I think a new genre is in order: the "thriller-written-by-talk-radio-host" genre. "Abuse of Power" is, overall, a much better book than Glenn Beck's "Overton Window." This is primarily due to it actually being thrilling. Dr. Savage presents a much more action-packed novel than Beck that relies, not upon conspiracy theory, but actual existential threat for it's source of tension. The characters here are much more fully realized than in "Overton," with believable back stories and motivations for what they do (or, indeed, what they don't do).
Dr. Savage also manages to weave small history lessons into the narrative, making the book even more interesting. The action's locale moves around frequently, giving the plot an international scope. While, to some extent, the main character (Jack Hatfield) could be seen as a greatly idealized version of Dr. Savage himself, it did nothing to lessen his believability in my eyes (just as the knowledge that Conan the Barbarian was an idealized version of Robert E. Howard doesn't lessen Conan's appeal). And that is where I think "Abuse" succeeds where "Overton" does not... you believe in, and sympathize with, Dr. Savage's characters much more than Beck's... which is essential to any thriller.
For anyone who has or would pass this up because of preconceived notions about Dr. Savage, I would say that you are doing yourself a disservice by doing so. Dr. Savage has, with this first novel, proven himself as an adept writer of fiction. I hope to read more novels from him in the future.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Random Thoughts: March 26, 2012
It's really annoying when you find out that people are talking about you behind your back. It's even more annoying when people speak ill of you to others, with you present, as though you weren't even there.
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Oral arguments for and against Obamacare began today in the Supreme Court. Let's hope this travesty of a law is struck down... not just for our sakes, but for the sakes of our children's and grandchildren's futures, as well.
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For someone who has no record to run on, and whose biggest "achievement" is hated by the majority of American citizens, Obama sure seems confident of his reelection. Now, I'm no conspiracy theorist, but this makes me wonder if he and his cronies know something that the rest of us don't?
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I see "The Hunger Games" is a success. I have absolutely no desire to see it. After reviewing the basic premise of the story, I found that I liked it better the first time around... when it was called "The Running Man."
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If today's children want to read truly great fantasy, they should be reading all the Robert E. Howard, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Edgar Rice Burroughs they can get their grubby little hands on. Far, far better stuff than what is passing for fantasy these days.
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I love reading about religions of the world, past and present. It never ceases to amaze me what some people are willing to believe. I generally consider myself non-religious, although I do believe that there is a God of some sort. However, if I were to decide to practice a religion, it would probably be Odinism. I like it's family-and-friends-first philosophy... which is especially suited to me, as my friends ARE my family.
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Oral arguments for and against Obamacare began today in the Supreme Court. Let's hope this travesty of a law is struck down... not just for our sakes, but for the sakes of our children's and grandchildren's futures, as well.
----------------------------------
For someone who has no record to run on, and whose biggest "achievement" is hated by the majority of American citizens, Obama sure seems confident of his reelection. Now, I'm no conspiracy theorist, but this makes me wonder if he and his cronies know something that the rest of us don't?
----------------------------------
I see "The Hunger Games" is a success. I have absolutely no desire to see it. After reviewing the basic premise of the story, I found that I liked it better the first time around... when it was called "The Running Man."
----------------------------------
If today's children want to read truly great fantasy, they should be reading all the Robert E. Howard, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Edgar Rice Burroughs they can get their grubby little hands on. Far, far better stuff than what is passing for fantasy these days.
-----------------------------------
I love reading about religions of the world, past and present. It never ceases to amaze me what some people are willing to believe. I generally consider myself non-religious, although I do believe that there is a God of some sort. However, if I were to decide to practice a religion, it would probably be Odinism. I like it's family-and-friends-first philosophy... which is especially suited to me, as my friends ARE my family.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Book Review: The Overton Window by Glenn Beck
I didn't really expect much from this one, I have to admit. Beck has fallen out of favor with me in recent months as he has descended into Alex-Jones-without-the-Jew-hatred territory. His finger-in-the-wind endorsements of just about every Republican Presidential candidate, culminating in a predictable siding with fellow Mormon Mitt Romney, has been another source of frustration. Still, I decided I'd give this a go... and I'm glad I did.
Although described as a "thriller," there is very little real action in the book. This is made up for by a well-executed sense of intrigue, using real-life as a backdrop, to some degree. Although some of the main characters are thinly-veiled versions of actual individuals (some bordering on outright caricatures), the "it CAN happen here" feel the story possesses tends to override the flaws in characterization.
In short, give it a shot... no matter your political persuasion. It's a fast, easy read (I finished it in three days) that, I feel, is a good first attempt in this genre. I hope Beck gives the thriller genre another go. With "Overton Window," he has shown a good deal of potential.
Although described as a "thriller," there is very little real action in the book. This is made up for by a well-executed sense of intrigue, using real-life as a backdrop, to some degree. Although some of the main characters are thinly-veiled versions of actual individuals (some bordering on outright caricatures), the "it CAN happen here" feel the story possesses tends to override the flaws in characterization.
In short, give it a shot... no matter your political persuasion. It's a fast, easy read (I finished it in three days) that, I feel, is a good first attempt in this genre. I hope Beck gives the thriller genre another go. With "Overton Window," he has shown a good deal of potential.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
More About Me Part 2
When I was born, I was a mess by all accounts. I'm told I had a double hernia and an extremely rapid heartbeat. The doctors had to stop my heart and restart it electrically, which was still a fairly new procedure in 1972. I wasn't expected to survive. Looking back on my life now, especially the past few years, I sometimes wish I hadn't.
