Books, Music, Films

<body BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#000000" LINK="#1010A0"> <P ALIGN=CENTER> <IMG SRC=big_review.jpg ALT="Profile"> </P> <H1 ALIGN=CENTER>Reviews</H1> <hr width=50% size=2 noshade> <h2 align=center>Books I've read</h2> <table width=90% align=center><tr><h3 align=left width=90%>Science Fiction</h3></tr></table> <br> <table width=90% align=center><tr><td nowrap><b>About the authors</b></td></tr> <tr><td valign=top>Iain M. Banks</td><td>My favourite Sci-Fi writer. "Look to Windward" was responsible for me starting to read books again after gap of not reading anything for about 10 years. Seriously - I was browsing the book section in Reading train station, looking for something to read and picked it up not knowing anything about him. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put the thing down. Since then I've read every Sci-Fi book he's written and am busy working my way through his "normal" fiction (if you can call it that). Not only that, but it's really spurred me on to read a range of books from other authors. His writing style is amazing, the vocabulary is rich and almost poetic in it's application. His works are Space Opera of the highest order - and I'm not talking "soap" opera. </td></tr> <tr><td valign=top>John Barnes</td><td>The scope and "feel" of John Barnes' books are similar to Iain M. Banks, which is why I like them, but his use of language is far less rich and seems somewhat simple at times. He concentrates on issues of social conflict amongst differing cultures in his "Thousand Cultures" novels and explores the consequences of intolerance and prejudice. </td></tr> </table> <br> <table cellpadding=5 width=90% border=1 align=center> <tr><th>Author</th><th>Title</th><th align=left>Description</th></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Douglas Adams</td><td nowrap>The Hitchhickers Guide to the Galaxy</td> <td>This is a classic and should be on everyone's list of books to read before you die. This isn't strictly speaking Science Fiction, but more comedic fantasy, but it does have lots of aliens, spaceships and robots (well, one very depressed robot). The sheer twisted whit of Douglas Adams is just brilliant, though I have to say - it's been a long time since I read it and the passage of time may have dulled it's comic genius somewhat for those coming to it for the first time. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Douglas Adams</td><td nowrap>The Restaurant at the End of the Universe</td> <td> A continuation of the billiant whit to be found in the "Hitchhickers Guide to the Galaxy (see above). </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Douglas Adams</td><td nowrap>Life, the Universe and Everything</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Douglas Adams</td><td nowrap>So long, and Thanks For All the Fish</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Douglas Adams</td><td nowrap>Mostly Harmless</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>Consider Phlebas</td> <td>The first in the "Culture" novels. If you like action movies, you might like this. It is a non-stop, action-packed roller-coaster ride across the Galaxy. The main character is a shape-changer who has to retrieve a ship "Mind" from a remote planet while dodging repeated directed and accidental attempts on his life. A little lacking in plot substance - but it makes up for it in thrills. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>The Player of Games</td> <td></td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>The State of the Art</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>Against a dark background</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>Feersum Endjinn</td> <td>I found this a struggle to read in places due to the long passages that are written phonetically to try and convey the thick accent of the intelectually "thick" main character - which also explains the odd spelling of the title. That asside, it is an excellent tale of lost ancient artifacts saving the skins of the current population, who otherwise seem hell-bent on their own destruction. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>Excession</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>Inversions</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>Look to Windward</td> <td>This was actually the first novel by Ian M. Banks that I read, and what an introduction! A Chelgrian war hero from long ago is sent to avenge a war crime by destroying one of the Culture's vast Orbitals. A psychological thriller of the highest order with an amazing twist at the end. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>The Algebraist</td> <td>Another rip-roaring space Opera from my favourite author. Dives into the secretive lives of gas-giant planet dwellers to uncover some fantastic secrets. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian M. Banks</td><td nowrap>Matter</td> <td>The latest in the Culture series. A battle provides the cover for a crime that sparks a journey across the galaxy to seek help from a sibling. They return to what at first appears like a scurmish on a remote "Shell World", but turns out to have galaxy-shattering significance. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>John Barnes</td><td nowrap>A Million Open Doors</td> <td>First of the "Thousand Cultures" series. The story of how isolated human settalments dispersed accross the galaxy are sudenly all turned into near heighbours by the invention of the teleport (called a "springer" in the book). </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>John Barnes</td><td nowrap>Earth Made of Glass</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>John Barnes</td><td nowrap>The Merchants of Souls</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>John Barnes</td><td nowrap>In the Hall of the Martian King</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ray Bradbury</td><td nowrap>The Martian Chronicles</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ray Bradbury</td><td nowrap>Farenheit 451</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Orson Scott Card</td><td nowrap>Enders Game</td> <td> Just brilliant. The concept is simple, but mind blowing. I admit I had strong idea of what the twist was before it was revealed, but that didn't spoil it for me when the revelation came. This is the first book in the Ender series and while each stands on it's own, there is a certain amount assumed from one novel to the next. Read this one first. