, but won't be revisiting them any time soon.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 09:52 AM (q3u5l)
139
Kindle gave me a sample of the Horus Heresy. Easy reading before bed but not for 9$.
Posted by: Accomack at August 10, 2025 09:52 AM (4qMiv)
140
14 Could've been worse - he could've handed us all a Hornaday reloading manual and told us to memorize how many grains of Bullseye you need to push a 185 gr SJHP vs a 230 gr. FMJ.
Posted by: PabloD at August 10, 2025 09:07 AM (APp3S)
Lol, I was dreading something like this when I saw the name on the post. Turns out he's a bit more cultured than we gave him credit for :p
And speaking of Poe, anyone remember a short story he did in regards to the color pink? From what I remember it was about a woman suffering from post par tum depression and then descending into full blown madness due to the pink wallpaper in the house. Pink is the color of madness was the theme or something like that. I had to read it and other Poe stories in high school.
Posted by: PabloD at August 10, 2025 09:07 AM (APp3S)
Lol, I was dreading something like this when I saw the name on the post. Turns out he's a bit more cultured than we gave him credit for :p
And speaking of Poe, anyone remember a short story he did in regards to the color pink? From what I remember it was about a woman suffering from post par tum depression and then descending into full blown madness due to the pink wallpaper in the house. Pink is the color of madness was the theme or something like that. I had to read it and other Poe stories in high school.
Posted by: Farquad at August 10, 2025 09:52 AM (znbnV)
141
Has anyone read Ann Cleeve's Shetland mysteries? I grabbed one from the condo share shelf because I needed a paperback to take to the pool. Ion,y read it when I am there so it takes a while. Didn't realize that it was part of a series but is fine as a stand alone but I'm liking it and wondering if I should start at the beginning. Was also made into a TV series. Has anyone seen them?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 09:53 AM (t/2Uw)
142
Finally, also in my collection are four Clifford D. Simak sci-fi novels. I always like what he did with the robot characters.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 09:53 AM (Qd0+U)
143
I like the tension of the volcano chapter. Sgt Dick saves Nell once again.
Posted by: Minuteman at August 10, 2025 09:55 AM (47/pr)
144
The other thing I was a bit surprised to learn is that Jeremiah was, as a factual matter, decidedly NOT a bullfrog.
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:55 AM (I0N4X)
145
And speaking of Poe, anyone remember a short story he did in regards to the color pink? From what I remember it was about a woman suffering from post par tum depression and then descending into full blown madness due to the pink wallpaper in the house. Pink is the color of madness was the theme or something like that. I had to read it and other Poe stories in high school.
Posted by: Farquad at August 10, 2025
***
Poe wrote one like that? That sounds like Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," which I have seen explained variously as a supernatural story, a story of madness, and one of patriarchal oppression. Amazing how they could get all of that out of one short story.
Posted by: Farquad at August 10, 2025
***
Poe wrote one like that? That sounds like Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," which I have seen explained variously as a supernatural story, a story of madness, and one of patriarchal oppression. Amazing how they could get all of that out of one short story.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:55 AM (omVj0)
146
All y'all are too kind! Thank you very much.
Posted by: Weasel at August 10, 2025 09:55 AM (cmI4M)
147
The latter is much more my speed. A global annihilation story, or a global conspiracy/threat tale like Tom Clancy's, would be beyond me. My favorite James Bond novels are the ones where he is operating alone, or perhaps with Felix Leiter and the lady of the hour, like From Russia With Love and Doctor No. When he has help from a horde of U.S. Navy frogmen in Thunderball, I lose interest.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:51 AM (omVj0)
Sounds like you need to start reading Vince Flynn's books.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:51 AM (omVj0)
Sounds like you need to start reading Vince Flynn's books.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 10, 2025 09:56 AM (g8Ew8)
148
I remember reading The Murders in the Rue Morgue as a child, and thinking, "this is a pretty good detective story, almost like a Sherlock Holmes story", not realizing it predated Holmes by 50 years or so.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 10, 2025 09:56 AM (Vfq+S)
149
Micah dalton series by david stone is kind off a hard boiled spy with detective elements hes officially a cleaner tdyed from special forces operating from.a bar in venice when one of his mentors ends up dead
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at August 10, 2025 09:56 AM (bXbFr)
150
The latter is much more my speed. A global annihilation story, or a global conspiracy/threat tale like Tom Clancy's, would be beyond me. My favorite James Bond novels are the ones where he is operating alone, or perhaps with Felix Leiter and the lady of the hour, like From Russia With Love and Doctor No. When he has help from a horde of U.S. Navy frogmen in Thunderball, I lose interest.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:51 AM (omVj0)
---
I think a great example of scalilng a story is Lord of the Rings. It starts very small, just a handful of characters, and the danger level is very personal - freezing in the snow, close-combats and the like.
But it continues to increase, until we finally get epic battles at the Hornburg and Minas Tirith. At that point the stakes should be high, and we're deeply invested in the characters. Despite the scale, Tolkien still zooms in to show what happened to each of them, how they felt and why it mattered. For example, Merry goes through the charge, helps strike down the Witch-King, but is ignored and become one of many wounded stragglers trying to find a place to get treated or even rest.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:51 AM (omVj0)
---
I think a great example of scalilng a story is Lord of the Rings. It starts very small, just a handful of characters, and the danger level is very personal - freezing in the snow, close-combats and the like.
But it continues to increase, until we finally get epic battles at the Hornburg and Minas Tirith. At that point the stakes should be high, and we're deeply invested in the characters. Despite the scale, Tolkien still zooms in to show what happened to each of them, how they felt and why it mattered. For example, Merry goes through the charge, helps strike down the Witch-King, but is ignored and become one of many wounded stragglers trying to find a place to get treated or even rest.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:57 AM (ZOv7s)
151
It is much harder to write a "small" story of relatable people solving practical problems.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (ZOv7s)
Sort of like how Star Trek did it, compared to CB DeMille.*
*Star Trek reference checked off
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (ZOv7s)
Sort of like how Star Trek did it, compared to CB DeMille.*
*Star Trek reference checked off
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 09:57 AM (0eaVi)
152
Amazon and other e-tail sites have been blamed for the demise of the mall, but roaming gangs of vandals in youthful high spirits surely contributed.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:58 AM (kpS4V)
153
A non-recommendation this week. Or maybe a semi-recommendation. I got a book called Avoiding the Great Filter, by Jiang and Rosen. Not what I was hoping for. It's a decent introduction to the concept of the Great Filter and so if you're new to being interested in SETI and the Fermi Paradox issue it might make a good "onboarding" book. But I found it very slight and cursory. Any random Isaac Arthur 40-minute Youtube video has more substance.
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 10, 2025 09:59 AM (78a2H)
154
Was also made into a TV series. Has anyone seen them?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at
**********
Highly recommend tha5 series. Nice atmosphere, beautiful though stark scenery and relatable characters. Jimmy Perez has a great detective style...
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at
**********
Highly recommend tha5 series. Nice atmosphere, beautiful though stark scenery and relatable characters. Jimmy Perez has a great detective style...
Posted by: muldoon at August 10, 2025 09:59 AM (I0N4X)
155
Finally finished Buzz Aldrin/John Barnes Encounter With Tiber and a re-read of Greg Bear The Forge of God; started Rules for Radical Conservatives and re-read of Bear's sequel to Forge, Anvil of Stars.
Posted by: Nazdar at August 10, 2025 09:59 AM (NcvvS)
156
Finally, also in my collection are four Clifford D. Simak sci-fi novels. I always like what he did with the robot characters.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025
***
One of his short stories in City has one of my favorite dialog exchanges. The governor of a exploration base on one of Jupiter's moons has been losing men. The volunteers are changed into "lopers," a native life form, and sent out . . . and never come back. The governor pats his dog, thinking, then calls his secretary. "We'll be sending out two more. One of them will be a dog."
"Your dog?" The woman is horrified. "Your own dog? After he's been with you all these years!"
"Exactly. Towser would be disappointed if I left him behind."
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025
***
One of his short stories in City has one of my favorite dialog exchanges. The governor of a exploration base on one of Jupiter's moons has been losing men. The volunteers are changed into "lopers," a native life form, and sent out . . . and never come back. The governor pats his dog, thinking, then calls his secretary. "We'll be sending out two more. One of them will be a dog."
"Your dog?" The woman is horrified. "Your own dog? After he's been with you all these years!"
"Exactly. Towser would be disappointed if I left him behind."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:59 AM (omVj0)
157
Gothic? Let me continue a long-running bleg (is that a proper descriptor?) about "Teaching Classics" to unreceptive young people.
Keep it short.
Northanger Abbey, which also has the gift of being funny, as a gateway read to other 'literachur'.
Frankenstein, short (especially compared to Dracula) and always relevant: AI right now.
Just exposing kids to pivotal authors that they can read without too much griping will open many doors.
Keep it short.
Northanger Abbey, which also has the gift of being funny, as a gateway read to other 'literachur'.
Frankenstein, short (especially compared to Dracula) and always relevant: AI right now.
Just exposing kids to pivotal authors that they can read without too much griping will open many doors.
Posted by: mustbequantum at August 10, 2025 10:00 AM (WvpwN)
158
For instance, 'raindrops' keep falling on my head?
Posted by: WNBA player at August 10, 2025 09:46 AM (0sNs1)
Those weren't raindrops, dude. It was White Rain shampoo.
Posted by: WNBA player at August 10, 2025 09:46 AM (0sNs1)
Those weren't raindrops, dude. It was White Rain shampoo.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 10:00 AM (0eaVi)
159
Amazon and other e-tail sites have been blamed for the demise of the mall, but roaming gangs of vandals in youthful high spirits surely contributed.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Ninety percent of the malls I have ever been to are now empty or in the process of being torn down. Yet, there are a few that are thriving. That tells me it is more than online retail that has ended many malls.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Ninety percent of the malls I have ever been to are now empty or in the process of being torn down. Yet, there are a few that are thriving. That tells me it is more than online retail that has ended many malls.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 10, 2025 10:00 AM (Vfq+S)
160
Level of death and destruction that takes you out of the story?
I can watch the John Wick movies just because but I could only watch the first Narco series (the one about Pablo Escobar) once. I think it's because in the former the violence is warranted and in the latter it's gratuitous.
I can watch the John Wick movies just because but I could only watch the first Narco series (the one about Pablo Escobar) once. I think it's because in the former the violence is warranted and in the latter it's gratuitous.
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at August 10, 2025 10:01 AM (3Ope8)
161
(con't) That's a great example of writing what you know. Elsewhere, the battle is raging, the air is alive with horns, drums, the Oliphants' trumpeting, and thousands shouting, but in the backfield, stragglers are stumbling towards the city, completely ignored by the reinforcements moving up to the front.
Tolkien lived this, and it shows again and again in his writing.
Tolkien also wasn't afraid to borrow from history. We all know the Second Siege of Vienna inspired Minas Tirith, but it goes deeper than that. One of the key figures in keeping the garrison fighting was the Archbishop, who was constantly comforting the wounded, praying with them, and - when the relief came - he led a parties of civilians to rescue Christian prisoners and children from the Ottoman camp, sparing them from the slaughter.
Tolkien lived this, and it shows again and again in his writing.
Tolkien also wasn't afraid to borrow from history. We all know the Second Siege of Vienna inspired Minas Tirith, but it goes deeper than that. One of the key figures in keeping the garrison fighting was the Archbishop, who was constantly comforting the wounded, praying with them, and - when the relief came - he led a parties of civilians to rescue Christian prisoners and children from the Ottoman camp, sparing them from the slaughter.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 10:02 AM (ZOv7s)
162
Sounds like you need to start reading Vince Flynn's books.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 10, 2025
***
I'll take a look at the library this week!
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 10, 2025
***
I'll take a look at the library this week!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:02 AM (omVj0)
163
In a gruesome way which ends up a dark jacob marley type experience he has to track the killer who has a revenge motive
He tackles nasty montenegrins faces off with dishy italian chick and some of his dupiicitous bosses
He tackles nasty montenegrins faces off with dishy italian chick and some of his dupiicitous bosses
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at August 10, 2025 10:03 AM (bXbFr)
164
I though about taking a look at "Narcos" but decided not to, for the reason you just mentioned. Not into bloody mess for bloody mess's sake.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 10:04 AM (Qd0+U)
165
Thinking about the Reacher books...
Tom Cruise was a huge disappointment as Reacher. If one hadn't read the books, the movies were fine.
Alan Ritchman was closer but still not what I visualized. To much like someone who works out in a gym for someone who travels around with just a toothbrush.
I had a very clear image of Reacher from the books. Wondering if that's because as a woman immediately view him as a protector. Do me visualize him differently?
Tom Cruise was a huge disappointment as Reacher. If one hadn't read the books, the movies were fine.
Alan Ritchman was closer but still not what I visualized. To much like someone who works out in a gym for someone who travels around with just a toothbrush.
I had a very clear image of Reacher from the books. Wondering if that's because as a woman immediately view him as a protector. Do me visualize him differently?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 10:04 AM (t/2Uw)
166
I was listening on audible to Larry Correia's two Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent novellas.
The ones read by Adam Baldwin are specially awesome.
Weasel, you might appreciate that he has a Combat Wombat weapon.
The ones read by Adam Baldwin are specially awesome.
Weasel, you might appreciate that he has a Combat Wombat weapon.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 10, 2025 10:04 AM (6Tzur)
167
Amazon and other e-tail sites have been blamed for the demise of the mall, but roaming gangs of vandals in youthful high spirits surely contributed.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
***
Yes. The big one on my side of the river, my first mall, now looks like Mogadishu with T-shirts and cell phone accessory kiosks. The problem with the book about malls I mentioned is that the author brings up the "teens," but completely avoids the identity of the "vandals" involved.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
***
Yes. The big one on my side of the river, my first mall, now looks like Mogadishu with T-shirts and cell phone accessory kiosks. The problem with the book about malls I mentioned is that the author brings up the "teens," but completely avoids the identity of the "vandals" involved.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:04 AM (omVj0)
168
I'd like to echo the gratitude to Perfessor for carrying the torch and to Weasel for stepping in for the relay.
