Finished Th 10/13/11
Senator Corey Grace- Republican moderate running for Republican nomination
Senator Rob Morotta- Also running for Republican nomination. Will do anything to win.
Magnus Price- Ace consultant for Morotta. Along the lines of Karl Rove.
Senator Bob Christy- Also seeking Republican nomination. Extreme Christian Fundamentalist.
Lexie Hart- Black Hollywood star who is Grace's lover.
Clay Grace- Younger brother of Corey. Gay suicide.
Although THE RACE does have a fast-paced and engaging plot with fully developed characters, the book aims to do more than simply relate a tale of political intrigue set in contemporary America. Patterson has crafted this novel to be more of an astute and clever vehicle to introduce and explore most of the major 'Hot Button' issues of American politics.
-Race
-Homosexuality
-Stem Cell Research
-Gay Marriage
-Christian Fundamentalism
-Abortion
-Immigration
-Taxation
Each point of view is well presented, and characters from both sides of the issue make their points with clarity and candor. However, it's kind of odd that nothing is mentioned about Democrats-America seems to be entirely composed of various shades of 'Red State' politics. All of the characters are Republicans, and Corey Grace's views, I think, are far outside any moderate faction of the Republican party(even in fiction!).
Interesting and thought provoking, and a real departure from the usual Richard North Patterson book.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
WE ALL FALL DOWN by Michael Harvey
Finished Mo 10/10/11
Ending:
The virus was released by CDA, a privately owned 'level-four' bio-lab which is the highest rating for a biological containment facility. The CEO and one of his scientists planted a variation of a lethal strain which contained a 'kill switch'. This made the virus incommunicable after three to five days. They did this to insure that their company would remain a key player in The War on Terror, and CDA would continue to make huge profits.
-Michael Kelly is a local Chicago PI, and he is central to the investigation. It seems a bit far-fetched to consider that with all the federal and state anti-terrorist organizations that Kelly would be any where near an incident of this magnitude.
-Dr.Ellen Brazille and Dr.Molly Carrolton "Black Biology" scientists at CDA, and Carrolton engineers the false attack with her boss, Stoddard.
The novel is largely set on the West Side of Chicago near Garfield Park- "The K-Town Area" (streets begin with the letter 'K', the eleventh letter of the alphabet, and the area is eleven miles from the Indiana border). Oak Park is directly east of this area, and in the novel a wall of steel fencing is erected to quarantine the affected areas. several hundred residents die before the plague ends. The symptoms are that of Ebola crossed with Anthrax.
The novel was a fast read, and very interesting, but ultimately, kind of a let-down. The use of the Black Chicago gang, The Fours, was a bit heavy-handed. And, the ties to organized crime was very clumsy.
The Author's Note at the end was most chilling. Harvey feels that 'Black Biology' is a very real threat, and it is no longer a question of 'If', but 'When'. In January of 2010 a congressional panel gave the US a failing grade for a complete lack of safety precautions in this area.
-Google 'Fort Detrick disease samples'
Ending:
The virus was released by CDA, a privately owned 'level-four' bio-lab which is the highest rating for a biological containment facility. The CEO and one of his scientists planted a variation of a lethal strain which contained a 'kill switch'. This made the virus incommunicable after three to five days. They did this to insure that their company would remain a key player in The War on Terror, and CDA would continue to make huge profits.
-Michael Kelly is a local Chicago PI, and he is central to the investigation. It seems a bit far-fetched to consider that with all the federal and state anti-terrorist organizations that Kelly would be any where near an incident of this magnitude.
-Dr.Ellen Brazille and Dr.Molly Carrolton "Black Biology" scientists at CDA, and Carrolton engineers the false attack with her boss, Stoddard.
The novel is largely set on the West Side of Chicago near Garfield Park- "The K-Town Area" (streets begin with the letter 'K', the eleventh letter of the alphabet, and the area is eleven miles from the Indiana border). Oak Park is directly east of this area, and in the novel a wall of steel fencing is erected to quarantine the affected areas. several hundred residents die before the plague ends. The symptoms are that of Ebola crossed with Anthrax.
