Book Reports
What to do in a rainstorm? Don't know about anyone else, but my usual plan is put some logs in the fireplace and grab an unread book from the stack. I have some reports:
- Michael Crichton, State of Fear. (***1/2 [out of 5])
Ostensibly a novel about a conspiracy to create natural disasters (including a tsunami) to advance spurious evironmental theories, most of the book is devoted to trashing the Global Warming and newer Extreme Weather scientific fads. Crichton apparently believes that global warming is mostly political science of a sort that makes rational analysis of the problem, if it exists, impossible. He provides quite a bit of data for his side, but doesn't even bother with decent strawmen for his opposition. The background story is mediocre -- but I add a star for his willingness to annoy the right people.
- C J Cherryh, Destroyer (**** 1/2)
This is the 7th book in Ms Cherryh's Foreigner series, which posits an enclave of shipwrecked humans on a far planet and their political efforts to co-exist with the native civilization. Hard to say much about it without talking about the first 6 books, but this is one of the best series going in SF. Politics is more dangerous when the powers-that-be don't think like you do. Note: my copy is a galley proof (thank you, ebay), which might tell you how much I look forward to each installment.
- John Scalzi, Old Man's War (****)
An earlier version of this book was first published on John Scalzi's blog to wide praise, then picked up by a publisher for dead-tree release. Professor Bainbridge likes it a lot, as does the Instapundit. It's fun and Heinleinesqe, but I'm not sure there's much more there. One idea that seems new: that old folks might be better recruits in a technological war than 18-year-olds. Great story, well told. They used to call these "Young Adult" novels. Recommended.
- Alastair Reynolds, Revelation Space (*****)
Award-level novel about Man screwing around with dangerous toys, and you just know there's a sequel about "what happens when they get caught." You know they won't learn [In fact, there are two sequals, and I have them]. Concept after concept, and wheel within wheel. This is SF of the first caliber.
Scientist moves Heaven and Earth (almost literally) in order to find The Answer -- politicking, blackmailing or otherwise forcing whoever he can to accomplish his aim. Others are sent to stop him before he does, as his sucess is everyone else's Real Bad Day. Just when you think you know what's going on, another layer comes off the onion. Highly recommended.
Posted by Kevin Murphy at January 12, 2005 10:08 PM
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