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The Last Continent
Terry Pratchett
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ASIN: 0061059072
Release Date: 2004-10-26 |
Amazon.com
Terry Pratchett's 22nd Discworld novel, The Last Continent, is a lighthearted tour of the fantasy land of Fourecks, a very Australian sort of place, with brief courses in theoretical physics and evolution thrown in for good measure. Pratchett returns to his first Discworld protagonist, the inept and cowardly wizard Rincewind, who habitually runs into trouble as fast as he flees. Rincewind's arrival in Fourecks has distorted the space-time continuum, and he has to sort it out before the whole place dries up and blows away. The situation is complicated because the actual problem is located 30,000 years in the past--just where the Faculty of the Unseen University currently are. Pretty frightening, given "the true wizard's instinct to amble aimlessly into dangerous places," and then "stop and argue ... about exactly what kind of danger it [is]."
If you're baffled by all this, no worries, mate. You needn't have read Pratchett before--not even the five previous Discworld novels starring Rincewind (The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, Sourcery, Eric, and Interesting Times)--to enjoy this latest romp. Nor to have visited Australia. When you finish, however, you'll likely want to rush out and do both. --Nona Vero
Book Description
Something is amiss at Unseen Unversity, Ankh-Morpork's most prestigious (i.e., only) institution of higher learning. A professor is missing—but a search party is on the way! A bevy of senior wizards will follow the trail wherever it leads—even to the other side of Discworld, where the Last Continent, Fourecks, is under construction. Imagine a magical land where rain is but a myth and the ordinary is strange and the past and present run side by side. experience the terror as you encounter a Mad Dwarf, the Peach Butt, and the dreaded Meat Pie Floater.
Feel the passion as the denizens of the Last Continent learn what happens when rain falls and the rivers fill with water (it spoils regattas, for one thing). Thrill to the promise of next year's regatta, in remote, rustic Didjabringabeeralong. It'll be asolutely gujeroo (no worries).
Customer Reviews:
Discworld.......2006-08-27
I've decided he's too good and too prolific for me to write a brand new review every single time I read one of his books. Discworld currently has 34 titles and every one of them will probably knock your socks off. His mind bubbles and flashes like a boiling pot of electric eels, and I simply can't get enough of his writing.
A reviewer has compared him to Geoffrey Chaucer. He reminds me more of Douglas Adams, or perhaps S Morgenstern. Great company, isn't it? He's an extremely skillful and imaginative writer, damn funny, clever and observant to boot. He's also very easy to read. A master of characterization, and if there's anything else you like about reading that I didn't mention here, assume I simply forgot. He's awesome.
Another reviewer mentioned Jonathan Swift and PG Wodehouse. Why such hallowed company? Because Pratchett belongs there! Truly, I'm enjoying my quest to read every book in the series. You should do the same, and begin your quest at the library because he's got to be there. He's awesome!
Yet another reviewer said Jerome K Jerome meets Lord of the Rings. Yeah, that works too.
Why do we, as reviewers, compare authors to other authors? Because it's easier than thinking. In the case of Terry Pratchett, it's probably because we'd otherwise wind up quoting the guy. He's so unique that we just don't know how else to cope with his greatness. Even this paragraph sounds like foamy drool raving, doesn't it? That's how all readers react to Pratchett. Reviewers simply don't have the good sense to keep it to themselves.
I could call his writing fantasy, but I could likewise call what Douglas Adams wrote science fiction. In both cases, I wouldn't be wrong, but I'd be neglecting so much and just totally missing the point. A rare few authors transcend a genre to such a degree that you know they're shouting out, loud and proud, a big fat "Bite me!"
I love Terry Pratchett's writing, and I completely understand why some folks refer to him as their favorite author. Or favourite, I should say, since we're being British. He's one of those authors that makes you want to grab whoever's in hearing range and start reading passages aloud. I'm simply thrilled that there's such an extremely talented and prolific author who's been working for years without me being aware of him. Now I have much catching up to do, and I will love it.
Disappointed.......2006-08-27
I fail to see the point of reviewing Discoworld book, especially one that comes this late in the series. By now, you are a hardcore fan, or you just didn't like Pratchett's style.
For my part, I can say that I adored Discworld from the moment that I have read Color of Magic, though it is not my favorite book in the series. Then again, I never grew fond of Rincewind, much more to my liking were numerous side characters that were so jovial and so life-like that you just had to love them.
So that being said I'll just fly shortly over this book.
Last Continent is divided in two parts. The very poor one, staring Rincewind and Luggage finding themselves on a strange continent that resembles Australia, is variation on a theme already exploited in Witches Abroad in a way that surpasses this one immensely. Second part (as often is the case in Discworld, these two parts do not follow one another, rather they make "intercourse") stars Unseen University staff including Archchancellor, Dean, Librarian, Ponder Stibbon, some other that I cannot remember right now, and most importantly Mrs Whitlow, cleaning lady.
This second part keeps entire novel entertaining enough and on a very high satiric level combined with sharp intelligence, something that Pratchett's very good at. And all began when wizards tried to restore Librarian back to it's normal shape...You can possibly visualise what kind of trouble this caused.
But as I have said, if you don't know already who are the characters that I mentiond here, you should probably avoid this book and if you are interested in Discworld you should consider starting from the beginning of the series. For the rest of you out there, this is, though for moments hillarious, rather dull, long, and less than average Discworld book.
Abridged Edition.......2006-08-08
All Corgi Audio books are abridged editions, with Terry Pratchett being read by Tony Robinson.
Old pratchett vs new pratchett.......2006-07-26
Pratchett books are divided into two categories: the pratchetts of old, with a side-splitting joke every page, or the new pratchetts, which are humorous but more drily so, laying more emphasis on plot.
