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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
ericgant has commented on (12) products
Patrick Obrian A Life Revealed
by
Dean King
ericgant
, June 30, 2007
An extensive biography of the Author of the Aubrey Maturin series of books that The New York Times Book Review called the greatest historical novels ever written. Patrick O?Brian was a very private man and few details of his background were available while he was living. Dean King is a good choice of biographers of O?Brian having written several companion works to the long series of O?Brian. In an in depth review of the authors early life and experiences he provides much insight into the source of the characters of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. If you have read the Aubrey Maturin works with pleasure, you will find this to be an excellent addition to your library.
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Children Of Men
by
P.D. James
ericgant
, June 29, 2007
A fascinating exploration of a simple idea, humans stop having children. With no future in store for the race, society begins to unravel. Seen through the viewpoint of an Oxford historian this is a powerful story of the end of hope. However, one small chance becomes apparent and the protagonist must use first his government connections and then his actions to protect the one chance that humanity has to continue. This novel is quite different and much superior to the overblown movie made from the basic idea. A very good read.
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Good Bye to All That
by
Robert Graves
ericgant
, June 28, 2007
Perhaps the single best first person account of warfare in the 20th century. Robert Graves story of his first thirty-three years of life is a powerful story of a man who lived through the last days of the old British Empire. His account of service on the western front during the worst of the trench stalemate is horrifying. I do not believe that in any other war have men been called upon to cross the same deadly ground month after month. The sure knowledge of death or wounding produced what Graves calls neurasthenia and we would call psychosis. It was not however enough to save a man from going over the top. The author dispels many myths about combat and shows what an ugly endeavor was the day to day business of trench warfare. He calmly relates being badly wounded and left for dead. His family was actually informed that he had died of wounds. Following the war he reports on how little has been learned by the British Government and how general was the feeling that the Treaty of Versailles would lead to another conflict with Germany and that the war had all been for naught. With the social stratification of the British society setting back into place and the solders sacrifices being forgotten in 1929 Graves left England intending never to return. This book was meant to be both a good bye to England and a farewell to his youth.
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The Light's on at Signpost
by
George MacDonald Fraser
ericgant
, June 27, 2007
The author of the wonderful Flashman series of novels gives his take on his life and modern times. A delightfully autobiography and commentary by one of my favorite authors. Best known for Flashman, George MacDonald Fraser has written everything from history to screenplays. He shares all this with us in this very politically incorrect book. Touching on everything from working with Steve McQueen and Arnold Schwarzenegger to what is wrong with Britain and the world in general today. A very funny look at one writer and the human species in general.
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Draco Tavern
by
Larry Niven
ericgant
, June 26, 2007
The Draco Tavern is Larry Nivens exploration of aliens outside of his known space series. A multiracial alien culture has set up a base for contact with earth. Rick Schumann owns a multispecies tavern serving this facility. Set within this venue Niven spins twenty six stories involving contact with some truly alien cultures. Niven uses this vehicle to explore his ideas on everything from the search for immortality to the existence of dangerous questions. This is a truly delightful mental playground done by one of our best science fiction writers. I would recommend it without hesitation.
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Birkenhead Drill
by
Douglas W Phillips
ericgant
, June 25, 2007
The loss in 1852 of the British Troopship Birkenhead was a classic story of heroism and sacrifice that was widely revered in Britten for over fifty years. Survivors? accounts differ on the exact sequence of events but all agree that the women and children among the passengers were saved to the probable loss of the troops on board. It is a story of sacrifice that prompted stories and a poem by Rudyard Kipling. There is a mass of possible material here to be examined. Unfortunately, the author chooses to let most of it submerge in order to deliver a tirade against feminism. Feminism, you see, would prevent any modern male from giving a jot about any woman or child. That attitude and the gratuitous padding of the already slim book with seven white pages make this a poor value. A fine subject ? treated shabbily
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Atomic Bazaar
by
William Langewiesche
ericgant
, June 24, 2007
There is only perfunctory, speculative coverage of a possible terrorist bomb, however, this is outweighed by an in depth look at recent nuclear proliferation. The story of Abdul Khan, the Pakistani scientist at the heart of recent weapons development is told in full. From his key role in Pakistan?s acquisition of the bomb to his peddling of weapons knowledge to the highest bidder the impact of this one man is explored. If you want to understand how North Korea got the bomb and how Iran came to be on the edge of becoming a nuclear power this is the book to read. The author does not look away from the involvement of a number of European companies in the process. He outlines the willingness of some firms to skirt or avoid export requirements to make a sale. An important book on recent history.
