Tag Archives: Review

Review: “Atheism: Genetics to Geology and Much More Science” by Maurice de Bona Jr.

I offered to review this book because the title suggested it would be of interest to someone of my education and background. I was wrong. Within the first twenty pages I became frustrated by the author’s polemic, ignorance of the subjects, scientific and historical, on which he was commenting, disjointed arguments and outdated assumptions in statements such as ‘’Under monotheism, man shifted from a maternally structured society to a paternally structured society’’ and ‘’There was a time religious men feared science.’’

Among the basic mistakes the author makes is to suggest that matter can’t be created or destroyed only change form, and that ‘Electricity, for example, is a faster moving, less consolidated form of matter than the matter that comprises a rock.’ He is wrong, it is energy which is neither made nor destroyed but merely changes form. It’s called the conservation of energy. Electricity is the movement of electrons through a substance and rocks are made up of atoms in a crystal structure.

The author makes contradictory statements as well as blatantly incorrect ones. He also displays latent racism and sexism on occasion. Examples:
(1) ‘The average European cranial capacity is 90 cubic inches. The Hottentot natives have a capacity of about 65 cubic inches. Some Hindus have capacities as low as 45 cubic inches. This approaches the capacity of gorillas.’
(2) ‘Women, in general, have a greater sensitivity to emotions, such as love, than men. They are less capable of separating love and sex than men. Many women convince themselves that sex without love is impossible.’
He has a terrible habit of dumbing down his prose, assuming all readers will be as historically uneducated as well as scientifically ignorant, and that all atheists have the same beliefs as he does, despite claiming that he doesn’t.
I looked at the sources the author provided. Only four were less than ten years old, many much, much older. With such outdated attitudes I am not surprised he had had to find outdated sources to back his assertions.
The author clearly has a problem with religion but his sweeping generalisations about the nature of religion and the religious, and his ham-fisted attempts at scientific refutation of some religious beliefs does nobody any good. His tract may provide those with no education some basic, if inaccurate, knowledge, but anyone with even a basic education will be frustrated with this book.

Don’t bother with it.

It took me a good couple of months to read and I had to force myself to finish it. I wanted to punch the author after about ten pages. The spelling is atrocious (even if one takes Americanisms into account) he’s bombastic and insulting. Sorry I got really riled by this book. If you believe in something poorly disguised insults to your intelligence and education will not convince a person to take someone’s arguments seriously. if you are already an atheist or agnostic poorly constructed sources will do nothing to strengthen your resolve. Scientific arguments for evolution and the obvious great age of the Universe are strong enough that the this sort of pamphlet are no longer necessary.

Rant over, sorry again,

Rose

Review: Dr. Who ‘The Name of the Doctor’, aired 7pm Saturday 18th May 2013

The ultimate episode of this series of Dr Who, in the lead up to the 50th anniversary in November, was written by Steven Moffat and produced by Marcus Wilson. The Doctor’s big secret, his name, is at the core of this episode. The storyline brings together the major characters of this, and previous, series to do what a time traveller should never do: go to their tomb.

I’m not going to spoil the story for anyone who didn’t watch it tonight by telling you what happened but I have to say, I did feel it didn’t have a strong structure – a beginning, middle and end – and is instead a prologue to the 50th Anniversary episode in November. It was unsatisfying, and Moffat can write better.

Next up, a review of ‘Star Trek: Into darkness’ and that ebook I’ve been reviewing for Book Inc.? Yeah, I finally got that read. The review will be here a.s.a.p. After I’ve had my tea, that is.

Bye, for now,

Rose

Review: Sacred Mother Tongue ‘Out Of The Darkness’

 

At last! I’ve been album since I saw them live in mid-March. It does not disappoint.

Andy James’ guitar playing is amazing and Darrin South’s lyrics and vocals are so damn good. Josh Gurner (Bass) and Lee Newell (Drums) tie it all together nicely. And together it’s perfect: a heavy sound with well written, honest lyrics, and excellent musicianship. There really isn’t a track on this album that I don’t like and I can’t wait to see them play at Download Festival next month. They may just be my new favourite band.

