Posts filed under ‘READER’S OPPORTUNITIES’
BOOK REVIEWS CHALLENGER
CHALLENGER
By
ADAM HIGGENBOTHAM
This great read delves into the Challenger disaster and how, up to the night before the launch, there was concern about the solid fuel booster rockets due to the cold weather. Also, knowledge of problems with the o rings from previous launches added to concern about the launch.
The book reveals a disturbing history of NASA, primarily with upper management refusing to acknowledge problems which would hinder launches and thus the future of NASA.
The fatal accident which occurred while testing a capsule in which three astronauts died was also identified as having problems before the test, but the test was carried out anyway with disastrous results.
Finally, the destruction of the Columbia space shuttle was the result of foam coming off the fuel tank and hitting the shuttle’s wing. Previous launches also resulted in foam coming off the fuel tank, but a fix was never explored due to the fact that the foam had never caused a problem in the past.
For those interested in NASA and its accidents this is a must read.
BOOK REVIEWS, AN INTRODUCTION
BOOK REVIEWS, AN INTRODUCTION
One of the characteristics often found in writers is that they are voracious readers. I fit that mold. If I go anywhere where there is the possibility of a wait I always bring a book.
I alternate my reading between fiction and nonfiction. Therefore, you will receive reviews on a variety of books concerned with nonfiction topics and genres of fiction.
My hope is that you find some of these books worthy of your attention.
WRITERS FORUM EMMET ROBINSON
Once again my good friend, Emmet Robinson, has mentioned my recently edited novel, The Beast Awaits, in his newsletter Scribbles. This novel will soon be seeking a home.
I want to return the favor by telling you about his excellent memoir, Little Boy Found, relating his experiences, anong other life experiences, while manager of The Main Point, a coffee house outside Philadelphia which was founded in 1964. While manager he met soon-to-be -famous singers such as Joni Mitchell, Jackson Brown, Bruce Springsteen and John Denver.
I also want to mention that Emmet provides an excellent editing service. I know this from personal experience.
Here is where you can obtain a copy of his memoir.
Little Boy Found: Robinson, Emmet: 9781984580368: Amazon.com: Books
Scribbles
By Emmet Robinson
Writer and Editor
Helping You Express Yourself More Effectively
610-647-4341
What’s New?
Science Fiction
Current editing assignments include a new novel by Walt Trizna. Walt’s wildly creative imagination makes him a treat to work with – every chapter is another surprise. The general theme of The Beast Awaits leads one to consider a real possibility as to the end of human society. Scary? Yup! Gross in spots, too! A great read!
In working with other writers’ creative efforts, the original work is carefully preserved, uncut. Suggestions are provided separately. Also carefully preserved are both the author’s original intent and voice.
Double the Fun
Jim McCusker’s newest novel, The Edge, is now published and available in hard copy and on line. At over 400 pages, it took me a while to go through it, adding my suggestions to each chapter as I received it. It was a special treat to receive an autographed copy with my name listed as editor.
When Jim decided to create the audiobook version, he was able to record the narrative on his own, then asked me to provide four different character voices. That put me back in the studio again as a voice actor, something I greatly enjoy.
His previous novel, Atlantic City Nights, first appeared in print, then was recorded here as an audiobook where I provided all of the voices. The hardest part was keeping track of what voice went with which character. Fortunately, being a story about organized crime, there were frequent murders. Whenever a character was killed off, I could recycle the voice by using it with a new character in following chapters.
Endless Variety
In addition to my own creative efforts*, I enjoy helping other writers with theirs.
Over the years, the range of assignments has provided a broad variety of work that keeps my days interesting. From business cards and newsletters for area businesses to full-length novels and literally everything in between.
What are you working on now that could use a professional review?
Reach me at emmetsemail@aol.com.
Emmet Robinson
* 25 Free Articles: https://emmetrobinson.com/Reading-Room/
Books
Non-fiction
How to Prosper in Business Regardless of the Economy $20
Coping with Competition: How to Tilt the Playing Field in Your Favor $20
Little Boy Found: One Man’s Search for Lost Self-Esteem $30
Fiction – For publication this fall
The Adventures of Dave and Dani: A personal trainer and a florist find
success and true love.