I'm into the final week of the final class in the current sequence. I finished Sonny Magana's _Disruptive Classroom Technologies_ the first week and am nearly finished with J. Valacich's & C. Schneider's _Information Systems Today_. The former was just repackaging buzzwords and not recommended. The latter is pretty general but nonetheless a decent contemporary rundown of, well, information systems at the introductory level (you won't be able to pass A+, CCNA, or any of the major certification exams after reading this).
Happy Sunday, Horde!
I'm into the final week of the final class in the current sequence. I finished Sonny Magana's _Disruptive Classroom Technologies_ the first week and am nearly finished with J. Valacich's & C. Schneider's _Information Systems Today_. The former was just repackaging buzzwords and not recommended. The latter is pretty general but nonetheless a decent contemporary rundown of, well, information systems at the introductory level (you won't be able to pass A+, CCNA, or any of the major certification exams after reading this).
Happy Sunday, Horde!
Posted by: SPinRH_F-16 at August 10, 2025 10:05 AM (FDHJL)
169
138 I Am Legend was a creative take on the vampire genre.
Matheson's short stories are worth a look, too. His tale of an army that creates a unit of psychic teenage girls ... dang.
Matheson's short stories are worth a look, too. His tale of an army that creates a unit of psychic teenage girls ... dang.
Posted by: callsign claymore at August 10, 2025 10:05 AM (U08HM)
170
That was
Do men visualize him differently
Do men visualize him differently
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 10:05 AM (t/2Uw)
171
Do we have to wear pants in the interim?
Posted by: Piper at August 10, 2025 10:05 AM (p4NUW)
172
@141 Has anyone read Ann Cleeve's Shetland mysteries? I grabbed one from the condo share shelf because I needed a paperback to take to the pool. Ion,y read it when I am there so it takes a while. Didn't realize that it was part of a series but is fine as a stand alone but I'm liking it and wondering if I should start at the beginning. Was also made into a TV series. Has anyone seen them?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 09:53 AM (t/2Uw)
*********
Yes, I watched the first run of the Shetland series. They were very well done and worth the time. Never watched the reboot of the show so don't know what that's like.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 09:53 AM (t/2Uw)
*********
Yes, I watched the first run of the Shetland series. They were very well done and worth the time. Never watched the reboot of the show so don't know what that's like.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at August 10, 2025 10:05 AM (qliBS)
173
Do we have to wear pants in the interim?
Posted by: Piper at August 10, 2025 10:05 AM (p4NUW)
-----
Pants are not required for reading!
Posted by: Piper at August 10, 2025 10:05 AM (p4NUW)
-----
Pants are not required for reading!
Posted by: Weasel at August 10, 2025 10:06 AM (cmI4M)
174
Poe wrote one like that? That sounds like Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," which I have seen explained variously as a supernatural story, a story of madness, and one of patriarchal oppression. Amazing how they could get all of that out of one short story.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:55 AM (omVj0)
Oh wow, that was over 30 years ago and my memory is starting to get hazy on it. Yeah it was probably that. We were reading a bunch of Poe at the time also so I probably just mixed a bunch of things up in my memory. The post par tum thing was actually from literary analysis, it was never spelled out in the story IIRC.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:55 AM (omVj0)
Oh wow, that was over 30 years ago and my memory is starting to get hazy on it. Yeah it was probably that. We were reading a bunch of Poe at the time also so I probably just mixed a bunch of things up in my memory. The post par tum thing was actually from literary analysis, it was never spelled out in the story IIRC.
Posted by: Farquad at August 10, 2025 10:06 AM (znbnV)
175
Amazon and other e-tail sites have been blamed for the demise of the mall, but roaming gangs of vandals in youthful high spirits surely contributed.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:58 AM (kpS4V)
---
Covid policies were far more lethal than any online competition.
All over town, businesses that lasted for decades were crushed. It's crazy how many landmarks disappeared thanks to the lockdowns. I was talking with a friend just yesterday that so many of the tradespeople we used to use closed up shop, and now we have to find new electricians, plumbers, etc, because the ones we had used and trusted are gone.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 09:58 AM (kpS4V)
---
Covid policies were far more lethal than any online competition.
All over town, businesses that lasted for decades were crushed. It's crazy how many landmarks disappeared thanks to the lockdowns. I was talking with a friend just yesterday that so many of the tradespeople we used to use closed up shop, and now we have to find new electricians, plumbers, etc, because the ones we had used and trusted are gone.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 10:06 AM (ZOv7s)
176
Thinking about the Reacher books...
Tom Cruise was a huge disappointment as Reacher. If one hadn't read the books, the movies were fine.
Alan Ritchman was closer but still not what I visualized. To much like someone who works out in a gym for someone who travels around with just a toothbrush.
I had a very clear image of Reacher from the books. Wondering if that's because as a woman immediately view him as a protector. Do me visualize him differently?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025
***
I guess men might look at him as a fantasy figure a la Bond: that they would like to be him. The elements I enjoy is that he is unfettered, usually, by bureaucrats and most law enforcement -- usually he is aided by the latter. And he is not simply an ex-military thug, but is intelligent, and reasons from clues and facts much like the classical detective.
Tom Cruise was a huge disappointment as Reacher. If one hadn't read the books, the movies were fine.
Alan Ritchman was closer but still not what I visualized. To much like someone who works out in a gym for someone who travels around with just a toothbrush.
I had a very clear image of Reacher from the books. Wondering if that's because as a woman immediately view him as a protector. Do me visualize him differently?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025
***
I guess men might look at him as a fantasy figure a la Bond: that they would like to be him. The elements I enjoy is that he is unfettered, usually, by bureaucrats and most law enforcement -- usually he is aided by the latter. And he is not simply an ex-military thug, but is intelligent, and reasons from clues and facts much like the classical detective.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:07 AM (omVj0)
177
124 Recently Will Henry published a hardcover collection of all the Sunday "Wallace' comics. "Sunday Funday Wallace: A Treasury of Wallace the Brave Sunday Comics". These are the best comics and make me laugh out loud. The only one better is Calvin and Hobbes. (I have the complete collection of C and H in hardcover as well.) For twenty bucks, it is a gem of delight. His setting is based on my home area which adds to my enjoyment.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (yTvNw)
I've looked at those Wallace books a time or two, but never purchased them. Probably heard about them from this thread. The only newspaper comic/webcomic collection I've bought lately (the past 10 years) has been "Forest Folk," starring a rather Calvin-eque fox and the assorted other forest creatures he annoys with his boisterousness.
I actually don't have the Calvin and Hobbes box set, but only because I still have all the original paperbacks that I bought as a teen!
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (yTvNw)
I've looked at those Wallace books a time or two, but never purchased them. Probably heard about them from this thread. The only newspaper comic/webcomic collection I've bought lately (the past 10 years) has been "Forest Folk," starring a rather Calvin-eque fox and the assorted other forest creatures he annoys with his boisterousness.
I actually don't have the Calvin and Hobbes box set, but only because I still have all the original paperbacks that I bought as a teen!
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 10:07 AM (Lhaco)
178
Do we have to wear pants in the interim?
Posted by: Piper
I am told that in the interregnum, spats and monocles are encouraged, but not required.
Posted by: Piper
I am told that in the interregnum, spats and monocles are encouraged, but not required.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 10, 2025 10:07 AM (Vfq+S)
179
Weasel!!!!!
Bringing FUNdamentals to the book thread.
Last book I read was the latest in the Longmire series.
And prior to that I had read Bram Stokers "Dracula".
A good read
Bringing FUNdamentals to the book thread.
Last book I read was the latest in the Longmire series.
And prior to that I had read Bram Stokers "Dracula".
A good read
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at August 10, 2025 10:09 AM (vjPnb)
180
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 10:04 AM (Qd0+U)
Narcos was good in that it showed how corruption and unchecked crime are symbiotic, how the results of it expand outwards exponentially and how loathsome the people engaged in it on both sides of the 'business' really are.
Narcos was good in that it showed how corruption and unchecked crime are symbiotic, how the results of it expand outwards exponentially and how loathsome the people engaged in it on both sides of the 'business' really are.
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at August 10, 2025 10:09 AM (3Ope8)
181
"The Yellow Wallpaper" is a pretty decent psychological horror story, absolutely crippled by the fact that it was written by an early feminist. Nobody ever just reads the damned story. They have to bury it under layers and layers of feminist bullshit.
Radical theory: what if Charlotte Perkins Gilman, for once in her life, wrote something that WASN'T just tendentious feminist jabber? What if she actually wrote a good story, just for the sake of writing one?
Radical theory: what if Charlotte Perkins Gilman, for once in her life, wrote something that WASN'T just tendentious feminist jabber? What if she actually wrote a good story, just for the sake of writing one?
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 10, 2025 10:09 AM (78a2H)
182
>>Thinking about the Reacher books...
Tom Cruise was a huge disappointment as Reacher. If one hadn't read the books, the movies were fine.
Reacher is 6'5" and a unit.
It's hard to act that large when you are 5 foot and change. I like Cruise as an actor but Jack Reacher he is not.
Tom Cruise was a huge disappointment as Reacher. If one hadn't read the books, the movies were fine.
Reacher is 6'5" and a unit.
It's hard to act that large when you are 5 foot and change. I like Cruise as an actor but Jack Reacher he is not.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 10:11 AM (viF8m)
183
Do we have to wear pants in the interim?
Since it's Weasel, I'm going to say overalls are probably acceptable. What you wear under them is your business.
Since it's Weasel, I'm going to say overalls are probably acceptable. What you wear under them is your business.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 10, 2025 10:11 AM (q3dQV)
184
For the record, I've paused reading Our Man in Havana because the week was just crazy. Maybe get to it this afternoon.
The big writing news is that school starts in 10 days, which means the grandkids will be in bed early, and that will finally give me quiet time to brainstorm and do research/story prep. I'm very much looking forward to it.
The big writing news is that school starts in 10 days, which means the grandkids will be in bed early, and that will finally give me quiet time to brainstorm and do research/story prep. I'm very much looking forward to it.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 10:11 AM (ZOv7s)
185
Poe wrote one like that? That sounds like Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," which I have seen explained variously as a supernatural story, a story of madness, and one of patriarchal oppression. Amazing how they could get all of that out of one short story.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:55 AM (omVj0)
Oh wow, that was over 30 years ago and my memory is starting to get hazy on it. Yeah it was probably that. We were reading a bunch of Poe at the time also so I probably just mixed a bunch of things up in my memory. The post par tum thing was actually from literary analysis, it was never spelled out in the story IIRC.
Posted by: Farquad at August 10, 2025
***
Right; that sounds like "Yellow Wallpaper." She was apparently a big-time feminist, so I have no interest in reading more of her stuff, but "YW" is a good portrait of schizophrenia at the least.
I thought her story collection was called Ivy Gripped the Steps, a wonderful title, but that was by someone called Elizabeth Bowen, the 'Net tells me.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 09:55 AM (omVj0)
Oh wow, that was over 30 years ago and my memory is starting to get hazy on it. Yeah it was probably that. We were reading a bunch of Poe at the time also so I probably just mixed a bunch of things up in my memory. The post par tum thing was actually from literary analysis, it was never spelled out in the story IIRC.
Posted by: Farquad at August 10, 2025
***
Right; that sounds like "Yellow Wallpaper." She was apparently a big-time feminist, so I have no interest in reading more of her stuff, but "YW" is a good portrait of schizophrenia at the least.
I thought her story collection was called Ivy Gripped the Steps, a wonderful title, but that was by someone called Elizabeth Bowen, the 'Net tells me.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:12 AM (omVj0)
186
A question for the gun experts: in old pictures you often see people holding guns the way Sergeant Dick is depicted on the book cover. Elbows bent, one-hand grip, sighting along the barrel with the pistol fairly close to the face. Was that a thing? Did people actually do that? When were the modern pistol grip and stance developed?
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 10, 2025 10:12 AM (78a2H)
187
I though about taking a look at "Narcos" but decided not to, for the reason you just mentioned. Not into bloody mess for bloody mess's sake.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 10:04 AM (Qd0+U)
I didn't find the violence gratuitous. I saw it as a very realistic portrayal of the South American drug business. The drug business is an extremely bloody affair.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 10:04 AM (Qd0+U)
I didn't find the violence gratuitous. I saw it as a very realistic portrayal of the South American drug business. The drug business is an extremely bloody affair.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 10, 2025 10:12 AM (g8Ew8)
188
I should note that my prolonged absence from the Gun Thread is because Sunday is a bath night.
My wife and I did not expect to be putting a second generation of kids through preschool and kindergarten, but here we are.
My wife and I did not expect to be putting a second generation of kids through preschool and kindergarten, but here we are.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 10:13 AM (ZOv7s)
189
Sergeant Dick of the Royal Mounted Police
I'm waiting for the sequel where he gets promoted to Major.
I'm waiting for the sequel where he gets promoted to Major.
Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at August 10, 2025 10:13 AM (/HDaX)
190
Have been reading Dashiell Hammett works. Stumbled upon The Continental OP. 28 short stories and two novels. Think they led the way into other works like The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man.
Posted by: Get off my lawn at August 10, 2025 10:14 AM (nnmm5)
191
Another short week of reading, this week because of out of state visitors rather than non=stop music. Oh well, with only a couple of posthumously published stories to go I will claim credit for finishing the Library of America's Malamud's Novels and Stories of the 1940s and 50s. These are all excellent and he deserves more fame than he has gotten.
Posted by: who knew at August 10, 2025 10:14 AM (+ViXu)
192
"The Yellow Wallpaper" is a pretty decent psychological horror story, absolutely crippled by the fact that it was written by an early feminist. Nobody ever just reads the damned story. They have to bury it under layers and layers of feminist bullshit.
Radical theory: what if Charlotte Perkins Gilman, for once in her life, wrote something that WASN'T just tendentious feminist jabber? What if she actually wrote a good story, just for the sake of writing one?
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 10, 2025
***
Gee, I first read it at age twelve and found it haunting and creepy. The other layers of jabber I read about many many years later. The "mental illness" interpretation I discovered in a book on schizophrenia, and that works too.
Radical theory: what if Charlotte Perkins Gilman, for once in her life, wrote something that WASN'T just tendentious feminist jabber? What if she actually wrote a good story, just for the sake of writing one?