The fans too are split according to their preference in each category. I like to think I am somewhere in the middle: I enjoy good plots, but I did love laughing along in a book where the story didn't matter and being often jerked along as haphhazardly as real life. Somehow, normal plots take away that delightful, unreal yet all too real treatment of heroes, plot, narrative devices and endings. Am I confusing you? I mean that there is a tradeoff between writing a good satisfying plot and making it a wild, hilariously unpredictable ride. For eg., Captain Carrot and Sam Vimes belong firmly in the 'conventional good hero who does things most people cannot do category'. It is the dry humor in those books that makes them a Pratchett.
Now to the review. The Last continent is written in the same style as the 'old pratchetts'. It has a commendable lack of heroes or villains, a wonderful lack of predictability - you never know when a god or storm will smite the wizards and hurl them into mysterious places in different times. Nor do you really admire their constant bickering but can't help rooting for them anyway.
This books reveals the inner secrets of the Unseen University elite politics. For those who like wizards and Rincewind, this book is worth the familiar, joke/atrocious pun/ subtle insight packed value of Old Pratchett. I thoroughly recommend it for that. For discworld newbies, this is as good a start as any. If you prefer humor tempered with a conventional story, you'd be better off with the Watch books (Guards, Men at arms, feet of clay, jingo, fifth elephant, thud).
Smashing Sorcery.......2006-05-02
Some wizards could be so wild and eccentric that they result in sidesplitting phenomena especially when their creative architect is Terry Pratchett. Together with zany dialogues, the supposedly sages travel through time and bizarre worlds in search of their comrade. While they deal with their adventures, such as meeting an evolution god and whatnot, their missing colleague is having a rather intrepid exploit of his own, like running for his life most of the time. Talking animals and unconventional logic adorn the story from start to finish. The way Mr. Pratchett brings everything together in the end is amusing. As with Mr. Pratchett's other novels, this tale also follows the similar lengthy track of events. There are no numbered chapters per se but each part is gaily separated by a burning question. Although extensive, it is still an amazing ride of madcap fiction and the many mentions of food are invigorating.
Book Description
A professional naturalist's incredible, personal portrait of America's largest and most pristine wilderness in the lower 48 states: the Northern Continental Divide ecosystem in Montana, Alberta, and British Columbia. This vast area includes two national parks in two countries (Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes in Canada), three designated wilderness areas including the famous Bob Marshall Wilderness. This book describes the area's geology, wildlife, plant life, and crucial environmental issues with over 150 stunning photographs. A great gift!
Customer Reviews:
Crown of the Continent text!.......2006-11-11
Without a doubt, the finest piece of nature captured not only in stunning photographs (many by Ralph himself) however the text is a must read to capture the true escense of Ralph and his skills and talents as a naturalist.
Reading this book feels like your are walking right next to Ralph as he treks the widerness of Montana describing the surroundings through his eyes and knowledge that he possesses. No stone, plant, feather, or animal is left unturned. Well written! Fantastic reading!
A portrait of landscapes and seasons.......2005-05-06
Crown Of The Continent: The Last Great Wilderness Of The Rocky Mountains visually showcases the last large and wild ecosystem in the northern Rocky Mountains which ranges from parts of Montana and Alberta, to British Columbia. This is a land of national parks, wilderness areas, ecologically vital private lands, and an impressive array of soaring peaks, primal forests, spectacular waterways, and diverse wildlife. Crown Of The Continent is a portrait of landscapes and seasons, flora and fauna, captured in stunningly beautiful photography enhanced with an informed and informative text. Also available in a paperback format (1931832498, $19.95), Crown Of The Continent is essential reading for anyone with an interest in preserving and enjoying wild lands and pristine landscapes.
Never a better way to see the Crown as it is - awesome.......2005-02-10
This book literally brings alive the great natural resources of the Crown of the Continent. Author Ralph Waldt brings his passionate love of and commitment to the preservation and perpetuation of this unique and wonderful area. When you read his book, the experiences come alive and you can literally feel that you are by Ralph's side, "tramping" the wild places, seeing the environment with a richness born of personal involvement, a touching and tasting of the natural beauty and diversity of the Crown. If you have any interest level in being more a part of nature, this will help you realize your ambition, and propel you to new heights of engagement with the earth.
Captures the essence of the Rockies.......2005-02-10
I live in Montana. Ralph Waldt expressed what it's like to live here and walk those trails and see the animals much better than I ever could. Oh, and his photos are just awesome.
A feast for the eyes and the heart of the nature lover.......2005-02-06
This book contains some of the most beautiful pictures of the northern Rocky Mountains that I have seen. The author becomes your own personal guide as he takes you on a virtual tour of some of the most breathtaking scenes of the area. In the writing he shares the different facets of the landscape, animals, and character of each area. With its exquisite photography, Crown of the Continent is a highly recommended nature book and a real pleasure just to sit down and browse through.
Customer Reviews:
A BOOK FOR A LIFETIME .......2007-03-05
Here I am ordering another copy of this book. I keep "loaning" them. I received my first copy in the mid-1950s as a horse/cowboy-loving teenager in Indiana. My USFS Ranger uncle sent it to me because he knew....!!! Knew it would be another huge nudge in getting me out to the Great Pacific Northwest other than just for visits. I made it in 1968 and my husband and I have visited the area depicted in the book countless times. I will soon turn 70 and have enjoyed reading this book every few years throughout my life. It is most compelling. The reviews of others are definitely right on. What more can I say other than, read it?
