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catamount
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« Reply #285 on: June 11, 2012, 08:33:13 PM » |
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Right now I'm reading F. Paul Wilson's The Keep (Nazi vs...eldritch things? I'm not yet sure what the mysterious big bad is) and Scalzi's Redshirts, which is a must for any Trekkie or anyone who just watched a lot of it back in the day. Esp TOS or TNG.
Let's here your thoughts after your done. I love The Keep as it stands alone, but absolutely cannot stand the extended cycle Wilson wrote it into. Wilson wrote sequels to The Keep? I'm intrigued. Yeah, it's listed as book one of the X cycle. I'm not recalling the name offhand (Adversary?). But The Keep was the only one recommended to me so I'll probably stop there (so many things to read!). So far I'm finding it gripping. Much preferring it to Stross (shame face). Also just picked up The Weird because people keep raving to me about it and I don't already have enough to read.   Yup. It is called the Adversary Cycle. Wilson tried to build a whole Mythos-style universe around the Keep. And I just don't care for it. For me it's OTT. Check it out here. Warning, spoilers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adversary_CycleThe Repairman Jack novels are pretty hit or miss, I've really liked a few of them, they all fit into the Adversary Cycle, in that like Lovecraft, objects, people and names keep popping up, overall all of his novels fit into a Mythos type of universe Wilson calls "The Secret History of the World." The issue I have with Wilson is the consistency of his writing. Wilson wrote a Lovecraft inspired short story called "The Barrens" which takes place in the New Jersey Pine Barrens which I liked. Worth checking out. |
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'Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.'
Robert E. Howard, "The Tower of the Elephant"
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T. Kelly Lee
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« Reply #286 on: June 12, 2012, 08:22:06 AM » |
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The Repairman Jack novels are pretty hit or miss, I've really liked a few of them, they all fit into the Adversary Cycle, in that like Lovecraft, objects, people and names keep popping up, overall all of his novels fit into a Mythos type of universe Wilson calls "The Secret History of the World." The issue I have with Wilson is the consistency of his writing. Wilson wrote a Lovecraft inspired short story called "The Barrens" which takes place in the New Jersey Pine Barrens which I liked. Worth checking out.
The Barrens is in, I believe, Cthulhu 2000. And it really is one of the best post HPL Mythos-inspired stories. It freaked me the hell out and I get a tingle every time I re-read it. Good stuff. The Repairman Jack stories, though, leave me feeling the same way I do with the Dresden Files. Amazing concept but pretty poor execution. It just never quite clicks for me. |
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Ruth - CthulhuChick
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« Reply #287 on: June 12, 2012, 06:21:08 PM » |
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The Repairman Jack novels are pretty hit or miss, I've really liked a few of them, they all fit into the Adversary Cycle, in that like Lovecraft, objects, people and names keep popping up, overall all of his novels fit into a Mythos type of universe Wilson calls "The Secret History of the World." The issue I have with Wilson is the consistency of his writing. Wilson wrote a Lovecraft inspired short story called "The Barrens" which takes place in the New Jersey Pine Barrens which I liked. Worth checking out.
The Barrens is in, I believe, Cthulhu 2000. And it really is one of the best post HPL Mythos-inspired stories. It freaked me the hell out and I get a tingle every time I re-read it. Good stuff. That was one of the the only stories I liked in that collection. Not nearly my fave mythos story, but I liked. |
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Newton Applefig
Blissfully Ignorant
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« Reply #288 on: June 12, 2012, 07:28:17 PM » |
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Infantry Tactics by Rommel
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Inner Prop
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« Reply #289 on: June 13, 2012, 07:22:32 AM » |
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Newton you mangnificent bastard, you read his book!
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Bob Lovecraft
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« Reply #290 on: June 13, 2012, 08:09:57 AM » |
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Newton you mangnificent bastard, you read his book!
LOL! Now go smack a sick guy in the head, Newton!  Bob |
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If someone ever dares you to read the Necronomicon out loud... just say no.
