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Review: At the Mercy of the Sea

Apr 5, 2017 | Literature | 0 comments

At the Mercy of the Sea
At the Mercy of the Sea by John Kretschmer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

50% compelling story of 3 sailors who were lost at sea in a hurricane. However I think the author, maybe in an effort to make the story interesting, maybe in an effort to assuage any perceived guilt he had for his friends death, at some points seems to be victim blaming – either that the sailors did something wrong or went against a superstition.

Now I am sure lots of mistakes were made but at the same time there is a point where nothing you do is going to get you out of a hurricane. “If only they had called the coast guard 2 hours earlier, if only they had sailed north, if only, if only”. Yes some was bad decisions but some was decisions based on widely accepted sailing tactics and what many sailors probably would have done in the situation. The hurricane (Hurricane Lenny) was a freak occurrence that was not only travelling the wrong way but also was late in the season and unexpected, even for the weather service. At some point, there was nothing these sailors could have done to survive.

The other part – the superstition – maybe it was just being an element of excitement or interest to the book but I highly doubt these guys died because they renamed their boat or because they left on a Friday. However when you say it it pulls me out of the story because I have to analyze it – are you mentioning a superstition? are you saying this added to their misfortune? I felt it was jarring.

The audio narration was so so. Sometimes the technical parts were read in a different volume like they were recorded in a different studio. Overall through the narrator was clear and easy to understand.

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Something a bit different!

Aug 16, 2016 | Bright Ideas, Hobbies, Literature | 0 comments

I walked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 0.60mi
time: 30:44
pace: 51:19min/mi
speed: 1.17mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1682866703

Went on a walk with The Other today instead of a ride die to stome unexpected schedule changes.   It was nice! We walked up to the local park and like any adult I decided to play on the equipment.

I also found a Little Library at the park which made me so excited! In some neighborhoods there are a lot of controversy over these but I haven’t heard any complaints in my neighborhood.  I have a hard time letting go of my old books but I think I am going to find a few to donate to this worthy cause.

Settlers of Catan – the book!

Nov 3, 2015 | Literature | 0 comments

The year is 850. In the seas of northern Europe, the small coastal village of Elasund falls prey to marauding neighbors. Their food stores pillaged, women and children stolen, livestock destroyed, the villagers are left to barely survive the harsh winter — and contemplate a drastic solution to their recurring hardships: leaving the only village they have ever known. Foster brothers Candamir and Osmund lead their people on an epic quest to a mythic island home, but without knowledge of exactly where the island is, they must trust the gods to deliver them safely. Lost at sea and set adrift, an extraordinarily violent storm washes them ashore the island famed in pagan lore: Catan. They quickly set about building a new society but old grudges, animosities, and social orders lead to fraternal strife. As the ideals of Candamir’s Christian slave spread throughout the village and conflict with pagan law, the two belief systems clash. When both Osmund and Candamir fall in love with Siglind, the mysterious queen of the Cold Islands, things come to a head. Based on the wildly popular board game of the same name designed by Klaus Teuber, Rebecca Gable’s The Settlers of Catan is a must-read adventure rich in detail and rippling with intensity

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Earlier this year I went to GenCon (the best 4 days in gaming!) and one of the most ridiculous things I picked up there was a hard cover leather bound copy of the “Settlers of Catan” book.  Its a book about the characters in the board game.  I am not a huge fan of the board game but when I saw this item I couldn’t pass it up.

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How I imagine the book:

Jane looked over to Robert, rugged in his manliness while he chopped wood.  She knew the time was now or never, she urged her flock over to him.

“Robert, can you please trade me 3 wood for 1 wool?”

“I don’t need any wool right now, I am waiting on bricks – do you have bricks?” replied Robert

Jane did have bricks, but if she traded it she would never be able to complete her road.

“I’m sorry, I can’t”, she replied morosely, “Can’t we please trade, How about 2 wool?”

“No!” replied Robert harshly, “I’m not going to help you after you let the Robber into my ore mine!”

and so on and so forth. (Yes I was totally giggling while writing that)

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I haven’t had the opportunity to read it yet but from what I skimmed I think it will be awesome. I plan to appreciate it ironically but who knows – the book does have 4 stars on Amazon over 111 reviews so it can’t be that bad – right? I mean, its not like people on Amazon have ever given high reviews to a terrible book right?  Don’t worry, I will report back once I finish to let you know how it goes…if you trade me 3 bricks for 1 wool…..

Review: Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story

May 10, 2015 | Literature | 0 comments

Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story
Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t think I have ever read a biography before but this was recommended to me as a don’t miss. That is absolutely true – this was one of the most enjoyable books I have read and would recommended it as a great introduction to this genre.

To answer your first question, Arnold does read the first and last chapters on the audio book and even has some life tips at the end. The majority of the book through is read by someone else with a slightly clearer accept (although I didn’t have any trouble understanding Arnold.)

I felt the book was inspirational and motivational as he documents his life as a rural farm boy to an American action star and governor. I felt the language was candid and unapologetic and the fact checking I did seems that he was mostly honest throughout the book.

The biggest complaint I have read is that he only devotes one chapter to his affair and eventual divorce and it is near the end. Listening to it though I feel the pain is still very real for him as is the hope that him and his wife will eventually reunite. Perhaps this is why he decided not to dwell on the subject too much.

Overall I was surprised this book was so entertaining and interesting and am really happy I took a chance on it.

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