Boots and Sabers - The blogging will continue until morale improves...

Thursday, January 01, 2004

Red Storm Rising

Author: Tom Clancy

IMHO, Tom Clancy has really fallen off since the Cold War ended. It’s just a lot more fun to read about kicking Commie ass than drug dealers, terrorists, etc.

Red Storm Rising is Clancy’s stab at World War III. The Soviets need oil, but don’t dare invade the Middle East without first neutralizing NATO forces in Europe. So, the Soviets invade, and WWIII is on. Looking back at it, the Reds wouldn’t have done nearly as well in real life as they did in the novel, but the good guys still win in the end.

Red Storm Rising was originally published in the mid-80s, so it is a little dated, but it’s still my favorite Clancy novel.

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Posted by Jed at 0003 hrs
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Dune

Author: Frank Herbert

This is one of the classic science fiction novels. Science fiction is a genre that can be very good that takes the reader into another universe, and it can be butchered. This is one of the best of the best. All of the Dune novels are good, but the original is the best.

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Posted by Owen at 0003 hrs
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Starship Troopers

Author: Robert A. Heinlein

When Heinlein originally published Starship Troopers, it was a very controversial book. The book follows a young man through training and combat as a soldier in the Mobile Infantry.

The book was very controversial because it featured a militaristic society where citizenship was not inherent, but had to be earned. Along with citizenship came great responsibility, and the book was not so subtly critical of those who seek to enjoy the benefits of citizenship both without earning them and without accepting the accompanying responsibility.

Though the society featured in the book seems far fetched and radical, the ideas espoused by the society do challenge the reader to think about the nature of citizenship and the citizens role in society.

The book is like the movie of the same name in that they are both fiction, but that’s about it. Watch the movie to ogle over the awesome rifles and prodigious use of tactical nuclear weapons. Read the book to enjoy a good story.

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Posted by Jed at 0002 hrs
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Les Miserables

Author: Victor Hugo

I fell in love with this story after my wife took me to the musical (which is fantastic). It traces the trials of Jean ValJean as he is released from a French Prison, only to find himself captive to his past. He jumps parole and leads a good life until the past catches up to him in the form of the policeman, Javert. This is a truly fantastic tale. Hugo does tend to go off on tangents where he rants about the various parts of the French government or French society that piss him off, but he meanders back to the story eventually. Hey, who among us could place a story in France and not rant a little?

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Posted by Owen at 0002 hrs
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The Chronicles of Narnia

Author: C. S. Lewis

I was first given this work by my best friend, who now lives in England. I was about 8 or 9 years old and he gave me the series on tape. As any 9 year old would do, I grudgingly opened the gift and moved on. Several weeks later, I got bored and popped in the first tape. I listened to those tapes a thousand times and read the books a thousand more.

The Chronicles of Narnia follows the history of the country of Narnia, from its birth from Aslan the lion’s long song to its final death. Each of the seven books is filled with talking animals, fauns, witches, battles, strange cities, magic, and everything else that a child could want. Some say that this is an allegorical tale of Christianity. Although I see why many would say that, I think it is more a normal fantasy story with Christian themes.

I am currently reading this to my eldest daughter. The books are as good now as they were then. I have trouble waiting until the next day before reading the next chapter. Get a good set for yourself or give them as a gift. You will enrich a child’s life.

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Posted by Owen at 0001 hrs
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