From: "S. Pharand" 
Date: Sun, 03 Aug 1997 12:26:56 -0700

Hi. This is just a message to tell u that I really enjoyed visiting your
web page. There is a few titles on your page that I will read. You
convinced me to do so. I also want to say that I can't believe you
didn't like Stephen King's Insomnia that much. It is one of his best
book!!! With the Dark Half, It and Dolores Claiborne. 
BTW, if you're looking for good books I have a few suggestions::
-The University by Bently Little
-The Homing by John Saul
-Gone But Not Forgotten by Philipp MArgolin.

Well, that's it.
Goodbye.
Sebastien Pharand

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Fran Spragens 
Date: Mon, 13 Jan 1997 18:14:39 +0000
Subject: Reading suggestions

I have a suggestion or two (or three). Anything by Barlett and Steele.  
They were to have a new book published this last fall but I have not 
seen it yet.  Michael Lind's Up From Conservatism and The New American 
Nation are very interesting.  Wm. Greider has a new book out but I am 
not sure of the title and I haven't seen it yet but I certainly shall 
as he is one of my gods. Kevin Phillips The Politics of Rich and Poor 
is great as is his Arrogant Capital.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
X-Personal_name: Ryan Danks
From: rdanks@depauw.edu
Subject: Book site

Thanks for the great site.  I really enjoyed your reviews... agreed with
some, disagreed with others.  Such is life... 

A younger (young-adults/children) series which is easily readable and (I found)

(Sorry, I screwed that up)

A ya/childrens series which I found interesting was Susan Cooper's.  
I can't remember the names right off hand (one was Over Sea, Under Stone),
another was Greenwitch, and I don't remember the rest)... they had to do
with fantasy-type characters living in modern England... easy reading.
Another, more historical fantasy-type series might be Lawhead's "Taliesen,
Merlin, Arthur."  Enjoyed them as well.

On the non-fiction side, I wouldn't definitely recommend PJ O'Rourke's 
Parliament of Whores.  

More seriously, Garry Wills's book about the Gettsyburg Address (Lincoln
at Gettsyburg) is probably the best book I've ever had to rread for 
a class...

WEll, that's enough for now. 

Thanks
Ryan Danks

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Robb 
Date: Fri, 08 Aug 1997 18:36:11 -0600

howdy Doug,
	just found your library while looking up Naomi Wolf. i heard her this
morning (Fri 8/8) being interviewed on Pacifica or something like that
on public radio (KGNU, Boulder was broadcasting the interview). she was
talking about a book she'd written called "Promiscuities" which she
described as her own public confession about her sexual education in
Amerikan culture. i plan on finding the book and reading it with my
wife. i'd like to see your review.

peace,
robb

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Cande 
Date: Sat, 09 Aug 1997 19:53:24 -0700

Hi,

I've been a silent surfer of your page until now.  Not because of lack
of opinion, I just figured you're doing well without my two cents. :)

To the point -- Glen Cook has published 'Bleak Seasons' Book One of
Glittering Stone.  This is the 7th book in the series of the Black
Company.  This is a series that I thoroughly enjoyed.  If you liked the
rest of the Black Company as much as I did, just about anything Glen
Cook put out in this series would be looked upon favorably.  But, true
to form, it is entertaining.

--Cande

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Gavrielle Perry 
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 1997 13:13:44 +1200
Subject: Zifnab - not a flame!:)

Doug,

Thanks for a great site.  I particularly enjoyed your comments about Zifnab
in the Death Gate Cycle - I thought you were dead on.  He made me squirm.

I note you're a big SRD fan and that you're currently reading the Gap
series.  You might [modest cough] be interested in my lengthy (22,000 words)
review of the series at http://ds.dial.pipex.com/town/parade/nd69/index.htm.
It's full of spoilers, though.     [This review has since vanished]

Finally, commiserations on the flames you obviously sometimes receive.  I've
had quite a few responses to my Gap review, and all of them have been polite
and thoughtful- obviously we Donaldson fans are a more evolved form of the
species:).