Amazing.......2007-01-10
A personal look in living real life in a land that little is known
Grass Beyond the Mountains.......2006-01-31
Pan Phillips had the "Pan Phillips International Airport" at his fishing camp beyond Anahim Lake B.C. For several years, we flew into his little airport between 2 lakes. Pan told us some of the same stories that are in this book. Louis Soukup was one of the first pilots to the area. Louis would fly in, any equipment that Pan needed, on the pontoons of his airplane. This book gives the stories as though you were sitting at the feet of the men who were the first settlers in this area of British Colombia. It is really an adventure to read.
Read It!.......2001-12-18
We own the Legacy Ranch high in the mountains of Northeastern Utah. For years we have loved the beauty of the unspoiled wilderness. Nursing newborn elk calves, watching Canadian Lynx outside their lairs, and many other adventures have cast us in the mold of lovers of the wilderness. To read the adventures of true cowboys, who started with nothing else but their "grit" and ended up with lives spent plumbing the depths of fun and hard work was one of the top literary experiences of our lives. This book, far better than the sequels, will be part o four Christmas giving this year.
Nothing To It!.......1999-12-12
Nothing to reading it, that is. This is one of the first nonfictions books I've read that I have ever liked. I got interested in it when I saw the TV show 'Nothing Too Good For A Cowboy' and had to read the books. This book made me laugh and almost made me cry. The characters are too funny and very heart-warming.
Book Description
Peter Hathaway Capstick first earned a name as an outdoor writer in the pages of such magazines as Guns & Ammo, Petersen's Hunting, The American Hunter, and Outdoor Life. In this, the first of a two-volume collection of his hunting, fishing, and shooting tales, you'll find twenty-four examples of his keen eye and steady hand with rifle, shotgun, bow, and typewriter.
The critically acclaimed successor to Hemingway and Robert Ruark repeatedly put himself in harm's way and writes about close scrapes with his trademark wit and dash. He tells what it's like to be in the path of an express train with Horns--the Cape buffalo; describes the heart-stopping sensation of sharing the immediate bush with several sickle-clawed lions that most certainly were prone to argue; and recounts his adventures bow-fishing for exotic species in the piranha-filled rivers of Brazil. Capstick's experiences, painfully gained (and almost lost) with the most dangerous of game, are the yardsticks against which most modern exotic and hunting adventures are gauged. The finely rendered drawings by Dino Paravano do justice to the text.
Customer Reviews:
Typical Capstick.......2001-12-04
I've enjoyed all fo his books, some are better than others. This one is full of good info and is reasonably entertaining. It's even better if your like me and say to blazes with "political correctness", whatever it's supposed to mean.
Careful, you might learn something!.......2001-08-20
Last Horizons is a departure from Capstick's usual storytelling of high danger hunting in Africa. This book consists of an archive of his articles and short stories written for Peterson's Hunting and other outdoor magazines. Though the stories are short, they are still written in Capstick's classic form and provide for excellent entertainment.
These articles not only provide a good read but are informative as well. Many people criticize Capstick for his tendency to exaggerate (I can buy into that line of thinking as well) but you canýt deny his thorough researching. I found several of the articles (ex. effectiveness of shot size) to be extremely insightful and educational. The articles on air rifles and rat hunting were entertaining and excellent lessons in ballistics and the importance of practice.
This book is not typical Capstick and probably not for everyone. True, some of the information is outdated but if you are an avid hunter you will find this collection both informative and valuable. It reminded me of sitting there listening to an old man telling stories learned by years of experience and trialý mixed in with several well spun yarns. The pig sticking story had to have been written sitting around a campfire. Good stuff!
GOOD COLLECTION OF CAPSTICK STORIES.......2000-02-25
This is an anthology (collection) of old Capstick magazine articles spanning a couple of decades, mostly hunting stories but some fishing stories and a few adventure stories thrown in. My favorites were the stories of the kali elephant herd, shooting down dragon flies with a BB machine gun and the backyard safari. Classic Capstick and well worth the read. Many of the stories I have read over and over again.
Capstick on tpoics besides big game.......1999-05-25
The diary of a hunt for fire breathing dragon (complete with references to the appropriate hard to get license, season, gear and limited hunting area) in the last chapter is worth the price of the book for anyone who loves Capstick's writing. Other chapters deal with Air rifles, fishing, rat hunting in New Jersey, et al. This is not as chock full of big game excitement as Capstick's other works. But over all still a good read.
"Better than the movies, this is the real deal first hand.".......1999-01-26
Capstick provides a glimpse into a world most of us will ever know! He shares his daily events of which sometimes seem unreal. Africa has deservedly earned its reputation of one of the most dangerous of continents...even for those who have hunted it's creatures for 40 years! Highly recommended for hunters, shooters, or any animal rights activist who believe these are defenseless animals.
Book Description
• In Brussels in 2004, more than 55 percent of the children born were of immigrant parents
• Half of all female scientists in Germany are childless
• According to a poll in 2005, more than 40 percent of British Muslims said Jews were a legitimate target for terrorist attacks
What happens when a falling birthrate collides with uncontrolled immigration? The Last Days of Europe explores how a massive influx from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East has loaded Europe with a burgeoning population of immigrants, many of whom have no wish to be integrated into European societies but make full use of the host nations’ generous free social services.
One of the master historians of twentieth-century Europe, Walter Laqueur is renowned for his “gold standard” studies of fascism, terrorism, and anti-Semitism. Here he describes how unplanned immigration policies and indifference coinciding with internal political and social crises have led to a continent-wide identity crisis. “Self-ghettoization” by immigrant groups has caused serious social and political divisions and intense resentment and xenophobia among native Europeans. Worse, widespread educational failure resulting in massive youth unemployment and religious or ideological disdain for the host country have bred extremist violence, as seen in the London and Madrid bombings and the Paris riots. Laqueur urges European policy makers to maintain strict controls with regard to the abuse of democratic freedoms by preachers of hate and to promote education, productive work, and integration among the new immigrants.
