Customer Reviews:
I am a history buff and I also liked these books.......2006-07-27
These books are good, even if you are really interested in historical accuracy. The great thing about them is they can really inspire one to do their own research and learn themselves about what was going on during that time. The interactions between the characters and famous historical figures aren't factual, of course, but the major events are accurate. These books really inspired me to do my own research and to visit the cities that the characters inhabit. I really enjoyed reading them, so if you love history, don't let the fiction aspect scare you away, it often serves as a fun backdrop in which real learning can take place.
A MUST READ, MUST BUY!.......2003-05-26
I have only recently been introduced to Bodie Thoene, but I became an instant fan with Vienna Prelude. Some of the twists in the book had my mouth dropping open. In the world of espionage, you don't know who to trust and who not to--these books brought that alive. They are written about a time before even my parents were born, and it's mouth-droolingly interesting to see what could have happened in this totally foreign world. I've never read anything like these and am in the process of buying all of Thoene's books. I'm even buying for my mother and telling everyone else about them. OUTSTANDING READ!
Must Read.......2002-08-22
Vienna Prelude is the first book in an amazing series. The characters are intriguing and Thoene's ability to show the struggle of the Jewish resistance in pre-WWII Europe is incredible.
Am I the only one to criticize these books?.......2002-01-18
I'll say that the books are interesting. They definitely have that in their favor. However, I have just finished reading some of the other online reviews for the Zion Covenant Series, and it seems that everyone loved them instantly, without finding anything to criticize about them. Well, I'll give you a more critical opinion to help guide you in your book purchases:
If you DON'T care for books in which....
1. ...the characters are very stereotypical;
2. ...the authors take great liberties with the thoughts, words, and actions of actual historical figures and make them say and do things that you know they never did, or would have done;
3. ...the main characters are great pals with the actual historical figures, and are rich, are beautiful, are witty- in short, have absolutely everything they need to accomplish the story and aren't very believable;
4. ...the plot isn't believable;
Then, these books might not be just right for you.
Yes, the books are very interesting. The plots aren't very believable, but they are interesting. The history contained in them is written well, and the books are worth reading for that alone. Unfortunately, these books are more of the same historical fiction in which overall unbelievability prevails, and that spoiled the books for me. Now, if you are not picky about having great people in history meddled with (for example, at one point in the third book Winston Churchill gets involved in a plot to kidnap the heroine, because she would be so exceedingly valuable as a spy for the Allies), and you don't worry about the other points in my list either, then you probably will like the books. For reading for amusement, they are fine. But if you want really great historical fiction, I wouldn't suggest the Zion Covenant.
I love these books!.......2001-10-16
If you start reading this series, you will not be able to put the books down! Against the backdrop of pre-WWII Europe, the Thoenes create characters that are true to life, and that you can't help but root for -- or against. These books are incredibly well-researched and well written, and a great investment of your time and money. You won't be disappointed!
Book Description
ECPA Gold Medallion Award winner!
Opening in 1936, the Zion Covenant series tells the courageous and compelling stories of those who risk everything to stand against the growing tide of Nazi terrorism that is sweeping through central Europe under the dangerous and deceitful guise of Hitler's Third Reich. A new study guide is included in each book.
Customer Reviews:
Well researched and well written.......2007-08-20
Elisa Lindheim is young, beautiful, and gifted. The oldest child of retired Luftwaffe officer Theo Lindheim has grown up in Berlin, enjoying the privileges of her father's heroic World War I reputation and of his financial success as owner of Lindheim's Department Store. The shadows cast by Hitler's rise to power are darkening her life, though, in 1936. Estranged from her lifelong love and former fiance who's chosen to give her up on orders from his military superiors, Elisa lives in her Gentile mother's native Vienna and calls herself Elisa Linder. She plays in the opera house's first violin section, and - like so many other Jewish or part-Jewish Germans and Austrians - refuses to believe that things will continue to get worse. Any day now, the German military will have had enough of the mad paper hanger; and after that, life will be normal again.
Of course that's not what happens during the year that follows. As Theo Lindheim moves to get his family to safety, but fails to get himself out of Germany successfully, history in the making catches up with Elisa and forces her to make choices she never imagined anyone might have to face.
This is that rare book, a "faith based" novel that's worth any reader's attention. Well researched and well written, VIENNA PRELUDE moves along at a steady clip and then races to a suitably tense climax. The authors understand what far too many writers (especially of faith based fiction) don't "get" at all: that characters' actions must flow from who they are, not from what the book's chosen theme requires them to do. While the coincidences that keep parting and reuniting Elisa and American journalist John Murphy become strained from overuse, somewhere in the tale's second half, and a few of the characters' lines of dialog sound more like a sermon than an individual's words in conversation, the overall effect is just what it should be. The reader quickly becomes invested in knowing what will happen to Elisa and the others, and the triumph of their faith is all the more real because of the struggles that living it costs them. I expect to read more in this series, and that's the best compliment one can pay to any author.
Moving, Thought Provoking.......2007-06-07
A beautiful story, wonderfully written and a pleasure to read. You won't be able to put it down!
Bodie Thoene is awesome.......2007-02-10
Bodie is an excellent writer. She makes the past come alive; she makes history have heart and soul, she gives facts and events faces, names and personalities. She has the ability to transport me in time and I love traveling with her.