Gavrielle

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
To: ingram@shrubbery.com
Subject: Ron Luciano

Hello, I am a current umpire however not in the major leagues and am
responding to your review and story on Ron Luciano's death.  He has written
some very funny books and their is one more you left out it is "The Fall of
the Roman Umpire".  You may also want to consider making some changes on the
summary of his tragic passing.  You are partly correct, however the main
reason for him committing suicide was not because he was not directly
involved in baseball.  He hadn't been for several years before that.  It was
that is mother was dying and he was in debt.  His mother's condition had been
deteriorating since she was diagnosed with a memory disorder in which made
her unable to recongnise the most important and constant things in her life.
 Including her house and son, but not necessarily an amusement park or a
friend's car.  He became very depressed and could not stand to see his mother
in that condition.  This according to Referee Magazine, USA Today and the
Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Thanks.

# The web page has since been updated appropriately.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Matthew.Carlone@Chowda.com
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 16:46:04 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Connie Willis / Dooms Day Book

Hi, Doug?

I am not quite sure I have the correct e-mail address, but I want to write to
the author of Connie Willis's DOoms Day Book review.

I am currently a student at North Kingstown Public High School in Rhode Island
and have just finished reading the novel as part of my summer reading program.
I enjoyed the novel quite a bit, but must agree that several characters in the
present were "annoying" and a better build-up of the relationships between the
characters in the past could have been more/better.

I especially appreciated the "Willis wanted to" part of the summary -- there
were clues on the handout I received at the end of the last school year that
the essay I will be writing will be about what the author's intent on writing
the book is, and you've covered several areas.  I highly recommend this write-
up, although I still think the book overall was good and wouldn't recommend it.

Matthew Carlone
Matthew.Carlone@Chowda.com or ab879@osfn.rhilinet.gov

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From DoraRoundt@aol.com Wed Aug 13 17:14:01 1997

You have an excellent page with a lot of information.
 I love science fiction and I suggest you read "Corrupting Dr. Nice"
 by John Kessel, a strange, funny and irreverent tale of time travel.
For a review, see my Web Site--http://www.mutoscope.com/doras.htm
You can use my review if you link with my site.  I will have a link page next
week and will include your site.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From GButton838@aol.com Sun Aug 17 15:42:38 1997
Subject: Children of the Jedi

  I strongly disagree with your review on this book. I am a very devoted SW
fan, and of all 23 books I have read in this series, Children of the Jedi has
to be my favorite. Now if I had to say which SW book was the worst in the
series, I'd say it was Splinter of the Mind's Eye. Splinter, which took place
in between A NEW HOPE and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, was so terribly wrong and
uncharacteristic that I could barely stand to read the entire book.
      Children of the Jedi, on the other hand, was the most terrific,
can't-put-it-down book I've ever read, and I suggest you read it over again
and think about that.

                                                          - Mara Jade

# To each his/her own, I guess.  I like Hambly (as my review of her
# "Time of the Dark" series indicates), but I couldn't stomach CotJ.
# As for Foster's "Splinter", I should note that I read that book back
# in 1979, before Empire was released.  Back then, it was GREAT 
# speculative stuff and fit right in with what I knew about the
# characters.  I guess now that the Universe has been fleshed out,
# a lot suffers in the translation.  You'll note (as I have) that
# it is no longer listed as part of the "official" SW history.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From Viking2173@aol.com Mon Aug 18 06:14:30 1997
Subject: Death Gate Cycle

I thought that you did a very good job in reviewing the above mentioned
series.  However, I belive that you were wrong in not recomending this book
to others.  Many people I know were not interested in reading, let alone
fantasy works.  When I told them to read this series, they became much more
appreciative of the time the author took in creating such a pictureable
world, make that 7 worlds, with more detail than any previous series I've
ever read.  This series is an excellent stating point for the beginning
fantasy reader, because it draws them into the story with words that create
pictures, and feeling.  Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but to
draw more people to read fantasy, you must keep their minds working, even if
it is a boring subplot.  These subplots take you the full way through the
journey, day by day, not bothering to hide the boringness of everyday life.
It makes the reader feel as though he living the life of the lead character,
by exposing him to every asspect of their lives.  
I do hope that in the future that you would change your mind and see that
this is the type of writing that brings new readers.  But as I said you have
your own opinion, which you are entitled to.  Just thought I'd share mine
with you.