The novel was a fast read, and very interesting, but ultimately, kind of a let-down. The use of the Black Chicago gang, The Fours, was a bit heavy-handed. And, the ties to organized crime was very clumsy.
The Author's Note at the end was most chilling. Harvey feels that 'Black Biology' is a very real threat, and it is no longer a question of 'If', but 'When'. In January of 2010 a congressional panel gave the US a failing grade for a complete lack of safety precautions in this area.
-Google 'Fort Detrick disease samples'
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Did Not Make The Cut
This is a section of the blog to record the books that, for whatever reason, I did not spend enough time with them to consider them 'read'.
A PERFECT SPY by John le Carre Late September 2011 This is a long novel which is based on Carre's own life. His father was a bit of a hustler, and this story features Magnus Pym, a retired British agent, is partly an unadorned recollection of Magnus' childhood and memories of his father Rick Pym. Just too long, and I wanted to move on.
IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME From Homer To The Hippocratic Oath, How Ancient Greece Has Shaped Our World by Charlotte Higgins Sa 10/8/11 I have been waiting for this book for several months-it must be very popular, but I only spent a couple of hours on it. It's not bad, but I think I could spent a couple of hours on the internet, and get more of a feel for the subject. Two sessions on the stationary bike, and an hour on the couch.
A PERFECT SPY by John le Carre Late September 2011 This is a long novel which is based on Carre's own life. His father was a bit of a hustler, and this story features Magnus Pym, a retired British agent, is partly an unadorned recollection of Magnus' childhood and memories of his father Rick Pym. Just too long, and I wanted to move on.
IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME From Homer To The Hippocratic Oath, How Ancient Greece Has Shaped Our World by Charlotte Higgins Sa 10/8/11 I have been waiting for this book for several months-it must be very popular, but I only spent a couple of hours on it. It's not bad, but I think I could spent a couple of hours on the internet, and get more of a feel for the subject. Two sessions on the stationary bike, and an hour on the couch.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
THE ALTERNATIVE HERO by Tim Thornton
Finished Th 10/6/11
Clive Beresford- 33 year old ex-fanzine writer. Adrift in contemporary London, and deeply attached to early 90's alternative rock band, THE THIEVING MAGPIES.
Lance (Geoffrey) Webster- Lead singer, and creative force behind THE THIEVING MAGPIES. Self-destructive behavior led to the dissolution of the band.
Alan Potter- One year older than Clive, but 'hipper' and more successful. He and Clive traveled all over the UK to cover the English Alternative Musical Scene.
Billy Flushing- One year younger than Clive, and much less 'hip', yet he achieves more success than either of the three classmates.
Gloria Feathers- Maven of the scene, and an artistic influence on all of the bands. Girlfriend of Lance Webster.
A terrific coming-of-age novel which deals with writing, friendship, career, and although the story is set in 2007, the focus is on the alternative music scene of late 80's and early 90's Great Britain. Clive Beresford is adrift in his life, and unnaturally obsessed with The Thieving Magpies, an alternative band from the late 80's. He feels that this band virtually wrote the soundtrack to his life, and one day, to his total amazement, he finds that Lance Webster, lead singer of the band, lives just down the street from him. But, Webster is 'exclusively reclusive', and will not submit to an interview, so Clive must get creative. The novel is the story of the developing friendship between these two men.
While reading this book it is crucial to hit Wikipedia numerous times to learn of the many bands that were part of this very creative musical scene. I guess many would find the massive interaction of so many musical acts tedious or off-putting, however the real story is the growing interaction between the two men. Although I am a fan of the music, I think that it would be possible to enjoy this novel if you were indifferent to the musical setting.
THE THIEVING MAGPIES are a fictional band, yet the author, Tim Thornton has written a complete discography which he includes at the end of the novel.
"If I'm Still Sober, You're Still Ugly"
"I Always Hated Love Songs"
"A Good Time Was Had By None"
"No One Likes A Grown-Up Pop Star"
"Have You Stopped Talking Yet?"