It's becoming more and more apparent to me that I must have raped a nun in a past life. That's about the only thing I could have done heinous enough to justify the miserable turn my life has taken in the past few years. The weird thing is, I actually welcome it, in a way. The more obstacles, the more adversity, the more misery that gets heaped upon me is only going to make my eventual triumph all the more sweet. The best can't be hidden away forever, and the cream really does always rise to the top.
I was always taught to believe that I wasn't better than anyone else, but that's not true. I am better than everyone and everything that stands in my way. I guess I've known it all along. And, in due course, they'll know it, too.
To paraphrase the liner notes to one of my favorite band's albums, " I only wish to live long enough to piss on the graves of my enemies."
It's becoming more and more apparent to me that I must have raped a nun in a past life. That's about the only thing I could have done heinous enough to justify the miserable turn my life has taken in the past few years. The weird thing is, I actually welcome it, in a way. The more obstacles, the more adversity, the more misery that gets heaped upon me is only going to make my eventual triumph all the more sweet. The best can't be hidden away forever, and the cream really does always rise to the top.
I was always taught to believe that I wasn't better than anyone else, but that's not true. I am better than everyone and everything that stands in my way. I guess I've known it all along. And, in due course, they'll know it, too.
To paraphrase the liner notes to one of my favorite band's albums, " I only wish to live long enough to piss on the graves of my enemies."
Monday, March 19, 2012
Random Thoughts: March 19, 2012
Much like the "contraception issue," the gay marriage issue is not about civil rights. It is about religious freedom.
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I read that a Disney executive said that the company expected a loss on "John Carter." Apparently... since they made absolutely NO effort to market it properly. Which, of course, begs the question: Why would any company spend so much to make a film that they, admittedly, expected a loss on?
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After viewing a recently-released promo photo from the upcoming "Lone Ranger" movie (also a Disney production), I have come to the conclusion that it will be a stinkeroo. With the Ranger (Armie Hammer) in a black three-piece suit and Texas Ranger badge, and Tonto (Johnny Depp) in corpsepaint with a dead bird on his head, I believe that Disney's lack of respect for the source material will leave them with a real flop, once again at their own hands. At least now 1981's "Legend of the Lone Ranger" won't be remembered as the worst LR depiction ever.
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Apparently, the next series of the flagship BBC program (and greatest television series of all-time) Doctor Who is to feature a Western-themed episode with scenes shot in Almeria, Spain, where some of the best (and worst) Spaghetti Westerns were filmed. As if I needed another reason to be excited about DW...
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I read that a Disney executive said that the company expected a loss on "John Carter." Apparently... since they made absolutely NO effort to market it properly. Which, of course, begs the question: Why would any company spend so much to make a film that they, admittedly, expected a loss on?
-----------------------------------
After viewing a recently-released promo photo from the upcoming "Lone Ranger" movie (also a Disney production), I have come to the conclusion that it will be a stinkeroo. With the Ranger (Armie Hammer) in a black three-piece suit and Texas Ranger badge, and Tonto (Johnny Depp) in corpsepaint with a dead bird on his head, I believe that Disney's lack of respect for the source material will leave them with a real flop, once again at their own hands. At least now 1981's "Legend of the Lone Ranger" won't be remembered as the worst LR depiction ever.
-----------------------------------
Apparently, the next series of the flagship BBC program (and greatest television series of all-time) Doctor Who is to feature a Western-themed episode with scenes shot in Almeria, Spain, where some of the best (and worst) Spaghetti Westerns were filmed. As if I needed another reason to be excited about DW...
Friday, March 16, 2012
How Not To Rig A Primary
There are reports that Democrats have been voting for Rick Santorum in states with an open primary system, because they believe that he will be the easiest person for Dear Leader to beat in the general election. Whether they are right or wrong is a debatable point, but the real issue here is the rigging of a political party's primary by the opposing party. I posted the following in a Facebook group last night. As Ted Nugent would say, "It's so simple, it's stupid." I said:
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Point
Lately, I find myself wondering "what's the point?" What's the point of trying to do the right thing, help those who need it and shoot for success? From where I sit, I can see none. Not when doing all the above only serves to get you shat upon with a vengeance by those who would fancy themselves your betters. Nice guys really do finish last, it seems.
The only things that keep me going are my friends-- my real friends. They know who they are, or at least, they should by now. More than one of them is in the same boat... knowing that they will spend their entire lives striving for what, in the end, will be nothing. And all the while, those who were born with horseshoes up their asses will skate through life without a care in the world.
That leads me to the other thing that keeps me going-- the chance, no matter how miniscule, that one day I will be able to stick it to the pampered... to somehow, someway, make them feel as tiny and powerless and impotent as I feel now. That chance does exist, so long as I remain alive... so long as I draw breath and hot Irish/Cherokee blood continues to flow through my veins. No matter how long it takes, no matter what I must endure along the way, I know that, just as the proverbial dog, my day, too, will come.
Get ready.
The only things that keep me going are my friends-- my real friends. They know who they are, or at least, they should by now. More than one of them is in the same boat... knowing that they will spend their entire lives striving for what, in the end, will be nothing. And all the while, those who were born with horseshoes up their asses will skate through life without a care in the world.
That leads me to the other thing that keeps me going-- the chance, no matter how miniscule, that one day I will be able to stick it to the pampered... to somehow, someway, make them feel as tiny and powerless and impotent as I feel now. That chance does exist, so long as I remain alive... so long as I draw breath and hot Irish/Cherokee blood continues to flow through my veins. No matter how long it takes, no matter what I must endure along the way, I know that, just as the proverbial dog, my day, too, will come.
Get ready.
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