Thanks for your time,
Viking2173

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: The Twisted One 
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 14:37:50 +0100
Subject: The Gap Series

Having just stumbled across your site whilst searching for Donaldson, I
thought I might just drop a mail and ask whether you have started/finished
the Gap Series yet, since (in England, anyway) all five are out in
paperback. I saw them in my local bookshop about 8 weeks ago, along with
the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (1+2), and thought, "Now there's some
books that I wanna buy". So I did, to give me something to do when I moved
over here, to Germany.

Having already read 2,3 and 4 of the series, I thought I'd buy the lot. And
very glad I was that I did. An excellent series, almost up alongside the
Chronicles (which I bought in omnibus editions). Unfortunately, I then read
the first 3 inside a week, and so didn't bring them to Germany. On the
upside, my housemate has now read them and is addicted.

I can't vouch for the rest of your book reviews (having not read most of
those featured), but on Donaldson, I am happy at last to have found someone
who also thinks he is a writer of astonishing ability. IMHO, Mordant's Need
was not up to the Chronicles, but I did like Daughter of Regals, and Other
Stories, plus the book he edited, Strange Dreams.

I think I'll just bookmark your page and have a browse, just in case I find
something else I think I might like.
Nik Borton, The Twisted One (c)1997

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/6911	    mailto:TheTwistedOne@geocities.com

	"Joy is in the ears that hear, not the spirit of the telling"

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: "Tann A. Nichols" 
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 18:46:13 -0400
Subject: Suggested Readings

Two suggested readings based on your book index:

and the Devil Will Drag You Under:  Jack Chalker
	Better than the rings of the master  series

The new series by Eddings,  still a bit of mind candy but
the characters are more engaging and a bit more realistic
the main character, Sparhawk reminded me a bit of Cook's Croaker.
Give them a whorl, should be worth it. imho

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Crowjack@aol.com
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 22:58:14 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: VAMPIRE$

as you can tell from my screen name i am a major John Steakley fan. I
understant that a major motion picture starring James Woods and directed by
John Carpenter is being shot currently...

i always thought it was a humorous touch that felix and jack crow were in
both books...although not the same characters (and even flipping
personalities somewhat).

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: MaryA1926@aol.com
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 18:23:54 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Douglas C. jones

Dear Doug,
You may want to check out Douglas C. Jones
He is located at Members.aol.com/MaryA1926/dougJones.html

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Jose Noe Cortes G 
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 10:35:00 -0600
Subject: Hello ...!

I have just scanned your Web-page about BOOKS ....
It=B4s impresive the stuff you has been reading ...!!

But .. :) ... but I feel that you has skiped one of
the very crafted autors of paperbak=B4s : Martin Cruz Smith..

It should be fine to hear your comments to , by example ,
"Gorky Park" ...=20

Congratulations ..!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Craig & Heather Patterson 
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 1997 23:08:51 -0300
Subject: Doug's Library

Doug- This is my first time sending an e-mail on my own computer from my
own home. You will be hearing from me again in the next while, I am a
self proclaimed science fiction\fantasy freak. I have just over 700
titles in my collection and just as a benchmark I've read 71 titles
since Jan.1/97. I've looked up your sight when ever I've had a chance at
a computer and I would like to someday have my own web page. I live the
book lovers dream and work in a bookstore where I have the chance to
order my own books. Just as a taste of things to come here are 3 titles
I've read in the last little bit which are new and good.  N. Lee Wood -
Looking for the Mahdi (7) ,  Joshua Dann  -  Timeshare (8),  Elizabeth
Moon  -  Remnant Population (7).  Not to be a pain but a short note to
say that I sent this thing correctly would be appreciated. Thanks,
Craig.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Gar Vance 
Date: Mon, 01 Sep 1997 16:37:41 -0700

I did a search for Ken Grimwood and found your review of REPLAY.  I
found REPLAY to be one of the more facinating books I have read in a
looong time.  I have recommended this book to many friends and all have
enjoyed it.  I'm also a J.R.R. fan, but I have yet to read Donaldson. 
After reading your reviews, I think I'll check him out!  

