tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post5086231766287899386..comments2023-11-10T04:17:00.492-05:00Comments on View From The Porch: A day in the life...Tamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-61001008417373751052008-12-31T23:28:00.000-05:002008-12-31T23:28:00.000-05:00Dan:I got the same "premature ending" feeling from...Dan:<BR/>I got the same "premature ending" feeling from Claws that Catch. It stopped a couple of chapters too soon, in my opinion...John Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02465149724793433817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-89734726782341213672008-12-31T17:32:00.000-05:002008-12-31T17:32:00.000-05:00Ringo's stuff is always fun (I have yet to read Wa...Ringo's stuff is always fun (I have yet to read Watch on the Rhine for similar reasons as others), the Looking Glass series is great, most of the physics go over my head because I don't have or can't remember the math but that just gives me an excuse to practice my google fu and edumicate myself some more. John Scalzi is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.<BR/> I like Hunter but for me the folksy(redneckish)writing style gets annoying about halfway through any of his books IMHO.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03625557682819115254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-71058844978853865212008-12-31T16:39:00.000-05:002008-12-31T16:39:00.000-05:00+1 on Ringo's "Last Centurion" -- an enjoyable, qu...+1 on Ringo's "Last Centurion" -- an enjoyable, quick and amusing read. Rather abrupt ending to it, though. I thought the final chapter had somehow gone missing when I hit that last page... I guess he took "leave 'em wanting more" to heart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-80383503671205350452008-12-31T09:13:00.000-05:002008-12-31T09:13:00.000-05:00The Rigo Posleen books are a good quick read, but ...The Rigo Posleen books are a good quick read, but they are hardly literature.<BR/><BR/>Right now the guys that have me twitching for new books are Alastair Reynolds and John Scalzi <BR/><BR/>(BTW, recoil is proportional to momentum, not energy)Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16200955977200733006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-89099825567219521282008-12-31T02:35:00.000-05:002008-12-31T02:35:00.000-05:00I'm with Ross, the Looking Glass series is my favo...I'm with Ross, the Looking Glass series is my favorite of Ringo's, and the only one I have actual hard copies of. The Posleen stuff was popcorn. I'm cringing at the 89 octane in the BMW, don't they have 93 there? I'm stuck with 91 pisswater in Arizona unless I want to fork out $6 a gallon for Trick 101 octane.jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07682952829635407505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-31735855583588115932008-12-30T22:32:00.000-05:002008-12-30T22:32:00.000-05:00If you want to try John Ringo risk free, download ...If you want to try John Ringo risk free, download the e-books at http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com/.<BR/><BR/>As for Watch on the Rhine, it took me a long time to read it because of the "SS save the world" aspect. While reading it, I realized that Kratman (who should be required reading) was using the story as an opportunity to show the reality of the SS as opposed to the mythology, which condemns the organization all the more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-54122590794360384562008-12-30T22:17:00.000-05:002008-12-30T22:17:00.000-05:00Try CALLY'S WAR and SISTER TIME. Both take place ...Try CALLY'S WAR and SISTER TIME. Both take place a few decades after the first 3.5 books of the 'verse. Cally is now a professional assassin along with Gramps and Tommy Sunday. It's kind of like a cyberpunkie version of LA FEMME NIKITA. Coming out next year are THE HONOR OF THE CLAN and THE EYE OF THE STORM. In EYE, we welcome the return of Mighty Mite!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-13937463376615166882008-12-30T21:56:00.000-05:002008-12-30T21:56:00.000-05:00John wrote "Ghost" with tongue planted firmly in c...John wrote "Ghost" with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Fact is, he didn't originally even want to submit the manuscript for publication--he thought it was stupid, but was having a ball writing it. Some of his fans read snippets of it and begged him to publish... so he did. And there it is.