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Ed R (53 KP) rated Sky Masters in Books

Dec 16, 2020

Sky Masters

Dale Brown | 1992 | Thriller

6.0

(1 Ratings)

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It's the second Patrick McLanahan book and this time brings in a B2 bomber but I felt this one didn't have the edge of the seat action like Flight of the Old Dog, there were moments where it was building but it seemed never to keep going and the ending was a bit of a let down, back of the book sets it up to be big but I wasn't too impressed, I actually think what they were trying to stop would of been more exciting to let happen! (Read it and you'll see). Also weirdly I started routing for the Chinese to win by the end and as this is written by an American and focused on US supremecy I found that strange

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The World of Myth: An Anthology

David A. Leeming

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Since its publication in 1991, The World of Myth has provided thousands of students with a...

Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China in Books

Mar 15, 2018

It's interesting to learn about what is happening in different countries from the perspective of the people who are actually living there. So much of what we see in our media only discusses things from an American perspective, which is obviously biased. That's not to say that one will feel more positively about the Chinese government after reading a book like this, but it does give one a better understanding of how things got the way they are and also why people went along with it, and in some cases continue to do so. In telling the stories of a variety of Chinese citizens, both ordinary and highly influential, the author does a fantastic job of capturing the mood of the people and just what everyday life is like for them. China is a country awash with contradictions, while the ruling party tries to modernize without loosing their grip on power. This is a very well written book, that is often every bit as engaging as any fictional story, that provides a fascinating look at one of the biggest players on the global stage today. Anyone with any interest in current events should read it, and be happy they live in a country where they'll be allowed to.

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ClareR (5721 KP) rated Peach Blossom Spring in Books

Feb 13, 2023

Peach Blossom Spring

Melissa Fu | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Peach Blossom Spring is the beautifully told story of three generations of a Chinese family as they experience love, war, migration and their driving need to belong.

Meilin leaves her home in order to protect her son Henry, and find somewhere safe for him to grow up. But without passports or papers to isn’t easy. She relies on her own abilities to survive along with the help she gets from others.

Henry goes to America to study at university and ends up staying on to work. He marries, gets a good job, and tries his best to be a good American. This is at a time of fear and suspicion of communists and everything either Chinese or Russian. Henry is terrified that he’ll draw the wrong kind of attention, and deprives his daughter of learning his language or traditions.

I felt so sorry for Meilin, left behind in Taiwan, so far from her son and unable to join him in America. I also felt for Henry, limited by his fear. But Henry’s daughter provides the bridge for Henry to return to his homeland.

I loved everything about this book - the settings, the history, the characters. And the fact that this is semi-autobiographical was just the icing on the cake.

A wonderful novel.