Tuesday, December 24, 2013

NORAD and Santa

 So, Christmas Eve, 2013

http://www.noradsanta.org/

In some very odd way, having North America Air Defense Command, who's main job was to let us know we were about to be cremated alive, tracking Santa, every year of my life, seems to encapsulate the experience of growing up as a cold war kid living at various ground zeroes

There are a very few things that also capture that: Age of Aquarius, William Barton is one. Hes a bit older than me.  But it still moves me profoundly.

Obviously, I'm really glad we made it, and am still surprised that we did. Nice to be wrong occasionally.

I am also delighted that my kids don't get the whole cold war eve of destruction- ten-minutes-before-midnight-thing. I wouldn't wish that on most of the people I hate (except maybe Richard Nixon).

Okay.  enough.  Glad we are all alive.  Merry effin' christmas.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Reviewsday: Romulus Buckle and the City of the Founders

I generally cycle from SF to fantasy on about a six month cycle; I seem to be switching over again, as I found a new SF (abeit pulp SF) book I got to share.


Romulus Buckle and the City of the Founders !
 Richard Ellis Preston Jr.

Zepplins, Martians, post-apocalyptic earth, swords, robots, and giant cool hats !

Season with the LA basin, cults and technoclans, lots more zeppelins, evil neofascists, missing sisters (did I mention robots ?).

Honest to god, what more do you need ?

A good, fast read, tight story, good characters, excellent dialogue and brisk writing style, all contribute to it being awarded the coveted 2013 prize for best use of zeppelins in a post apocalyptic setting without elves or gratuitous use of Tesla.

..AND, the second book is now out, in which the devilish plot and trechery is further revealed, along with blood-thirsty Martian Saber beasts, and a Mysterious Mountain hideaway   ! 


Again:
http://www.amazon.com/Romulus-Founders-Chronicles-Pneumatic-Zeppelin-ebook/dp/B009PS42YI/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1