Amazing!.......2005-09-21
I just purchased this series because after 10 years, 3 more books have been added to the series. So I just read Vienna Prelude again for probably the 4th time. It is as great as it was the 1st time. The story is beautiful, you fall in love with the characters. You really have to read the Zion Chronicles and the Zion Legacy which continues the saga!
What a great book!!.......2005-08-02
What a great author!! I couldn't put this book down and then read all the other ones in the series. It really brings the realities of pre-WWII to life. The characters are extremely well-developed and you can't wait for the next book so you can see what they're up to. Don't miss reading this great book and great series.
Customer Reviews:
only part of the story.......2005-02-14
Over the last couple of years, using Amazon reviewers as my guides, I've read more than 25 presidential biographies. Usually, I've been able to find at least one thorough and well written biography. I looked forward to McCormac's two volume biography of James Polk. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. Written in 1922 and described as a political biography, its style is certainly passe. McCormac is concerned only with Polk the politician. Although he presents this side of Polk's life very thoroughly, the rest of the story is ignored. His wife who was a strong influence in his life merits only two sentences. Although Polk owned many slaves, this is mentioned only in passing. I never learned if he had children. A modern biographer would certainly blend his private life into the narrative in an effort to understand the man more thoroughly.
Polk does emerge as one of our best presidents - certainly in the nearly great category. He set four goals - completing the annexation of Texas (and California), satisfactorily resolving the Oregon border dispute with England while avoiding war, lowering the tariff, and establishing a sub treasury rather than a national bank. He accomplished each goal despite severe opposition from the Whigs and members of his own party. He was a skilled and patient negotiator who used his cabinet well but who also kept his own counsel. A fifth unstated goal was to avoid letting the slavery question overwhelm the above issues. Polk managed to do this, but by the end of his presidency it is clear the issue could no longer be avoided.
I can't recommend this biography, and unfortunately I don't know of any other biographies of Polk that consider the whole man and are presented in sufficient detail. McCormac's writing is often tedious. Only Secretary of State's James Buchanan`s constant backstabbing combined with his timid backing down and and Nicholas Triste (Polk's negotiator with the Mexican government) mad-hatter style of negotiation manage to add any levity to the book. Considering Polk's successful administration, he deserves to have a Remini or McCollough tackle his story.
The best on Polk I've ever read!.......1999-05-30
For years I've been convinced that James K. Polk was one of our country's most effective presidents and most successful. After reading the two volumes by Eugene I. McCormac, I'm more convinced than ever. I rank Polk as one of the top six (6) presidents this country has ever had. He stated what he wanted emphatically, he fought hard to get them accomplished and in the long run, they were good for the country. It's so sad that his accomplishments were overshadowed by the pending slavery question and his own lack of charisma. Yet, he was great and I rank him along with Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln & Truman. Others would disagree I'm sure, but I believe I'm right. Thanks, McCormac, for such two fine volumes on such a great statesman. Peahillfm@aol.com
Average customer rating:
- Prelude to Glory Volume 5 A Cold Bleak Hill
- By The Dawn's Early Light
- A Cold Bleak Hill
- A Cold Bleak Hill
|
Prelude to Glory Volume 5 A Cold Bleak Hill (Prelude to Glory) (Carter, Ron, Prelude to Glory, V. 5.)
Ron Carter
Manufacturer: Bookcraft
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1573459569 |
Customer Reviews:
Prelude to Glory Volume 5 A Cold Bleak Hill .......2007-06-12
Book follows alone with the trials & tribulations of the original people as it moves through the American Revolution
By The Dawn's Early Light.......2006-07-24
I am almost to the end of the last volume of the series. I have so come to appreciate the great sacrifice that our forefathers made to make and keep our country free. My heart was pained and I was brought to tears at the unbelievable things they had to suffer in their battle for independence. The 4th of July has a much deeper meaning for me now. I very much appreciated all the research done by the author to produce such a well written series. I have them all and they are prized.
A Cold Bleak Hill.......2002-01-23
This book is extremely moving and intense. I have gained a great appreciation for the selfless acts and unyeilding faith that our forefathers had. I have learned a great deal about the history of the Revolutionary War as the author has creatively woven in fictional characters and yet accurately described events and locations that are a part of this nations history. I have read the entire series and cannot wait for the next one to be published.
A Cold Bleak Hill.......2001-11-12
This story of our American Revalutionary War, is told so vividly that the reader feels like they are there, experiencing it with the people at that time. It covers the period when George Washington and his troops were at Valley Forge. It is at the same calaber as the rest of this series; "Prelude to Glory". I highly recommend this book to all DAR members.
Book Description
The fate of Polish Jews under the German occupation has been well documented, but not as much is known about the wartime ordeal of non-Jewish Poles. Phillip Rutherford investigates Nazi policies of "ethnic cleansing" to reveal the striking anti-Polish nature of the crusade to Germanize newly occupied territory and to show that these actions were a dress rehearsal for the Holocaust.
Rutherford explores the origin and implementation of Nazi resettlement schemes in occupied western Poland, where Germany sought to reclaim territory for its expanding population by booting out the "ethnically inferior" Poles who had lived there for generations. Focusing on the Wartheland region, he examines four major deportation operations carried out between December 1939 and March 1941, including the day-to-day logistics and actions overseen by the powerful German Central Emigration Office.
Drawing on both German archival and Polish-language sources, Rutherford considers a subject often marginalized by historians, but one that underscores the crucial relationship between the Nazis' early anti-Polish actions and their later annihilation of the Jews. He shows in detail when, where, and how the Nazis' operations evolved into a highly efficient "science" of human roundups, expropriated property, and human cargo shipments en masse.