Review: Bring Me The Horizon ‘Sempiternal’

I didn’t like BMTH’s earlier stuff, because as I’ve said before I prefer singers who actually sing rather than shout, and Ollie Sykes shouts far more than he sings. That’s unfortunate really because as ‘Deathbeds’, the final track on the ‘Deluxe’ version of Sempiternal, shows, Ollie Sykes can sing quite well. That isn’t the onbly track on the album that shows BMTH’s growth as a band, and as people. The raw pain in the lyrics of ‘Can You Feel My Heart’ contrasts with the anger of ‘The House of Wolves’. Just when you think you know what to expect they change the emotional tone of the songs, although the whole is tied together musically.

I had to listen to the album twice to really get in to it, but once I did I was willing to admit that while they will never be my favourite band this group of lads from Sheffield are okay. I can see why they are considered one of the best young British metal bands around.

Review: Ben Aaronovitch ‘Whispers Under Ground’

Review: Ben Aaronovitch ‘Whispers Under Ground’
2012
Gollancz

Ben Aaronovitch returns with his third DC Peter Grant novel. And what a return! It’s much more enjoyable than the second novel in the series, ‘Moon Over Soho’, although you really do have to read all three to pick up some of the long running story lines. The novel is narrated, as always, by DC Grant as he attempts to solve the murder of an American senator’s son, in London studying art and living with a half-fae with an inability to tell the truth when asked a direct question. Obviously there’s something a bit weird about the murder – like how on earth the deceased got where he did – so the Folly is called in to help the Murder Squad investigate. More precisely, DC Grant and PC Lesley May (unofficially officially).

It starts with a body on the underground, Baker Street appropriately enough, just before Christmas. It ends with an arrest just after Christmas. In between there is magic, sewer luge, rivers holding illegal raves, geek humour, an underground pig-powered pottery works, and a perplexed FBI agent. This is a very enjoyable book; a mix of the ever popular murder mystery, police procedural and supernatural mystery genres. It’s done exceedingly well; the story moves forward at a good pace, the characters are well rounded and realistic, and the dénouement is suitably surprising/sensible. There’s no deus ex machine here, despite the fact that two of the investigation officers are trainee wizards and one of the suspects is only slightly human.

Five out of five from me

Rose

Review: Fall Out Boy ‘Save Rock and Roll’

Fall Out Boy
Save Rock and Roll
Island Records
Producer: Butch Walker
Released: 15th April 2013 (UK), 16th April 2013 (USA)

After disappearing for four years to have a rest from each other and work on other projects (including other bands, solo albums and novels) Fall Out Boy return with their 5th studio album.

Clearly they were having a laugh when they named the new album ‘Save Rock and Roll’; which is fine because they were also clearly having fun when they made this album. The time apart has been good for them; they have made an album which clearly sits in the tradition they established with their other albums – catchy pop punk with electronic influences. Very obvious pop and electronica influences in this case; it has a tendency to drown out the guitars and drums. But this fusion of genres works for them. It suits their lyrical and vocal style.

The lyrics are occasionally corny – see ‘Just One Yesterday’ for a fine example. I’m not too sure about some of the collaborations – I can’t like ‘Rat a Tat’ no matter how much I try, sorry. My favourite songs are ‘The Phoenix’, ‘ My songs know what you did in the dark (Light ’em up), ‘Young Volcanoes’ and ‘Save Rock and Roll’. None of the songs are quite up to the standards they set with ‘This ain’t a scene, it’s an arms race’ and ‘Tnks fr th mmrs’, although the title track gets close. I can definitely see it being popular live; the line ‘No, No, we won’t go, we don’t know how to quit oh, oh’ could really get a crowd going.

They aren’t going to save rock and roll, but they might improve pop music a bit (besides, it doesn’t need saving, being very much alive and well) but this album is a catchy addition to the pop punk canon. It’s good to see them back.

And that’s my review,

Rose

Review: Stone Sour ‘House of Gold & Bones Part 2’

Stone Sour
House of Gold & Bones Part 2

Roadrunner Records
Producer: David Bottrell
Recorded @ Sound Farm Studios

Released
3rd April 2013 Japan
8th April 2013 UK
9th April 2013 US

• Corey Taylor – Vocals, piano and also wrote the associated short story
• James Root – Guitar
• Josh Rand – Guitar
• Ray Mayorga – Drums, synthesisers, piano

And in addition to the band
• Rachel Bolan, of Skid Row, filled in on bass
And the following added strings to ‘The Conflagration’
•Kevin Fox – Cello
•Karen Graves – 1st Violin
•Kate Unrau – 2nd Violin
•Anna Redekopt – Viola

I had to do a bit of reading when I decided to review this album. I’d heard of Stone Sour, obviously, but had never listened to any of their music. It made interesting reading.