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I think Kratman is a genius. An evil genius, but a genius nonetheless. <BR/><BR/>MarcusAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-3517350887896914062008-12-30T21:45:00.000-05:002008-12-30T21:45:00.000-05:00John Ringo is well moderated by a coauthor.Watch O...John Ringo is well moderated by a coauthor.<BR/><BR/>Watch On The Rhine and Yellow Eyes are my favorite Posleen books so far.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-52763177188435424492008-12-30T21:09:00.000-05:002008-12-30T21:09:00.000-05:00You can watch House on Hulu.com there are a couple...You can watch House on Hulu.com there are a couple of seasons at least. As a plus it is free.<BR/><BR/>I am in no way affiliated with hulu other than as a viewer of House.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-11912725349207451282008-12-30T19:02:00.000-05:002008-12-30T19:02:00.000-05:00Definitely read the Hunter books in the order they...Definitely read the Hunter books in the order they were written, ie, read "Point of Impact" first! (Feel free to skip the lousy movie adapation with marky mark.)<BR/><BR/>Ringo's books tend to be pretty decent popcorn stories.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and Weber's stuff is also pretty good. (Though the last few Harrington books were getting rather silly.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-23529918473206494172008-12-30T14:40:00.000-05:002008-12-30T14:40:00.000-05:00The Posleen stuff is pretty good. I keep meaning t...The Posleen stuff is pretty good. I keep meaning to re-read the first few books, but then I remember the Battle of Fredericksburg, and in particular one scene... (Not to turn you off the books, far from it - they're excellent reads, and the B of F is kick-ass. But I grew up just north of there and I *know* the ground they're fighting over. And the one scene (you'll know it when you get to it) is wrenching).Ian Argenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03704336044732061128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-4790535325323037842008-12-30T14:10:00.000-05:002008-12-30T14:10:00.000-05:00I liked "Watch on the Rhine" better than the rest ...I liked "Watch on the Rhine" better than the rest of the Posleen series.<BR/><BR/>The SS were elite fighting units, steeped in the Prussian school of military science and the Machiavellian school of charm. And yes they did horrible things.<BR/><BR/>But when you must fight, you don't need saints to hold the line, monsters will work just fine.SordidPandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00657526230826604643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-59593512252862598492008-12-30T13:34:00.000-05:002008-12-30T13:34:00.000-05:00Ross: Don't you dare dis Doc Smith. Them's fight...Ross: Don't you dare dis Doc Smith. Them's fightin' words. :)Fuzzy Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03802539927743643041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-37612321337095045822008-12-30T12:46:00.000-05:002008-12-30T12:46:00.000-05:00I love McKay's; I stop by every time I'm in Knoxvi...I love McKay's; I stop by every time I'm in Knoxville (which isn't much anymore--they don't let me do onsites since I got the Great Titanium Leg Implant).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-14600427946410990882008-12-30T12:07:00.000-05:002008-12-30T12:07:00.000-05:00"Watch on the Rhine" is good. It probably has the..."Watch on the Rhine" is good. It probably has the fewest "Oh John Ringo No"s in it.<BR/><BR/>Also, you really don't have to read the others to read it.<BR/><BR/>Have fun.tanksoldierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04160316039546071989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-19634421620891182452008-12-30T11:36:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:36:00.000-05:00I've read all the available Posleen series and Sex...I've read all the available Posleen series and Sex-Ops series books, and, I will admit, generally enjoyed them. But I'm kind of an SF vacuum.<BR/><BR/>Recently, I did some calculations, and though I haven't double checked them yet, the upswing of them was that in the Posleen books, according to the listed specs, the guns the powered armor unit carry have roughly 27 times as much muzzle energy per shot as a U.S. Navy 16 inch gun. Which has some rather humorous recoil consequences for the poor fellows holding the guns and pulling the trigger.perlhaqrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920117742664645165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-50873990298078039742008-12-30T11:34:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:34:00.000-05:00IMHO, the best of Hunter is "Hot Springs." He does...IMHO, the best of Hunter is "Hot Springs." <BR/><BR/>He does know firearms quite well.Chas S. Cliftonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00923547685265741325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-31621279065518118272008-12-30T11:27:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:27:00.000-05:00I'll second the recommendation for 'Pale Horse Com...I'll second the recommendation for 'Pale Horse Coming', and add 'Hot Springs' to the recommendation list, cause how often do you get to read about people getting in a gunfight in a cathouse with a BAR?