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Orson Scott Card</td><td nowrap>Speaker for the Dead</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Orson Scott Card</td><td nowrap>Xenocide</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Philip K. Dick</td><td nowrap>Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Philip K. Dick</td><td nowrap>The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Philip K. Dick</td><td nowrap>Cantata - 140</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Peter F. Hamilton</td><td nowrap>The Reality Dysfunction</td> <td>First book of the "Night's Dawn" trilogy. This is hard work - it's 1220 (!) pages long and about half way through I almost gave up. The author was billed as being "Britain's No.1 Science Fiction Writer", so I just had to read it to see if he could live up to my hero Mr. Banks. He comes close - damn close, but I only came to this conclusion once I'd forced myself to slog through the entire book. The problem is that there are about 3 or 4 seperate threads to the story line, but each is treated with as much depth as if each one was in a novel of it's own. About 2/3 the way through the book, all these threads start getting woven together and the action really starts to pick up pace. The last third of the book is non-stop action and makes up for the lengthy run-up. The story line itself is about the descent of civilisation into a gothic horror story complete with biblical references and satanic rituals. It's the first time I've seen "Omen" style horror mixed with Sci-Fi and it makes for compelling reading. I won't spoil the ending - but it's a perfect set-up to get you to buy the sequel. Not all those threads end in this book ... </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>Dune</td> <td>A tour-de-force that is a must-read for any lover of Sci-Fi. Herbert's ability to create completely believable alter-ecosystems in incredible detail is unsurpassed. Follows the rivalries and conflicts between royal families set on a desert world whose economy revolves around a drug that gives users the power to see the future. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>Dune Messiah</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>Children of Dune</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>God Emperor of Dune</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>Heretics of Dune</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>Chapterhouse Dune</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>The Ascension Factor</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>The White Plague</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>Soul Catcher</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>Whipping Star</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>The Dosadi Experiment</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>The Lazarus Effect</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Frank Herbert</td><td nowrap>The Jesus Incident</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Jeff Somers</td><td nowrap>The Electric Church</td> <td>A book which borrows a lot from Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" but has a unique and fresh insight into what it is to be conscious and in control of one's destiny and the price people are willing to pay to become immortal. Particularly relevant now we seem to be on the verge of being able to extend the human life span through artificial means. Be careful what you wish for - you may get it. </td></tr> </table> <br> <table width=90% align=center><tr><h3 align=left width=90%>Fantasy</h3></tr></table> <table cellpadding=5 width=90% border=1 align=center> <tr><th>Author</th><th>Title</th><th align=left>Description</th></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Terry Pratchett</td><td nowrap>The Colour of Magic</td> <td>The First "Discworld" book. A hillarious romp through a fantastic land rotating on the back of a giant turtle. It follows the adventures of an incompetant wizard, a tourist and the star of the show: His sentient luggage. A must-read. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Terry Pratchett</td><td nowrap>Truckers</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Terry Pratchett</td><td nowrap>The Light Fantastic</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Terry Pratchett</td><td nowrap>Men at Arms</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Terry Pratchett</td><td nowrap>Wintersmith</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Terry Pratchett</td><td nowrap>The Wee Free Men</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Terry Pratchett</td><td nowrap>A Hat Full of Sky</td> <td> </td></tr> </table> <br> <table width=90% align=center><tr><h3 align=left width=90%>Fiction</h3></tr></table> <table cellpadding=5 width=90% border=1 align=center> <tr><th>Author</th><th>Title</th><th align=left>Description</th></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian Banks</td><td nowrap>The Wasp Factory</td> <td>The author's first novel which one him critical acclaim. This book has a raw, brutal energy which is sometimes shocking, but compels you to read more at the same time. It follows the life of Frank Cauldhame a psychopathic teenager who seems to take delight in killing things - all sorts of things. It's like being inside his mind. Chilling, but fascinating. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian Banks</td><td nowrap>The Bridge</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian Banks</td><td nowrap>Canal Dreams</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian Banks</td><td nowrap>The Crow Road</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Ian Banks</td><td nowrap>Dead Air</td> <td> </td></tr> </table> <br> <table width=90% align=center><tr><h3 align=left width=90%>Non-Fiction</h3></tr></table> <table cellpadding=5 width=90% border=1 align=center> <tr><th>Author</th><th>Title</th><th align=left>Description</th></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Sir Bernard Lovell</td><td nowrap>Voice of the Universe</td> <td>The history of the building of the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope which held the title of largest steerable radio telescope for many years and is still in third place. Of special interst to me is the picture of my father William Young with Pricess Margaret and Sir Bernard. My father was part of the Space Technology Laboratories team sent over from the United States to use the telescope for space probe tracking. The money that the Americans paid to use the telescope helped to keep the project going. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>David Kushner</td><td nowrap>Masters of Doom</td> <td>For anyone playing computer games in the early 1990s or who just wants to know how the PC games industry started, this is must read. The "Masters" are - of course - John Carmack and John Romero, the foundres of ID Software, who brought us titles like "Doom" and "Quake". </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Michael Rubin</td><td nowrap>Droid Makers</td> <td>This is a fine book charting the birth of the modern cinematic special effects industry from it's roots in the films created by George Lucas and Francis Ford Copolla. </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Alan W. Hirshfield</td><td nowrap>Parallax</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Dava Sobel</td><td nowrap>Longitude</td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td nowrap>Benny Morris</td><td nowrap>Righteous Victims</td> <td>If you want some real answers as to why the Middle East is in such a mess, look no further than this book. This is not light reading. It's a fairly dry history book, but goes into great, un-biased detail about the history and foundations of the Arab/Isreali conflict. I didn't finish it, but only because the book is chronological and once I'd read up to the Suez crisis, I felt I'd read enough and the rest I could actually remember first hand (yes, I'm that old). The conclusion I came to was that - not surprisingly - both sides are to blame in more-or-less equal measure. The other "take away" was that mutual mis-trust goes so far back into history, that unless a miracle happens, I can see both sides being at each other's throats for a very, very long time to come. </td></tr> </table> <br> <hr width=50% size=2 noshade> <h2 align=center>Music I like</h2> <table width=90% align=center cellpadding=5> <tr><td colspan=2> My favourite artist at the moment is KT Tunstall. She is a very talented singer / songwriter who spent many years busking on Scottish streets before she was discovered. If you want to see an example of her talents, just watch these.... </td></tr> <tr><td colspan=2> The first one is from when she was "discovered" on a UK TV program called "Later, with Jools Holland"<br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7XIQ_6J2do">Black Horse and the Cherry tree</a><br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa8zN4ElAFM">Stoppin' the love</a><br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ8oLP_VQPc">Miniature Disasters</a><br> That's right ... she's playing <b>*ALL*</b> the "instruments" - a one-woman band!. </td></tr> <tr><td colspan=2> She now has a proper band complete with backing singers. Here's a recent music video ...<br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wFeu8eZgHs">Hold On</a> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan=2>She has released three albums to date:</td></tr> <tr><td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eye-Telescope-KT-Tunstall/dp/B000DN5VJY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211069344&sr=1-2">Eye to the Telescope</a></td> <td>The album that propelled her to stardom.</td></tr> <tr><td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Drastic-Fantastic-KT-Tunstall/dp/B000RLIYZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211069344&sr=1-1">Drastic Fantastic</a></td> <td>The follow-up album. A little more "pop" and commercial than Eye to the Telescope, but still good.</td></tr> <tr><td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/KT-Tunstalls-Acoustic-Extravaganza-Tunstall/dp/B000IU3XX8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211069344&sr=1-3">Acoustic Extravaganza</a></td> <td>Recorded in a remote house in Scotland in 2 days, KT goes back to here acoustic roots.</td></tr> </table> <br> <hr width=50% size=2 noshade> <h2 align=center>Movies</h2> <hr width=50% size=2 noshade> <p align=center> <A HREF=index.htm><IMG SRC=small_back.jpg align=center BORDER=0 ALT="Back to index page" width=57 height=60></A> <A HREF=index.htm>Back to the ganimede home page...</A> </p> <table align=center> <tr> <td><A HREF=ganimede.htm> <IMG SRC=small_gan.jpg align=center BORDER=0 ALT="Ganimede page" width=57 height=60></A></td> <td><A HREF=profile.htm> <IMG SRC=small_prof.jpg align=center BORDER=0 ALT="About me" width=57 height=60></A></td> <td><A HREF=reviews.htm> <IMG SRC=small_q.jpg align=center BORDER=0 ALT="Books, music, film" width=57 height=60></A></td> </tr> <tr> <td><A HREF=cgi.htm> <IMG SRC=small_ball.jpg align=center BORDER=0 ALT="Computer Graphics page" width=57 height=60></A></td> <td><A HREF=ballooning.htm><IMG SRC=small_bbac.jpg align=center BORDER=0 ALT="Hot Air Ballooning" width=57 height=60></A></td> <td><A HREF=gaming.htm> <IMG SRC=small_target.jpg align=center BORDER=0 ALT="Gaming" width=57 height=60></A></td> </tr> <tr> <td><A HREF=cat7.htm> <IMG SRC=small_7_logo.jpg align=center BORDER=0 ALT="My dream car" width=57 height=60></A></td> <td><A HREF=mars.htm> <IMG SRC=small_mars.jpg align=center BORDER=0 ALT="Mars page" width=57 height=60></A></td> <td><A HREF=tesla.htm> <IMG SRC=tesla_ball.gif align=center BORDER=0 ALT="Tesla Coils" width=57 height=60></A></td> </tr> </table> <hr width=50% size=2 noshade> <p ALIGN=CENTER> Maintenance of these pages is attempted by <A HREF=mailto:webmaster@ganimede.demon.co.uk><i>webmaster@ganimede.demon.co.uk</i> </p> </A> </body>