Written with deep concern and cool analysis by a European-born historian with a gift for explaining complex subjects, this lucid, unflinching analysis will be a must-read for anyone interested in international politics and the so-called clash of civilizations.
Customer Reviews:
The Changing Demographics of Europe.......2007-08-12
Over the last decade many books have been written praising Europe as the model for the 21st century. Two of them I've reviewed on Amazon: Jeremy Rifkin's The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream and T R Reid's The United States of Europe: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy. They argued that Europe had established at the end of the 20th century a model of civilization for the rest of the world to emulate, relying not on military power, but on soft and transformational power. I tended to agree. At the time it looked as if the rest of the world was becoming more like Europe, living in the Kantian space of perpetual peace.
What a difference a few years make. In the interlude numerous volumes have been published very loudly sounding the alarms of European decline: notably Menace in Europe: Why the Continent's Crisis Is America's, Too,Londonistan: Updated With a New Preface,and While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within. Walter Lacqueur, in this short volume, is more measured and remorseful, yet alarmist and declinist all the same. This is all the more troubling since in 1992 he published a work expressing great optimism for Europe.
Lacqueur claims the greatest threat to Europe is demographic. If Europeans need over 2.1 children per family to reproduce themselves, the current average of 1.37 will lead to a population shrinkage unprecedented in its history. In Brussels, capital of the European Union, 55 percent of the newborn children are born of immigrant parents.
Declining birthrates and massive immigration creates another problem. There are now large pockets of immigrants in European cities that not only have not integrated into the mainstream, but have chosen to reject European values and culture. The most salient and dangerous of the unassimilated minorities are, of course, the Muslims. Lacqueur points out that second and third generation Muslims are also failing to integrate, and at the same time are alienated from their countries of origin. This is a very troubling situation and being aggravated by local extremists.
Another worrisome consequence of the demographic decline is the unsustainability of the welfare state. Once considered one of Europe's crowning achievements, it now threatens its financial future. By 2001, social expenditures in most countries ranged from 20 to 29 percent of GDP. This level of spending is sustainable if the economy and the population are growing, but that is no longer the case. Currently there are more people over 65 than under 20.
Lacqueur tells us that the project of European Unity is dead. Even though they now have more members, they are growing further apart. Europe, he claims, has been reduced to being a cultural theme park a la Disneyland. It has become a museum of a formerly great civilization that caters to wealthy tourists from America and Asia. There is a kernal of truth here. For many European countries tourism is the largest sector of their economy, growing at a rate of 4 percent annually.
This book may be a bit gloomy. I think it's premature to write off Europe to theme park/museum status. Europe has been on its knees before and managed to make a remarkable recovery. It is currently nowhere near that level of decline or desparation. Inspite of the obstacles enumerated, Europe is still represents the most just and humane model for relations between states. I still think the rest of the world will come around to seeing it also.
Interesting reading.......2007-08-02
I've been to Europe several times, stayed in several different countries there, and even gone to school there. And I find it interesting to see what various people have to say about demographic trends there. What was Europe like, say, a hundred years ago, when its population was around 420 million? What is it like now, with a population of over 720 million? What will it be like in a hundred years? Will the population be less than it was in 1900? Actually, I wonder if the Western portion of the Netherlands be under water then.
In general, I like demographic change. Land belongs to the living, and we have to make the best of it. There will always be some folks who deplore the fact that some people sell their property, or simply move away, or die. And the core of this book is indeed devoted to the fact that many Europeans simply are not having all that many children. Well, that does not bother me all that much: Europe is heavily populated and can afford to do this. Nor does it bother me that some of Europe's immigrants are having plenty of children and may soon dominate Europe politically. Immigrants generally strengthen a community. No, the problem is that some of the immigrants may bring down much of the Enlightenment society that has taken generations to build and has been of significant value to the people of the continent, if not the world. If human rights, justice, and the valuing of truth are to be abandoned, then Europe, and possibly the world, will be in for some tough times.
Laqueur has witnessed changes in Europe for even more decades than I have. Let's see what he has to say about its prospects. First, he says that even the most optimistic projections show an overall decline in Europe's population, something which may leave Europe politically weaker. Second, he indicates that on the whole, migrations are weakening, not strengthening, Europe at present. And next, he shows that he's not too impressed with European attempts at unity, or with its welfare economy. These are interesting and controversial points, and I found them fascinating.
Laqueur notes that there are plenty of demographic changes in the United States, but that these are innocent compared to the ones in Europe, because the Muslims immigrants in Europe are, in general, not integrating themselves (or being integrated) into European society. And his conclusion is that Europe is entering a period of "gradual decline that offers little comfort to Euro-optimists."
I've never thought of Europe as "a shining example for all mankind" or a moral superpower. Surely, that's not what it looked like during, say, World War Two. Yes, parts of Europe are very impressive and beautiful, but that in no way led me to believe that its society was going to be competitive with others in the long run, let alone display the dominance it once had. Maybe we all need to realize that.
I recommend this book.
The book to read on Europe's woes.......2007-08-01
If you only have time for one book about Europe's aging population, low birthrates, and failed immigration policies, this is one. It's a concise, carefully thought-out analysis for those issues from a talented historian whose personal memories stretch back to 1920s Europe.