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 10, 2025
***
Gee, I first read it at age twelve and found it haunting and creepy. The other layers of jabber I read about many many years later. The "mental illness" interpretation I discovered in a book on schizophrenia, and that works too.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:14 AM (omVj0)
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 10:14 AM (Qd0+U)
194
Hello all, I'm still reading The Harvard Classics and Fiction on my Kindle, and probably will be for the remainder of my life. I'm almost done with Volume 1, having finished the Treatises and Letters of Cicero and Pliny, and now reading The Wealth of Nations.
I hope all this reading is helping me to get edumacated. Unfortunately, I haven't read any Civil War or WW2 history so far, so don't have anything to talk about here on AOS. You all have a nice morning.
I hope all this reading is helping me to get edumacated. Unfortunately, I haven't read any Civil War or WW2 history so far, so don't have anything to talk about here on AOS. You all have a nice morning.
Posted by: Pod Hamp at August 10, 2025 10:14 AM (91+Ul)
195
Pants are not required for reading!
Posted by: Weasel at August 10, 2025 10:06 AM (cmI4M)
----
This guy gets it!
Posted by: Weasel at August 10, 2025 10:06 AM (cmI4M)
----
This guy gets it!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 10:15 AM (kpS4V)
196
Reading related:
There is a YT channel I've been enjoying lately. Dr. Adam Walker - Close Reading Poetry. He is a youngish (mid-thirties) Harvard PHD. Clearly, he has risen above that handicap and does an excellent job explaining the characteristics that make poetry such a rich resource for enjoyment and edification. I especially like the way he traces the pathways that poetry has followed over the centuries, both in meaning then and now and how certain poems have influenced later poets.
He has me reading Wordworth's Tintern Abbey at the moment, which is turning out to be a little jewel.
There is a YT channel I've been enjoying lately. Dr. Adam Walker - Close Reading Poetry. He is a youngish (mid-thirties) Harvard PHD. Clearly, he has risen above that handicap and does an excellent job explaining the characteristics that make poetry such a rich resource for enjoyment and edification. I especially like the way he traces the pathways that poetry has followed over the centuries, both in meaning then and now and how certain poems have influenced later poets.
He has me reading Wordworth's Tintern Abbey at the moment, which is turning out to be a little jewel.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 10:15 AM (yTvNw)
197
149 Micah dalton series by david stone is kind off a hard boiled spy with detective elements hes officially a cleaner tdyed from special forces operating from.a bar in venice when one of his mentors ends up dead
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at August 10, 2025 09:56 AM (bXbFr)
Looks like something I'd enjoy. Not available on library's ebooks, darn it. Will have to put the hard copy on hold when I remember, but I already have a couple of 87th Precinct selections on reserve.
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at August 10, 2025 09:56 AM (bXbFr)
Looks like something I'd enjoy. Not available on library's ebooks, darn it. Will have to put the hard copy on hold when I remember, but I already have a couple of 87th Precinct selections on reserve.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 10, 2025 10:15 AM (h7ZuX)
198
Wolfus, your take is almost exactly like mine. I see him as strong, but no thug because he is ethical in his pursuit of Justice. Really smart as he goes about solving the crime/mystery using his background as an MP. Really sexy, a protector but also values the women who help him. And there is always a woman.
The reason I don't like the last few books written with Andrew Child is because he does become a thug. He loses the "ethical" part in his taking out the bad guys.
The reason I don't like the last few books written with Andrew Child is because he does become a thug. He loses the "ethical" part in his taking out the bad guys.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 10:15 AM (t/2Uw)
199
117 and in Baltimore, it went downhill after that
Posted by: Skip at August 10, 2025 10:16 AM (+qU29)
200
Yes, and I avoid it by staying away from the horror/disaster genre entirely. Looking at TV/movies I see plenty of examples where the stakes are always global annihilation, massive CGI effects make the scale ludicrously big, and I completely lose interest.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (ZOv7s)
While I also avoid horror or disaster movies, I will admit to enjoying big fate-of-the-world action movies. Provided they are done right, and treat the threat with the severity it deserves. This tends to be done best in stand-alone stories, or in epic fantasy. I also prefer the stories where the day is saved, with relatively little collateral damage along the way. (bonus points if the collateral damage actually affects the story or the characters.)
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:44 AM (ZOv7s)
While I also avoid horror or disaster movies, I will admit to enjoying big fate-of-the-world action movies. Provided they are done right, and treat the threat with the severity it deserves. This tends to be done best in stand-alone stories, or in epic fantasy. I also prefer the stories where the day is saved, with relatively little collateral damage along the way. (bonus points if the collateral damage actually affects the story or the characters.)
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 10, 2025 10:16 AM (Lhaco)
201
Have been reading Dashiell Hammett works. Stumbled upon The Continental OP. 28 short stories and two novels. Think they led the way into other works like The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man.
Posted by: Get off my lawn at August 10, 2025
***
They did. Hammett had been a real private detective for Pinkertons, and so his stories -- when he was invalided out with TB and earned a living by selling to Black Mask -- had an authenticity most of the other pulp writers couldn't match.
"You've been thinking I'm a man and you're a woman," the Continental Op tells a woman criminal. "That's wrong. I'm a hunter and you're just something that's been running in front of me."
Posted by: Get off my lawn at August 10, 2025
***
They did. Hammett had been a real private detective for Pinkertons, and so his stories -- when he was invalided out with TB and earned a living by selling to Black Mask -- had an authenticity most of the other pulp writers couldn't match.
"You've been thinking I'm a man and you're a woman," the Continental Op tells a woman criminal. "That's wrong. I'm a hunter and you're just something that's been running in front of me."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:16 AM (omVj0)
202
Elbows bent, one-hand grip, sighting along the barrel with the pistol fairly close to the face. Was that a thing?
Now that you mention it, the vertical position is kind of weird. Not high enough to actually be "sighting" and now waist or belly height like you would see with what is called "point shooting." For the latter, bingle pictures of Elmer Keith.
Now that you mention it, the vertical position is kind of weird. Not high enough to actually be "sighting" and now waist or belly height like you would see with what is called "point shooting." For the latter, bingle pictures of Elmer Keith.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (YLICC)
203
I would definitely recommend Narcos, and Narcos Mexico. Despite the violence. Wagner Mora did a fantastic job playing Escobar.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (XvL8K)
204
186 A question for the gun experts: in old pictures you often see people holding guns the way Sergeant Dick is depicted on the book cover. Elbows bent, one-hand grip, sighting along the barrel with the pistol fairly close to the face. Was that a thing? Did people actually do that? When were the modern pistol grip and stance developed?
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 10, 2025 10:12 AM (78a2H)
You actually had to shoot the revolver in a throwing motion like the atlatl.
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 10, 2025 10:12 AM (78a2H)
You actually had to shoot the revolver in a throwing motion like the atlatl.
Posted by: Eromero at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (DXbAa)
205
Was that a thing? Did people actually do that? When were the modern pistol grip and stance developed?
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 10, 2025 10:12 AM (78a2H)
---
Handguns in military service were originally reserved for cavalry or officers, and were therefore paired with swords. That meant only using one hand, and this was reflected in training. The swords went away, but the one-hand technique remained because you still need that spare hand on the reins.
You start seeing more "modern" techniques after WW II.
Point-shooting was very popular because it is instinctive and fast. Vintage guns often had very rudimentary sights for this reason.
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 10, 2025 10:12 AM (78a2H)
---
Handguns in military service were originally reserved for cavalry or officers, and were therefore paired with swords. That meant only using one hand, and this was reflected in training. The swords went away, but the one-hand technique remained because you still need that spare hand on the reins.
You start seeing more "modern" techniques after WW II.
Point-shooting was very popular because it is instinctive and fast. Vintage guns often had very rudimentary sights for this reason.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 10:18 AM (ZOv7s)
206
s/now/not/
Posted by: Oddbob at August 10, 2025 10:18 AM (YLICC)
207
Along with Streaking, there was another collage youth phenom called "Hanging", where you would yell out someone's name in a relatively crowded area and then hide or turn away from the person having them respond by looking around bewildered for whoever called them.
Yes it was kinda juvenile, I think that was part of the point.
Anyway...we had this intolerable doofus named David Dick at school.
Partly due to his realizing he was being targeted he tended to over react with a hissy fit once he realized he was being pranked resulting in many instances of...
>>>DICK!!!!!
...being yelled out in the student union and elsewhere.
Yes it was kinda juvenile, I think that was part of the point.
Anyway...we had this intolerable doofus named David Dick at school.
Partly due to his realizing he was being targeted he tended to over react with a hissy fit once he realized he was being pranked resulting in many instances of...
>>>DICK!!!!!
...being yelled out in the student union and elsewhere.
Posted by: pawn at August 10, 2025 10:18 AM (EITcu)
208
Wyeth illustrations are a must.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes
,,
Eris, have you seen the originals in the Brandywine Museum?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes
,,
Eris, have you seen the originals in the Brandywine Museum?
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 10, 2025 10:19 AM (6Tzur)
209
Wolfus, your take is almost exactly like mine. I see him as strong, but no thug because he is ethical in his pursuit of Justice. Really smart as he goes about solving the crime/mystery using his background as an MP. Really sexy, a protector but also values the women who help him. And there is always a woman.
The reason I don't like the last few books written with Andrew Child is because he does become a thug. He loses the "ethical" part in his taking out the bad guys.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025
***
I haven't got to those later ones yet. To this point -- and I'm trying to read the books in order -- JR has been dealing with villains who are really horrible people, multiple murderers or human traffickers, etc.
The reason I don't like the last few books written with Andrew Child is because he does become a thug. He loses the "ethical" part in his taking out the bad guys.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025
***
I haven't got to those later ones yet. To this point -- and I'm trying to read the books in order -- JR has been dealing with villains who are really horrible people, multiple murderers or human traffickers, etc.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:19 AM (omVj0)
210
Haven't read "The Yellow Wallpaper" in decades, and somehow managed to miss any classes which "taught" the story so never got it slathered with the correct and proper means of interpretation.
As I recall, good story. Simply as story.
Sometimes I wonder if one of the harder things about teaching literature over the past decades is finding something that might appeal to the class enough that they'll read it, and then finding a way to "teach" it so as to justify your job. If it kills off the students' enjoyment of the story, well, that's just a price we have to pay for education, now, ain't it?
As I recall, good story. Simply as story.
Sometimes I wonder if one of the harder things about teaching literature over the past decades is finding something that might appeal to the class enough that they'll read it, and then finding a way to "teach" it so as to justify your job. If it kills off the students' enjoyment of the story, well, that's just a price we have to pay for education, now, ain't it?
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 10:19 AM (q3u5l)
211
Now that you mention it, the vertical position is kind of weird. Not high enough to actually be "sighting" and now waist or belly height like you would see with what is called "point shooting." For the latter, bingle pictures of Elmer Keith.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (YLICC)
---
Lucky Gunner's Youtube has a video on how the FBI adopted the shoot from the crouch because it was supposedly faster and they got some savant trick-shooter to teach it.
Like most of things involving the FBI, it was all bunk. Most people can't shoot well using that technique.
I hear a new book is coming out about Sykes and Fairbairn, who were all about the point shooting (and carrying with the chamber empty!).
Posted by: Oddbob at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (YLICC)
---
Lucky Gunner's Youtube has a video on how the FBI adopted the shoot from the crouch because it was supposedly faster and they got some savant trick-shooter to teach it.
Like most of things involving the FBI, it was all bunk. Most people can't shoot well using that technique.
I hear a new book is coming out about Sykes and Fairbairn, who were all about the point shooting (and carrying with the chamber empty!).
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 10:21 AM (ZOv7s)
212
80 Missus Muldoon and I are currently working our way through an oral reading of the OT book of Jeremiah,
--
spoiler alert!
He was a bullfrog
--
spoiler alert!
He was a bullfrog
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 10, 2025 10:22 AM (6Tzur)
213
I finished Hotel Ukraine by Martin Cruz Smith, presumably the last of the Arkady Renko novel given the author's death. It's a worthy addition to the series.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 10, 2025 10:22 AM (L/fGl)
214
I must be on my way. Family reunion potluck awaits. Have a lovely day, horde!
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 10, 2025 10:22 AM (h7ZuX)
215
210 Haven't read "The Yellow Wallpaper" in decades, and somehow managed to miss any classes which "taught" the story so never got it slathered with the correct and proper means of interpretation.
As I recall, good story. Simply as story.
Sometimes I wonder if one of the harder things about teaching literature over the past decades is finding something that might appeal to the class enough that they'll read it, and then finding a way to "teach" it so as to justify your job. If it kills off the students' enjoyment of the story, well, that's just a price we have to pay for education, now, ain't it?
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
If by some miracle I found myself teaching English lit, "reading," to a bunch of bright high-schoolers, I'd require Sweet Thursday by Steinbeck, Red Sky at Morning by Richard Bradford, and Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Or maybe some of her short stories, aside from "The Lottery," which has been over-scrutinized.
As I recall, good story. Simply as story.
Sometimes I wonder if one of the harder things about teaching literature over the past decades is finding something that might appeal to the class enough that they'll read it, and then finding a way to "teach" it so as to justify your job. If it kills off the students' enjoyment of the story, well, that's just a price we have to pay for education, now, ain't it?
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
If by some miracle I found myself teaching English lit, "reading," to a bunch of bright high-schoolers, I'd require Sweet Thursday by Steinbeck, Red Sky at Morning by Richard Bradford, and Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Or maybe some of her short stories, aside from "The Lottery," which has been over-scrutinized.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:23 AM (omVj0)
216
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (XvL8K)
Concur. Both of those series were outstanding. My only point was that I could only watch it once.
Concur. Both of those series were outstanding. My only point was that I could only watch it once.
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at August 10, 2025 10:23 AM (3Ope8)
217
I would definitely recommend Narcos, and Narcos Mexico. Despite the violence. Wagner Mora did a fantastic job playing Escobar.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (XvL8K)
Yes he did. The whole series is very well produced and acted. And I actually think they restrained the story a lot by not showing how bloody and violent the drug trade really is.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (XvL8K)
Yes he did. The whole series is very well produced and acted. And I actually think they restrained the story a lot by not showing how bloody and violent the drug trade really is.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 10, 2025 10:23 AM (g8Ew8)
218
I'm reading "Watership Down". It had sat on the TBR pile for a long time. I want to thank the Horde for recommending it. Right now I'm reading about a seagull that seems to be German? Very engaging.
