Bill Lumberg |
Thanks Bill. I might stick with it, because I'll never remember to return it. Stuff like that gets me though. How was The Arms of Krupp? I assume a novel on the well-known German manufacturing company?
It is a non-fictional work that details the Krupp Family from the late 1580's to 1967. I read it four times over about 20 years. The amount of detail is impressive and I recommend referring to the footnotes as you go. They add a great deal to the story. It is about 700 pages or so. If you can find a hard-cover copy I would urge you to buy it because it should have photographs of the Parizkannon, Big Bertha, the bunker under the family mansion and some other pictures that are not in the soft cover copies.
One of the main reasons I enjoyed it so much was the history of the "Great Krupp" Alfred. If an author of fiction dreamed up a character as bizarre as he was the editor would have told him to tone it down.
If you ever do read it please let me know what you think.
ericthecleric |
ericthecleric wrote:Still reading the Dune books. I'm halfway through the sixth one, now.Have you incorporated any elements into your games? The Dark Sun setting seemed to borrow some aspects, I thought.
Sorry, Bill- just saw your post!
No, I never did [incorporate elements into games]. I only just got round to reading the six after owning the books for 20 years! I got them after seeing the film in the late '80s. In my first attempt, I enjoyed book one and couldn't get into book two.
On (re-)reading recently, I do did think that the Bene Gesserit must have been a model for the Aes Sedai though. I was never a fan of Dark Sun, so don't know about those aspects.
I finished book 6 last night, and now I'm stumped as to what to read next... I want a break from fantasy and sci-fi stuff though.
Russ Taylor Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6 |
Paul McCarthy |
Finally finished reading A Storm of Swords by Martin. Great stuff, but after 1200 pages of it, it became an ordeal. Thankfully one more to go before A Dance With Dragons. Just finished reading on Martin's Blog that that will be over 1200 pages too. Whew!
Picked up an old copy of Urshurak by the Brothers Hildebrant in a used book store. Loved this as a teenager but it is so formulaic fantasy now it reads like an old nursery rhyme. Still, it's a fast, easy read.
Can I Call My Guy Drizzt? |
ericthecleric wrote:Still reading the Dune books. I'm halfway through the sixth one, now.Have you incorporated any elements into your games? The Dark Sun setting seemed to borrow some aspects, I thought.
Just a heads up, WotC just re-released Troy Denning's Prism Pentad series in the Dark Sun setting.
I just picked up The Gathering Storm, which is the first part of the final installment in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.
Mr Jordan unfortunately passed away before finishing the series but the author they chose to complete it (Brandon Sanderson) seems to have done a great job keeping a consistent feel.
And Jordan left extensive notes on how the series was to finish up. Not to mention, his widow Harriet McDougal (who edited all the other books) also edited this one.
PocoLoco |
I've been on an Eberron kick lately, read lots of books in the Eberron setting as I'm getting ready to run a Eberron campaign. I'm almost finished with Storm Dragon by James Wyatt. When this is finished I'll either start on Nation by Terry Pratchett or Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman.
Mairkurion {tm} |
I finished Black Thorn, White Rose last night, and it gave me the adult fairy tales I was in the mood for. Not sure what will be next: might have to take a break and read only for work for awhile. Of course, the Bestiary that I'm getting tomorrow will get a free exemption from any such harsh measures.
TriOmegaZero |
Finished L.E. Modesitt's 'Imager' recently. Another good story, but it felt like half a book. Like the editor cut it off with a meat cleaver. XD Thankfully there is a sequel.
Next up on the block is Chuck Paluniuk's 'Rant'. Whenever I actually get the time to read it. XP Probably on the flight out of Iraq.
Patrick Curtin |
Reading Richard Adam's Shardik which I read decades ago, but honestly retained next to nothing by way of plot information. A pretty interesting read.
Russ Taylor Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6 |
Paul McCarthy |
Reading Brent Weeks "Way of Shadows". Disappointed by this book after reading so many positive reviews about it. Another novel in the mold of the Assassin's Apprentice, but with modern day cursing, superhuman characters and dialogue out of a Twilight Movie. It has some redeeming aspects but after 200 pages in with the hope it is getting better soon, it's wearing thin fast.
Aberzombie |
Today I started Dracula: The Undead, the official sequel to Bram Stoker's original novel. It was written by Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt. So far it's interesting.
Finished this last night. It was OK. They certainly take some liberties with the original novel, and I think they mischaracterize some folks, but it was still entertaining. And they leave it open for a sequel....
Jose Medina G |
1.- The wheel of time saga by the late Robert Jordan. Currently waiting for the seventh book (spanish edition, "The portals of stone")
2.- Badly waiting for "A dance with dragons", 5th tome of "A song of fire and ice" by George RR Martin.
3.- Rereading the PFRPG core rulebook and the first 2 issues of the Council of Thieves for an inminent start in my campaign.
4.- Studying lots of medical stuff! (duty calls)
Russ Taylor Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6 |
Charlie Bell RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 |
Russ Taylor Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6 |
Locke1520 RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
The Eldritch Mr. Shiny |
Just finished:
- Emerald Hell by Tom Piccirilli
- Eye Scream by Henry Rollins
- Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman
Currently reading:
- Pissing in the Gene Pool by Henry Rollins
- Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
Up next:
- Art to Choke Hearts by Henry Rollins
- See a Grown Man Cry, Now Watch Him Die by Henry Rollins
- A Preferred Blur by Henry Rollins
- Smile! You're Traveling by Henry Rollins
Patrick Curtin |
My wife just bought me Stephen King's new book, Under the Dome. So far it reads like an old-fashioned King story (I guess it is a retread from the 70's era.)
James Keegan |
Just finished:
- Emerald Hell by Tom Piccirilli
- Eye Scream by Henry Rollins
- Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil PostmanCurrently reading:
- Pissing in the Gene Pool by Henry Rollins
- Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave GibbonsUp next:
- Art to Choke Hearts by Henry Rollins
- See a Grown Man Cry, Now Watch Him Die by Henry Rollins
- A Preferred Blur by Henry Rollins
- Smile! You're Traveling by Henry Rollins
I'm starting to think you have a high opinion of this Rollins fellow.
David Fryer |
David Fryer wrote:Just finished up "501st" by Karen Traviss.I just finished that before reading The Gun Seller. Excellent book.
I have been really impressed by all the Republic Commando, now Imperial Commando, novels. It helps that the last two have featured Fenn Shysa, one of the most under rated characters in the Star Wars expanded universe.
Mairkurion {tm} |
I just started reading The Political Language of Islam by Bernard Lewis. Most likely very dull for most people but for a political and historical junkie like myself it is very fascinating.
I don't think Bernard Lewis has written a bad book. He may cover lots of the same ground in many of them, but the dude is sharp, informed, and knows how to write. In my Islam Recommended Reading list, it says, "Lewis, Bernard. Any."
Finished In the Forest of Serre. Good stuff, good Baba Yaga (by another name).
Jason Nelson Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games |