An IBM 1130 in high school before getting to play with the System/360 in university. With a little torture time manually HEX programming a DEC via toggle switches.
"How We Got Here" by CR Halpike, offering an alternate theory of cultural evolution reflecting Piaget's theories of human development.
I do like reading Stephen King, but find my mind getting warped after too many of them. 😵
Thus find Crime Novels more understandable. Usually makes sense at the end.
Current read is beyond Weird. "Songs of the Dying Earth". But am completely hooked.
An Homage to Fantasy writer Jack Vance by some of the World's best writers who were equally hooked:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Vance
It's a future Dying World ruled largely by Magic. The Sun is now Red. Nothing makes much sense, but you just go along for the ride. And to see what surprising things happen next.
I won't go on, but it's the funniest thing I have ever read. Better even than Jeeves and Wooster. And strangely profound. 😀
Thus find Crime Novels more understandable. Usually makes sense at the end.
Current read is beyond Weird. "Songs of the Dying Earth". But am completely hooked.
An Homage to Fantasy writer Jack Vance by some of the World's best writers who were equally hooked:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Vance
It's a future Dying World ruled largely by Magic. The Sun is now Red. Nothing makes much sense, but you just go along for the ride. And to see what surprising things happen next.
I won't go on, but it's the funniest thing I have ever read. Better even than Jeeves and Wooster. And strangely profound. 😀
I quite enjoyed Hugh and Fry's depiction of Jeeves and Wooster, but I've never read the books, so I don't know how they compare.
I received my copy of "The Burgundians" a few weeks ago. Some of my friends in Belgium have read it in the original. It traces that part of European history from the time at which the Romans abandoned the defense of the Rhine. Phillip the Good and all that stuff. Bart van Loo is a very engaging writer.
Mulberg, don't take this unkindly, but my Literature teacher said it is "Not enough to say you like something, but you must also say Why."
Should I spend Time on Faulkner? What will I gain?
Being interested in most things, I recently ordered this book:
I did get a bit bored with the opening chapters. Familiar stuff about snakes and witchcraft in Africa. Tried to return it to the Library yesterday. The Library was shut for Staff Training!
Looks like I must finish it. Advenures with Polar Bears and Igloos doubtless forthcoming. Can't wait.
One of the eye-openers for me was that the Burgundians actually hail from Europe-raiding Vikings!
Jan
The End of Eternity by Isaac Asminov is kind of time traveling.
French blondes owe their coloring to the Norsemen who sailed the Seine -- and they gave us Brigitte Bardot!
I suppose it is inevitable that a 2D Forum such as this is interested in Science Fiction. 🙂
I rarely post in Multi-Way these days, considering the problem essentially solved. Function of a complex variable.
I was enquiring to my good neighbour Alan this morning whether he possessed any novels by Jack Vance. He is a notorious bookworm, spending most of his Time installing bookshelves.
Probably has more books than Portsmouth Central Library! 😀
Anywhoo, he has rustled up something for my perusal:
Looks interesting. I may have to reorganise my priorities. Many favourites there.
I rarely post in Multi-Way these days, considering the problem essentially solved. Function of a complex variable.
I was enquiring to my good neighbour Alan this morning whether he possessed any novels by Jack Vance. He is a notorious bookworm, spending most of his Time installing bookshelves.
Probably has more books than Portsmouth Central Library! 😀
Anywhoo, he has rustled up something for my perusal:
Looks interesting. I may have to reorganise my priorities. Many favourites there.
Short fiction is where much of the world's SF gold can be mined. It's really where modern SF started. Gardener Dozois anthologies. Also multi volume collections of SF greats short stuff
Never got past 'God Emperor Of Dune' when Herbert was writing them, but read the lot a couple of years back. Thought the conclusion held up reasonably well.
Also try 'The Santeroga Barrier' and 'Hellstroms Hive' if you've not already read them.