Posted by: Norrin Radd at August 10, 2025 10:24 AM (tRYqg)
219
Still working through David S. Brown's history of pre-Civil War conflict and compromise, "A Hell of a Storm". Highly recommended. I like the way he relates the times through the eyes of contemporaries and how they evolved their stances as events unfolded.
"This filthy enactment was made in the 19th Century, by people who could read and write. I will not obey it, by God." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, reacting to the Fugitive Slave Law, 1851
"This filthy enactment was made in the 19th Century, by people who could read and write. I will not obey it, by God." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, reacting to the Fugitive Slave Law, 1851
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 10:25 AM (kpS4V)
220
When were the modern pistol grip and stance developed?
The Weaver Stance was introduced by Jack Weaver during competition shoots involving Jeff Cooper in the 50s. Before that, aimed fire was one-handed with the arm straight out. You can find pictures of military training using that stance and it is still used for NRA Bullseye competition.
The Weaver Stance was introduced by Jack Weaver during competition shoots involving Jeff Cooper in the 50s. Before that, aimed fire was one-handed with the arm straight out. You can find pictures of military training using that stance and it is still used for NRA Bullseye competition.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 10, 2025 10:25 AM (UDp5/)
221
Wolfus, yes, he beats people up but he doesn't actually kill anyone. He doesn't carry a gun. There is a scene whe he is confronting 4 thugs. He tells them he is going to put 3 of them out of commission. The 4th guy says,why not me? Reeacher says you have to drive them to the hospital.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 10:26 AM (t/2Uw)
222
I read every Jack Reacher book up until his libtard brother took over as writer of the series.
I always pictured Reacher as a younger Liam Neeson.
I always pictured Reacher as a younger Liam Neeson.
Posted by: one hour sober at August 10, 2025 10:27 AM (Y1sOo)
223
22o
"Before that, aimed fire was one-handed with the arm straight out"
heh. My dad shot like that.
"Before that, aimed fire was one-handed with the arm straight out"
heh. My dad shot like that.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 10:27 AM (Qd0+U)
224
spoiler alert!
He was a bullfrog
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 10, 2025 10:22 AM
And he expected people to help him drink his whine.
He was a bullfrog
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 10, 2025 10:22 AM
And he expected people to help him drink his whine.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 10:28 AM (0sNs1)
225
My youngest boy has been to Medellin several times to visit friends. The evolution from what it was during the reign of the cartels to what it is today is nothing short of astounding. The cost of that transition in suffering and lives needs to be taken into account and considered when we look at what has transpired over the last few years under the previous administration and how to correct for it.
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at August 10, 2025 10:28 AM (3Ope8)
226
I just finished rereading Connie Willis's To Say Nothing of the Dog. It's one of her Oxford historian time travel stories, and it's an interesting mix of genres - comedy, mystery, and romance (light on the romance, but it's there). It's hard to describe but definitely recommended.
Connie Willis also wrote one of my all-time favorite short stories, an interpretation of Emily Dickinson's poetry as if War of the Worlds were true. It is one of the funniest damn things I have ever read.
Connie Willis also wrote one of my all-time favorite short stories, an interpretation of Emily Dickinson's poetry as if War of the Worlds were true. It is one of the funniest damn things I have ever read.
Posted by: Mrs. Peel at August 10, 2025 10:29 AM (Y+AMd)
227
Spotted Dick
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at August 10, 2025 10:29 AM (FOGs2)
228
I hear a new book is coming out about Sykes and Fairbairn, who were all about the point shooting (and carrying with the chamber empty!).
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 10:21 AM (ZOv7s)
IIRC, Sykes and Fairbairn developed their training for the Hong Kong Police, well before WWII. I bet having to deal with the Chinese recruits influenced what they thought was correct procedure.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 10:21 AM (ZOv7s)
IIRC, Sykes and Fairbairn developed their training for the Hong Kong Police, well before WWII. I bet having to deal with the Chinese recruits influenced what they thought was correct procedure.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025 10:29 AM (vOjEn)
229
Eris, have you seen the originals in the Brandywine Museum?
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 10, 2025 10:19 AM (6Tzur)
----
No, alas, and I meant to all those years out east. If there's one thing I've learned from the Barnes Exhibit and other shows, it's that book reproductions just can't capture the magnificence of the original painting.
Seeing the glowing vermillion and retina-melting chartreuse of a real Van Gogh is mind-blowing.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 10, 2025 10:19 AM (6Tzur)
----
No, alas, and I meant to all those years out east. If there's one thing I've learned from the Barnes Exhibit and other shows, it's that book reproductions just can't capture the magnificence of the original painting.
Seeing the glowing vermillion and retina-melting chartreuse of a real Van Gogh is mind-blowing.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 10:29 AM (kpS4V)
230
You actually had to shoot the revolver in a throwing motion like the atlatl.
Posted by: Eromero at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (DXbAa)
You see that a lot in '30s oaters. I call it "throwing the gun."
Posted by: Eromero at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (DXbAa)
You see that a lot in '30s oaters. I call it "throwing the gun."
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 10:30 AM (0eaVi)
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 10:30 AM (kpS4V)
232
230 You actually had to shoot the revolver in a throwing motion like the atlatl.
Posted by: Eromero at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (DXbAa)
You see that a lot in '30s oaters. I call it "throwing the gun."
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 10:30 AM (0eaVi)
-----------
When you think about it, throwing the emptied revolver does give you one more effective round.
Posted by: Eromero at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (DXbAa)
You see that a lot in '30s oaters. I call it "throwing the gun."
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 10:30 AM (0eaVi)
-----------
When you think about it, throwing the emptied revolver does give you one more effective round.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 10, 2025 10:31 AM (dDmld)
233
I'm reading "Watership Down". It had sat on the TBR pile for a long time. I want to thank the Horde for recommending it. Right now I'm reading about a seagull that seems to be German? Very engaging.
Posted by: Norrin Radd at August 10, 2025
***
It's a little slow at first -- until you hit the exploration of rabbit abnormal psychology!
Posted by: Norrin Radd at August 10, 2025
***
It's a little slow at first -- until you hit the exploration of rabbit abnormal psychology!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:31 AM (omVj0)
234
Sharon, I have seen a number of the Shetland series on TV. Best if seen from the beginning. Libarary carried many of the DVDs. Also carried on WETA a while back.
Posted by: Mrs JTB at August 10, 2025 10:32 AM (yTvNw)
235
>>"This filthy enactment was made in the 19th Century, by people who could read and write. I will not obey it, by God." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, reacting to the Fugitive Slave Law, 1851
Emerson is one of the most overlooked people this country has ever produced.
Emerson is one of the most overlooked people this country has ever produced.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 10:32 AM (viF8m)
236
Just Some Guy said "Gothic?
It's a paperback novel showing an attractive young lady in a not-quite-sheer-enough nightgown coming toward the reader across the dark moor; in the background is an ominous-looking castle with a light in one tower window.
Everyone knows that..."
That's it! No more needs to be said.
It's a paperback novel showing an attractive young lady in a not-quite-sheer-enough nightgown coming toward the reader across the dark moor; in the background is an ominous-looking castle with a light in one tower window.
Everyone knows that..."
That's it! No more needs to be said.
Posted by: who knew at August 10, 2025 10:33 AM (+ViXu)
237
Was watching a video on YT of a bookseller in Oxford England and he had been sent a box of Tolkien library books.
Not JRR per se but books from his son Michael and Michael's daughter Judith. And the books were quite knackered which meant they all were definitely read to pieces in some cases.
All the Mowgli Stories from 1936 that was a gift from one of JRR Tolkien's associates. An illustrated large format hardcover of Robin Hood. In the 1950s a copy of The Children of Odin entered his collection. On more modern fare, a book of poetry Michael gifted to his daughter Judith is thoroughly annotated by her.
I found it very fascinating and charming, of books spanning the generations of a family and linking that family.
Not JRR per se but books from his son Michael and Michael's daughter Judith. And the books were quite knackered which meant they all were definitely read to pieces in some cases.
All the Mowgli Stories from 1936 that was a gift from one of JRR Tolkien's associates. An illustrated large format hardcover of Robin Hood. In the 1950s a copy of The Children of Odin entered his collection. On more modern fare, a book of poetry Michael gifted to his daughter Judith is thoroughly annotated by her.
I found it very fascinating and charming, of books spanning the generations of a family and linking that family.
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025 10:34 AM (Ui59G)
238
You actually had to shoot the revolver in a throwing motion like the atlatl.
Posted by: Eromero at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (DXbAa)
*
You see that a lot in '30s oaters. I call it "throwing the gun."
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025
***
Robert Vaughn, later, was no gun aficionado. He often fired the U.N.C.L.E. gun with its blanks in just that fashion. Visually, dramatically, it worked, unless you know better.
David McCallum had been in the British army and knew a bit more about guns. I don't think he usually fired the handguns that way.
Posted by: Eromero at August 10, 2025 10:17 AM (DXbAa)
*
You see that a lot in '30s oaters. I call it "throwing the gun."
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025
***
Robert Vaughn, later, was no gun aficionado. He often fired the U.N.C.L.E. gun with its blanks in just that fashion. Visually, dramatically, it worked, unless you know better.
David McCallum had been in the British army and knew a bit more about guns. I don't think he usually fired the handguns that way.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:34 AM (omVj0)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 10:34 AM (0eaVi)
240
Speaking of Sykes and Fairbairn, one of the books that my father had as a teenager, which my daughter inherited was a WWII-era self-defense manual called "Get Tough". A collection of the dirtiest fighting tricks known to human-kind. My next-younger brother and I studied that book, and practiced mock-fighting with some of them - most usually in the water, which slowed down movements so that we didn't cripple each other.
One of the strategies that Dad taught us as children was how to break a hold by a larger person on your arm or wrist - levering your arm against the grippers' thumb, which was the weakest part of the grip.
One of the strategies that Dad taught us as children was how to break a hold by a larger person on your arm or wrist - levering your arm against the grippers' thumb, which was the weakest part of the grip.
Posted by: Sgt. Mom at August 10, 2025 10:36 AM (Ew3fm)
241
I always thought the seagull in Watership Down was a Swede who had been too long at sea. Alone.
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025 10:36 AM (Ui59G)
242
Watership Down is excellent. I enjoyed reading it earlier this year. I never would have done that without the strong recommendations from the Horde.
Posted by: Perfessor Sqiurrel at August 10, 2025 10:37 AM (1O6D8)
243
Wolfus, yes, he beats people up but he doesn't actually kill anyone. He doesn't carry a gun. There is a scene whe he is confronting 4 thugs. He tells them he is going to put 3 of them out of commission. The 4th guy says,why not me? Reeacher says you have to drive them to the hospital.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025
***
I can imagine Rory Calhoun saying that.
Reacher does kill during the course of the books I've read, sometimes with a gun, sometimes with his bare hands. But the recipients of those attentions have been major-league evil people.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025
***
I can imagine Rory Calhoun saying that.
Reacher does kill during the course of the books I've read, sometimes with a gun, sometimes with his bare hands. But the recipients of those attentions have been major-league evil people.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:37 AM (omVj0)
244
"Southern" Gothic is stuff like Faulkner's Sanctuary (though I couldn't finish the book, it's supposed to be squarely in the SG tradition), and things like Erskine Caldwell's Tobacco Road and God's Little Acre, and that novel The Beguiled (movie with Clint Eastwood long ago).
-----
Flannery O'connor, Harper Lee.
I've never spoken with anyone else who has read all of Erskine Caldwell.
"Southern" Gothic is stuff like Faulkner's Sanctuary (though I couldn't finish the book, it's supposed to be squarely in the SG tradition), and things like Erskine Caldwell's Tobacco Road and God's Little Acre, and that novel The Beguiled (movie with Clint Eastwood long ago).
-----
Flannery O'connor, Harper Lee.
I've never spoken with anyone else who has read all of Erskine Caldwell.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025 10:38 AM (XeU6L)
245
I always thought the seagull in Watership Down was a Swede who had been too long at sea. Alone.
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025
***
"Must go to Peeg Vater!"
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025
***
"Must go to Peeg Vater!"
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:38 AM (omVj0)
246
"Throwing the gun" is an exaggeration of a technique developed for single action percussion revolvers. You would lift the muzzle of the gun until it was vertical, while cocking the hammer. This would hopefully allow a loose percussion cap to fall off the cylinder and avoid jamming the pistol.
This carried over into the cartridge era, long after the need for it had gone away.
Next, why gangbangers hold their pistols sideways...
This carried over into the cartridge era, long after the need for it had gone away.
Next, why gangbangers hold their pistols sideways...
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025 10:39 AM (vOjEn)
247
>>The reason I don't like the last few books written with Andrew Child is because he does become a thug. He loses the "ethical" part in his taking out the bad guys.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025\
I loved the first several Reacher books, then it became obvious he was just writing them for the money and the quality declined.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025\
I loved the first several Reacher books, then it became obvious he was just writing them for the money and the quality declined.
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025 10:40 AM (98kQX)
248
Every once in a while I go back to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. His concept of virtue consisting of true and sincere effort, no matter the subject or activity, which is a value to the individual and society (I'm hugely simplifying this) is inspiring. It is easy to see how he was so influential to later centuries as his concepts meld so well with the idea that people's actions should reflect to the glory of Christ. The farmer producing the best crops, the builder making structures that are beautiful and strong, the politician (this one hurts due to absence) who uses rhetoric to communicate clearly and effectively and to reflect truth, the ruler who works for the betterment of the people and society. Whatever the current reality, the foundation is still something to aspire to.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 10:41 AM (yTvNw)
249
Spotted Dick
----
He's in the bushes!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 10:30 AM (kpS4V)
I am not!
----
He's in the bushes!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 10:30 AM (kpS4V)
I am not!
