The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

 

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the first science fiction movies I remember seeing was the original 1953 version of this story as a kid in the 70s. That was also my introduction to this story. Although I was fascinated by the story I was a bit hesitant on reading the book as it was written in the late 1800s and how readable this would this be. I was pleasantly surprised though when I started reading this one.

For a story written in the 1890s, it reads amazingly well. Also, I tended to forget this was long before modern technology. No cars, television, or radio as we know it and in this light, it still has aged very well.

The story is narrated by an unnamed Englishman who is apparently of scientific background and is at an astronomical observatory when explosions, which seem to signal the eventual invasion, are observed on Mars. This eventually coincides with objects falling around England. These objects are just carriers for the martian invaders and their war machines which they erect shortly after they arrive. The Martians are hampered by the Earth's stronger gravity and stay inside their machines. Their war machines have long spindly legs that tower above the tallest buildings and have long mechanical tentacles that shoot deadly heat rays(imagine hearing this term in the 1890s, it's long before Star Trek and Star Wars) and they emit black smoke (foreshadowing the gas attacks in WWI just a 20 years later) which are lethal upon inhaling. The military of the day puts up a valiant effort, and even knocks out a machine or two with artillery, but is woefully outmatched.

At this point, there is panic and fleeing before the mighty martian machines. The narrator along with a curate( no name given) and while foraging for food is buried in the rubble of another Martian cylinder that has crashed where they are trapped for about two weeks with an already dwindling food and water supply. The curate eventually loses his mind and is found by Martians and taken away. The Narrator narrowly escapes into a devastated London with death and a strange red weed growing everywhere. He reunites with an artilleryman he had met earlier in the conflict. The artilleryman has thought a lot about how humans can survive under the Martians in a type of resistance that does seem quite elaborate. It is eventually noticed the Martian machines aren't moving and have gone quiet. It is then realized the Martians are dead(or dying). It is said they are dying from Earthly pathogens from which they have no immunity from. In the aftermath of the invasion, he recovers enough to eventually make it back home where he reunites with his wife.

I really enjoyed this book more than I anticipated. It had an easy-to-read flow and is relatively short in length. I found it easy to get engrossed in the story and not realize that he was describing a world in 1890s England before most of the modern conveniences we take for granted. I wonder what the 1897 reader thought trying to imagine what a "heat ray" was. Science fiction indeed.

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Rocks by Joe Perry

Rocks: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith by Joe Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An exciting look at one of the bad boys from Boston. I've listened to Aerosmith through the years but never dove that deeply into their history. As a native New Englander, the Aerosmith story is part of our rock and roll lore. Joe's memoir travels throughout the region even before the group hit worldwide star status. Even as I type this I'm just a few towns away from Joe's boyhood home of Hopedale.

Joe comes off as a dark brooding introvert whose main outlet is his electric guitar. He spends much of the early parts of the book pestering his parents for one. Then come the years since in small bands in Boston and the surrounding area. Eventually, the members of Aerosmith finally find each other and they ride the road to success. Along that road, they pick up drug habits, divorces, band breaking-up, falling off stages, addictions, therapists, success, non-stop touring, micromanaging manager, and all the while bitching about lead singer Steve Tyler. For as much as he whines about Steve, and he's no angel, they still stick together. They are the Boston version of Mick & Keith. Guess what Joe, if Steve hasn't changed by now he's not going to. No wonder they're all in therapy.

It's an entertaining book if you want to know more of Aerosmith's history there is no shortage of drama to go along with it.

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A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've read John Irving's "World According to Garp" and enjoyed the book(and movie) very much (probably due for a reread of it) so I thought I'd give Owen Meany a chance. Its reviews or commentary on the book is overwhelmingly positive so that clinched it. The only thing that concerned me was by reading some comments and even review blurbs on the book itself one might expect a calling from God himself or have some sort of epiphany or conversion. For better or worse it did not happen in my experience although the book is enjoyable and heartwarming. The ending though seemed a bit anticlimactic because I expected it all along. Although it may seem a bit heavy-handed in its religious tone at times it is more what I call old-school religion versus in-your-face evangelical style Christianity. I'm on the cynical side about that stuff but won't knock someone else's belief.

It's a charming story set in a charming New Hampshire town and a batch of eccentric personalities(this seems to a thing with Irving as "World According to Garp" has a similar setting and quirky characters). It also has a heavy-handed outlook about the Vietnam War and Reagan era politics that might be off-putting to some. It is also on the long side that may seem tedious at first but it does find its pace the further along it goes. Its length and tediousness made it tempting to put the book away but yet it was still interesting enough to keep me coming back for more.

It was a decent book but I think I expected too much. Perhaps I had read too many others having their own epiphany type of experiences or falling in love with Owen. This was not my experience. Owen was intelligent, thoughtful, and outspoken despite his broken voice. The religious theme might be heavy for some but the story was more about having faith than being preachy. The book is an enjoyable escape for a while into the world according to Owen Meany.

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Keeping The Faith by Jimmy Carter

Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President by Jimmy Carter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jimmy Carter was the first President I have recollection of as a kid. My major recollections weren't detailed but I do remember the famous smile and big hair. I also remember the inflation, gas lines, Camp David peace talks, Ted Kennedy challenging him, Iran hostage situation and of course defeat to Reagan. All of is addressed in his memoirs in varying degrees. I've read books on Nixon, Ford, Reagan and even one about Kennedy/Carter but this is first from or about Carter alone.

The memoir generally runs chronologically taking guidance from the Presidents personal diary. It was interesting to hear about his perspective of events I remember as a kid. He's highly detailed but is still very thoughtful. Though book though was heavily into the details of his administration goings on but seemed like First Lady Rosalynn and daughter Amy were barely mention. In contrast the week at Camp David with Anwar Sadat(Egypt)of and Menachem Begin(Israel) trying to iron out peace accords feels like half the book. I'm sure some would find it interesting but it did seem it went on forever.

The last part of the book covers of the Iran hostage situation and his reelection bid. A little surprising is how underplayed his rivalry with Senator Ted Kennedy was. By most other accounts I've come across it was quite bitter. Perhaps even more so than against Reagan. I feel his reelection against Reagan was also underplayed. Not sure if it was just too bitter to talk about when he wrote this which was relatively soon after his Presidency.

I kind of felt like Jimmy Carter was great at being a heavily involved in the Presidency's day to day stuff but it did seem to lack a lot of warmth or humor. In other words, dry. He seemed to skip or skim over unpleasant stuff like Kennedy, malaise speech, Reagan etc... I like President Carter but I don't know if this does him justice. It's still worth reading if you're into Presidential history.



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