Thursday, April 23, 2009

The War Against the Rull by AE van Vogt

The War Against the Rull
AE van Vogt
1959, 1973, Panther, Aylesbury
0586028005
156p.

Humans have expanded throughout the galaxy and face one major foe - the Rull, an energy-based being. This story follows a man named Jamieson as he fights for humankind on strange planets and in space.

This was originally a bunch of short stories which have been condensed into a single novel. I've read one of these short stories before in an old anthology of classic science fiction shorts. Jamieson is a great character - heroic but in an intelligent way. And the different alien beings and cultures are so very imaginative as most of van Vogt's creations are.

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Monday, April 6, 2009

How to be a Villain: Evil Laughs, Secret Plans, Master Lairs and More!!! by Neil Zawacki


How to be a Villain: Evil Laughs, Secret Plans, Master Lairs and More!!!
Neil Zawacki
2003, Chronicle Books, San Francisco
0811846660
160p.

A little book which gives details on how to be a classic literary bad guy.

It's a villainous little book! I loved the retro artwork, I think without the art this book wouldn't work. The author seems a little passive-aggressive at times, but that's what makes it so fun.

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Friday, April 3, 2009

Catch Me if You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit by Frank W. Abagnale

Catch Me if You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit
Frank W. Abagnale
2000, 2002, Bantam, Milsons Point
1863253920
285p.

This is the story of Frank W. Abagnale who, at the age of sixteen, impersonated a pilot in order to score free flights and to pass off counterfeit cheques. This begins a career of forgery and counterfeiting all around the world.

This is an amazing story. Abagnale is certainly intelligent and confident, and a good writer too although I note that there is a ghost writer attached to the book. The parts set in the French prison were heartbreaking, but the Swedish prison sounded like heaven!

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