Posted by: Pinto at August 10, 2025 10:41 AM (0eaVi)
250
I've begun Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom by Stephen R. Platt, a history of the Taiping Rebellion. The Taiping Rebellion is perhaps best known to American audiences because of Ken Burns' The Civil War in which he introduces each year by referencing the death toll of the Rebellion compared to our own blood letting. Some estimates of the Rebellion casualties are as high as 20,000,000 deaths. The Rebellion began, in part, by a Chin revolt against their Manchu masters but, in fact, was an allegedly Christian movement lead by a failed bureaucrat who interpreted his dreams as messages from God.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 10, 2025 10:41 AM (L/fGl)
251
I re-read the Manning Coles Tommy Hambledon detective/spy novel Non-negotiable. Tommy is in 1947 Belgium trying to trace down the source of convincing counterfeit banknotes that threaten the re-emerging Western economies. In following a possible lead, he witnesses a back ally murder, is helped by a voluable pair of women, is rescued by the Sureté, finds his mark, is kidnapped in turn by a courteous pair of street thugs, and is rescued by a wild raid by the Belgian police, wrapping up the counterfeiting ring, and identifying the source of the bad paper as the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, then in the Soviet sector of Germany, and under the control of the Russian army.
Tommy always has the clever humor and the willingness to take people as they are no matter how silly they get, as opposed to Ian Flemming's open distaste of "foreigners acting British"
Hambledon books cover from WWI to the Cold War, and is more Harry Palmer than James Bond, and the benefit is that Coles could write the most amazing prose when it was appropriate, and write clear open action when it was needed.
Tommy always has the clever humor and the willingness to take people as they are no matter how silly they get, as opposed to Ian Flemming's open distaste of "foreigners acting British"
Hambledon books cover from WWI to the Cold War, and is more Harry Palmer than James Bond, and the benefit is that Coles could write the most amazing prose when it was appropriate, and write clear open action when it was needed.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 10, 2025 10:41 AM (rbvCR)
252
On impulse picked up a copy of 'The Cider House Rules' for $.50
Having seen references to it over the years, figured I would give it a go. The jury is still out, as I'm only about 75 pages in.
Having seen references to it over the years, figured I would give it a go. The jury is still out, as I'm only about 75 pages in.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025 10:42 AM (XeU6L)
253
When you think about it, throwing the emptied revolver does give you one more effective round.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 10, 2025 10:31 AM (dDmld)
They never learn.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 10, 2025 10:31 AM (dDmld)
They never learn.
Posted by: Superman at August 10, 2025 10:42 AM (0eaVi)
254
Flannery O'connor, Harper Lee.
I've never spoken with anyone else who has read all of Erskine Caldwell.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025
***
O'Connor, yes, though I've read little of her work. Harper Lee? Mockingbird doesn't seem to be Gothic at all.
As for Caldwell, I've only read TR and GLA and a few of his short stories. The two novels are . . . disturbing, as if one were to cross Beverly Hillbillies, minus the humor, with incest-laden characters from Faulkner.
I've never spoken with anyone else who has read all of Erskine Caldwell.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025
***
O'Connor, yes, though I've read little of her work. Harper Lee? Mockingbird doesn't seem to be Gothic at all.
As for Caldwell, I've only read TR and GLA and a few of his short stories. The two novels are . . . disturbing, as if one were to cross Beverly Hillbillies, minus the humor, with incest-laden characters from Faulkner.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:43 AM (omVj0)
255
I just looked up the Shetland series and seems they are available and people loved it. I started watching a British crime drama last night called Professor T about a Professor of Criminology who is called on to help solve crimes by a group of detectives. Hmmm. Kind of a British thing.
Might have to subscribe to Britbox.
Might have to subscribe to Britbox.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 10:45 AM (t/2Uw)
256
My twin brother was 6'6". He was a junior in college before he had actual shoes for football instead of sneakers because they had to be custom-made. He couldn't be a pilot, because his height was in his trunk and not his legs and the ejection seats wouldn't function. When he approached a doorway he tucked his head to the side automatically--he was so used to having to do so!
Most of all, anybody writing about a man that big should know that much of the day is food-oriented! Am I near food? How far is it? etc.
Most of all, anybody writing about a man that big should know that much of the day is food-oriented! Am I near food? How far is it? etc.
Posted by: Wenda at August 10, 2025 10:45 AM (/MyY+)
257
Robert Vaughn, later, was no gun aficionado. He often fired the U.N.C.L.E. gun with its blanks in just that fashion. Visually, dramatically, it worked, unless you know better.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:34 AM (omVj0)
That's probably why it was done. I never tried shooting that way. If I ever get out to the desert again, maybe I'll try it. It doesn't seem it would be too accurate, though.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:34 AM (omVj0)
That's probably why it was done. I never tried shooting that way. If I ever get out to the desert again, maybe I'll try it. It doesn't seem it would be too accurate, though.
Posted by: Superman at August 10, 2025 10:45 AM (0eaVi)
258
Tommy always has the clever humor and the willingness to take people as they are no matter how silly they get, as opposed to Ian Flemming's open distaste of "foreigners acting British"
Hambledon books cover from WWI to the Cold War, and is more Harry Palmer than James Bond, and the benefit is that Coles could write the most amazing prose when it was appropriate, and write clear open action when it was needed.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 10, 2025
***
The few Hambledons I've read have been loads of fun. In the U.N.C.L.E. tie-in novel The Rainbow Affair, in which David McDaniel has Solo and Illya encounter most of the famous fictional British detectives and heroes (all unnamed), there is a scene with a British Intelligence officer who might well be Tommy Hanbledon. He tells a woman agent who is clearly Emma Peel, "Leave Mr. Solo alone, you little minx." That is not a LeCarre kind of spy character at all.
Hambledon books cover from WWI to the Cold War, and is more Harry Palmer than James Bond, and the benefit is that Coles could write the most amazing prose when it was appropriate, and write clear open action when it was needed.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 10, 2025
***
The few Hambledons I've read have been loads of fun. In the U.N.C.L.E. tie-in novel The Rainbow Affair, in which David McDaniel has Solo and Illya encounter most of the famous fictional British detectives and heroes (all unnamed), there is a scene with a British Intelligence officer who might well be Tommy Hanbledon. He tells a woman agent who is clearly Emma Peel, "Leave Mr. Solo alone, you little minx." That is not a LeCarre kind of spy character at all.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:46 AM (omVj0)
259
***
O'Connor, yes, though I've read little of her work. Harper Lee? Mockingbird doesn't seem to be Gothic at all.
-----
The one line from O'connor's 'Wise blood' that I recall is:
Hazel:
No man with a good car needs to be justified!
O'Connor, yes, though I've read little of her work. Harper Lee? Mockingbird doesn't seem to be Gothic at all.
-----
The one line from O'connor's 'Wise blood' that I recall is:
Hazel:
No man with a good car needs to be justified!
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025 10:46 AM (XeU6L)
260
Every once in a while I go back to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. His concept of virtue consisting of true and sincere effort, no matter the subject or activity.
Try your best is still a decent philosophy.
Try your best is still a decent philosophy.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 10:47 AM (n4GiU)
261
Come to think of it, McDaniel in Rainbow Affair references another Hambledon novel by referring to an explosive that presents a green flash when it detonates, "Ulsenite." That was the McGuffin in one of the WWII Hambledon stories.
Tommy, in his irreverent way, refers to the explosive as "Poppo."
Tommy, in his irreverent way, refers to the explosive as "Poppo."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:48 AM (omVj0)
262
I loved the first several Reacher books, then it became obvious he was just writing them for the money and the quality declined.
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025 10:40 AM (98kQX)
Writing for money?! Heaven forfend!
(looks at pile of unsold stories)
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025 10:40 AM (98kQX)
Writing for money?! Heaven forfend!
(looks at pile of unsold stories)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 10:48 AM (0eaVi)
263
Shetland on Britbox was quite good until the actor playing the lead investigator, Perez, left the show.
After that it went all girl boss and I quit it.
After that it went all girl boss and I quit it.
Posted by: one hour sober at August 10, 2025 10:48 AM (Y1sOo)
264
Writing for money?! Heaven forfend!
"Gimme all the money!!" - Simon Tolkien. barrister and erstwhile writer.
"Gimme all the money!!" - Simon Tolkien. barrister and erstwhile writer.
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025 10:49 AM (Ui59G)
265
Most of all, anybody writing about a man that big should know that much of the day is food-oriented! Am I near food? How far is it? etc.
Posted by: Wenda at August 10, 2025
***
Child often has Reacher fueling up at diners, and tanking up on coffee. He's not much of a drinker and we're told he quit cigarettes long ago, so food is a big thing for him.
Posted by: Wenda at August 10, 2025
***
Child often has Reacher fueling up at diners, and tanking up on coffee. He's not much of a drinker and we're told he quit cigarettes long ago, so food is a big thing for him.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:50 AM (omVj0)
Posted by: Diogenes at August 10, 2025 10:50 AM (2WIwB)
267
Throwing the gun" is an exaggeration of a technique developed for single action percussion revolvers. You would lift the muzzle of the gun until it was vertical, while cocking the hammer. This would hopefully allow a loose percussion cap to fall off the cylinder and avoid jamming the pistol.
This carried over into the cartridge era, long after the need for it had gone away. . . .
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025
***
Donald Hamilton, a gun aficionado, has Matt Helm tell us this in one novel.
This carried over into the cartridge era, long after the need for it had gone away. . . .
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025
***
Donald Hamilton, a gun aficionado, has Matt Helm tell us this in one novel.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 10:52 AM (omVj0)
268
I just re-read The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield . Damn what a great book if you’re interested in golf and the mentally side of a western civilization fighter/soldier .
Posted by: polynikes at August 10, 2025 10:52 AM (VofaG)
269
"Heavy Weather" by Bruce Sterling. Great story, interesting characters and locations. Have read this one dozens of times in the last 10 or even 15 years. Most recommended.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 09:45 AM (Qd0+U)
I liked his Schismatrix and Islands in the Net, both are worldbuilding on the results of decentralization of authority and society in a world coming to terms with new technologies and how that shifts power structures. I started another of his books, and didn''t finish it, and I don't remember why.
Posted by: 3X12ax7 at August 10, 2025 09:45 AM (Qd0+U)
I liked his Schismatrix and Islands in the Net, both are worldbuilding on the results of decentralization of authority and society in a world coming to terms with new technologies and how that shifts power structures. I started another of his books, and didn''t finish it, and I don't remember why.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 10, 2025 10:53 AM (rbvCR)
270
A Matt Helm reference! The Book Thread is complete!
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025 10:53 AM (vOjEn)
271
Haven't checked, but isn't Lee Child a pretty good-sized fella himself? In the story, I don't imagine he'd devote a ton of wordage to fueling issues, but the frequent use of scenes in diners suggests he's aware of that.
Seem to recall Robert B. Parker having fairly frequent food-related moments in the Spenser books, and Parker was a pretty good-sized guy too.
Seem to recall Robert B. Parker having fairly frequent food-related moments in the Spenser books, and Parker was a pretty good-sized guy too.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 10:54 AM (q3u5l)
272
The Legend of Bagger Face.
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at August 10, 2025 10:54 AM (FOGs2)
Posted by: polynikes at August 10, 2025 10:54 AM (VofaG)
274
They never learn.
Posted by: Superman
The snubbie bouncing off George Reeve's chest instantly popped to mind.
Posted by: Superman
The snubbie bouncing off George Reeve's chest instantly popped to mind.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 10:55 AM (n4GiU)
275
The Godfather was a movie about food.
Prove me wrong !
Posted by: polynikes at August 10, 2025 10:54 AM (VofaG)
And Die Hard is a Christmas movie!
Prove me wrong !
Posted by: polynikes at August 10, 2025 10:54 AM (VofaG)
And Die Hard is a Christmas movie!
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025 10:56 AM (vOjEn)
276
I've been watching "The Last Kingdom" on Netflix. It's based on Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales novels. Nearing the end of season 5. All in all a very good series. It captures the primitive violence of the age well. Many plot and character changes from the novels as I remember them though. The actor playing Uhtred has grown on me. Loved the portrayal of Alfred.
Posted by: Tuna at August 10, 2025 10:56 AM (lJ0H4)
277
How in the holy hell did it get to be mid-August?
Posted by: Cow Demon at August 10, 2025 10:58 AM (vm8sq)
278
Every once in a while I go back to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. His concept of virtue consisting of true and sincere effort, no matter the subject or activity, which is a value to the individual and society (I'm hugely simplifying this) is inspiring. It is easy to see how he was so influential to later centuries as his concepts meld so well with the idea that people's actions should reflect to the glory of Christ. The farmer producing the best crops, the builder making structures that are beautiful and strong, the politician (this one hurts due to absence) who uses rhetoric to communicate clearly and effectively and to reflect truth, the ruler who works for the betterment of the people and society. Whatever the current reality, the foundation is still something to aspire to.
Posted by: JTB
I have never read this but remember taking an ethics course in HS. This is why I am enrsged by Islamic teaching and the support of the terrorist regimes dominating the ME. They have perverted every ethical concept and done nothing to promote societal good. They have contributed nothing to science or the arts or any form of higher learning.
Your post sums up why they are the scum of the earth
Posted by: JTB
I have never read this but remember taking an ethics course in HS. This is why I am enrsged by Islamic teaching and the support of the terrorist regimes dominating the ME. They have perverted every ethical concept and done nothing to promote societal good. They have contributed nothing to science or the arts or any form of higher learning.
Your post sums up why they are the scum of the earth
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 10:59 AM (t/2Uw)
279
I’ve been watching all the Jesse Stone shows. I never read Parker’s books. Is the TV version fairly close ?
Posted by: polynikes at August 10, 2025 10:59 AM (VofaG)
280
Has anyone read Ann Cleeve's Shetland mysteries? I grabbed one from the condo share shelf because I needed a paperback to take to the pool. Ion,y read it when I am there so it takes a while. Didn't realize that it was part of a series but is fine as a stand alone but I'm liking it and wondering if I should start at the beginning. Was also made into a TV series. Has anyone seen them?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 09:53 AM (t/2Uw)
Yes. Great reading although at times a bit...detailed.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 09:53 AM (t/2Uw)
Yes. Great reading although at times a bit...detailed.