The book has only one flaw. Although he means well, Laqueur devotes too much attention to the immigration 'carrot'--what Europe's current leaders should be doing to get immigrants to become useful citizens. As he notes, many of the problems with immigrants are the result of an overly pretentious concern. Welfare programs have allowed immigrants to live in isolated enclaves where no one needs to learn the language and customs of their country because no one has to get a job to support themselves. Say what you will about the ghettos of NYC circa 1900, they did provide an incentive that allowed East European Jews to explode from poverty to success in a single generation. Today's Europe offers no such incentive.
When you enter someone's home as a guest, you have a responsibility to be well-behaved and to respect the rules of that home. Especially in the second generation, immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East aren't doing that. They need to feel a verbal stick that's constant and unrelenting. Europe's leaders should be telling them, in no uncertain terms, just where they are wrong and what they must do to change. They must learn the language of the country in which they live. They must respect its culture. They must refrain from crime and violence. The list goes on and on.
It's not racism to criticize a group for its deficiencies. It is racism to not criticize them because you believe they lack the capacity to change.
--Mike Perry, editor of Eugenics and Other Evils : An Argument Against the Scientifically Organized State
Not all it could be.......2007-07-13
This is a rather shallow dive into the demographic and immigration issues facing Europe today. This left many of my questions unanswered.
Europe, or How to Dispose of a Corpse.......2007-07-05
If Melanie Phillips's book "Londonistan" was a great study of the political and social situation in the UK, this book tries to give us a broader scope of the whole European continent, including Russia. It achieves its objective only, and as long as, he presents the big picture. On a country by country basis I'm afraid he misses some important facts that only living "there" can give you. Nobody should be so gullible as to believe what the mainstream media says nowadays without checking it out. I'm talking specifically the case of Spain, where Mr. Laqueur fails several times, one regarding population (45 million, not 39), another assuming the government sponsored "official" explanation for the Madrid bombings of 2004 (it would be the first time muslim terrorists deny responsibility for bombings actions). The "unofficial" version being that it was not an Islamist attack but a coup d'état effected in the 2 days prior to Election Day and which turned the tide to favor the Socialists; well manipulated by the Socialist Union of Policemen. The muslims that are being charged today are just common theives picked as scapegoats. I'm afraid there may be more errors of judgement about other countries. However, the big picture is correct. The tone of the book is between pessimistic and melancholic.
More unwelcome bias: "Among the negative features of the Thatcher period were her relentless nationalism and opposition to continental Europe..." This issue, nationalism, according to the author is good if it's European nationalism, but wrong if it's British or French, etc. Here and in other places in his book the author lets it be known that he is pro-European Union and he couldn't care less about our differences. I'm afraid his idea of Europe is a little too idealistic. He wouldn't care so much about living under Sharia law as long as the museums are open and business keeps as usual. So, with all these points in mind, I can still say that the book makes for a great read. Plenty is dedicated to demographics, ethnical and economical trends, mass migration, etc.
Another view that I don't share is that the author seems to measure the wealth (or rather well-being) of the people by economic standards only. Other factors are overlooked and they affect living standards as well: corruption, freedoms, open markets (mainly in the press and the big media), security in the streets, moral values, and also the separation of powers (so much falsely assumed in Spain). But to this author nothing matters as long as people are being fed and entertained, and above all, the economy keeps pumping and the museums (again) are open and clean. Although he admits that "the mood of a nation depends on a variety of motives and reasons, including imponderables ones...", I think he should ponder a little more on them.
Sometimes his impressions are so vague that I wonder if he knows what he is talking about: "In some respects, present-day Russia resembles tsarist Russia after 1905 (...) but in other respects a post-Soviet Russia is, of course, quite different from the old monarchy." And that's pretty much all he says about Russia.
Now this one parragraph is really worthy: "The philosophy behind the policy of positive discrimination on the part of the Labour Party (...) was that the white working class and especially the older generation among them were conservative, often incurably racist and reactionary, and that it was therefore a waste of time to spend funds and efforts on maintaining their goodwill." Definitely the author knows from first hand much better the UK than any other country he talks about here. I think in the rest of the European countries he plays by ear.
And again, towards the end, he makes explicit his sadness for the unwillingness of Europe to "pay the price for becoming a world player", thus -sadly- there's no alternative, militarily, but to be a part of NATO. He obviously would like the EU to go alone (on whose taxes?). His continuous pro-integration attitude, even when he admits we Europeans are not so fond of each other, sometimes gets aggravating, but it still makes for a good read.
As a conclusion: Mr. Laqueur cheers for a United States of Europe where Europeans are no longer Irish, English, French or whatever, but Europeans only. To me this is like looking at the woods and not seeing the trees. Perhaps it is possible to become world player again, but it would be a soulless player.I say the picture he draws may be right, but what he proposes to do with the picture, that I don-t agree with. Europe is a walking zombi? Marriage between zombis is not the best idea.
Average customer rating:
- An excellent collection
- Haunting additions to Smith's classic 'Zothique' deserves kudos
- New, compelling ideas inspired by the Master of strange!
- A great collection!
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The Last Continent: New Tales of Zothique
Manufacturer: Bereshith Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0966566246 |
Book Description
A tribute anthology to the late Bard of Auburn, Clark Ashton Smith. These tales of dark fantasy and horror deal with love and lust, despair and debauchery. Each story is told in the author's own voice and style (these are not pastiches), and evokes the last days of a dying earth.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent collection.......2007-07-31
For lovers of fantastic literature, the name Zothique no doubt revives pleasant memories of hours spent reading the stories of one of the genre's masters, Clark Ashton Smith. Smith was truly sui generis--although his work contained echoes of Howard and Lovecraft, he was in a class by himself. His short stories are more accurately described as highly compressed novels--he conveyed in short, densely detailed narratives what it would take others hundreds of pages to accomplish.