A friend at school teaches physics and recently gave me three videos of
the PBS series, Mysteries of Deep Space.  INFJ??  Hmmm...I'm an ESTP.  

Nice web page:-)

Gar Vance
Valencia Community College
Orlando

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Emaen 
Date: Tue, 02 Sep 1997 20:23:08 -0400
Subject: Donaldson

Greetings!!

I just had to write after finding your page in a search for Stephen R.
Donaldson.  I was so glad (and surprised!)  to find someone else who was
a Donaldson fan.  I know that when I first read Lord Foul's Bane,  my
life was changed.  The first Covenant series is my fave,  though I love
the second as well (in fact, I cried at the end when Linden walked
away,  with "her wedding ring" in her hand.  It was just so sad,  that
Covenant had found his salvation and couldn't treasure it).  I also
thought Mordant's Need was wonderful,  and Daughter of Regals too.  One
author I'd like to recommend (and I haven't read the rest of your page,
so I don't know if you've read her or not) is Ursula K. LeGuin.  In
particular,  The Beginning Place.  It's a short book,  but one that
affected me as strongly as Lord Foul's Bane.  I hope you like it,  if
you get a chance to read it.  

Remember the Oath of Peace,

J. Maden

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: "Jason K. Duffy" 
Date: Wed, 03 Sep 1997 21:17:08 -0500
Subject: Just had to send you a note...

Dr. Ingram,

   Hello, my name is Jason Duffy, and I am an undergrad CS student at
Purdue.  I was searching the 'net for sites that would mention Steven
Brust's "Agyar" in hopes of finding more books along that work's "goth"
theme when I found your review page.  Reading through it I found that
I share many of your tastes (you put up with much more Asimov than I 
could) and I feel I must make a recommendation.  "Travels," a non-fiction
book by Michael Crighton.  All I will say about it is that I have read
most of his works, and it is the most memorable.

Thanks for taking the time to document your readings so thoroughly.  I
have noted several titles to nab next time I am at the library.

Take care, and happy reading.

Jason Duffy

# Actually, I've read it.  It's reviewed in the non-fiction section.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: JLWHill@aol.com
Date: Wed, 03 Sep 1997 22:57:17 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Brin

Hi Doug, I just recently discovered two (!!!) new uplift books by Brin. Of
course you will not be getting them anytime soon because the third one has
apparently not been written yet. I couldn't stand it and got the first two
from the library and will buy all 3 when they are in paperback. Evidently it
has been awhile since I checked because he got 2 written while I was not
looking. I started the first, and as usual with me and Brin I find it
somewhat difficult to "get into" for the first couple of chapters. They have
always been worth persevering for though. 
I agree with you about "The Postman", not that good a book compared to other
post-apocalyptic novels out there. Guess Costner liked it.   Jackie

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Michael Burke 
Date: Sat, 06 Sep 1997 17:56:55 -0700
Subject: Author - Paul Quarrington

You might want to give Quarrington a read... You can find more
information about Quarrington at "http://www.quarrington.org".

Michael Burke
Sea Change Internet Solutions, Inc

"http://www.seachange.ca"

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Tim Crean 
Date: Sat, 06 Sep 1997 22:47:23 -0700

Now I am in no way telling you exactly what to read.  I'm not saying read
this series now or die not knowing what you missed and suffer a long while
for it.  That out of the way I thought I would recommend one of  my
favorite fantasy authors, Terry Goodkind.  He writes the sword of Truth
Series.  It contains Wizards First Rule, Stone of Tears, and Blood of the
Fold.  Now since it is not all in paperback I would say that you should
wait.  the first three are as of now but the fourth book is going to be in
hardcover this month or next month depending on Tor.  not only that there
is going to be at least one more probably two so I just thought I'd call
this author to your attention.  My lord I'm getting longwinded.  