Ultimately, the need for forced labor drove the Nazis to deport fewer Poles than they had planned. In light of the unresolved tensions between racial ideology and economic necessity, Rutherford makes a convincing argument that Nazi deportation policy vis-à-vis the Poles underwent a steady deradicalization. He concludes that, while the concept of cumulative radicalization seems to lead inevitably to the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question," it falls short of explaining all Nazi racial policies.
Nevertheless, what the Nazis learned about the logistics of deportation at the expense of the non-Jewish population of western Poland was eventually put to horrific use in the mass murder of European Jewry. Without it, it's unlikely that the Holocaust would have proceeded as swiftly as it did. From that perspective, Prelude to the Final Solution provides a chilling portrait of the Nazis' training for genocide.
This book is part of the Modern War Studies series.
Customer Reviews:
The Radicalization and De-Radicalization of Nazi Polices Against Jews and Poles.......2007-06-15
The main subject of this book is the once mixed German-Polish population of Wartheland (near Poznan, or Posen). Rutherford observes a close continuity between the Second-Reich's (Bismarck, von Bulow, etc.) anti-Polish policies and those of the Third Reich. He views the Hakata movement as a proto-Nazi one (p. 25). However, the Poles remained indomitable: "Far from eradicating Polish national consciousness and cultural autonomy, Germany's long-standing anti-Polish stance, laced with Teutonic hubris and ethnocentric nationalism, had only reinforced the Poles' desire to shake the foreign yoke and reestablish a state of their own." (p. 32).
For all his racism, Hitler said that he preferred to rule over Negroes than Poles (p. 244). Heinrich Himmler once planned to kill 30 million Slavs as a byproduct of the upcoming Operation Barbarossa (p. 297).
During the German conquest of Poland in 1939, local Germans (the Volksdeutche Selbstschutz) attempted the expulsion of the Wartheland Poles on their own initiative (p. 74). Soon this became official German policy. Owing in part to Polish resistance, the Germans fell far short of their goals (p. 164). Poles resisted expulsion through such means as sleeping in the fields and otherwise avoiding their homes (p. 159). The threatened Poles also engaged in economic sabotage. They slaughtered their livestock and sold the meat on the black market (p. 278). If deported, they often returned (p. 279).
For the first year and a half of the German occupation, the Wartheland Poles and Jews were treated much the same (p. 124). In fact, for Himmler, the pursuit of lebensraum policies took precedence over dealing with the Jews (p. 128), and the extermination of the local Jews didn't begin until late 1941 at Chelmno (Kulm) (p. 172).
Hitler rejected the notion that ethnic Poles could ever become Germans. However, Polonized Germans could, and should, be re-Germanized. By spring 1941, the growing need of local Poles for forced labor had forced the Germans to discontinue their expulsion of the Wartheland Poles (p. 193). To rationalize the continued existence of Poles in this Reich-annexed region, the Germans were forced to relax their racist policies (pp. 207-211) over Himmler's objections (p. 210). In time, even those Wartheland Poles who simply exhibited "German characteristics" (e. g., cleanliness, sense of order, etc.) were allowed to sign the DVL (Deutsche Volksliste)! The de-Polonization of Wartheland was relegated to a decades-long postwar project (p. 203).
Owing to the foregoing turn of events, Rutherford's advanced the premise that, as WWII continued, Nazi policies against Poles became de-radicalized while those against Jews became radicalized. His reasoning is, at best, oversimplified. To begin with, and by his own admission, Hans Ehlich realized that the Nazis could not afford to lose seventy million Slavic workers by exterminating them, even had they won the war (p. 219). Consequently, they de-radicalized their policies against Slavs because they were forced by circumstances to do so!
In addition, radicalization and de-radicalization are relative terms, and Rutherford overlooks essential facts. Nazi actions against Jews never became so radicalized as to prevent some German full-blooded Jews (e. g., the Schutzjuden) from being deliberately spared and re-labeled Aryans. Never did Germany invade its reluctant allies, Bulgaria and especially Finland, to kill off their Jews. At no time did Nazi policies go as far as killing Jewish Allied POWs. Nor did Hitler ever compel Sweden or Switzerland to turn over their Jews as a condition of their continued neutrality. As for "de-radicalization", one must realize the fact that the Germans never stopped murdering Poles (notably the intelligentsia), and that Nazi cultural genocide against Poles never ceased either. In fact, German units attempted to blow up the cultural treasures of Czestochowa and Krakow in the waning hours of the German occupation of Poland.
Rutherford approvingly cites John Connelly, who asserted that, whereas the Germans came to see Slavs as useful, they never came to think of Jews in that way (pp. 219-220). This is patently incorrect. The Germans, realizing the usefulness of Jews, diverted a few hundred thousand of them from the gas chambers and into forced labor. (A large fraction of these ended up surviving the war). The successful Kastner-Eichmann deal, as well as attempts to release Jews in exchange for Allied payment in money or trucks, also proves that the Nazis saw Jews as an economic commodity.
Average customer rating:
- Excellent tie in plot items
- above average
- Uneven artwork but still worth a read.