<BR/><BR/>I'll have to also second Ross's apprehension about 'Watch On The Rhine'. Good story, but having the SS as heroes? Call me squeamish if you must, but I felt like taking a shower after the last chapter.El Capitanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166884584708996911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-71961617485278593812008-12-30T11:04:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:04:00.000-05:00I enjoy the Ghost books, although I can see where ...I enjoy the Ghost books, although I can see where the BDSM would be off-putting for many. <BR/><BR/>Do pick up Ringo's latest, <I>The Last Centurion</I>, though, before Obama has it suppressed.Dranghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08082177597135236652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-18038253812649309372008-12-30T10:36:00.000-05:002008-12-30T10:36:00.000-05:00Most honored and respected Miss Tamara:Which Steph...Most honored and respected Miss Tamara:<BR/><BR/>Which Stephen Hunter novel? If it isn't *Pale Horse Coming*, you're in for a treat when you get to that one.<BR/><BR/>I'm also curious about the non-fiction stuff, too. I liked the Hunter/Bainbridge non-fiction collaboration *American Gunfight*, if you haven't read that.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04897541740818276304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-82845217876279475682008-12-30T10:31:00.000-05:002008-12-30T10:31:00.000-05:00I'll ignore the comments on the Ghost series, as I...I'll ignore the comments on the Ghost series, as I happend to like them (being the gun-owning pervert that I am). However, Watch on the Rhine left me pretty cold... perhaps it's because I'm Jewish and have a really hard time considering a Nazi as a character I can empathize with. <BR/><BR/>Now, if you want some seriously awesome hard SF... pick up Through the Looking Glass. It's very good, but not awesome... that is reserved for it's sequels: Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe and Claws That Catch. Don't start them late at night. You won't sleep. There should be a law passed that John Ringo and Travis S. Taylor are NOT allowed to write books without each other until the entire Looking Glass saga is finished. <BR/><BR/>Seriously... those two lunatics have produced three books together that should be the new standard by which space opera should be judged. Forget Honor Harrington. Han Solo can go retire. Kimball Kinnison should be looking nervously over his shoulders to see if Two-Gun Berg is standing there with an annoyed look on his face. <BR/><BR/>They're that good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-17580590444780090352008-12-30T10:07:00.000-05:002008-12-30T10:07:00.000-05:00I wish Stephen Hunter would do a prequel that cove...I wish Stephen Hunter would do a prequel that covered more of Earl's WWII service, or even told Earl's father's story (loathsome character that he was)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-60535657977552207762008-12-30T10:02:00.000-05:002008-12-30T10:02:00.000-05:00Watch on the Rhine isn't really Ringo's, it's Tom ...<I>Watch on the Rhine</I> isn't really Ringo's, it's Tom Kratman's. Ringo did the outline, Kratman wrote the story.<BR/><BR/>I admit to enjoying the "Oh John Ringo, NO!" series, as wince-inducing as it is in places.Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10324035824298948422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-13084522362103390612008-12-30T09:19:00.000-05:002008-12-30T09:19:00.000-05:00I like Earl a bit better than Bobby Lee, but I pre...I like Earl a bit better than Bobby Lee, but I pretend to identify with each - the drop dead favorite Hunter book in the prison is "Dirty White Boys", "March to almost anywhere but here" books were great until "We Few" where Weber came back with a heavy pen. Ringo's spec-ops is sex-ops and I must have missed the point, too old, too old.Earlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14794620086508373660noreply@blogger.com