David Crean
davey@crean.com

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Melissa Kelly 
Date: Sun, 07 Sep 1997 14:50:13 +0100
Subject: gender differences

Hi Doug,
Excellent web page; your reviews are candid and thought
provoking. I've just read
  You Just Don't Understand by Deborah Tannen

I didn't find the book dry or boring, but perhaps less
rigorous that I would like. I know of only one other
man to have read it. Did you find that none of her
characterizations of men struck a chord of truth for
you?
I'd very much like to find some of the other
"interesting work to come out of this" topic. Can you
point
me to anything?   Thanks, Melissa Kelly

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Loki 
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 1997 09:54:30 +0930

-- I *politely* suggest you take a look at the sequels to Intervention:
Jack the Bodiless, Diamond Mask and Magnificat. I also congratulate you
on the decision to await completion of the R.Jordan saga. Truly each
book is long and somewhat repetitive in that it's rehashing the same
story over and over again in the next book. The books also take so
bloody long to come out that by the time they do the previous story was
unmemorable enough that you've forgotten it. Never had this trouble
before. First two maybe three books are really quite good but after that
they steadily go downhill. 
   Just getting into Donaldson . . . Gap series superb! THomas Covenent
also up there with great fiction.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Jenny Brown 
Date: Tue, 09 Sep 1997 09:47:41 -0700
Subject: your opinions vs mine.

Hello Doug, just a quick message.

I have had a brief look at you library site and was pleased to see this
page as being more of a reader than a computer buff, it combines the
best of both worlds.

But...

i was totally offended by what you had to say about Robert Heinlen's
stuff (except for "stranger in a strange land" - never could like it for
some reason) and David Eddings. I guess this means that you didn't
bother to read "Belgareth".

However your comments on Douglas Adams and Harry Harrison were fair.

Jenny Brown.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: "Matthew S. Jones" 
Date: Tue, 09 Sep 1997 20:58:44 -0400
Subject: Sci Fi GAME reccomendation.

Hello!

     I stumbled upon your library page by accident and became lost in
your reviews for almost an hour now.  :)  I figured, with all the
science fiction reading you've done, you might be interested in a
computer game with (what I believe) is the most decent plot I've seen so
far.  The game is "Star Control 3".  Much of the game is
conversation-based interaction with aliens, and the rest of it is
ship-to-ship combat.  But the PLOT.. OH! the plot...  It starts off very
simple, but a story unfolds about the origins, and creators, and
maintainers, and destroyers, and rebuilders of all life in the
universe.  I can't go into any more detail because it would ruin the
wonder and amazement you may find should you play the game.  Just
thought I'd let you know about it :)

-Matt
(EvilSeed)

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: taparmley@DELTA.IS.TCU.EDU
Date: Tue, 09 Sep 1997 19:13:38 -0500 (CDT)

I was wandering through your pages on my way to print out the Study Guide
for Astronomy and found some really cool things.  
	First of all, I would like to submit my web page for your
Personality Index.  I tested as an XNFT and my URL is 
http://delta.is.tcu.edu/~taparmley/  ,
my name is Theresa Parmley and my email address is
taparmley@delta.is.tcu.edu  .
	Then, I was reading some of your reviews of novels.  I am a big
Science Fiction fan (in fact, I am taking a literature course this
semester called Science Fiction), and, more specifically, a Star Wars
fanatic (or so my friends claim).  I have read all the novels and it was
great to get someone else's opinion.  Thus far, I think my favorites would
have to be the Zahn Trilogy.  Grand Admiral Thrawn is by far the best
villian of the novels, in my opinion.  He was not pure evil, he was
cunning and even ingenious.  I have heard it said that a hero is only as
good as the villian (I believe that was Stan Lee).  Thrawn was wonderful.
I have to point out that in your review you said that he "takes the title
by virtue of his commanding ability, his military rank, and his control of
the last several remaining star destroyers from the Empire."  Actually,
it was assumed by the Rebels that he assumed the title because they were
sure that they had killed all of them.  In point of fact, he was the only
alien that an anti-alien biased Emporer granted the title and it was at
that cerimony that he met Mara Jade.  Furthermore, you refer to the Rebel
Alliance, but by this time they had already assumed the title New
Republic.  Other than nit-picking details, I agree with most all of your
opinions.  The Chrystal Star is probably my least favorite novel and it is
only abidable because of the title Star Wars and the Universe it lends.
However, you cannot always get away with that (I refer you to my essay
_Hiding_Behind_a_Legend_ about Star Trek Generations
http://delta.is.tcu.edu/~taparmley/star/stg.htm).  
	I just wanted to say that I took the second half of Astronomy last
semester and liked it so much that I took the first half this semester and
talked a friend into taking it with me.  I love your approach and your
class and just wanted to say thank you.  