- The New Face of 'Star Wars' comics
- Return of the Conehead
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Star Wars: Prelude to Rebellion
Various
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1569714487 |
Book Description
Ki-Adi-Mundi is a Jedi Knight of formidable strength and influence. On his homeworld of Cerea, most of the planet`s citizens are happy to continue their low-tech lives of simplicity, isolated from the Republic, but a growing voice calls for the advanced technologies brought by offworlders. When Ki becomes a strong voice of opposition for such development, he is falsely charged with murder and is swiftly drawn into a web of conspiracy and intrigue that could rock the galaxy to its foundations--a web that may have the vile crime lord Jabba the Hutt and the powerful Trade Federation at its center, setting the stage for Episode I --The Phantom Menace
Customer Reviews:
Excellent tie in plot items.......2007-01-11
This graphic novel gives insight on the geographic and socio-political makeup of Cerea as well as a glimpse into the family life of Ki-Adi-Mundi. As a bonus it hints at the first indications of the machanations that eventually lead to the Phantom Menace.
above average.......2006-02-13
Prelude to Rebellion was an ok graphic novel. The binding was very good (something I haven't said much lately) and the story and art was above average. There was only 1 problem, but it was major. It was the plot. The plot was extremely hard to follow at times, and at others it just didn't make sense. The art was worse than Outlander, but not bad either. Prelude to Rebellion is not worth the full cover price, so either buy it used, find it cheap, or just pass it by.
Uneven artwork but still worth a read........2003-07-01
This is 32.5 years before NH on my timeline Dark horse originally called this part of its Republic series. Republic series 1 through 6 was the Prelude to Rebellion TPB and takes place at -32.5 years before NH. Dark horse Republic series is now up to individual issue #58. Every 4 to issues is then made into a TPB combining the individual issues into one story. I usually wait for the TPB (don't know what it stands for). This comic is about Ki-Adi-Mundi (cone head) from the planet Cerea.
Prelude to Rebellion is the main story, and Vow of Justice follows. Prelude starts out very slow and the coloring and inks are all over the place. As for the story - It starts out like a childs Disney story. But when people start losing their heads, we know we are in the high violence world of comic books. The story slowly draws you in and I enjoyed having wadded through the beginning. It is a story about Ki the father of 9 daughters and no sons. Because on 1 child in 20 is born a boy, Ki has several wives. (Gee and Anakin couldn't even have a girl friend?). Seems Ki is having trouble with his teen age daughters, especially one who joins a rebellious group that supports technology coming to Cerea. The Cerea Council is anti-technology.
A secondary story, VOW starts when Ki is 4 years old and picks up 21 years later when he is 25 and returns from training with Yoda to seek revenge for his family.
These stories give us an personal look at Ki and his life and family. I wonder how he dies when Vader wipes them out, all of them.
This is not unusual for Darkhorse to not take the time to do a good job. It seems too bad, that the "talent" people write a story, and then the artistic people do what they are told, but then the bosses don't bother to put out a quality finished product. What I don't know is that if they took greater care and produced a higher quality product, would it sell more? Either way, understand what you get for your [money] evenly produced final product. They may have an excuse this time. The production dates on Prelude are from 1998 to 2000. Darkhorse may not have had the higher quality production techniques that became available later. But still, on the same page you have one picture of the old style, and one in the new style. Some of the art work is 2 (as in fair) but some is a 4 (as in very good). None of the artwork is a 1 (poor).
The New Face of 'Star Wars' comics.......2001-09-02
I'll start out by saying I was a huge fan of Stackpole's ongoing 'X-wing Rogue Squadron' comic series and I found the fact that it was cancelled due to low sales to be shameful. And by no means am I a fan of the New Jedi Order series, especially its beginnings. So you can see why I wasn't quite going into this with an open attitude.
In any case, this start to the new ongoing SW series its obviously different than the XWRS one. I'm pretty sure its the first Episode-I era comic, and it holds its own. It's a small-scale story, wich I tend to like, ostly based off of the planet Cerea. Its a pretty good glimpse into Ki Adi Mundi and makes him into more than a coneheaded freak. I was familiar with Strnad from the XWRS comics, and the overall writing is the same as it was in his arc there- good but not great. The art is a bit too jerky for my tastes, but it, too, holds it own overall.
One flaw I have here is that so much of it is action. The new ongoing series based on the Jedi are very different from the XWRS series in this aspect. In here you get whole pages devoted to single shots, whereas in XWRS they litereally crammed in everything they could to make it all work out and move along numerous storylines and characters.
The Jabba-Ephant Mon connection is pretty good also, and helps set up for the next piece of the Ongoing series. The main reason to read 'Prelude to Rebellion' would be to set up Ki Adi Mundi for his roles and learn more about what was once a background character. (One of the things I really do love about 'Star Wars.') The next installment, 'Outlander' is very good, so I reccomend this as a prelude to that. Not anywhere near the quality of the XWRS series, buts it just starting out. 'Outlander' points it in the right direction.
Return of the Conehead.......2001-02-19
`Prelude to Rebellion' is the first story-arc of Dark Horse's ongoing Star Wars series. This book introduces us to Jedi Knight Ki-Adi-Mundi (the conehead on the Jedi Council in `The Phantom Menace'), before he's been raised to the Council. It is an interesting story of political intrigue, corrupt Republican senators, the criminal underworld, and the trials of a Jedi. It is fairly well illustrated, and quite well written too.