Some 'Real' Musical Stars of this Scene
CARTER AND THE UNSTOPPABLE SEX MANIACS
NED'S ATOMIC DUSTBIN
SPIRAL CARPETS
THE BOO RADLEYS
SUPERGRASS
HAPPY MONDAYS
BLUR
OASIS
STONE ROSES
THE SMITHS
NEW ORDER
Clive Beresford- 33 year old ex-fanzine writer. Adrift in contemporary London, and deeply attached to early 90's alternative rock band, THE THIEVING MAGPIES.
Lance (Geoffrey) Webster- Lead singer, and creative force behind THE THIEVING MAGPIES. Self-destructive behavior led to the dissolution of the band.
Alan Potter- One year older than Clive, but 'hipper' and more successful. He and Clive traveled all over the UK to cover the English Alternative Musical Scene.
Billy Flushing- One year younger than Clive, and much less 'hip', yet he achieves more success than either of the three classmates.
Gloria Feathers- Maven of the scene, and an artistic influence on all of the bands. Girlfriend of Lance Webster.
A terrific coming-of-age novel which deals with writing, friendship, career, and although the story is set in 2007, the focus is on the alternative music scene of late 80's and early 90's Great Britain. Clive Beresford is adrift in his life, and unnaturally obsessed with The Thieving Magpies, an alternative band from the late 80's. He feels that this band virtually wrote the soundtrack to his life, and one day, to his total amazement, he finds that Lance Webster, lead singer of the band, lives just down the street from him. But, Webster is 'exclusively reclusive', and will not submit to an interview, so Clive must get creative. The novel is the story of the developing friendship between these two men.
While reading this book it is crucial to hit Wikipedia numerous times to learn of the many bands that were part of this very creative musical scene. I guess many would find the massive interaction of so many musical acts tedious or off-putting, however the real story is the growing interaction between the two men. Although I am a fan of the music, I think that it would be possible to enjoy this novel if you were indifferent to the musical setting.
THE THIEVING MAGPIES are a fictional band, yet the author, Tim Thornton has written a complete discography which he includes at the end of the novel.
"If I'm Still Sober, You're Still Ugly"
"I Always Hated Love Songs"
"A Good Time Was Had By None"
"No One Likes A Grown-Up Pop Star"
"Have You Stopped Talking Yet?"
Some 'Real' Musical Stars of this Scene
CARTER AND THE UNSTOPPABLE SEX MANIACS
NED'S ATOMIC DUSTBIN
SPIRAL CARPETS
THE BOO RADLEYS
SUPERGRASS
HAPPY MONDAYS
BLUR
OASIS
STONE ROSES
THE SMITHS
NEW ORDER
Monday, October 3, 2011
CITY OF THE SUN by David Levien
Finished Sa 10/1/11
Detective Frank Behr is called upon to find a kidnap victim. Paul and Carol Gabriel lost their son Jamie while he was delivering newspapers on his bicycle early one morning. The police have done little because there is not much to work with. Frank teams with the boy's father Paul because they develop a bond because Frank can identify with his loss because of Frank's son's death. The case stretches from low-life strip clubs of Indianapolis to the hot desert of the Tex-Mex border.
-Child trafficing
Detective Frank Behr is called upon to find a kidnap victim. Paul and Carol Gabriel lost their son Jamie while he was delivering newspapers on his bicycle early one morning. The police have done little because there is not much to work with. Frank teams with the boy's father Paul because they develop a bond because Frank can identify with his loss because of Frank's son's death. The case stretches from low-life strip clubs of Indianapolis to the hot desert of the Tex-Mex border.
-Child trafficing
Saturday, October 1, 2011
TOP SECRET AMERICA The Rise of America's New American Security State by Dana Priest and William M. Arkinw Security State by Dana Priest
Finished Fr 9/29/10
-850,000 Americans now have top security clearances
-250,000 Private contractors operate in the security sector
-1,200 Government agencies deal with issues of national security
-2,000 Private companies keep tabs on national security
-10,000 This is the number of locations for Intelligence installations
-50,000 Number of reports gleaned in a single year; some overlooked
No single government agency, private company, or single individual knows the total cost of these services. And, local law enforcement agencies are using techniques developed in The War On Terror to investigate political activities of private citizens and political groups. Any form of oversight is clearing lacking.