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Number Freaking: How to Change the World with Delightfully Surreal Statistics
by
Gary Rimmer
ericgant
, June 23, 2007
From the useful to the sublime. How many police do we have per person in the US; how many would we need to police Iraq at that level. Hint: we have not sent enough. You vs. the world?s insects: just how badly are we outnumbered? Hint: God must have loved beetles. A delightful journey through the world of data and the results of crunching it. Warning ? reading this book will leave you searching for an unsuspecting friend ? ?Say did you know how many ?? Truly a fun, thoughtful read.
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Last True Story Ill Ever Tell An Accidental Soldiers Account of the War in Iraq
by
John R Crawford
ericgant
, June 22, 2007
John Crawford was a prior service vet who signed up with a Florida National Guard for the paycheck. One semester short of his Anthropology degree, he was called to active duty. With the military cred that comes from a hitch with the 101st Airborne and the observational skills or a social science professional, he records what spending time at war was like for him. As a Vietnam Vet myself his story rings true to the core. He slips into neither romance nor horror. He simply and truthfully tries his very best to tell his story. He has the gift and the skills to tell his story very well indeed. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is a fine account of how one man found his generations war and in finding it reports on truths that are common to all wars.
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Have Space Suit Will Travel
by
Robert A Heinlein
ericgant
, June 20, 2007
What may very well be the best of Heinlein?s Juveniles and still a fine read for an adult fan. If you want to start a child on a lifetime Science Fiction habit this is the book to do it. It has all the classic Heinlein plot elements from a science struck teenager to an empowered female. Throw in some bad guys and several alien races and you have an engrossing story. Give this one to a Harry Potter fan and tell them you are going to show them how it's done. Some of the planetary science is a little dated but not much and the Heinlein commentary on the school system is still spot on. The best part for an adult read or reread is that Robert Heinlein wrote this in 1958. This is still a good Science Fiction Book. When Heinlein writes them, they stay written.
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100 Most Dangerous Things In Everyday Li
by
Laura Lee
ericgant
, June 19, 2007
Although much material is drawn from the UK ? they seem to keep better records of accidents that the US ? this is a worthwhile read. Even though it is listed as humor, the facts are correct and amid the laughs, you will get a healthy sense of proportion out of reading this little book. By making comparisons between actual data and the common fears that are hyped by the press Ms. Lee gives a lot of insight into our day-to-day perceptions of risk. Finding out that in the US 5,730 people a year are injured by musical instruments will give you an entire different outlook. A wildly funny and strangely educational book.
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All The Trouble In The World
by
P J ORourke
ericgant
, June 18, 2007
P. J. O?Rourke, the Molly Ivins of the right, takes a hard look at the worlds trouble spots. From Bangladesh to Haiti, he reports on onsite visits to countries troubled with everything from overpopulation to plague. And somehow, it is both instructive and laugh aloud funny. P.J. reminds us that the essence of the human condition is itself humorous. Mark Twain would have liked this book. Subtitled ?The lighter side of Overpopulation, Famine, Ecological Disaster, Ethnic Hatred, Plague, and Poverty? the books not only observes it attempts to answer why in a world of riches all of this should exist. It is insightful and despite the subject matter hopeful. P.J. is always a delight to read no matter if you agree with his worldview or not and this is one of his best. Though published in 1994 it remains surprisingly current.
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