In the days before The Phantom Menace, the Republic is trying to convince Ki's backwater homeworld of Cerea to become a member. The elders of the planet, including Ki, do not want this change - they like the peaceful, beautiful, idyllic nature of their world. But the youth, of course, see the fancy offworlder technology, and they want it. When Ki's daughter's boyfriend accidentally kills another, the boy goes into hiding in one of the Republic's "Outsider Citadels" on Cerea to hide from local justice. There, Ki's daughter and several of her friends are "befriended" by Ephant Mon, an associate of Jabba the Hutt, and proceed to get into even more trouble. Ki finds himself having to track down his daughter, while dealing with domestic disputes and a world that's tearing itself apart.
As I've said, the art in this comic is pretty good -- while I've seen better, I've also seen much worse. The writing and dialogue are fairly crafty and effective, and this book presents an interesting take on the Republics politics that I'd not considered before. There is a fair amount of action - hand to hand, ship to ship, and some lightsaber slaying of some stupid creatures torn out of the movie `Aliens.' Some of the scenes in this book came as close as a Star Wars comic ever has to tearjerker status (not that any has come *that* close). We get to see a little of Ki's background, we are introduced to some semi-interesting new droids, and we finally see a human, fallible Jedi. My biggest gripe about this book is that the beginning is too boring. I often have tried to re-read this comic, only to be dissuaded within a few pages by the slow moving opening. Unfortunately, this "collected edition" fails to collect the special online Issue #0, which had been promised by then-editor Peet Janes, a promise that was reneged because they didn't want to go to the trouble of reformatting it to fit the printed page. :(
In addition to the main story, we get a mini-comic entitled `Vow of Justice.' Originally included in the releases of the comics to take up some extra space, this short tells a bit about Ki's youth (which contradicts some of what we learned in the main story), and introduces us to a mysterious Jedi known only as the Dark Woman, a Jedi who we will see more of in future comics.
Overall, `Prelude to Rebellion' is a big, satisfying story. Fun to read, and introducing various ideas and concepts to the Star Wars mythos, this is a good addition to your Star Wars library. Recommended.
Book Description
Four young men come of age in a time of prophecy and war....
New York Times bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole is a recognized star of military fantasy.
The Dark Glory War is a thrilling new tale set in a world threatened by an unstoppable foe....
In the sacred season of the Moon Month, four young men don the masks that herald their coming-of-age celebration, a time of testing, ritual, festival, and romance.
But for Tarrant Hawkins and his friends Leigh, Rounce, and Nay, their first test becomes a desperate struggle for survival. For they will encounter the vanguard of an invasion force poised to overrun their homeland of Oriosa, and all four will find their lives changed forever when they encounter a legendary weapon that brings its wielder invincibility. Yet the magic sword may prove more curse than blessing, signaling the arrival of a cataclysmic battle with ancient foes. And in the face of dire sorceries and terrible battles, these youths will come to manhood...or to death.
Customer Reviews:
A great start to a fantastic epic series........2007-08-15
I discovered Michael Stackpole's work through his Star Wars novels. I have enjoyed his original fantasy novels such as Talion: Revenant, Once a Hero and A Hero Born but The Dark Glory War and the rest of the DragonCrown War Cycle just blew me away. It is rare for me to go back and reread a book but I have come back to the entire DragonCrown War epic 5 times so far, and intend to do so again this Fall.
This novel sets up the events that play out in Fortress Draconis, When Dragons Rage and The Grand Crusade. Stackpole is a master storyteller and this is his masterpiece. The characters are all well established and stand out in a genre full of pale imitations. The action and suspense keeps you hanging on wanting more and the payoff at the end of the whole series is worth every minute invested in this saga.
A prelude of great things to come.......2007-02-16
The Dark Glory War by Michael Stackpole is actually a prelude novel to his Dragoncrown War Cycle Trilogy. The first book of that trilogy is Fortress Draconis, which I believe takes place 30-40 years after the events of this book. The one thing that I think needs to be said right away is that this book is written from the first person perspective, and follows young Tarrant Hawkins throughout many trials. Normally, I am not a fan of first person books; they just don't `work' for me. Yet, I found myself easily engaged in both the story ad characters. Mr. Stackpole certainly has talent for writing.
The plot of this book, especially when the book is only 402 pages, is absolutely huge. After finishing the book and looking back at everything that happens in this book it's amazing that it was all included. Being that the book is written in first person, Mr. Stackpole is allowed to make some rather large leaps with the plot and phrase it as the `author' or Tarrant, is merely reminiscing about past event, versus needing to write every detail about those events. There are some traditional pieces within this plot, such as a group of young friends becoming men within their city/village by doing deeds that separate them. The nature of the coming of age ceremony in this novel is simply amazing. I really enjoyed the twist Mr. Stackpole placed on it and the rich tradition that seemed to emanate from it was a joy to read. As I said before, the plot of this book encompasses a great deal and introduces the reader to countless things within the world, a variety of places, creatures, people, and cultures. It is quite evident that Mr. Stackpole certainly had a vision of what he wanted to accomplish, I have yet to read the Dragoncrown War Cycle but after reading this novel I fully intend to search it out and read it.