EMMET ROBINSON AND THE POINT
In my previous post I shared a newsletter published by my good friend, Emmet Robinson, where he introduced my novel, The Beast Awaits, which is now looking for a home. In this post I want to reciprocate to that generous act.
In the course of a very interesting and productive life Emmet was manager of The Point. The Point was a coffee house which began business in 1964 outside of Philadelphia. This was a venue where today’s celebrities, in the music world, were on the road to success while they were still people. People you could easily approach. Think celebrities like Joni Mitchell and John Denver.
Emmet relates a story when on evening Jackson Brown was performing and in from the backdoor walks Bruce Springsteen and begins playing the piano. At that time no big deal.
Emmet has published a book describing this incident and many more just as interesting. The book’s title is Little Boy Found: One Man’s Search for Lost Self-Esteem. If you need something to read this summer, and who doesn’t, I suggest this book as a purchase. Here is a link for that purpose.
Little Boy Found: Robinson, Emmet: 9781984580368: Amazon.com: Books
EMMET ROBINSON
ANNOUNCES
THE BEAST AWAITS
Here is a newsletter published by a writer friend, Emmet Robinson, mentioning my upcoming novel, The Beast Awaits.
I am currently looking for an agent so hope to soon change upcoming to soon to be published.
Scribbles
By Emmet Robinson
Writer and Editor
Helping You Express Yourself More Effectively
610-647-4341
What’s New?
Science Fiction
Current editing assignments include a new novel by Walt Trizna. Walt’s wildly creative imagination makes him a treat to work with – every chapter is another surprise. The general theme of The Beast Awaits leads one to consider a real possibility as to the end of human society. Scary? Yup! Gross in spots, too! A great read!
In working with other writers’ creative efforts, the original work is carefully preserved, uncut. Suggestions are provided separately. Also carefully preserved are both the author’s original intent and voice.
Double the Fun
Jim McCusker’s newest novel, The Edge, is now published and available in hard copy and on line. At over 400 pages, it took me a while to go through it, adding my suggestions to each chapter as I received it. It was a special treat to receive an autographed copy with my name listed as editor.
When Jim decided to create the audiobook version, he was able to record the narrative on his own, then asked me to provide four different character voices. That put me back in the studio again as a voice actor, something I greatly enjoy.
His previous novel, New Jersey Nights, first appeared in print, then was recorded here as an audiobook where I provided all of the voices. The hardest part was keeping track of what voice went with which character. Fortunately, being a story about organized crime, there were frequent murders. Whenever a character was killed off, I could recycle the voice by using it with a new character in following chapters.
Endless Variety
In addition to my own creative efforts*, I enjoy helping other writers with theirs.
Over the years, the range of assignments has provided a broad variety of work that keeps my days interesting. From business cards and newsletters for area businesses to full-length novels and literally everything in between.
What are you working on now that could use a professional review?
Reach me at www.emmetsemail@aol.com.
Emmet Robinson
(See next page)
* Useful Articles: https://emmetrobinson.com/Reading-Room/
Books
Non-fiction
How to Prosper in Business Regardless of the Economy
Coping with Competition: How to Tilt the Playing Field in Your Favor
Little Boy Found: One Man’s Search for Lost Self-Esteem
Fiction – For publication this fall
The Adventures of Dave and Dani: A personal trainer and a florist find success and true love.
WRITER’S FORUM
WEB SITE HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This will be the first in a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Grammer Girl
QuickAndDirtyTips.com/grammar-girl
A podcast which offers Short tips on how to improve your writing and discover a love for the English language.
WRITER’S FORUM
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This will be the first in a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
Note to self, ARTICLE ON PERSONAL FREEDOM IN TODAY’S SOCIETY.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Library of Congress
LOC.gov
A reliable source for research where you can find historical and contemporary publications.
There are many useful areas including Contemporary Books & Writers, Science, Technology & Business. There is another area, Geography & Maps.