Thus, I approached THE LAST CONTINENT: NEW TALES OF ZOTHIQUE with more than a little trepidation. My worries were unfounded, however--editor Pelan has done an admirable job in assembling stories from a diverse group of authors including Gerard Houarner, Brian McNaughton, Jessica Almond Salmonson, Don Webb, Gene Wolfe, Brian Stableford, Lucy Taylor and Karl Henrik Johnsson. Most contributors wisely avoided the temptation to mimic Smith's style; to do so most likely would have proved disastrous. Instead, they chose to seize on the energy of his ideas, using them as springboards for their own tales. The result: a truly entertaining batch of stories featuring necromancers, magicians, strange diseases (remember the Silver Death?) and even stranger beasts.
I won't belabor this any more, except to say that this is an excellent collection, a fine, eminently readable tribute that can be enjoyed by Clark aficionados and neophytes alike.
Haunting additions to Smith's classic 'Zothique' deserves kudos.......2005-07-22
The Last Continent is a collection of new tales in the theme of Clark Ashton Smith's classic "Tales Of Zothique". Gathering up such talented writers as Gerard Houarner, John Pelan, Edward Lee, Charlee Jacob, and Mark McLaughlin, The Last Continent takes us on a journey through the last continent of Zothique that was originally created by Smith.
You will feel the weak red sun as it dies, taste the dust of deserts on your lips, and tremble in the wake of strange magics. The Last Continent crosses the fantasy/SciFi/horror genres like a savage bee pollinating blood-tinged flowers, and the memory of these tales will sting you in pleasing and painful ways, perhaps even hang around awhile like a lump of swollen, poisoned flesh.
Here are the stories you will discover in The Last Continent.
1 - To Wake The Dead In Nypholos by Gerard Houarner.
A strange woman with mystic abilities visits the city of Nypholos, charming her way past the city's guardian. But when her charms are diverted from him to the Xipe Uthala, the guardian proves he is true to his city over all others.
2 - The Decibel Circus by Rhys Hughes.
The last acolyte to the demon god Drigg journeys to a cold desert where stylites pose on pillars and speak in tongues that can arouse changes in men and earth. Ximbus must use these stylites to bring his god back to life before his own body fades from disease.
3 - The Benevolent Emperor by Brian McNaughton.
An arrogant emperor discovers the consequences of arousing the wrath of the Gods, and must watch his kingdom die.
4 - Where The Past Lay Buried by David B. Silva.
When a man sets out on a journey to discover his beginnings, aroused by a prophetic vision, he discovers more than he bargained for and unleashes an unholy force on an innocent village.
5 - The Temple Of Captured Gods by David Niall Wilson.
Even a Priestess can be mistaken, and when coveting a contained God, even a King must listen first to his heart.
6 - The Connoisseur Of Corpses by Dan Clore.
A fantastic tale of a necrophiliac who gives his all to his God in order to become more involved with the dead, a deal that causes him to prosper in more ways than one.
7 - The Vainglorious Simulacrum Of Mungha Sorcyllamia by Mark McLaughlin.
Mark McLaughlin is one of my absolute favorite short story writers. He always manages to bring in a glimpse of humor to both his titles and his tales. In this tale, a gifted man becomes enamored by a painting made in his class, painted by a traveling girl with secrets to hide from him. Nevertheless, they fall in love, and Mungha eventually winds out using all of his gifts in order to see this sensual beauty once more.
8 - The Scarlet Succubus by Edward Lee and John Pelan.
Two of the most talented horror writers come together for this oddly surreal tale. One of the best in the collection. A vile King with dissatisfied vassals pushes them over the edge with his decedent indulgences. While Taquin Narr, the king's wizard, has the answer to uproot the vile king, he remains unaware of the King's secrets, passed on from generation to generation, secrets that keep the kingdom safe.
Spectacular achievement in scifi/fantasy/horror cross-genre.
9 - Hode Of The High Place by Jessica Amanda Salmonson.
A simple boy manages to infiltrate the strange, spiraled palace raised up on an impossible plateau in the midst of an ignorant, rural town. But in ignorance he rules his high place like a barbarian, and forgets from whence he came.
10 - Serenade At The End Of Time by Don Webb.
A thief or an acolyte, what will Fulbra be? Where will his desires lead him, and at what price will he be distracted?
11 - Blue Roses, Red Red Wine by t. Winter Damon.
One of my favorites. Cirdaith, strangely bound by magic to his harp called Shadowdreamer, sails off with his companions to find the City Of Blue Roses. Though they arrive in caution, they stay in decadence, indulging their physical and spiritual fantasies with the mysterious and irresistible nymphs they find there. Blood will flow and hearts will be broken, but the city will live forever with its hunger.
12 - A Traveler In Desert Lands by Gene Wolf.
Another favorite. The price of a jug of water in a desert wasteland turns into a lifelong prison of madness.
13 - Jolerarymi's Rose by Geoff Cooper.
Love knows no bounds, but can love also see through all treacheries? Stonecarver Jolerarymi wants only enough business to eek out a living and please his girl Sheleen. But Sheleen, greedy for the things Jolerarymi cannot buy her, prostitutes herself for goods and coin, making Jolerarymi very jealous. When Jolerarymi is given the contract of a lifetime, his visions of he and Sheleen together forever in a comfortable life are shattered by his murder. Sheleen takes Jolerarymi's corpse to a Necromancer to reanimate. But did she do it for Jolerarymi? Or for herself? Now that he's dead, will Jolerarymi know of her deceit?