Posted by: Diogenes at August 10, 2025 10:59 AM (2WIwB)
281
Sergeant Dick looks bewitched.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 10, 2025 11:00 AM (63Dwl)
282
I've been watching "The Last Kingdom" on Netflix. It's based on Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales novels. Nearing the end of season 5. All in all a very good series. It captures the primitive violence of the age well. Many plot and character changes from the novels as I remember them though. The actor playing Uhtred has grown on me. Loved the portrayal of Alfred.
Posted by: Tuna at August 10, 2025
***
I think I read the first one, or maybe two, of those. Yes, the TV adaptation was very well cast.
Posted by: Tuna at August 10, 2025
***
I think I read the first one, or maybe two, of those. Yes, the TV adaptation was very well cast.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:00 AM (omVj0)
283
Miss printed catalogs. Online ain't the same.
Heard many years ago a motorcycle accessory catalog grew so expensive to print, the printing company just bought the accessory company.
Heard many years ago a motorcycle accessory catalog grew so expensive to print, the printing company just bought the accessory company.
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at August 10, 2025 11:00 AM (XEI9S)
284
The Last K___dom is great.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:00 AM (t/2Uw)
285
For every Dick there is a Snidley Whiplash.
Posted by: Diogenes at August 10, 2025 11:01 AM (2WIwB)
286
Please excuse any errors due to my insane autocorrect.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:01 AM (t/2Uw)
287
How in the holy hell did it get to be mid-August?
Posted by: Cow Demon at August 10, 2025 10:58 AM (vm8sq)
One of the few benefits of being an adult is not having to face the end of summer and the return to school.
Posted by: Cow Demon at August 10, 2025 10:58 AM (vm8sq)
One of the few benefits of being an adult is not having to face the end of summer and the return to school.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025 11:01 AM (vOjEn)
288
Off to Mass! Thanks, Weasel!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 11:02 AM (ZOv7s)
289
Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere: I read that Jupiter short story a hundred years ago and loved it. It has stuck with me ever since and I describe it's plot to someone at least once a year. I had forgotten he takes his dog with him.
Posted by: who knew at August 10, 2025 11:02 AM (+ViXu)
290
Been some years since I watched the Jesse Stone movies or read the books, but if memory serves they're fairly faithful to the novels. The movies didn't come out in the same sequence as the books, so they played around a little with some of the events but on the whole they weren't bad. And I think Selleck was ideal casting for the part.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:02 AM (q3u5l)
291
BTW, Manning Coles was two writers, Adelaide Manning, I think, who worked in intelligence during WWII. I forget Coles first name--he was male, and fought in the war. So they had the background for both skullduggery and action.
Posted by: Wenda at August 10, 2025 11:02 AM (/MyY+)
292
Has your autocorrect been sacked?
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025 11:02 AM (Ui59G)
293
The Last Kingdom is excellent binge-watching.
Some bloody gore during the fight scenes which doesn’t bother me as it may others.
Some bloody gore during the fight scenes which doesn’t bother me as it may others.
Posted by: one hour sober at August 10, 2025 11:02 AM (Y1sOo)
294
I’ve been watching all the Jesse Stone shows. I never read Parker’s books. Is the TV version fairly close ?
Posted by: polynikes at August 10, 2025
***
Yes. Oh, Jesse is described at the start of the series of novels as much younger than Tom Selleck when he began playing the role; and I think some of the later TV-movies were originals and not based on a Parker novel. But Selleck is perfect and has made the role his own. The TV films use dialog from the books, and when you read them later you can hear Selleck's voice delivering the lines.
Robert B. Parker's early Spenser novels, the Jesse Stones, the Sunny Randalls (all in the same Boston-based universe), and his Westerns like Appaloosa are all in the hard-boiled, spare-language mode, and are terrific reads.
Posted by: polynikes at August 10, 2025
***
Yes. Oh, Jesse is described at the start of the series of novels as much younger than Tom Selleck when he began playing the role; and I think some of the later TV-movies were originals and not based on a Parker novel. But Selleck is perfect and has made the role his own. The TV films use dialog from the books, and when you read them later you can hear Selleck's voice delivering the lines.
Robert B. Parker's early Spenser novels, the Jesse Stones, the Sunny Randalls (all in the same Boston-based universe), and his Westerns like Appaloosa are all in the hard-boiled, spare-language mode, and are terrific reads.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:04 AM (omVj0)
295
>>My twin brother was 6'6". He was a junior in college before he had actual shoes for football instead of sneakers because they had to be custom-made. He couldn't be a pilot, because his height was in his trunk and not his legs and the ejection seats wouldn't function. When he approached a doorway he tucked his head to the side automatically--he was so used to having to do so!
One of my best friends in high school was 6'2" as a sophomore and still growing. He was also strong as an ox. Starting left tackle as soon as he was eligible because nobody could deal with that. He was also very smart.
Large people make their presence known just by walking into the room. You can't act big.
One of my best friends in high school was 6'2" as a sophomore and still growing. He was also strong as an ox. Starting left tackle as soon as he was eligible because nobody could deal with that. He was also very smart.
Large people make their presence known just by walking into the room. You can't act big.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 11:04 AM (viF8m)
296
Have been reading Dashiell Hammett works. Stumbled upon The Continental OP. 28 short stories and two novels. Think they led the way into other works like The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man.
Posted by: Get off my lawn at August 10, 2025 10:14 AM (nnmm5)
a fair number of his short stories did not get into anthologies, so if you read through what is put out in books, and you want more, try looking up archives of Black Mask Magazine, to dig out a few more of his works.
Posted by: Get off my lawn at August 10, 2025 10:14 AM (nnmm5)
a fair number of his short stories did not get into anthologies, so if you read through what is put out in books, and you want more, try looking up archives of Black Mask Magazine, to dig out a few more of his works.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 10, 2025 11:04 AM (rbvCR)
297
And re: the Jesse Stone movies.
The last two or three were originals for television, I think, and not based on Parker's novels. If you're looking only for adaptations from Parker, double-check the titles.
The last two or three were originals for television, I think, and not based on Parker's novels. If you're looking only for adaptations from Parker, double-check the titles.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:05 AM (q3u5l)
298
Please excuse any errors due to my insane autocorrect.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:01 AM (t/2Uw)
Perhaps you misspelled Kingdom with the dread i-m-g.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:01 AM (t/2Uw)
Perhaps you misspelled Kingdom with the dread i-m-g.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 10, 2025 11:05 AM (vOjEn)
299
Polynikes, I liked Parker's Spenser books better than Jesse Stone series. Too much dialog and not enough action. I am currently on book 37 so that's how much better I liked them.
Also his Western series is terrific and the first book was made into a great movie.
I did really like the Jesse Stone movies however and wish theee were more of them.
Also his Western series is terrific and the first book was made into a great movie.
I did really like the Jesse Stone movies however and wish theee were more of them.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:05 AM (t/2Uw)
300
DICK!!!!!!!
Posted by: pawn at August 10, 2025 11:05 AM (EITcu)
301
Pick one, and then explain why it's more moral than the others.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (ZOv7s)
You will dish out pain. Do you want the pain spread out and drawn out? Or, do you want it hyper concentrated in one place, or two, and gotten over it more quickly? That’s how I always framed it.
Better to have hyper concentrated doses of pain in Hiroshima and Nagasaki than just dragging out things for years.
War IS hell, a fact too many do not want to accept.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 10, 2025 09:23 AM (ZOv7s)
You will dish out pain. Do you want the pain spread out and drawn out? Or, do you want it hyper concentrated in one place, or two, and gotten over it more quickly? That’s how I always framed it.
Better to have hyper concentrated doses of pain in Hiroshima and Nagasaki than just dragging out things for years.
War IS hell, a fact too many do not want to accept.
Posted by: Cow Demon at August 10, 2025 11:05 AM (vm8sq)
302
Some bloody gore during the fight scenes which doesn’t bother me as it may others.
Posted by: one hour sober
"Some bloody gore" is an understatement. Doesn't bother me in the least. Life was tough in the early Middle Ages and the show does an excellent job of portraying it.
Posted by: one hour sober
"Some bloody gore" is an understatement. Doesn't bother me in the least. Life was tough in the early Middle Ages and the show does an excellent job of portraying it.
Posted by: Tuna at August 10, 2025 11:07 AM (lJ0H4)
303
Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere: I read that Jupiter short story a hundred years ago and loved it. It has stuck with me ever since and I describe it's plot to someone at least once a year. I had forgotten he takes his dog with him.
Posted by: who knew at August 10, 2025
***
I love a line like that, when what is said implies something much more, but is not obscure.
There is one in David McDaniel's Dagger Affair. Thrush and U.N.C.L.E. have agreed to a truce to fight a common enemy, and Mr. Waverly says he will send his best two agents, Solo and Illya, to CA. Then he adds, "I think we will be sending a third party."
"Separate accommodations?" asks the Thrush.
"Not at all," says Waverly. "I plan to work in the same conditions my men do."
Posted by: who knew at August 10, 2025
***
I love a line like that, when what is said implies something much more, but is not obscure.
There is one in David McDaniel's Dagger Affair. Thrush and U.N.C.L.E. have agreed to a truce to fight a common enemy, and Mr. Waverly says he will send his best two agents, Solo and Illya, to CA. Then he adds, "I think we will be sending a third party."
"Separate accommodations?" asks the Thrush.
"Not at all," says Waverly. "I plan to work in the same conditions my men do."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:07 AM (omVj0)
304
BTW, Manning Coles was two writers, Adelaide Manning, I think, who worked in intelligence during WWII. I forget Coles first name--he was male, and fought in the war. So they had the background for both skullduggery and action.
Posted by: Wenda at August 10, 2025 11:02 AM (/MyY+)
Cyril Henry Coles, who actually was a British agent, who operated behind German lines and other places in both wars, and mastered most European languages.
Much more likable guy than Sidney Reilly by the way
Posted by: Wenda at August 10, 2025 11:02 AM (/MyY+)
Cyril Henry Coles, who actually was a British agent, who operated behind German lines and other places in both wars, and mastered most European languages.
Much more likable guy than Sidney Reilly by the way
Posted by: Kindltot at August 10, 2025 11:09 AM (rbvCR)
305
Has your autocorrect been sacked?
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025
***
Those responsible for the autocorrect being sacked have been sacked.
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025
***
Those responsible for the autocorrect being sacked have been sacked.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:09 AM (omVj0)
306
I’ve been saying Musk could add to his billions if he just came up with an autocorrect replacement that actually worked as advertised.
Posted by: polynikes at August 10, 2025 11:11 AM (VofaG)
Posted by: Oddbob at August 10, 2025 11:11 AM (scJ96)
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:14 AM (t/2Uw)
309
>>Seem to recall Robert B. Parker having fairly frequent food-related moments in the Spenser books, and Parker was a pretty good-sized guy too.
Spenser's condo in the series was in a building right behind mine. When they were filming it was an enormous pain in the ass.
Yea, Urich was a big guy just like the books.
Spenser's condo in the series was in a building right behind mine. When they were filming it was an enormous pain in the ass.
Yea, Urich was a big guy just like the books.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 11:15 AM (viF8m)
310
The Last Kingdom is awesome. So fascinating that it was inspired by a distant ancestor of the author.
I started rewatching Rome. Still fun, though the explicit sex scenes are cringey, tbh.
I started rewatching Rome. Still fun, though the explicit sex scenes are cringey, tbh.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 10, 2025 11:16 AM (6Tzur)
311
JackStraw, my twin brother was definitely a protector, too. One of my first memories of him was in kindergarten when he said to a kid hassling me, "You leave her alone or I'll bust your head open with my dump truck!"
Posted by: Wenda at August 10, 2025 11:16 AM (/MyY+)
312
For the 'Ettes:
The best reason to watch The Last Kingdom is the actor playing Uthred.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:14 AM (t/2Uw)
There's some fine looking women in that series too.
The best reason to watch The Last Kingdom is the actor playing Uthred.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:14 AM (t/2Uw)
There's some fine looking women in that series too.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 10, 2025 11:17 AM (g8Ew8)
313
For the 'Ettes:
The best reason to watch The Last Kingdom is the actor playing Uthred.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)
Yes, he's quite handsome.
The best reason to watch The Last Kingdom is the actor playing Uthred.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)
Yes, he's quite handsome.
Posted by: Tuna at August 10, 2025 11:17 AM (lJ0H4)
314
He has me reading Wordworth's Tintern Abbey at the moment, which is turning out to be a little jewel.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 10:15 AM (yTvNw)
=====
JTB, you always amaze me. I haven't thought about Tinturn in ages.
Grumble, grumble, off to find a copy.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 10:15 AM (yTvNw)
=====
JTB, you always amaze me. I haven't thought about Tinturn in ages.
Grumble, grumble, off to find a copy.
Posted by: mustbequantum at August 10, 2025 11:18 AM (WvpwN)
315
Spenser's condo in the series was in a building right behind mine. When they were filming it was an enormous pain in the ass.
Yea, Urich was a big guy just like the books.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025
***
To this day I picture Robert Urich as Spenser and Avery Brooks as Hawk. Nobody else comes close. Joe Mantegna has effectively played an older Spenser in a couple of TV-movies, and they have cast Susan Silverman pretty well, but *nobody* has topped Brooks as Hawk.
Yea, Urich was a big guy just like the books.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025
***
To this day I picture Robert Urich as Spenser and Avery Brooks as Hawk. Nobody else comes close. Joe Mantegna has effectively played an older Spenser in a couple of TV-movies, and they have cast Susan Silverman pretty well, but *nobody* has topped Brooks as Hawk.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:18 AM (omVj0)
316
Try your best is still a decent philosophy.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 10:47 AM
Liver chopped am I?
Posted by: From about That Time at August 10, 2025 10:47 AM
Liver chopped am I?
Posted by: Yoda at August 10, 2025 11:22 AM (0sNs1)
Posted by: Bluebbery at August 10, 2025 11:22 AM (XeU6L)
318
"Look, buddy. I'm tired of wearing these stupid pine tree air fresheners all the time to cover this smell.
Just what part didn't you understand about Bog Wife?"
"Look, buddy. I'm tired of wearing these stupid pine tree air fresheners all the time to cover this smell.
Just what part didn't you understand about Bog Wife?"