It seems to me, after reading this thought provoking book, that while 'business is booming' in this particular sector of the economy, America is being held hostage to a very expensive, inefficient, and potentially corrupt national policy.
-850,000 Americans now have top security clearances
-250,000 Private contractors operate in the security sector
-1,200 Government agencies deal with issues of national security
-2,000 Private companies keep tabs on national security
-10,000 This is the number of locations for Intelligence installations
-50,000 Number of reports gleaned in a single year; some overlooked
No single government agency, private company, or single individual knows the total cost of these services. And, local law enforcement agencies are using techniques developed in The War On Terror to investigate political activities of private citizens and political groups. Any form of oversight is clearing lacking.
It seems to me, after reading this thought provoking book, that while 'business is booming' in this particular sector of the economy, America is being held hostage to a very expensive, inefficient, and potentially corrupt national policy.
THE LEFTOVERS by Tom Perrotta
Finished Fr 9/29/11
"Barefoot People"- Hippie hedonists who seek pleasure in the time that remains. They have bulls eyes painted on their foreheads.
"Guilty Remnants" (The Watchers,GR's)- They wear all white, and usually travel in pairs. And, they are always smoking, and they more or less take a vow of silence. They feel that it is their duty to remind everyone that "you must get right with God" in the seven years that remain. They affect an "in your face guilt trip".
Kevin- Retired millionaire, liquor store owner who is the mayor of Mappleton (Northeastern small town)
Laurie- Kevin's wife who later joins the GR's.
Jill- Their rebellious daughter. Cuts off all of her hair, and hangs out with sultry high school student, Aimee. Later, Aimee lives with Kevin and Jill.
Tom- Son of Kevin and Laurie. He is in college and falls under the spell of Pastor Wayne Gilchrist. He is 'The Hugging Minister', and he hugs his flock, takes their pain away (Healing Hug Movement). He also is busted for his involvements with many teenage girls.
Christine is one such girl who is supposed to be having Wayne's son. She is hiding out with Tom on a cross-country odyssey. The child is a girl, and Wayne ends up in jail, and renounces his divine status.
Nora- Kevin's girlfriend. She lost both her children, and her husband during the Rapture. Jamison uncovers her husband's infidelity with their day-care worker. She ends the novel by finding the child which Tom has left on Kevin's doorstep.
"Hey, look what I found"!
Reverend Matt Jamison is so angry that he or any of his family were not called to The Rapture, that he spends his time trying to discredit all of the people who left in the rapture.
I totally loved this novel, and I have never read a bad book by Perrotta.
"Barefoot People"- Hippie hedonists who seek pleasure in the time that remains. They have bulls eyes painted on their foreheads.
"Guilty Remnants" (The Watchers,GR's)- They wear all white, and usually travel in pairs. And, they are always smoking, and they more or less take a vow of silence. They feel that it is their duty to remind everyone that "you must get right with God" in the seven years that remain. They affect an "in your face guilt trip".
Kevin- Retired millionaire, liquor store owner who is the mayor of Mappleton (Northeastern small town)
Laurie- Kevin's wife who later joins the GR's.
Jill- Their rebellious daughter. Cuts off all of her hair, and hangs out with sultry high school student, Aimee. Later, Aimee lives with Kevin and Jill.
Tom- Son of Kevin and Laurie. He is in college and falls under the spell of Pastor Wayne Gilchrist. He is 'The Hugging Minister', and he hugs his flock, takes their pain away (Healing Hug Movement). He also is busted for his involvements with many teenage girls.
Christine is one such girl who is supposed to be having Wayne's son. She is hiding out with Tom on a cross-country odyssey. The child is a girl, and Wayne ends up in jail, and renounces his divine status.
Nora- Kevin's girlfriend. She lost both her children, and her husband during the Rapture. Jamison uncovers her husband's infidelity with their day-care worker. She ends the novel by finding the child which Tom has left on Kevin's doorstep.
"Hey, look what I found"!
Reverend Matt Jamison is so angry that he or any of his family were not called to The Rapture, that he spends his time trying to discredit all of the people who left in the rapture.
I totally loved this novel, and I have never read a bad book by Perrotta.
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