14 - The Judgement Of Tsaran by Polagaya Fine.
A man finds his punishment to be incomprehensible, isolation on a deserted island with a strange altar that calls to him.
15 - Ashes Of Longing, Ashes Of Lust by Lucy Taylor.
Another favorite. Xi-Lan abandons his lover Gamede on their journey to the fearsome city of Cienta, leaving her in the middle of the night after a horrible nightmare. When Xi-Lan hears of Gamede's death, he vows to make the journey to collect her remains. Gamede's last wish was to have her ashes scattered from the Mountains of Arden, and for Xi-Lan the road from Cienta to Arden is fraught with horrible danger and unspeakable mutilation. In the end, will he travel with Gamede again?
16 - Love & Death At The End Of The World by Mark Chadbourn.
A band of cutthroats kidnap a beautiful girl to be used as a sacrifice to a demon isolated inside a tower of bones. But when Rathsamman decides that redemption is better than power or riches, he may discover that he is alone.
17 - The Leper King by Charlee Jacob.
Another favorite. Lyrkatra is a young witch intent on building her powers. She is a homely girl, who lives with her goatherd lover Komtai in the mountains that rise up above a fetid leper colony. Where most witches seek knowledge to destroy, Lyrkatra is a gentle soul who seeks the knowledge to create. Komtai discovers a fortune in jewels hidden within the crags of the mountains, and leaves poor Lyrkatra to become a great and wealthy king. Years later, when Lyrkatra is brought before the king to entertain him, she is able to show Komtai that creation is the most powerful magic of all.
18 - The Light Of Achernar by Brian Stableford.
Wow. This is the first story I have read by Brian Stableford, and he has earned a healthy round of applause from me. One of the longer and more stylistic stories in this collection, The Light Of Achernar is a real treat.
`Light' is a complex story surrounding the astrologer/sorcerer Giraiazal, who was exiled to the Isle of Cyntrom. Here, he performs his predictions and declarations of fate for two merchant princes, who are in reality brutal pirates. At the prince's request, Giraiazal tracks down the heirs to the palace throne, two young men whom the prince's are confident they can control.
Lysariel, as the oldest, becomes king, and his brother Manazzoryn comes to live in the palace with him. The brothers each marry a daughter of the pirates.
But Giraiazal sees only misfortune in his readings of the stars, the fell star of Achernar holding its foul sway over the futures of the new royals. Giraiazal does what he can to prevent his predictions from taking place as this complex tale of magic, love, and fate unfolds. But Fate is a tempestuous mistress.
19 - The Triumph Of The Worm by Karl Henrik Johnsson.
This last story left me feeling as though the collection had suddenly flattened out, dropping away from its consistent splendor. One of the most irritating things about this last story is that it, outside of the others, was very poorly edited. Life was constantly misspelled as Fife, many times. And the author took Smith's flowing style and turned it into a chaotic and discordant mess. Each and every sentence was so long and drawn out that the prose lost its music.
In `Worm', Zothique finally dies, leaving only a long-dead and decomposing madman to witness the sun's last throes.
The Last Continent is an original reading experience, utilizing not only Smith's vision of Zothique but his stylistic, flowing prose. These authors, like Smith, were able to breathe life into this dying world.
The book has a nice introduction, "Grim News From The Far Future", by Donald Sidney-Fryer, beautiful cover art by Rob Alexander, and intriguing sketches within the pages by Fredrik King. It is a limited edition of 500 copies, numbered and signed by each author. The layout is very nice, a friendly format, with an easy to read font and tight binding.
While the price is a bit formidable, I have hopes that this book will be picked up by another publisher and made available to the general public at an affordable price. In the meantime, if you are into rare collectibles that have actual, enjoyable content, do not miss out on The Last Continent. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Enjoy!
New, compelling ideas inspired by the Master of strange!.......2003-09-10
For an anthology "based" on the style and stories of CAS, I felt most of the stories in this book were as fascinating and strange as Smith's. Without the hamperings of technical descriptions and reasonings of a "Dying Sun" scenario, the stories just naturally fall into prosaic form, dealing in the macabre and and the darkly fantastic. Better than most of the "inspired by..." anthologies. A good read!
A great collection!.......2000-05-23
This is a tribute anthology inspired by the works of Clark Ashton Smith. Having not read one piece of fiction by Smith, I anticipated missing some of the underlying themes. This was not the case. John Pelan has selected stories that while being in the tradition of Smith's stylings is easily accessible to those of us not entrenched in the ways of Clark Ashton Smith's fiction. As in all anthologies there are gems, good stories and a few dogs. This collection has a higher incidence of the first two.
David B. Silva's "Where The Past Lay Buried" is an effective meditation on guilt and the price it extolls. Geoff Cooper's "The Jolerarymi's Rose", a sculptor is betrayed by his wife and he enacts revenge. Edward Lee & John Pelan's "The Scarlet Succubus" waxes poetic on politics, betrayal and some evil aquatic monsters. This one takes you one way then twists the ending so you don't know which way is up. "Ashes of Longing, Ashes of Lust" is a fast moving, beautifully written selection that made me feel I was beside the characters. Here you find a man on a mission and the toll an old girlfriend's last wish takes on him. Mark McLaughlin spins a tale of obsession in "The Vainglorious Simulacrum of Mungha Sorcyllamia". Brian Stableford turns in a stellar novella of passion, love and betrayal in "The Light of Achernar".