Corey Taylor and Joel Ekman formed Stone Sour in 1992, several years before Slipknot formed. In 1997 they went on hiatus during which Taylor concentrated on Slipknot. In 2001 they got back together and produced the first of their four (if you count House of Gold & Bones as a single album) albums. There has been some line-up changes, with Ekman leaving in May 2006 (replaced by Ray Mayorga)and bassist Shawn Economaki leaving in May 2012. For the album he was replaced by Rachel Bolan, of Skid Row.

For years, due to Slipknot’s musical ascendancy, Stone Sour has been known only as Corey Taylor’s side-project, despite the fact that the band had been together longer than Slipknot. This double album (Part 1 was released in late October 2012 and contains the first 11 tracks) finally puts that fallacy to bed once and for all. A concept album, with accompanying comic book (first issue released 17th April 2013, Dark Horse), the tracks are a mix of melodic hard rock tunes and Mr Taylor’s shouting – toned down quite a lot.

The albums were recorded simultaneously in mid 2012 and tell a coherent story, although the storyline does not overwhelm the songs and they can be listened to out of ‘context’. It’s more like a theme that runs through both albums. I had to listen to both Parts 1 and 2 to see it.

Unusually, the full album was available for streaming from the band’s official website from the 2nd April 2013. I wonder how many people have been encouraged to buy it after listening for free? It is now available to buy on DVD or vinyl, and is still available for streaming on the website, as well as Spotify, iTunes and Sound Cloud.

My Opinion

I really enjoyed this album. Definite 5/5. I might even buy a hard copy when I have a bit of spare cash (sorry but if you give it away for free I’ll take it, I’m broke).

They’re at Download on Sunday 16th June, I have every intention of going to see them there. Might give Slipknot on the Friday night a miss though. Stone Sour’s more my thing.

Random Information if you want to know more about Stone Sour:

http://www.stonesour.com/

Corey Taylor was in Kerrang! magazine this week discussing Stone Sour, Slipknot, the many facets of his personality and how the two bands express him differently. Also, an explanation for those horrendous costumes he’s worn to the Kerrang! Awards.

And there’s always his book ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ (yes, I read it when it was published last year; our library has some interesting books, someone must have ordered it). It’s quite an interesting book. It could easily be subtitled ‘all the stupid shit Corey Taylor did before settling down a touch’. Interesting structure as well. There’s not much in it about the formation of the bands he sings in but it does seem to explain all that anger.

Ha! I’ve just been to check the details on http://www.amazon.co.uk and it looks like he has another book being published this year, called ‘A funny thing happened on the way to heaven’ (Ebury Press, 20th June 2013). I might have to read that.

Well, I’d best be off, I want my breakfast. See how dedicated to you all I am? I get up stupidly early on a Sunday morning to listen to music and write before I even consider necessities like food, and a cup of tea. I definitely need tea.

Bye

Rose

Review: ‘Who Needs Mr Darcy?’

Jean Burnett

2012

Sphere (Little Brown Book Group)

Opening at Pemberley in September 1815 and concluding aboard a ship to Brazil in 1818, this novel follows ‘The adventures and exploits of the bad Miss Bennet’. Lydia Wickham, married three years and widowed at Waterloo, when her husband had the decency to die in battle (although not as heroically as Lydia was telling people), is at a loose end. Currently in residence at Pemberley, living as a dependant of her humourless brother-in-law Darcy and her sister Lizzy, Lydia dreams of escape, of London, Paris and Lord Byron, of making her fortune by marriage to a rich man and dancing among the fashionable world at Almack’s. She has become her husband’s mirror image. Darcy wants rid of her, and Lydia is eager to be got rid of, provided she can have an allowance from her relatives and the freedom to do whatever she wants.

By subterfuge Lydia gets her way and travels to London to stay with the impecunious and immoral Selena and Miles Caruthers, friends from her days as an army wife. On the way she is robbed by a handsome highwayman, in London she plays with marked cards and becomes involved with a banker. Travelling to Brighton she meets the Prince Regent, becomes involved in a murder and robbery, and is kidnapped by her highwayman

Eventually Lydia finds her way to the no longer fashionable Bath, as her banker is arrested and she acquires a new admirer. Plans are made for Paris, but first she must go to Pemberley. Here a letter arrives from Longbourne; Kitty, who Lydia has kept informed of all her adventures, has had an attack of conscience and drops Lydia in it up to her neck. Sent away to be a companion to a rich, elderly widow (it was that or the asylum, suitable husbands not being forthcoming) in Bath, Lydia despairs.