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Newton Applefig
Blissfully Ignorant
Posts: 26
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« Reply #291 on: June 13, 2012, 10:20:41 AM » |
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Newton you mangnificent bastard, you read his book!
LOL! Now go smack a sick guy in the head, Newton! Bob See, I knew you would make fun! You guys are awful!  |
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T. Kelly Lee
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« Reply #292 on: June 14, 2012, 10:47:20 AM » |
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Heh. I've read Panzer Greift An auf Deutsch. I just don't like to show off. Much.
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Bob Lovecraft
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« Reply #293 on: June 14, 2012, 02:51:19 PM » |
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Newton you mangnificent bastard, you read his book!
LOL! Now go smack a sick guy in the head, Newton! Bob See, I knew you would make fun! You guys are awful! Nah, I'm mot making fun. I was just thrilled that I got the reference and wanted to e part of the conversation.  Bob |
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If someone ever dares you to read the Necronomicon out loud... just say no.
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Ruth - CthulhuChick
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« Reply #294 on: June 14, 2012, 09:12:31 PM » |
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Just started The Weird ...so many weird tales. Lots to read.
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Inner Prop
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« Reply #295 on: June 15, 2012, 11:11:08 AM » |
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Newton you mangnificent bastard, you read his book!
LOL! Now go smack a sick guy in the head, Newton! Bob See, I knew you would make fun! You guys are awful! Nah, I'm mot making fun. I was just thrilled that I got the reference and wanted to e part of the conversation. Bob I wasn’t making fun either. I’m impressed in fact. I wouldn’t recommend slapping a soldier. I was going to say that he wasn’t sick, but I guess PTSD is a kind of “sick.” |
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Newton Applefig
Blissfully Ignorant
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« Reply #296 on: June 15, 2012, 11:36:07 AM » |
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Newton you mangnificent bastard, you read his book!
LOL! Now go smack a sick guy in the head, Newton! Bob See, I knew you would make fun! You guys are awful! Nah, I'm mot making fun. I was just thrilled that I got the reference and wanted to e part of the conversation. Bob And I wasn't offended, response and picture were intended as humorous in response to humorous posts. Hence the "comical" weepy face. Should have added "just kidding" below. Although I should add slapping veterans with PTSD in the face is definitely on my list of "things NOT to do". Actually I figured listing that book might give people the wrong impression It was sort of impulsive to put it up. Just to be clear too, I'm only reading it to improve my skill at RTS games. It probably won't help, but it was in the bargain bin. I think this is the first military strategy guide I've ever read. I even got the title wrong, it's Infantry Attacks, not Infantry Tactics. Any real world violence or military activity in my line of sight and my face looks very close to the picture. And THAT is no joke... |
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T. Kelly Lee
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« Reply #297 on: June 15, 2012, 12:13:21 PM » |
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I've read a lot of military tactical texts as well, and I'm basically a commie pinko pacifist. I'm interested in human psychology and military tactics are a key window into how people think. I actually have a tremendous respect for Rommell - because he was not so much a genius at tactics, but he understand two key things: 1) wars are won not by winning battles, but by logistics and 2) the 'enemy' is just you looking at yourself in the mirror.
I come from a military family - though I'm a peacemonger, myself. One of soldiering ancestors once wrote: compassion is always due an enraged imbecile. Every good general understands that, whether he's leading an army or a corporations. The cool hand wins.
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Inner Prop
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« Reply #298 on: June 15, 2012, 11:47:22 PM » |
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I must recommend Art of War by Sun Tzu here (there is a downloadable version at the link for free). If you have to read only one book on military thinking that would be THE one. I should probably read it again. |
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Higgledy
Blissfully Ignorant
Posts: 8
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« Reply #299 on: June 16, 2012, 04:43:33 AM » |
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I recently read The Ruins by Scott Smith after enjoying the film (much to my amazement.) That guy is way too good at psychological horror. I couldn't stop reading but I don't think I ever want to read a book like that again.
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Herald of Piggledy 'Destroyer of Worlds.'
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