			Always,
			  Theresa Parmley

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Agnes 
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 16:23:38 -0700
Subject: No Ken Follett??

Hi!
Really love your page...all the reviews are great!
Question????
Don't you read Ken Follett..if not, why?
In my humble opinion, Ken Follett is really good and quite diverse, you
never know what you are going to get..a good histrical read or a
hightech suspense. Each and every book is a treasure waiting to happen.

/Just Curious

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: GALPERIN@drew.edu
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 21:26:27 -0400 (EDT)

In your list of the Chronicles of Narnia books by C.S. Lewis, I note that 
you left one of them out.  There was a book entitled "The Horse and His 
Boy" in that series, and as I recall, it was one of the better in the 
series.

The order of the books, as I'm sure you are well aware, is up for debate, 
and to be honest, I'm not quite sure which I read them in.

Anyway, I just wanted to pass this little note along to you.

Glenn Alperin
galperin@drew.drew.edu

# Thanks for the note.  That information is news to me, as I first read them
# when I bought them as a boxed set.  The boxed set had numbers on the book
# to suggest a reading orders, which is the order I have them listed in the
# page.  Anyway, I'll include your informational note in the mailbag.  Thanks.

If you get the chance, the debate is probably chronicled in Dejanews 
several times over, and there are various reasons for having the series in 
particular orders, one of which was to be the order that he wrote them in, 
another of which was to be related to the chronological order that the 
books were suposed to take place in.  I recall reading the chronological 
order of numbering when I was younger.

Glenn

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: Zak Binder 
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 15:16:11 -0400


Hi,

I don't want to criticize, but I want to offer my opinion on one thing I
noticed in your page.

I saw the "I won't read Jordan until it is all done" line and wanted to
comment on it.

First of all, I can tell that you have done A LOT of reading. And that
impresses me. When my Web Page is finished (www.erols.com/zbinder)
I plan to include my favorite books as well.  And if you are anything like
me, buying a book is much better than buying oh, food, clothing, or paying
rent.

Now on to the reasons why I read Robert Jordan and don't wait till it is
done:

1) I started and can't stop.

2) The most exciting thing about Jordan, is that I think about it almost
daily in some way. This is a series that has affected me more than the
majority of stuff I have ever read (except for Orson Scott Card and The
Stand + a few others).

3) I have gotten to speak with people over the net that I will never meet.
(I am sure this has happened to you, but Jordanites have a special bond).

4) I don't know if this series will ever finish.  I think it will go on for
at least 5 more years.

5) I enjoy suffering. It makes reading the latest book in the series even
more enjoyable.

6) finally, $27.95 is a small price to pay for a few days of enjoyment.

I know I won't be able to change your mind, but I thought I would let you
know how I feel about this, and it might hopefully, maybe, sorta, affect
your views.

Thanks for your page I really enjoyed it.  (I read Replay too, and it is
one of my favorites.)

Zak Binder

Let me know what you think at zbinder@erols.com

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: marilyns@CapAccess.org
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 1997 12:22:04 -0400

"Ball Four" is probably the SECOND best baseball book.  (I read it a long 
time ago, so I remember only that it was very good).  The VERY BEST 
baseball book, bar none, is "The Boys of Summer", by Roger Kahn. who grew 
up in Brooklyn but wasn't athletic, so he had to pursue his second choice 
of career -- being a newspaper reporter who covered the Dodgers.

Read it, and tell me what you think.