Until she hatches a plan and her employer is persuaded to end her retired life and go to the Continent. Lydia is ecstatic and finally gets to see Paris and Venice. But her past catches up with her and she is forced to work for the British Government in a delicate matter.

This Lydia is has learnt no restraint, no humility or respectability. She is as immodest, reckless and ignorant as would be expected from the youngest Bennet girl. She blames all her misfortunes on others and takes no responsibility for her actions. She sees her family as interfering, disapproving and spiteful.

She is not an endearing character at all, and the plot has too much gothic extravagance about it to be very enjoyable, and yet I raced through this novel. More could have been made of the royal intrigue, financial scandal and international politics, which are the main drivers of the plot and which effect Lydia’s fate the most, but the story, like it’s narrator is rather shallow. Leaving Lydia and her criminal beau aboard ship and bound for Brazil clearly leaves the way open for a sequel should the author choose to pen one.

I think this would have been a fun book, in the mould of Regency romances, if the main character had been an original rather than a pale attempt at writing Lydia Bennet. Jean Burnett simply does not write Lydia Bennet as well as Jane Austen drew her two hundred years ago. The character is a flat caricature. It’s enjoyable enough I suppose but I wouldn’t go out and buy it. That’s what the library is for.

And that is all I have to say on the subject.

Bye,

Rose

Review: Feed by Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire)

Zombie apocalypse’s: I do so love them.

Bloggers: News reporters, entertainers, educators. I have a soft spot for them as well.

What happens when you combine them?

Georgia and Shaun Mason, and their colleagues, that’s what.

The adopted children of the first people to lose a child to a zombie labrador, their entire lives have been dictated by, and dedicated to, the ratings.

Shaun likes to poke dead things with sticks, in the hope that its moan back, and then he can shoot it. Of the siblings he’s expected to die first, he lives with reckless abandon, goes out in to the field and returns to tell exciting tales. He’s an ‘Irwin’.

Georgette ‘Buffy’ Meissonier, their partner, friend and tech expert, likes to write poetry and romantic prose while giving the CIA a run for it money – if its electronic and can collect information she can improve it. Mostly she’s a ‘Fictional’, barely ever seen outside of the haven of their van and rarely in the field.

And finally, there’s Georgia ‘George’ Mason. All she wants is the Truth.

They run ‘After the End Times’, a blog site, that’s home to all three kinds of bloggers. They’re organised, determined and young. When they get the job of official press covering the presidential campaign of Senator Ryman, of Wisconsin, they also think they’re made. Travelling with the campaign, they give the public everything they need to know with as little bias as possible. They become among the most popular blog sites on the ‘net. And their candidate is gaining support.

And then things start to go very wrong. After a series of tragedies, sabotage and betrayal, events come to a head at the party Conference. Things will never be the same again for those who remain at ‘After the End Times’.

Well, that’s the story (or at least all I’m going to give you because I don’t want to give too much away), so what did I think?

The characterisation was well done, although Senator Ryman was a little too good, no politician is that decent. The world, a post-Zombie-apocalyse world, is carefully thought through and the society it presents is convincing. The story itself is riveting, keeping the readers interest throughout, exciting and intelligent.

Plus, there’s a sensible explanation for the living dead. Which is always a bonus.

In other words, I liked it. I’d even recommend it.

Now I’m off to read the second book in the series, Deadline.

Bye,

Rose

Reviews

I’ve officially given up attempting to read 50 Shades of Grey and its sequels. Sorry if you wanted a review, all can say is I got so bored of the bad writing and repetition I gave up. I’m glad I didn’t buy them, only borrowed them, because they really aren’t worth the money. You can get better smut free on the internet – go have a look around Live Journal or http://www.archiveofourown.org for instance.

However, I will be reviewing ‘The Long Earth’ by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter. I had to wait a month to get it because out library got flooded in June (we had flash floods) and has only just re-opened. I started reading it this morning, If I hadn’t had other things to do I’d have finished it this evening. Safe to say so far i like it. So, review sometime in the next few days, dodgy internet connection and other commitments (a.k.a. work, why do I have to work? I’d much rather spend my time reading and writing than go to work) permitting.

Bye for now,

Rose