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The Internet of Things: How Smart TVs, Smart Cars, Smart Homes, and Smart Cities are Changing the World
Book
How the Internet of Things will change your life: all you need to know, in plain English! The...
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Unbroken in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Considering that this book has been out for quite a while, and the movie has already hit theaters, I am going to assume that anyone who is interested is already aware of the plot. And I am going to guess there isn't really much left to say about this rather popular book that hasn't already been said, so just let me say that if you haven't read it yet, you really should. While primarily being about Louis Zamperini, it does touch on the lives of other soldiers on both sides of the war to varying levels of detail, which really helps one to understand the mindsets of those involved, a necessary achievement when dealing with some of the atrocities committed in these pages. And those atrocities are quite shocking. A lot of attention has been given to what the Germans did during World War II (and rightly so), but very few of us really know about some of the shocking violence carried out by the Japanese. This is an important chapter of world history that we all should remember, and it is told here in a very compelling style that should make it easy to get into for anyone. One of the best non-fiction stories of recent years.
Entry number 7 (of 9) in Donald Jacks Bartholomew Bandy series (Canadian First World War air ace), set - this time - in India, in the mid 1920s (1925, to be precise).
Having - inadvertently - previously saved the life of Prince Khoosie of the state of Jhamjarh, this novel starts with Bandy travelling to that continent to help them set up their own air force: an air force that is viewed with some misgivings by the (British) powers-that-be, who are convinced that it will be used against them and who refuse to heed any warnings about an uprising that is planned by another Indian state, even going so far as to take their side against Jhamjarh.
As things turn out, of course, the British government have it all backwards …
As I've said before, I found the quality of these novels to have declined in direct proportion to their settings: for my money, the earlier books (set during and just after WW1) are far superior to these later instalments. Having said that, I did find this one to be more enjoyable than its immediate predecessor, with a few laugh-out-loud moments and a further insight into just how Bandy's First World War experiences have affected him
Having - inadvertently - previously saved the life of Prince Khoosie of the state of Jhamjarh, this novel starts with Bandy travelling to that continent to help them set up their own air force: an air force that is viewed with some misgivings by the (British) powers-that-be, who are convinced that it will be used against them and who refuse to heed any warnings about an uprising that is planned by another Indian state, even going so far as to take their side against Jhamjarh.
As things turn out, of course, the British government have it all backwards …
As I've said before, I found the quality of these novels to have declined in direct proportion to their settings: for my money, the earlier books (set during and just after WW1) are far superior to these later instalments. Having said that, I did find this one to be more enjoyable than its immediate predecessor, with a few laugh-out-loud moments and a further insight into just how Bandy's First World War experiences have affected him
A Slip Under the Microscope
Book
'I will go in, out of this dust and heat, out of this dry glitter of vanity, out of these toilsome...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Phoenix (Prophecy #1) in Books
May 11, 2020
76 of 200
Kindle
Phoenix ( THe Prophecy boom 1)
By Jessica Wayne
Anastasia Carter is plagued by nightmares of death and coming destruction.
Countless nights she's awoken coated in sweat, unable to shake the feeling that someone was coming for her.
But nightmares are just tricks of the mind, right?
Her world is turned upside-down when dreams become reality and a violent attack rips her away from the man she loves, landing her in a world parallel to her own.
In Terrenia, Anastasia must question everything she ever thought she knew.
As she struggles to come to terms with her new reality, she discovers she doesn't have much time. Terrenia is on the brink of a war that could easily destroy not only this world, but Earth as well, and only one person holds the key.
Anastasia must find the light within to defeat the darkness that comes for them all.It was actually really enjoyable to read. Straight forward very good writing and a world and characters to love and hate!
A bit predictable in places but that wasn’t a bad thing! The book flowed well!
I read a bit of Jessica Wayne when I read a collaboration with Meg Anne and knew I’d enjoy her books!
Kindle
Phoenix ( THe Prophecy boom 1)
By Jessica Wayne
Anastasia Carter is plagued by nightmares of death and coming destruction.
Countless nights she's awoken coated in sweat, unable to shake the feeling that someone was coming for her.
But nightmares are just tricks of the mind, right?
Her world is turned upside-down when dreams become reality and a violent attack rips her away from the man she loves, landing her in a world parallel to her own.
In Terrenia, Anastasia must question everything she ever thought she knew.
As she struggles to come to terms with her new reality, she discovers she doesn't have much time. Terrenia is on the brink of a war that could easily destroy not only this world, but Earth as well, and only one person holds the key.
Anastasia must find the light within to defeat the darkness that comes for them all.It was actually really enjoyable to read. Straight forward very good writing and a world and characters to love and hate!
A bit predictable in places but that wasn’t a bad thing! The book flowed well!
I read a bit of Jessica Wayne when I read a collaboration with Meg Anne and knew I’d enjoy her books!
TP
The Political History of American Food Aid: An Uneasy Benevolence
Book
American food aid to foreigners long has been the most visible-and most popular-means of providing...
Beyond the Dark Oceans
8.0
Rate It
Book
A family united, a family divided… In 1906, the Huntingford family leaves England behind,...
Historical Fiction Family History World War I
Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich: Supreme Commander of the Russian Army
Book
Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Romanov (18561929) was a key figure in late Imperial Russia, and one...
Ross (3284 KP) rated Black Panther (2018) in Movies
Feb 20, 2018
Black Panther exploded into the MCU during the Captain America: Civil War and was a breath of fresh air for the franchise. Finally someone to rival Wolverine for fighting skill and claws. This film follows on from there where Prince T'Challa looks to be crowned as the new king of Wakanda. Wakanda has long hidden its true riches and technological worth from the world and is thought of as a nation of poor farmers. King T'Challa must choose whether to continue the selfish tradition or help the world by sharing their natural resources and technology.
The Black Panther is backed up by an excellent cast of sidekicks and helpers as he looks to crack down on illegal trade of Wakanda's vibranium and retain the throne from a worthy challenger.
My main gripe was some of the CGI. Like with Spiderman, I feel at times there is too much detail, eg when flipping over a car his legs sway around like he's in space. To my mind, he would be more focused and all his limbs would be exactly where they need to be. Also in these instances the feeling of which way up is the right way up got a little lost, which shouldn't happen.
I also felt that Andy Serkis was a little under-used in his role as Claue, similar to CrossBones in Civil War.
I am seriously looking forward to Infinity Wars now!
PS - I don't think the post-credits scene is worth the long wait.
The Black Panther is backed up by an excellent cast of sidekicks and helpers as he looks to crack down on illegal trade of Wakanda's vibranium and retain the throne from a worthy challenger.
My main gripe was some of the CGI. Like with Spiderman, I feel at times there is too much detail, eg when flipping over a car his legs sway around like he's in space. To my mind, he would be more focused and all his limbs would be exactly where they need to be. Also in these instances the feeling of which way up is the right way up got a little lost, which shouldn't happen.
I also felt that Andy Serkis was a little under-used in his role as Claue, similar to CrossBones in Civil War.
I am seriously looking forward to Infinity Wars now!
PS - I don't think the post-credits scene is worth the long wait.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Overlord (2018) in Movies
May 21, 2019
Good gory fictional historical events that could have been shorter.
Been looking forward to this one for a while. While I enjoyed the film overall. the story took too long to develop in some spots. Characters felt a little hollow and depended on the World War II setting to get the viewer to understand them. That being said, once the story hit its mark, the action was fast and furious. Some truly amazing visual effects. Not for the weak stomached in the least. A good, gory fictional take on historical events that could have been helped with shorter run time.