I like your web page.  I'm an eclectic reader, as you are.  I am now 
reading William Greider's latest book.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
From: "Scott S." 
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 1997 01:26:55 -0700
Subject: Armor

scott2k@gte.net
  First, let me say that I think you have a very good idea here. I am an
avid book reader (particularly Sci-Fi) and it is very difficult to keep up
with new releases and so forth. I'm sure I will return and investigate this
site frequently. 
  Secondly, I would also like to say that I think your taste in authors and
books are excellent! However, it would seem to me that you are passing up
some all-time sci-fi greats. Have you read the Chtorran series by David
Gerrold? If not you definitely should. Also, I have read many of Asimov's
books and I think his Robot series deserves at least as much attention as
the Foundation series. 
  Lastly, I found this site when I was looking up John Steakley in the web.
I am very excited to hear that he has FINALLY done something else. I have
read Starship Troopers by Heinlein and I have read Armor by Steakley. I do
not think your review of Armor did it the justice it is due. As far as book
quality and the ability to put it down that they are in two different
worlds of class. I think it's a fabulous read and should be recommended
highly instead of compared to Heinlein's work. 
  Well, I've said my peace...Thanks for your time.

  Anne ;)

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From: rachel@goldeen.com (Rachel Goldeen)
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 1997 14:20:02 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Books & Myst

Hi Doug,

Thanks for your positive, generous attitude!

I found your Myst hints page for my nephews who are currently enthralled
with the game. They like the hints format over a walkthrough. It made me
realize that most teaching in schools is of the walkthrough format rather
than the hints format. It gives away all the good stuff, taking much of the
fun out of learning.

Then I looked at your home page and found your book page. I like to read
lots of books, but I have almost no overlap with the books you read. I'm an
ENFJ, but I lean towards the belief that Meyers-Briggs is quite a lot like
astrology. (Vague categories into which we all sort of fit, but nothing
fits quite right. I actually come out 40%E, 60%N, 50%FT, 25%J, so more
rightly I'm a J and the others are undetermined.) Even so, it's fun to
think about such things.

I read a lot of nonfiction. Here is a list of some of the books I have read
and liked, some written a long time ago, some written recently:

"And the Band Played On" by Randy Shilts. About AIDS from 1977 to 1987.
This is a page turner and 600 pages long, so be careful to start it when
you have some time on your hands.

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman" by Richard Feynman. (I'm sure you've
read this one.) I'm currently reading it aloud to my 11-year-old nephew (I
first read it when it came out). My favorite quote: "What's the matter with
people? They don't learn by understanding---they learn by some other way.
By rote, or something."

"Becoming a Doctor" by Melvin Konner. Melvin Konner was an anthropologist
who decided to go to medical school in his mid-thirties. He got his MD but
decided not to do a residency so he is not a practicing physician. He takes
a cultural anthropologists view of medicine, and it is fascinating.

"Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto. This is about the real lessons of
school.

"How Children Fail" by John Holt. Another book about school and learning.

"Bellwether" by Connie Willis. This is a short, fun book. (I know you
didn't like the Doomsday Book, which I haven't read, but this one is so
short it's worth a try.)

All of the Lord Peter Wimsey novels by Dorothy Sayers. (I personally got
hooked by reading the short stories first.)

All of Jane Austen's books. I know she has been overdone in the movies
lately, but her books are great.

Believe it or not, the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls
Wilder. I only read these a few years ago (at the age of 28) and they were
great.

"Dave Barry's Guide to Guys" by Dave Barry. Do you read Dave Barry? He's a
humor writer. I have read most of what he has written, but this is one of
his best.

All of the short stories by Ring W. Lardner. Go to the library and find a
collection of his stories---they can't be found in bookstores anymore.

Cheers!

Rachel Goldeen

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From: galta@pathcom.com
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 14:51:09 -0400
Subject: John Steakley

nice page!!!

i tend to agree (+ or -1) with most of your ratings.

in particular, it's nice to find another steakley fan. i stumbled across
armor at a local library, and being an adventurous sort, took it home
despite the stupid artwork on the cover. truly enjoyed it. the battles
against the ants were a better part of the book than were the segments
on the new planet, but still, that's like saying diamonds shine better
than rubies.

i've been looking for vampyres but haven't been able to land a copy yet.

has yet written anything else?

thanks again for a worthwhile effort here.

galta