Books

Sci-Fi/Fantasy: - I would whole-heartedly recommend Robert Heinlein's work; three of my favorites are The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, Stranger in a Strange Land, and Job. - Azimov's short story anthologies are also excellent (his novels less so). - I also love anything written by Lois M. Bujold. She writes some of the most psychologically believable sci fi/fantasy on the market today. - Eric Flint's 1632 and its sequels are also excellent. History: - Bruce Catton's Army of the Potomac trilogy (Mr. Lincoln's Army, Glory Road, and A Stillness at Appomatox) is some of the best military history every written. The historical figures pop to life as real live human beings. - Dreadnought by Robert Massey is another excellent book for making historical figures into real, live people. I especially loved his description of Jackie Fischer--what a pistol! Racey, historical fiction: - Have you ever actually read Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers? Some of the swashbuckling movie versions are quite good, but they still do not do the book justice. Read it, and you'll be whistling Allouetta, and snapping your fingers while hollering "garcon!" the next time you eat out. - George M. Fraser's Flashman series is also rollicking good fun (from an alpha-male point of view), and if you can find any of his out of print, semi-historical accounts of his time as a junior officer in WWII and Palestine prior to 1948, they are a good read. Lastly, I admire the sheer chutzpah of the title, Lies and the Lying Liars, even though I've not read the book, nor can I comment on its fairness or balance. Matt

Sci-Fi/Fantasy: - I would whole-heartedly recommend Robert Heinlein's work; three of my favorites are The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, Stranger in a Strange Land, and Job. - Azimov's short story anthologies are also excellent (his novels less so). - I also love anything written by Lois M. Bujold. She writes some of the most psychologically believable sci fi/fantasy on the market today. - Eric Flint's 1632 and its sequels are also excellent. History: - Bruce Catton's Army of the Potomac trilogy (Mr. Lincoln's Army, Glory Road, and A Stillness at Appomatox) is some of the best military history every written. The historical figures pop to life as real live human beings. - Dreadnought by Robert Massey is another excellent book for making historical figures into real, live people. I especially loved his description of Jackie Fischer--what a pistol! Racey, historical fiction: - Have you ever actually read Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers? Some of the swashbuckling movie versions are quite good, but they still do not do the book justice. Read it, and you'll be whistling Allouetta, and snapping your fingers while hollering "garcon!" the next time you eat out. - George M. Fraser's Flashman series is also rollicking good fun (from an alpha-male point of view), and if you can find any of his out of print, semi-historical accounts of his time as a junior officer in WWII and Palestine prior to 1948, they are a good read. Lastly, I admire the sheer chutzpah of the title, Lies and the Lying Liars, even though I've not read the book, nor can I comment on its fairness or balance. Matt