Information like this is important to me personally because, in my fiction, I like to include locations and roads which exist.
WORKS BASED ON THE NOVEL
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
As I have mentioned in previous posts my interest in alien life, apparently looking at the vast amount of material generated by interest in H. G. Wells’ novel, The War of the Worlds, I am not alone.
Here is a partial list of efforts based on the novel.
Theatrical (movies) 3
Direct to video 7
Television productions 8
Radio productions 17
The first being the famous radio adaptation by Orson Wells.
Music productions 7
Comic books 12
There are also ten other various types of efforts related to the novel
Here is a link for a more detailed list.
List of works based on The War of the Worlds – Wikipedia
In a future post I will discuss the discovery of the possibility of alien life in our solar system.
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
COMPARING THE 2005 MOVIE TO THE NOVEL
CONTINUED
With all my misgivings about the 2005 movie concerning the invasion from Mars, of the two movies, 1953 and 2005, the 2005 version most closely follows H. G. Wells’ novel.
Once the machines emerge from underground an EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) disables all electronic devices. The machines also do this in the 1953 movie. I don’t think Wells knew anything about the effect of an EMP.
The machines are tripods which are the type of machine also in the novel.
Both movies differ from the book because the machines are protected by a shield whereas the machines in the novel can be destroyed. Also, in the movies the invasion encompasses the entire world, in the movie only England is involved.
In the 2005 movie and the novel the machines cultivate a red vine which engulfs the entire area. The vines are grown using human blood which the Martians also use for nourishment. In the novel autopsies are performed on Martians and it is discovered that they lack a digestive system.
And finally, in both movies and the novel the Martians meet their demise through disease caused by bacteria to which they have no resistance. Wells speculated that there are no diseases caused by bacteria on Mars.
Here is a link to a discussion of the 2005 movie.
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
COMPARING THE 1953 MOVIE TO THE NOVEL
Of the movies two movies made using
the novel as a guide in 1953 and 2005, my favorite is the movie made in 1953.
Yet that is the movie, of the two, which least resembles the book.
The premise of the movie is an
alien invasion from Mars. This nails down where the invasion originates, of
course, the title serves the same purpose. I say this premise follows the novel
for an alien invasion could come from any planet or any solar system.
One nice touch in the 2005 movie
was to include Gene Barry who plays Dr. Clayton Forrester and Ann Robinson who
plays Sylvia van Buren in the 1953 movie as the grandparents at the end of the
2005 movie.
To begin with, the Martians arrive at
what, at first, appears to be a meteorite. After a short period of time men
guarding the object detect a unscrewing at the top of the object and a device
appearing which destroys the men. What is never explained is how the Martian
machines make their exit with only the small aperture revealed.
In the published description of the
movie, it is said that heat rays are used to cause destruction. But if memory
serves, there were two types of rays. One was a heat ray which caused most of
the destruction and set fires. But initially a ray was used causing men and
vehicles to disappear and is described as a ray which destroys the energy which
joins molecules. Hence, the ray causes whatever it hits to fall apart.
Another difference between the book
to both movies is that the entire planet is under attack. In the novel only
England is involved, the home of H. G. Wells.
In the 1953 movie the machines
arrive already constructed whereas in the novel, upon arrival of the cylinders,
the machines must be firs constructed. Also, the machines in the movie do not
appear as described in the book. The machines in the novel walk on three
extended legs whereas the machines in the movie appear to hover with the theory
that they are manipulating gravity. The machines in the movie are protected by
a force-field. In the novel they can be destroyed.
In both movies and the novel there
is a scene where the characters are hiding in a farmhouse. In the 1953 movie
the characters escape with a rag soaked with Martian blood. In the novel and
the 2005 movie what occurs in the farmhouse is similar with the final result
being the death of a character.
The blood collected and analyzed
reveals that the Martians are anemic and have a poorly developed immune system
which leads to their demise. This failure for the Martians to survive is true
in both movies and the book.
Here is a link to the published version of the 1953 movie.
The War
of the Worlds (1953 film) – Wikipedia
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