Other standout tales are written by Charlee Jacob, David Niall Wilson, Gerard Houarner, Dan Clore, and Gene Wolfe. The book contains some outstanding cover art by Rob Alexander and some nice interior illustrations by Fredrik King and Allen Koszowski. Highly Recommended.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book!.......2005-08-26
I'm interested in naming my children with unique names with an African decent. Unlike others, the book truely reflect what I was looking for in a book of African names. Since African names are hard to pronounce, I was impressed how they took the time to input how to pronounce the names into the book.
A useful and timely guide!.......2001-01-02
This is a great book to have handy. As a complement to this guide and a realistic approach to the genealogy issue I recommend the "Ancestry DNA Toolbox" available at .... Many studies with the human Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA have made it possible to trace back our ancestry. In many cases names and DNA markers can be coupled to study our genealogy. It is not an easy task but worth investigating.
it is the most exciting book ever.......1999-04-23
african names of boys and girl
Book Description
Antarctica -- a place of intensely profound coldness, solitude, and beauty. Welcome to a landmass 98 percent covered in ice, a world of howling winds and rogue waves, a place of summer's radiant light and winter's interstellar dark. This book pushes the freezer door open to reveal the continent's physical geography, its explorers, and its wildlife -- blizzards of krill, societies of seals, and cacophonies of penguins. Although the modern world threatens Antarctica's pristine environment, every member of the Antarctic Treaty has signed the Madrid Protocol for Environmental Protection. If any place can prove that many peoples of many nations can cooperate to save what remains of the wild Earth, that place will be Antarctica -- the coldest, windiest, highest, driest, least populated, and most remote corner of the world.
Customer Reviews:
Best book on Antarctica I've read.......2001-06-06
I've been fascinated with Antarctica for some time now, and I recently acquired several books on the continent after seeing the Boston Museum of Science Omni Show, "Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure." Of those books, this is clearly the best. It provides information on the geography and topography of Antarctica, a history of South Pole explorations, and information on the wildlife that populates the coasts. The pictures are far superior to any other book I've read. The writing is concise and easy to understand. It is a truly amazing book--the pictures alone are worth the cost.
Awesome........2001-05-08
When I needed reference material on Antarctica for fact-checking my next suspense novel, I turned to this National Geographic classic. I expected the usual fare: extraordinary photography and a few pertinent bits of data. My expectations were exceeded.
The volume is divided into four sections. The first covers the physical geography, a litany of world record extremes. The coldest, driest, highest, windiest, least populated, etc. The next touches on the rich heritage of exploration and discovery there, incredible tales of bravery and hardship like those of Shackleton, Scott, and Mawson. You'll want to read more after this primer. The third section is on wildlife, very little of which is land-based. But the surrounding seas and sky are the most fertile and abundant on the planet. Penguins, seals, squid, krill, albatross, whales, algae, and more. The final section is devoted to Antarctica's environmental peril. Kim Heacox simply states the facts here, avoiding the overstatement and wolf-crying that cause such disservice to the environmental movement.
The biggest surprise was the quality of writing. My previous exposure to National Geographic was cursory perusal at the dentist's office. This one I read from cover to cover. The writing is simply wonderful. It was the mother lode of information for my next book, and will now rest on my coffee table, proudly displayed for years to come. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.
Antarctica - The World Splendors.......2000-05-17
Kim Heacox shows in his book,Antarctic Value daily way of life in the Southern Antarctica. The writer recounts to us the history of discovery missions sent to this continent,which is characterized by its interesting style with avery wonderful and unique photos taken be these missions. These photos interpret the very nature of hard life over there on the Antarctica. All the pictures tell the story of human,animal,sea life in this continent in splendid and exciting manner. In addition, there are sufficient and helpful remarks about every thing pertinent to Antarctica. of course,the Antarctica enjoys many splendid characteristics in animal and sea life, which make it distinguished and unique in all over the world. There are also many detailed maps about the Antarctica. It is a minimum- size volume distinguished in its subject matter and photos, which are represented in simple and easy manner. N. B.: It should be noted that the success of an geographical/travel guide book depends on the sufficient number of photos available their quality and uniqueness.in this book we find that there are many photos covering all life aspects on this continent. The photos are of high quality and exciting shots which attract your attention to the extent that you would imagine that you would believe that the photos represents one book inside this book. In short this book is recommended for any one who likes to discover this ambiguous area and who can not visit it. Iconsider this book as a reference/easy guide for the wonderful southern Antarctica.
Average customer rating:
- If you can only buy one, this is it!
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The Last Continent: Discovering Antarctica
Bernard Stonehouse
Manufacturer: Shuttlewood Collinson Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0953790703 |
Book Description
Thirty years ago, Antarctica was the haunt primarily of explorers, scientists and their support staff. Very few people had yet had opportunities to visit just to say they had been; the continent was too far away, too cold and too expensive to reach. Now things are different. Antarctica is still far away and still exceedingly cold, but it has become more accessible and known to millions, mainly through television. Antarctica is the world's fifth largest continent. It is not just the snow and ice of popular imagination-though both are abundant-but it also has a fascinating wealth of birds and mammals and even plant life. Professor Stonehouse has drawn on more than 50 years experience of Antarctica to produce a guide that will appeal to all. History, geology, wildlife and the environment are here with plenty of jargon-free scientific information and all written in an engaging and refreshing style. * Authoritative guide to the Last Continent--Antarctica * Written by a world-renowned expert * Packed with jargon-free scientific information * Extensive bibliography for further reading * Refreshing and easy-to-read style * Lavishly illustrated
Customer Reviews:
If you can only buy one, this is it!.......2001-06-14
Of all the travel books about Antarctica we purchased, this was the most useful. The pictures and descriptions capture the essence of a typical visitor's view of Antarctica. We even purchased additional copies for our friends who dream of going. I hope you get to visit this incredible continent!
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