Posted by: The Bog Wife at August 10, 2025 11:23 AM (iJfKG)
319
For the 'Ettes:
The best reason to watch The Last Kingdom is the actor playing Uthred.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:14 AM
The female gaze. It's real.
The best reason to watch The Last Kingdom is the actor playing Uthred.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:14 AM
The female gaze. It's real.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 11:24 AM (0sNs1)
Posted by: Bluebberry at August 10, 2025 11:24 AM (XeU6L)
321
What is this mockery of the book thread?
Or, will we have a separate writing thread later?
Seriously, thanks for filling in, Weasel.
G'morn, Hordeworld.
Or, will we have a separate writing thread later?
Seriously, thanks for filling in, Weasel.
G'morn, Hordeworld.
Posted by: mindful webworker - and what about grammar? at August 10, 2025 11:24 AM (7W0uI)
322
My picture of Spenser was always the jacket photos of Parker himself. Think he said once in an interview for one of the mystery magazines (Armchair Detective? Dunno. Slept since then) that he wrote Spenser as a much better athlete than himself. Parker wrote the first Sports Illustrated guide to working out with weights, as I recall.
Urich always struck me as a bit young for the part, but otherwise he did a nice job in that series; probably as good as you could hope to get. And yes, NOBODY could beat Avery Brooks as Hawk.
Did kinda like the casting of Mantegna and Ernie Hudson in one or two of the later A&E Spenser movies, though.
Urich always struck me as a bit young for the part, but otherwise he did a nice job in that series; probably as good as you could hope to get. And yes, NOBODY could beat Avery Brooks as Hawk.
Did kinda like the casting of Mantegna and Ernie Hudson in one or two of the later A&E Spenser movies, though.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:25 AM (q3u5l)
323
>>Writing for money?! Heaven forfend!
(looks at pile of unsold stories)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 10:48 AM
Not that there's anything wrong with that, but come up with something newish. Looking at CJ Box, Craig Johnson and others, as well. I've read several series in the last few years although I had previously avoided them. The ones that come to mind that did not become overly repetitious were the Aubrey/Maturin, Kinsey Millhone, and Uhtred books. Maybe O'Brian, Grafton, and Cornwell were just better writers than Lee Child.
(looks at pile of unsold stories)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 10:48 AM
Not that there's anything wrong with that, but come up with something newish. Looking at CJ Box, Craig Johnson and others, as well. I've read several series in the last few years although I had previously avoided them. The ones that come to mind that did not become overly repetitious were the Aubrey/Maturin, Kinsey Millhone, and Uhtred books. Maybe O'Brian, Grafton, and Cornwell were just better writers than Lee Child.
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025 11:25 AM (98kQX)
324
How in the holy hell did it get to be mid-August?
Posted by: Cow Demon at August 10, 2025 10:58 AM
Are you deliberately trying to give Weasel ideas for his Gub Thread intro?
Posted by: Cow Demon at August 10, 2025 10:58 AM
Are you deliberately trying to give Weasel ideas for his Gub Thread intro?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 10, 2025 11:25 AM (0sNs1)
325
Are you deliberately trying to give Weasel ideas for his Gub Thread intro?
Duncanthrax -- check your keyboard; Woody Allen may have gotten to it.
Duncanthrax -- check your keyboard; Woody Allen may have gotten to it.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:28 AM (q3u5l)
326
My picture of Spenser was always the jacket photos of Parker himself. Think he said once in an interview for one of the mystery magazines (Armchair Detective? Dunno. Slept since then) that he wrote Spenser as a much better athlete than himself. Parker wrote the first Sports Illustrated guide to working out with weights, as I recall.
Urich always struck me as a bit young for the part, but otherwise he did a nice job in that series; probably as good as you could hope to get. And yes, NOBODY could beat Avery Brooks as Hawk.
Did kinda like the casting of Mantegna and Ernie Hudson in one or two of the later A&E Spenser movies, though.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
It's time for a solid biography of Parker, for sure. I'd like to know things like you mention, as to how he was inspired to create Spenser. When you find out the elements in his life that inspired an author, it can encourage you to use your own experiences in fiction.
Mantegna and Hudson were playing older versions of the characters too, from a later novel in the series, so they worked okay.
Urich always struck me as a bit young for the part, but otherwise he did a nice job in that series; probably as good as you could hope to get. And yes, NOBODY could beat Avery Brooks as Hawk.
Did kinda like the casting of Mantegna and Ernie Hudson in one or two of the later A&E Spenser movies, though.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
It's time for a solid biography of Parker, for sure. I'd like to know things like you mention, as to how he was inspired to create Spenser. When you find out the elements in his life that inspired an author, it can encourage you to use your own experiences in fiction.
Mantegna and Hudson were playing older versions of the characters too, from a later novel in the series, so they worked okay.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:29 AM (omVj0)
327
Not that there's anything wrong with that, but come up with something newish. Looking at CJ Box, Craig Johnson and others, as well. I've read several series in the last few years although I had previously avoided them. The ones that come to mind that did not become overly repetitious were the Aubrey/Maturin, Kinsey Millhone, and Uhtred books. Maybe O'Brian, Grafton, and Cornwell were just better writers than Lee Child.
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025 11:25 AM (98kQX)
Well, I don't really want to write series. Of course, now I have another book from another aspect of a sci-fi novel. My short stories aren't, except for one about a loser named Harry set in the '30s.
I've never liked seeing "book one of twelve of..." kind of stuff.
Anyway, gotta go.
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025 11:25 AM (98kQX)
Well, I don't really want to write series. Of course, now I have another book from another aspect of a sci-fi novel. My short stories aren't, except for one about a loser named Harry set in the '30s.
I've never liked seeing "book one of twelve of..." kind of stuff.
Anyway, gotta go.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 11:30 AM (0eaVi)
328
"The Last Kingdom" added to my list, thanks!
Posted by: gp at August 10, 2025 11:31 AM (0I+GC)
329
My picture of Spenser was always the jacket photos of Parker himself.
I sort of imagined that Kinsey Milhone would favor Sue Grafton. At least one of the books had her holding a small handgun in the author bio picture to support the idea. Then I saw her talk at a book signing and she said that she hated letting her publicist push her into doing that.
I sort of imagined that Kinsey Milhone would favor Sue Grafton. At least one of the books had her holding a small handgun in the author bio picture to support the idea. Then I saw her talk at a book signing and she said that she hated letting her publicist push her into doing that.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 10, 2025 11:31 AM (Djb69)
330
>>Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:18 AM
I went back to the prayer thread yesterday and saw your question about Corrumpa Creek. The sign on the bridge over the usually dry wash says Corrumpa. All the old-timers I knew from that area lived on Carrizozo Creek or the Dry Cimarron.
I went back to the prayer thread yesterday and saw your question about Corrumpa Creek. The sign on the bridge over the usually dry wash says Corrumpa. All the old-timers I knew from that area lived on Carrizozo Creek or the Dry Cimarron.
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025 11:31 AM (98kQX)
331
Urich always struck me as a bit young for the part [of Spenser], but otherwise he did a nice job in that series; probably as good as you could hope to get.
***
It amuses me to think that, during his service in Korea, Spenser might have passed through the 4077th M*A*S*H, and met Margaret Houlihan.
Napoleon Solo was in Korea too, so who knows. . . .
***
It amuses me to think that, during his service in Korea, Spenser might have passed through the 4077th M*A*S*H, and met Margaret Houlihan.
Napoleon Solo was in Korea too, so who knows. . . .
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:31 AM (omVj0)
332
I went back to the prayer thread yesterday and saw your question about Corrumpa Creek. The sign on the bridge over the usually dry wash says Corrumpa. All the old-timers I knew from that area lived on Carrizozo Creek or the Dry Cimarron.
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025
***
Thanks, huerfano. I guess Seton transcribed it the way he heard it, "Currumpaw."
Posted by: huerfano at August 10, 2025
***
Thanks, huerfano. I guess Seton transcribed it the way he heard it, "Currumpaw."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:32 AM (omVj0)
333
If u r looking for Olde Book recommendations, I recall one from my childhood...
Red Streak of the Iroquois - written in 1950 by Arthur C. Parker - a Seneca himself and an anthropologist.
Story of a young male Iroquois growing up in the times before the coming of the Europeans - shows the culture and customs back then - although the young lad may have a bit of Viking ancestry to explain the unusual red streak in his hair that gave him that name.
A good read, fascinating to me at the time.
Not a "woke" work as such - but interesting in that the protagonist was a bit uncaring about the then cultural division betweens male and female work tasks - wanting to learn about how to do both sorts,
Red Streak of the Iroquois - written in 1950 by Arthur C. Parker - a Seneca himself and an anthropologist.
Story of a young male Iroquois growing up in the times before the coming of the Europeans - shows the culture and customs back then - although the young lad may have a bit of Viking ancestry to explain the unusual red streak in his hair that gave him that name.
A good read, fascinating to me at the time.
Not a "woke" work as such - but interesting in that the protagonist was a bit uncaring about the then cultural division betweens male and female work tasks - wanting to learn about how to do both sorts,
Posted by: BobM at August 10, 2025 11:33 AM (y0oi5)
334
>>To this day I picture Robert Urich as Spenser and Avery Brooks as Hawk. Nobody else comes close. Joe Mantegna has effectively played an older Spenser in a couple of TV-movies, and they have cast Susan Silverman pretty well, but *nobody* has topped Brooks as Hawk.
That's why so many books turned into movies fail. Before becoming a private dick Spenser was a heavyweight boxer. Urich looked the part. It's fundamental. If you don't cast the right people nothing is going to work.
Jack Reacher should have been Wenda's brother not Tom Cruise.
That's why so many books turned into movies fail. Before becoming a private dick Spenser was a heavyweight boxer. Urich looked the part. It's fundamental. If you don't cast the right people nothing is going to work.
Jack Reacher should have been Wenda's brother not Tom Cruise.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 11:33 AM (viF8m)
335
"Lucky Gunner's Youtube has a video on how the FBI adopted the shoot from the crouch because it was supposedly faster and they got some savant trick-shooter to teach it."
The "savant trick-shooter" was 'Jelly' Bryce, a former Oklahoma City LEO and FBI agent. Bryce could shoot very fast and very accurately from his low crouching stance, and so lots of people, including much of the LEO community and the FBI, concluded that LEOs taught his method could do the same. People tend to imitate the successful, and Bryce was a successful shooter in competition and in real life-he reportedly was successful in 19 gunfights as a LEO. Unfortunately, while Bryce's technique was teachable, his incredible hand-eye coordination and quickness was not and so the world mostly moved on, eventually, to other techniques that were not so idiosyncratic and ones where the accuracy was replicable through training and practice.
The "savant trick-shooter" was 'Jelly' Bryce, a former Oklahoma City LEO and FBI agent. Bryce could shoot very fast and very accurately from his low crouching stance, and so lots of people, including much of the LEO community and the FBI, concluded that LEOs taught his method could do the same. People tend to imitate the successful, and Bryce was a successful shooter in competition and in real life-he reportedly was successful in 19 gunfights as a LEO. Unfortunately, while Bryce's technique was teachable, his incredible hand-eye coordination and quickness was not and so the world mostly moved on, eventually, to other techniques that were not so idiosyncratic and ones where the accuracy was replicable through training and practice.
Posted by: Pope John 20th at August 10, 2025 11:34 AM (yl1YV)
336
Thanxs Weasel for the thread!
Posted by: Diogenes at August 10, 2025 11:35 AM (2WIwB)
337
Flannery O'Connor was grimly gothic and quite outspoken about it.
"I have found, in short, from reading my own writing, that my subject in fiction is the action of grace in territory largely held by the devil."
"I have found, in short, from reading my own writing, that my subject in fiction is the action of grace in territory largely held by the devil."
Posted by: Ordinary American at August 10, 2025 11:35 AM (h/ffs)
338
Well, I don't really want to write series. Of course, now I have another book from another aspect of a sci-fi novel. My short stories aren't, except for one about a loser named Harry set in the '30s.
I've never liked seeing "book one of twelve of..." kind of stuff. . . .
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025
***
Series weren't usually pushed that way in decades past. The Ellery Queen novels, for instance, were not numbered like that; it was simply "An Ellery Queen Novel" or "A Problem in Deduction."
The advantages to a series: You don't have to build the background or major characters from scratch; and your readers can become very attached to your heroes or other characters. (Which last can be a drawback too.)
I've never liked seeing "book one of twelve of..." kind of stuff. . . .
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025
***
Series weren't usually pushed that way in decades past. The Ellery Queen novels, for instance, were not numbered like that; it was simply "An Ellery Queen Novel" or "A Problem in Deduction."
The advantages to a series: You don't have to build the background or major characters from scratch; and your readers can become very attached to your heroes or other characters. (Which last can be a drawback too.)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:36 AM (omVj0)
339
I think Parker did his PhD dissertation on writers like Cooper, etc - talking about the frontier hero in literature; I'll have to look that up to refresh my memory, and will try to remember to post info or links here next time. He fed that kind of background into his work when he was creating Spenser -- frontier hero, private eye, it's a natural. He used weights, etc, cooked well if I heard right, and as an English prof (Boston U for a while?) he had all of Spenser's literary references and quotes down solid.
Write what you know, and all that.
Write what you know, and all that.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:36 AM (q3u5l)
340
From SGT Dick:
"Lend me one of your horses, driver,” he cried. “I must follow these ruffians without delay."
Sounds like something I would say.
"Lend me one of your horses, driver,” he cried. “I must follow these ruffians without delay."
Sounds like something I would say.
Posted by: javems at August 10, 2025 11:38 AM (8I4hW)
341
Flannery O'Connor was grimly gothic and quite outspoken about it.
"I have found, in short, from reading my own writing, that my subject in fiction is the action of grace in territory largely held by the devil."
Posted by: Ordinary American at August 10, 2025
***
She also, I think, said something about allowing criticism to depress you -- and deter you from writing the way you know you should -- is also of the devil.
"I have found, in short, from reading my own writing, that my subject in fiction is the action of grace in territory largely held by the devil."
