Category Archives: Reviews

My book reviews

Of Dice and Men by David M Ewalt

Of Dice and Men is a disappointing book from numerous angles. As a long-term gamer and hobby-level historian trying to get some insight about D&D’s past, Dice does a poor job. Maybe Ewalt should’ve read Sean Howe’s book covering Marvel Comics to get … Continue reading

Posted in Books, D & D, Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment

A she said v. he said review of two books on music

A little inspiration to get my reading goals jumpstarted! Two music books I knocked out last year and then dragged on when it came to writing about them. The first is Record Collecting for Girls which is really a semi-autobiography and … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Music, Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment

Marvel Comics, the Untold Story by Sean Howe

The sequel to 2011’s rather unexciting Thor is due to debut in a week so I’m finally getting off my procrastinating fanny to discuss this more interesting book I finished months ago. Normally I’m a bigger DC fan and I find Marvel’s … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Comic Books, Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment

Idiot America by Charles P. Pierce

I was motivated to read this book thanks to two different references for the author. The first was Eric Alterman who would often let Pierce participate on his Friday column/blog. The other was Idiot‘s opening about the creationist museum based … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Time Machine Did It by John Swartzwelder

Book number four on my iPad but I read it a while back, forgot to write about it, got sucked into reading others, namely the Simon Pegg bio and Idiot America (next up for review!). Since Machine was a quick, … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment

Back to Our Future by David Sirota

Book number three completed on the iPad! Liberal/Left Wing columnist David Sirota (take your pick) makes a thoughtful introspection and analysis about how the Eighties™ continue to wield its influence over America. In short, he argues that its long-lasting impact … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Political Mind by George Lakoff

Because I’m tired of working for candidates who make me think that I should be embarrassed to believe what I believe, Sam! I’m tired of getting them elected! We all need some therapy, because somebody came along and said, “Liberal … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Books, Reviews, Science & Technology | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Healing of America by T. R. Reid

I don’t want our healthcare to be socialized like France’s! (It’s ranked number one in the world.) If we change our system to be like Canada’s or the Europe’s, then it will be rationed and there won’t be enough! (It’s … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss

This book was a hit in the UK back in 2003 and it arrived on US shores in 2004. Obviously, I only got around to reading it recently (other books got in the way). The review is going to be … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Reviews | Leave a comment

Bad Astronomy by Philip Plait

For several years I have followed Dr. Plait’s badastronomy.com site because he does an excellent job pointing out how Hollywood couldn’t pass basic Astronomy or Physics. Sure, they’re just movies but the pervasiveness of Bad Astronomy (as Dr. Plait coins … Continue reading

Posted in Astronomy, Books, Reviews, Science & Technology | Tagged | Leave a comment

When Presidents Lie by Eric Alterman

Never before have I received so much static from the Republicans I know for this book’s cover, unlike What Liberal Media? or Weapons of Mass Deception. When they saw me with this book, they automatically bitched about it being another Bush bashing, which … Continue reading

Posted in Books, History, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weapons of Mass Deception by Rampton & Stauber

Here is a great book for those of us in the “I told you so” crowd or whatever name Tricky Dick apologist William Safire calls us. Rampton and Stauber are pros at proving point by point, reference by reference, what … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

All Families are Psychotic by Douglas Coupland

When the story opens we meet Janet Drummond waiting in her hotel room near Orlando. Her daughter Sarah is the token Canadian astronaut for the latest shuttle launch. Sarah is the pride of the family: she has technical and scientific … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen

Fortunately, the book is deeper than the back cover and blurb reviews make it out to be. For me, the only downside is Carl’s ignorance of popular music past 1985 and a bias towards bands that peaked before I was … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What Liberal Media? The Truth about Bias and the News by Eric Alterman

Recently, there have been books (actually diatribes) written by Ann Coulter, Michael Savage and other Right-Wing yahoos claiming a Liberal Media Conspiracy. A Liberal bias they say (more like screaming) is out there, criticizing their illegitimate president. If you have … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment