Category Archives: Reviews

Book reviews, as well as Reads to Reels

Sharpe’s Battle

Posted on October 23, 2011 by smellincoffee

Sharpe’s Battle© 1995 Bernard Cornwell304 pages “You did what, Sharpe? A duel? Don’t you know dueling is illegal in the army?”“I never said anything about a duel, General. I just offered to beat the hell out of him right here … Continue reading →

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The Planet that Wasn’t

Posted on October 17, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Planet that Wasn’t© 1976 Isaac Asimov237 pages Isaac Asimov routinely penned science essays in various magazines, and given his eagerness to publish books, often produced collections of said science essays. The Planet that Wasn’t is one such collection, covering … Continue reading →

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Complete Guide to Walking

Posted on October 17, 2011 by smellincoffee

Walking Magazine’s Complete Guide to Walking for Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness© 2001 Mark Fenton261 pages In late August or early September, I woke up early one morning, donned my wide-brimmed straw hat, and set off for an early-morning walk … Continue reading →

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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Posted on October 16, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesSir Arthur Conan DoyleIllustrations by Richard LebensonAfterword by Fred Strebeigh© 1987, The Reader’s Digest Association. ‎”You? Who are you? How could you know anything about the matter?” “My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business … Continue reading →

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Pathways

Posted on October 12, 2011 by smellincoffee

Star Trek Voyager: Pathways© 1998 Jeri Taylor438 pages Star Trek Pathways throws Voyager’s entire bridge crew (save Captain Janeway) into an alien prisoner-of-war camp where tenants are expected to fend for themselves, Andersonville-style. While Commander Chakotay, Commander Tuvok, Lieutenants Paris … Continue reading →

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Sharpe’s Fury

Posted on October 12, 2011 by smellincoffee

Sharpe’s Fury© 2006 Bernard Cornwell337 pages Winter 1811: most of Spain lies under the flag of the Emperor Napoleon, and the British army has beaten a retreat to a fortified corner of Portugal. Cadiz, the last city of the sovereign … Continue reading →

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This Week at the Library (12 October)

Posted on October 12, 2011 by smellincoffee

After reading several tomes in Will Durant’s Story of Civilization series, I’m rather…full of epic history at the moment, particularly religious history, so I returned Christianity: the First Three Thousand Years for some lighter fare. I have three recent reviews waiting to … Continue reading →

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The Good German

Posted on October 7, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Good German© 2001 Joseph Kanon512 pages Berlin, summer 1945. The heart of the most infamous empire in history lies in ruins, battered by bombs and ravaged block by block by Russian artillery.  Its contents sacked and its people abused … Continue reading →

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The Union Club Mysteries

Posted on October 7, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Union Club Mysteries© 1987 Isaac Asimov210 pages Evening falls in New York City, and inside the aristocratic Union Club, four gentlemen sit ensconced in their usual chairs in the club library. Three talk softly among themselves while a fourth … Continue reading →

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The Reformation

Posted on October 2, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Reformation: A history of European civilization from Wyclif to Calvin: 1300-1564© 1957 Will Durant1025 pages Although titled as a work of religious history, The Reformation is almost more a continuation of The Age of Faith in covering the final two … Continue reading →

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