Posted by: Ordinary American at August 10, 2025
***
She also, I think, said something about allowing criticism to depress you -- and deter you from writing the way you know you should -- is also of the devil.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:39 AM (omVj0)
342
Anyone wishing to find a Jack London-style adventure story will enjoy To the White Sea' , by James Dickey. It's a fictional account of a B 29 gunner shot down over Japan near the end of WW2.
Same author wrote ' Deliverance'.
Same author wrote ' Deliverance'.
Posted by: El Borak at August 10, 2025 11:39 AM (BSNnK)
343
OK everyone! Thanks for stopping by and spending your time hanging out for a while. Have a good rest of your day!
Posted by: Weasel at August 10, 2025 11:39 AM (cmI4M)
344
Accuracy about guns is one way I judge a writer. That's one of many reasons I enjoy the Matt Helm books. I used to advise mystery writers about gun use, a major tool of their characters and in their stories. The level of ignorance in even experienced authors was startling.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 11:40 AM (yTvNw)
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:40 AM (q3u5l)
346
I think Parker did his PhD dissertation on writers like Cooper, etc - talking about the frontier hero in literature; I'll have to look that up to refresh my memory, and will try to remember to post info or links here next time. He fed that kind of background into his work when he was creating Spenser -- frontier hero, private eye, it's a natural. He used weights, etc, cooked well if I heard right, and as an English prof (Boston U for a while?) he had all of Spenser's literary references and quotes down solid.
Write what you know, and all that.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
I had thought his Ph.D. concentrated on Chandler and/or Hammett.
He has some savage satire about academia in the Spenser novels, including in his very first one.
Write what you know, and all that.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
I had thought his Ph.D. concentrated on Chandler and/or Hammett.
He has some savage satire about academia in the Spenser novels, including in his very first one.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:40 AM (omVj0)
347
I think Parker did his PhD dissertation on writers like Cooper, etc - talking about the frontier hero in literature;
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I've always had some difficulty taking a character named 'Natty Bumpo' seriously.
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I've always had some difficulty taking a character named 'Natty Bumpo' seriously.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025 11:41 AM (XeU6L)
348
347 Gar Boni. Tommy Udo.
Posted by: gp at August 10, 2025 11:42 AM (0I+GC)
349
I've always had some difficulty taking a character named 'Natty Bumpo' seriously.
JRR Tolkien thinking with pen poised, "his name shall be Bingo Baggins."
JRR Tolkien thinking with pen poised, "his name shall be Bingo Baggins."
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025 11:43 AM (Ui59G)
350
Parker was where I first heard that quote about academic infighting being so vicious because the stakes were so small. Think he said once that he'd sit in faculty meetings trying not to laugh when they talked about work load -- "I've done work, and this ain't it," I seem to recall him saying.
Chandler and Hammett may well have been included in some of that dissertation, but I'd have to double check that now; just too long since I looked over some of the old articles and interviews. He was certainly aware of them from the git-go.
Chandler and Hammett may well have been included in some of that dissertation, but I'd have to double check that now; just too long since I looked over some of the old articles and interviews. He was certainly aware of them from the git-go.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:44 AM (q3u5l)
351
Not to be confused with Radical Son by David Horowitz. Quite different!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
Sadly, he just passed away a few months ago. What a warrior for truth and America.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
Sadly, he just passed away a few months ago. What a warrior for truth and America.
Posted by: Sharkman at August 10, 2025 11:44 AM (/RHNq)
352
>>I've always had some difficulty taking a character named 'Natty Bumpo' seriously.
Your name is Mike Hammer.
Your name is Mike Hammer.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 11:44 AM (viF8m)
353
Thanks Tensor, President Trump flanked by two Japanese cat-girls is 'sensitive' so only registered uses can see it.
Posted by: Anna Puma at August 10, 2025 11:45 AM (Ui59G)
354
If you want to see someone who REALLY can't take Natty Bumpo seriously, find a copy of Mark Twain's essay "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses." Do not attempt to drink anything during the reading of that essay; none of it will get to your stomach -- anything you try to drink will fly out of your nose and drench the rest of the room. That ain't hyperbole.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:46 AM (q3u5l)
355
Parker was where I first heard that quote about academic infighting being so vicious because the stakes were so small. Think he said once that he'd sit in faculty meetings trying not to laugh when they talked about work load -- "I've done work, and this ain't it," I seem to recall him saying.
Chandler and Hammett may well have been included in some of that dissertation, but I'd have to double check that now; just too long since I looked over some of the old articles and interviews. He was certainly aware of them from the git-go.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
I suspect one of the reasons we haven't seen an in-depth biography of Parker and an analysis of his work is that academics are still furious at him for being so successful outside academia!
Chandler and Hammett may well have been included in some of that dissertation, but I'd have to double check that now; just too long since I looked over some of the old articles and interviews. He was certainly aware of them from the git-go.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025
***
I suspect one of the reasons we haven't seen an in-depth biography of Parker and an analysis of his work is that academics are still furious at him for being so successful outside academia!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:47 AM (omVj0)
356
A lot of forest fires are started by unemployed fire fighters.
Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 10, 2025 11:47 AM (ZmEVT)
357
O'Connor, yes, though I've read little of her work. Harper Lee? Mockingbird doesn't seem to be Gothic at all.
Southern Gothic enters TKaM with the character of Boo Radley.
He's a character straight out of Faulkner or O'Conner except he doesn't burn people alive or bang donkeys or some such thing and is actually a beneficial though broken fellow.
Southern Gothic enters TKaM with the character of Boo Radley.
He's a character straight out of Faulkner or O'Conner except he doesn't burn people alive or bang donkeys or some such thing and is actually a beneficial though broken fellow.
Posted by: naturalfake at August 10, 2025 11:48 AM (iJfKG)
358
Southern Gothic enters TKaM with the character of Boo Radley.
He's a character straight out of Faulkner or O'Conner except he doesn't burn people alive or bang donkeys or some such thing and is actually a beneficial though broken fellow.
Posted by: naturalfake at August 10, 2025
***
Good point!
He's a character straight out of Faulkner or O'Conner except he doesn't burn people alive or bang donkeys or some such thing and is actually a beneficial though broken fellow.
Posted by: naturalfake at August 10, 2025
***
Good point!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:48 AM (omVj0)
359
"find a copy of Mark Twain's essay "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses.""
Free at gutenberg.org: https://tinyurl.com/323y3n45
Free at gutenberg.org: https://tinyurl.com/323y3n45
Posted by: gp at August 10, 2025 11:49 AM (0I+GC)
360
Watched a few videos on how shooting firearms in old west actually worked, certainly nowhere near modern stances are today
Posted by: Skip at August 10, 2025 11:49 AM (+qU29)
361
"I suspect one of the reasons we haven't seen an in-depth biography of Parker and an analysis of his work is that academics are still furious at him for being so successful outside academia!"
Wolfus, you're probably right. If your standard academic type did a study of Parker, it would probably be an envious takedown. Who needs it?
I'd like to see somebody like Lawrence Block do one, but he's largely retired now.
Wolfus, you're probably right. If your standard academic type did a study of Parker, it would probably be an envious takedown. Who needs it?
I'd like to see somebody like Lawrence Block do one, but he's largely retired now.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:49 AM (q3u5l)
362
If you want to see someone who REALLY can't take Natty Bumpo seriously, find a copy of Mark Twain's essay "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses."
Posted by: Just Some Guy
-------
I've read excerpts. Brutal.
Posted by: Just Some Guy
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I've read excerpts. Brutal.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025 11:51 AM (XeU6L)
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 11:52 AM (viF8m)
364
"Watched a few videos on how shooting firearms in old west actually worked, certainly nowhere near modern stances are today"
Some long-gun target shooters used a reclining position with the barrel resting on their feet.
Some long-gun target shooters used a reclining position with the barrel resting on their feet.
Posted by: gp at August 10, 2025 11:52 AM (0I+GC)
365
Well, off to do some stuff around Casa Some Guy. Annoy the Mrs, torment the cat, mishandle what should be a few simple chores.
Thanks again for the thread, Weasel. I'm willing to help out some with content as well. Holler if need be.
And have a good one, gang.
Thanks again for the thread, Weasel. I'm willing to help out some with content as well. Holler if need be.
And have a good one, gang.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 10, 2025 11:52 AM (q3u5l)
366
The Spenser TV series was great. Plenty of boxing gym scenes so you see Spenser's bonafides. Avery Brooks was a genius move. The inner city car chase scenes are amusing.
But hard to fit a book in 45 minute TV show so the books are better especially if you know Boston.
I did read that Susan Silverman was based on his wife and that they did have a dog like Pearl.
But hard to fit a book in 45 minute TV show so the books are better especially if you know Boston.
I did read that Susan Silverman was based on his wife and that they did have a dog like Pearl.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:53 AM (t/2Uw)
367
Last of the Mohicans is a literary mess, even the 1930s movie thought it needs cleaning up
Posted by: Skip at August 10, 2025 11:55 AM (+qU29)
368
The ones that come to mind that did not become overly repetitious were the Aubrey/Maturin,
-------
Crossing the beams a bit, Patrick O'Brian's short stories are vastly different than later writing. Dark, dark stuff, Brit Goth, I would call it.
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Crossing the beams a bit, Patrick O'Brian's short stories are vastly different than later writing. Dark, dark stuff, Brit Goth, I would call it.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025 11:57 AM (XeU6L)
369
Last of the Mohicans is a literary mess, even the 1930s movie thought it needs cleaning up
Posted by: Skip at August 10, 2025 11:55 AM (+qU29)
------------
Mark Twain tears Cooper a new one over it. And the 1993 movie was based mainly on the earlier movie.
Posted by: Skip at August 10, 2025 11:55 AM (+qU29)
------------
Mark Twain tears Cooper a new one over it. And the 1993 movie was based mainly on the earlier movie.
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at August 10, 2025 11:57 AM (WvZaB)
Posted by: gp at August 10, 2025 11:58 AM (0I+GC)
371
Thank you Weasel for hosting a lively thread. And thank you and everyone else here for rescuing me from X for a couple of hours.
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 10, 2025 11:58 AM (t/2Uw)
372
Sharon, the Hawk of the books is such a larger-than-life character that it must have been a titanic job to cast him for the series. Brooks made it work.
The way Parker set it up, Hawk is Spenser's dark side made flesh, and Susan is his moral/ethical side, so we see the conflict in his nature in each story. This is like the splitting of Capt. Kirk's reasoning side and more emotional side into Spock and McCoy, respectively, so that the conflict between them can be dramatized.
Susan didn't appear until Book Two, though, and Hawk not until Four, so it took Parker a little while to get a real handle on what he had.
The way Parker set it up, Hawk is Spenser's dark side made flesh, and Susan is his moral/ethical side, so we see the conflict in his nature in each story. This is like the splitting of Capt. Kirk's reasoning side and more emotional side into Spock and McCoy, respectively, so that the conflict between them can be dramatized.
Susan didn't appear until Book Two, though, and Hawk not until Four, so it took Parker a little while to get a real handle on what he had.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:58 AM (omVj0)
373
Crossing the beams a bit, Patrick O'Brian's short stories are vastly different than later writing. Dark, dark stuff, Brit Goth, I would call it.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025 11:57 AM (XeU6L)
-----------
Haven't read his short stories, but his earlier noviels "The Golden Ocean" and "The Unknown Shore" (both based on Anson's voyage around the world) are great reading. And he did the English translation of "Papillon."
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025 11:57 AM (XeU6L)
-----------
Haven't read his short stories, but his earlier noviels "The Golden Ocean" and "The Unknown Shore" (both based on Anson's voyage around the world) are great reading. And he did the English translation of "Papillon."
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at August 10, 2025 11:59 AM (WvZaB)
374
Weasel, once again, thanks for doing heroic duty on the Book Thread!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 11:59 AM (omVj0)
375
Jack Reacher should have been Wenda's brother not Tom Cruise.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 11:33 AM (viF8m)
Yeah. Casting Cruise is sort of like casting Caillou as Reacher.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 10, 2025 11:33 AM (viF8m)
Yeah. Casting Cruise is sort of like casting Caillou as Reacher.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 12:00 PM (0eaVi)
376
Mark Twain tears Cooper a new one over it. And the 1993 movie was based mainly on the earlier movie.
Posted by: Captain Obvious
---------
A lot of extras during the filming were walking around town, Mohawk haircuts.
Posted by: Captain Obvious
---------
A lot of extras during the filming were walking around town, Mohawk haircuts.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 10, 2025 12:00 PM (XeU6L)
377
Thanks Weasel!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 10, 2025 12:01 PM (kpS4V)
378
WE HAZ A NOOD
Posted by: Skip at August 10, 2025 12:01 PM (+qU29)
379
Off to do some chores. Miss Linda says, "You don't live on a farm!" I say, "But I have livestock: furry feline hogs to slop and clean up after."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 10, 2025 12:02 PM (omVj0)
380
OK everyone! Thanks for stopping by and spending your time hanging out for a while. Have a good rest of your day!
Posted by: Weasel at August 10, 2025 11:39 AM (cmI4M)
Now wait a minnit, Weasel. The book thread isn't over until WE say it's over!!!!
Posted by: Weasel at August 10, 2025 11:39 AM (cmI4M)
Now wait a minnit, Weasel. The book thread isn't over until WE say it's over!!!!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 10, 2025 12:03 PM (0eaVi)
381
354 ... "If you want to see someone who REALLY can't take Natty Bumpo seriously, find a copy of Mark Twain's essay "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses." Do not attempt to drink anything during the reading of that essay; none of it will get to your stomach -- anything you try to drink will fly out of your nose and drench the rest of the room. That ain't hyperbole."
This is very true, perhaps understated. The first time I read it was in a college library. I'm sure my laughing disturbed others but they were probably too afraid to approach the hysterical maniac to complain.
This is very true, perhaps understated. The first time I read it was in a college library. I'm sure my laughing disturbed others but they were probably too afraid to approach the hysterical maniac to complain.
Posted by: JTB at August 10, 2025 12:05 PM (yTvNw)
382
I was pretty sure that Weasel would pick up the book thread, you see: Reading is Fundamental!
Posted by: scottst at August 10, 2025 12:08 PM (qcvs8)
383
https://www.alibris.com/booksearch.detail?invid=17137092766
Posted by: scottst at August 10, 2025 12:08 PM (qcvs8)
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