The characters in this novel are very good, and well thought out. There are several characters that are very memorable to me. From the main character Tarrant, to some of the supporting characters Leigh, Nay, Resolute, Seethe to name a few. Tarrant is well fleshed out, which can be expected since the story is his and in his words. It was interesting to read his thoughts and how he perceived some of the events that took place. The supporting characters weren't as well fleshed out as they would be in other fantasy novels, mostly because of perspective and the focus of the story. While I would certainly have liked to know about the other characters, it was just not meant to be based on how the story was written. However, even the glimpses that we are given into these supporting characters are very well written and leave the reader wanting more. To me, that's the mark of a good character, one that you ant to know more about after finishing the book. There are many good characters in this novel, Mr. Stackpole certainly didn't leave character development behind in this novel, but to fully explain that I would have to write some spoilers and I don't want to do that. Suffice it to say, that the characters are well worth reading this book.
I do have a few minor criticisms about this book however. There are a few cases where I would have liked to read some more detail about places, events, or people that Tarrant encountered. There is a balance between giving the reader too much information to where they have little leeway to make their own mental picture and not providing enough for the reader to make that image. A few instances there was simply not enough information to work with. The other thing is a few instances were Tarrant would reflect on something, an event, a secret, or something and then brush over it as if he assumed the reader know what he was talking about, however, I had no idea what was being discussed and it lost me a couple times. Maybe, these instances were simply victims of maximum word count; however, leaving the reader wondering about what is going on is not a very good habit for a writer to develop.
With all that said, I must say I did enjoy this novel a great deal. If this is a prelude of things to come, I simply can't wait to dive into the actual trilogy. For some people first person perspective books aren't there thing, I know they aren't for me, but if you are at least interested in this book I urge you to give it a chance. This was an enjoyable fantasy book and one that certainly adds to the genre.
Not Impressed.......2006-12-09
The first book I ever read by this author was "A Hero Born". I really enjoyed Hero because it was innovative and kept me interested. There were twist and turns that I did not see coming and I felt it was a good read.
I thought because I enjoyed Hero, I would give his other books a try. I decided to buy the DragonCrown War series and began with The Dark Glory War. All in all I have to say I am less than impressed with this book. The story is alright but moves at a molasses pace. The characters are average and somewhat one dimensional.
Also, I am a big Fantasy fan and one of the things that is a must to me in this genre is to be able to "pronounce" or somewhat make out the names of people and places. I understand the need to be unique, but don't go overboard as to make everything confusing. The names Stackpole attributes to places and races are so foreign and impossible to "pronounce" in your head or out loud, that I found I was lost trying to remember places and races important to the story.
Stackpole also does not give a good background into the inner workings of the world he is writing about. I always felt like I was missing something and was not sure if there were books or a book that came before this one that had more explanation of the people and places. There were several moments in the book Stackpole would write about times and places so quickly I never could quite grasp their connection to the current story. I knew they were important, but they were so nebulous in explanation that I ended up not quite understanding how they affected the rest of the narrative.
All in all, this book is under developed, confusing and boring. I have not ventured to read the others in the series and probably won't bother. If the first one was this bad, why bother with the others.
Enjoyable but Predictable.......2006-07-15
I had such high hopes for this one. I'm a Michael Stackpole fan, and while I know he's not perfect, I've enjoyed his previous novels quite a bit. In fact, his novel Talion: Revenant was my introduction to the world of fantasy fiction. Needless to say I was eagerly awaiting the first installment in his multi-part fantasy epic the DragonCrown War. After reading his surprisingly mature Eyes of Silver, my expectations rose even higher.
Unfortunately Stackpole fell back into old habits with the Dark Glory War. The book, which serves as a prelude to the DragonCrown War saga, centers on a young warrior and his friends during their transition into manhood, which occurs during a monstrous invasion from an ancient enemy's forces. While Eyes of Silver presented characters that were complex and flawed (in short, human), the characters in the Dark Glory War are 2-dimensional and quite predictable. Hawkins, the main character, is the same flawless noble hero that you'll find in just about every Stackpole novel. Only the circumstances make him any different from Nolan, Locke, or even Corran Horn. The rest of the characters are simply there to fill roles in the hero's life, such as the arrogant friend, the slow but faithful friend, the shallow enemy, the exotic girlfriend, etc. The events in the book are just as predictable as the characters.
That's not to say the Dark Glory War is a bad book. It's actually pretty enjoyable in the same way a summer blockbuster movie is. It's fast-paced and there is plenty of action, as well as some very cool creatures. The Sullanciri, despite their similarities to Tolkien's Nazgul, are a particularly entertaining group. And the idea of a society where everyone wears masks to signify who they are and what they have accomplished is a neat touch. It's a fun book, but you know after reading it that the series will never come close to that George R.R. Martin or Guy Gavriel Kay level of sophistication, intelligence, and sheer quality.
If you're looking for a series that is entertaining, the DragonCrown War will no doubt satisfy. If you want something original with real substance, you're better off reading Martin or Kay.
Entertaining, but nothing especially memorable.......2006-01-31
The story is pretty standard fare, but manages to be entertaining with plenty of action. The action can become repetitive though, but by about the time I felt this way, the book ended with a neat twist which prompted me to want to continue reading the series.
The main fault I have with this series, besides the formulaic setting, is that the characters are under-developed and have very little interaction with one another. It would be more believable if there was more backstory and dialogue with each character, explaining their motivations and creating some sense of fellowship. All too often, characters are introduced with no explanation at all, but simply exist (usually so they can die later).
Book Description
Often portrayed as an inept and stubborn tyrant, South Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh Diem has long been the subject of much derision but little understanding. Philip Catton's penetrating study provides a much more complex portrait of Diem as both a devout patriot and a failed architect of modernization. In doing so, it sheds new light on a controversial regime.
Catton treats the Diem government on its own terms rather than as an appendage of American policy. Focusing on the decade from Dien Bien Phu to Diem's assassination in 1963, he examines the Vietnamese leader's nation-building and reform efforts—particularly his Strategic Hamlet Program, which sought to separate guerrilla insurgents from the peasantry and build grassroots support for his regime. Catton's evaluation of the collapse of that program offers fresh insights into both Diem's limitations as a leader and the ideological and organizational weaknesses of his government, while his assessment of the evolution of Washington's relations with Saigon provides new insight into America's growing involvement in the Vietnamese civil war.
Focusing on the Strategic Hamlet Program in Binh Duong province as an exemplar of Diem's efforts, Catton paints the Vietnamese leader as a progressive thinker trying to simultaneously defeat the communists and modernize his nation. He draws on a wealth of Vietnamese language sources to argue that Diem possessed a firm vision of nation-building and sought to overcome the debilitating dependence that reliance on American support threatened to foster. As Catton shows, however, Diem's plans for South Vietnam clashed with those of the United States and proved no match for the Vietnamese communists.
Catton analyzes the mutually frustrating interactions between Diem and the administrations of Eisenhower and Kennedy, and reveals patterns in this uneasy alliance that have eluded other observers. He also clarifies many of the problems, setbacks, and miscalculations experienced by the communist movement during that era.
Neither an American puppet, as communist propaganda claimed, nor a backward-looking mandarin, according to Western accounts, Catton's Diem is a tragic figure who finally ran out of time, just a few weeks before JFK's assassination and at a moment when it still seemed possible for America to avoid war.
This book is part of the Modern War Studies series.
Customer Reviews:
A telling tale of political misakes... but.......2006-04-19
This book has very detailed information regarding three major POLITICAL blunders that contributed to the collapse of the Diem regime, but omits some of the more important reasons that the American supported Coup eventually ousted him, and led to his and his brother's death.
The Buddhist crisis of 1963 and the constant antagonizing overtures made by his brother, Nhu against the American's, were breezed over, despite them being prominent reasons for America finally giving up on his leadership skills.
Catton's Success Explaining Diem's Failure.......2003-02-13
This is the first book that I have read about this period that really puts the Vietnamese side of this drama in center stage. I happened to serve in Vietnam during a couple of years while Diem's was President and had the advantage of speaking fairly fluent Vietnamese and have always thought that the 'Last Mandarin' image of Diem was quite off base. Catton actually manages to explain 'Personalism' , something that Diem himself had trouble doing to the people of Vietnam. The book does not attempt to whitewash any of Diem's many faults but does show Diem to actually be a modern nationalist who was determined to follow his own own agenda for nation building . It was this determination to follow his own agenda that was the major source of friction with his American backers. This book is a must read for any serious student of the war as it was the overthrow of Diem that really brought about the Americanization of the war.
Lessons for today from early involvement in Vietnam.......2002-11-26
This is probably the definitive book on the reign of Ngo Dinh Diem in South Vietnam. Every serious student of the American involvement in Vietnam should find this background on how we got into that mess in the first place well worth reading. It describes Diem's background, character and personality and explains why not only Diem himself but also the vast cultural differences between the Americans and the Vietnamese made for an extremely difficult relationship.
It also has current value as the United States searches for leaders we can work with in parts of the world that are as new to intense American involvement as Vietnam was in the 1950s and 60s. A better understanding of what we did wrong in Vietnam may help us to avoid repeating those same mistakes. My personal opinion, reinforced by this book, is that if we have only a lame horse to bet on then we would be better off not betting in that particular race.
Catton's many examples show how out of touch the Ngo family was with the majority of the Vietnamese people. Diem was an arrogant, opinionated bachelor, a Catholic in a nation that was 93 percent Buddhist. One of his brothers was a Catholic bishop and Catton describes "the sectarian character of the Diem regime." Another brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, served as "Political Counselor"--and enforcer. Catton describes him as the regime's "Rastputin." Nhu's wife was probably the worst female government spokesman since Marie Antoinette. Madame Nhu referred to the suicides of burning bonzes as "barbecues." When I first arrived in Vietnam in 1966 she was still infamous as "The Dragon Lady."
The author expanded what was originally a graduate student paper about the Strategic Hamlet program in 1961-1963 into a doctoral dissertation that was more focused on Diem, his government, and their developing relationship with the Americans. With that background, we should expect excellent documentation and indeed the 203 pages of text are backed up by 59 pages of notes.
However, it is still possible for a nitpicker to find a few gaps. For example, his bibliography includes the U.S. Army's Military History Institute but not its Center of Military History. "The Michigan State University Vietnam Advisory Group" is mentioned three times but we are not told what it was. My local guide in Plieku in 1999 spoke excellent English because he had spent a year at Michigan State University. (The downside was that it earned him a year in jail after the communist takeover.) What was the Michigan connection? Faced with being dumped by his American allies "Diem won a dramatic reprieve with a military victory over the Binh Xuyen (a mafia type crime organization) at the end of April 1955." How could he win "a military victory" over a bunch of civilian gangsters?
Catton apparently speaks and reads Vietnamese, which undoubtedly provides advantages in research and opens doors for him that are not available to most American authors of books about Vietnam. Even though the English language literature on Vietnam is vast, some of the information he provides from the many referenced books and articles in Vietnamese may well be published here for the first time
Diem continually carped and complained about the type and amount of U.S. aid but resisted doing the things the Americans wanted in return. In Stilwell and the American Experience in China, Barbara Tuchman relates Stilwell's complaints about our government's failure to demand a quid pro quo from our Chinese allies in return for the aid we provided them. We had the same problem in Vietnam. The more we did for them the less the Vietnamese did for themselves. I read Stilwell in the spring of 1972 during my second tour as an advisor to a Vietnamese Army unit in the field. Our failure to demand, and Vietnamese failure to provide, a quid pro quo was still a problem nine years after Philip Catton described this exchange between Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge and Diem in 1963:
"`Isn't there some one thing you may think of that is within your capabilities to do and that would favorably impress U.S. opinion[?]" Lodge asked finally. Diem gave the ambassador `a blank look and changed the subject.'"
Book Description
Shows how the great powers drove themselves into World War I, which none of them wanted, by gross miscalculations and misunderstandings.-- International Herald Tribune
Customer Reviews:
The failure of diplomacy before the Great War........2004-10-13
Jannen's book is the book a reader should review/consume prior to reading Tuchman's The Guns of August. As Jannen rightly describes, in 1914, Europe was full of lions. Diplomacy was the field of leisurely aristocrats. Jannen's story begins with the assassination of Austrian Archduke Ferdinand on June 28, 1914. As Jannen relates, the Serbian government had a BLACK HAND influence in the assassination of the Archduke. From there begins the game of contests, first between Serbia and Austria Hungary, then between Germany and Russia, and finally between Germany and France/Great Britain. As each succesive days ticks down in July, 1914, the diplomats/politicians rachet up the stakes with each other until war was the only possibility. When the war finally ended 4+ years later, all the initial participants wondered how war came upon their nation.
I never knew that the history of diplomacy could be so page turning. Jannen's book should be a requirement for diplomats/foreign service personnel. The world might be a different place if not for the Lions of July, 1914.
A good read.......1999-12-29
This book presents a detailed account of the weeks before the war. The list of players at the front of the book is very helpful. Given its importance in determining Germany's actions, I thought the Schlieffen Plan should have been explained more thoroughly. But overall, the book is well-written and I learned a lot.
Brilliant and thoroughlly well researched diplomatic history.......1999-07-12
The first and foremost asset of this wonderful book is to present in a thoroughlly readable form a vast amount of scholarly research about the diplomatic aspects of the July 1914 crisis that led to the first world war. The mounting tension between the European governements and the frantic diplomatic efforts of the various ambassadors are rendered in a language as entertaining as a novel while being sustained by an impeccable research on the official papers and contemporary memoirs. From the whole narrative of the crisis two interlocked aspects emerge on the surface, very well stressed by the author: the compelling influence of offensive military planning and mobilization timing, which made war inevitable once one of the would-be enemies mobilized, and the mutual, mortal fear of the two alliance camps, which led to the feeling of the inevitability of a confrontation and the prevalence of the "better now than later" theory. In summary, an important contribution to the history of world war one; read it in connection with P. KENNEDY, "The rise of anglo-german antagonism", R.D. MASSIE, "Dreadnought" and D.G. HERRMANN, "The arming of Europe and the making of the First World War".
Fine, readable analysis of the roots of the conflict........1997-05-06
(The numerical rating above is a default setting
within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not
employ numerical ratings.)
The events of the summer of 1914 seemed to take on
an ominous life of their own; a march into catastrophe
that no one wanted but no one seemed to be able to
halt. As Janner shows, the very fear of a changing
world which animated the disastrous decision-making
ironically ensured the destruction of the old order
and changed the map of the world forever.
The tragic story is well told here with photos of
the major players, maps, bibliography, calendar,
and index. Highly recommended.
Customer Reviews:
History In Perspective.......2007-01-17
If you like historical novels, the Prelude To Glory series is one of the best. As with the previous eight books, By Dawn's Early Light combines factual history with the fictional Dunson family. So ends the liberties taken by poetic license, which is not to say that it isn't a good fiction story. Throughout the series, Ron Carter has moved a captivating story at the perfect pace.
For the history buffs, it's all there. The research and accuracy is astounding - as it should be. If your recollection of American history has faded, or you were never clear about event particulars, these are the books that will lay it all out, place the event, and put it in perspective. Each chapter is followed by footnotes that explain further a portion of the chapter, and offers references that allow the reader to make more in-depth discoveries about the chapter's topics.
This is the ninth in Ron Carter's series and I hope it is not his last. I have written to the author with the suggestion that he step back in time previous to the first book, Our Sacred Honor, which began the series with the first battles of the American Revolution. I have no doubt that Mr. Carter would lay a perfect foundation for what he has already written with the first nine novels. It would also relieve some of my envy of those who have not yet read this series and have it all ahead of them to enjoy.
Books:
- Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival (Survival School Handbooks / Tom Brown, Jr)
- Tomb Raider: Legend: The Complete Official Guide
- Typography 27 (Typography)
- Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues
- Unorthodox Chess Openings (Cardoza Publishing's Essential Opening Repertoire Series)
- Watching Baseball Smarter: A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks
- Where Is Baby's Belly Button?
- Witness for the Defense: The Accused, the Eyewitnesses, and the Expert Who Puts Memory on Trial
- A Touch of Death (Hard Case Crime)
- Adobe Illustrator CS2 @work: Projects You Can Use on the Job (At Work)
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