The best selling western of all time, this novel is considered the pinnacle of the genre and a literary classic. It was originally published in 1912 by Zane Grey, a man from Ohio who was fascinated by the American West. He explored the west and took many vacations there, and would write a fictional story in that setting.
During the time period, this book was actually controversial because of the way its characters (aka the bad guys) represent the Mormon faith. Despite the controversy though, it would become a great seller.
Westerns are a literary genre created by American writers. Unfortunately, many are considered (and many are) cheesy shoot em' up style books strictly for entertainment, and having no real literary value. Riders of the Purple Sage is the opposite of that, with in-depth characters, an engaging plot, and well written descriptions of the environment, religious zealotry, and what is now a historic time period.
If you want to read an American classic, Riders of the Purple Sage is the book for you.
Suggested Reading: The Last of the Mohicans- James Fenimore Cooper
Another classic of American Literature, this is a great book. It was written almost eighty years before Riders of the Purple Sage, and is a interesting tale about what was then the frontier, and the clashes that occurred between Native Americans and the Settlers. Its not really a "western" per say, because at this period in time there really was no such thing, but it is an exciting story about the frontier and the wilderness, and has many elements of the western genre.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Book Review 4: A Salty Piece of Land
There are two reasons why I chose to review A Salty Piece of Land, which I recently read. The first is, I absolutely hate winter. I hate the cold, the ice, the snow. It should be summer all year round, exceptions only granted for Christmas. The second reason is because I really enjoyed it.
Jimmy Buffett, well known for his music about the islands and island life, has taken his talents to writing before, and each time the book that he has created has became a bestseller. In this quirky fiction novel, Mr. Buffett spins us a tale of a cowboy, who on the run from the law, has relocated to the islands of the Caribbean, where there is plenty of warmth, alcohol, beautiful girls, and adventure to go around.
While the writing is a little slow in parts, the overall quality of the story and hilarity of the characters makes up for it. There are parts that will make you laugh out loud and there are other parts that will pull at the heartstrings. The novel is a rollercoaster of emotion, combined with vivid imagery created by the words.
The story is appealing on many different levels because it is ultimately a story about life and the crazy paths that it can take you on. The main character gets into all sorts of trouble, but has lots of fun doing it, and since your along for the ride, you'll have fun too. Encompassing both comedy and adventure, this is a lighthearted book that is to be enjoyed. So forget the cold weather, have a Margarita, and lose yourself in this funny tale.
Suggested Reading:
Travel guides to any place where it is warm and sunny.
Jimmy Buffett, well known for his music about the islands and island life, has taken his talents to writing before, and each time the book that he has created has became a bestseller. In this quirky fiction novel, Mr. Buffett spins us a tale of a cowboy, who on the run from the law, has relocated to the islands of the Caribbean, where there is plenty of warmth, alcohol, beautiful girls, and adventure to go around.
While the writing is a little slow in parts, the overall quality of the story and hilarity of the characters makes up for it. There are parts that will make you laugh out loud and there are other parts that will pull at the heartstrings. The novel is a rollercoaster of emotion, combined with vivid imagery created by the words.
The story is appealing on many different levels because it is ultimately a story about life and the crazy paths that it can take you on. The main character gets into all sorts of trouble, but has lots of fun doing it, and since your along for the ride, you'll have fun too. Encompassing both comedy and adventure, this is a lighthearted book that is to be enjoyed. So forget the cold weather, have a Margarita, and lose yourself in this funny tale.
Suggested Reading:
Travel guides to any place where it is warm and sunny.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Book Review 3: The Search For The Giant Squid: The Biology and Mythology of the World's Most Elusive Sea Creature
The planet Earth is 2/3 water and so much of it remains unexplored. In this fascinating non-fiction book, author and famous marine biologist Richard Ellis compiles the most information known about the Giant Squid, one of the strangest creatures to ever inhabit that planet Earth.
Very little is known about this animal, yet Richard Ellis is able, through extensive research and real life experiences, to write a book that examines every aspect of this creature's life and habits. The book provides important information on a topic that there is little information about. There are also illustrations and photographs throughout the book.
Mr. Ellis does a superb job of talking about the life of the giant squid, it's role in ancient historical myths and legends, and the life it has taken on in pop culture through fiction novels and movies. For anyone who is fascinated by the sea and the unknown creatures that the ocean holds, this is a well-written, informative, and interesting book.
Suggested Reading: Shark Trouble By Peter Benchley
After the success of Jaws, Peter Benchley, would spend the rest of his life (he passed away a little less then a year ago) donating money and his time to educating people about the importance of conservation of sharks and other ocean life. In numerous interviews Mr. Benchley confessed that he felt guilty about people's hatred of sharks, a hatred fueled by a fiction novel that he wrote. Shark Trouble is one of the last books he wrote before he died, a non-fiction book about sharks and the importance of them and other ocean life. Also, Mr. Benchley was friends with Richard Ellis the author of The Search for the Giant Squid and both reference each other in their respective books.
Very little is known about this animal, yet Richard Ellis is able, through extensive research and real life experiences, to write a book that examines every aspect of this creature's life and habits. The book provides important information on a topic that there is little information about. There are also illustrations and photographs throughout the book.
Mr. Ellis does a superb job of talking about the life of the giant squid, it's role in ancient historical myths and legends, and the life it has taken on in pop culture through fiction novels and movies. For anyone who is fascinated by the sea and the unknown creatures that the ocean holds, this is a well-written, informative, and interesting book.
Suggested Reading: Shark Trouble By Peter Benchley
After the success of Jaws, Peter Benchley, would spend the rest of his life (he passed away a little less then a year ago) donating money and his time to educating people about the importance of conservation of sharks and other ocean life. In numerous interviews Mr. Benchley confessed that he felt guilty about people's hatred of sharks, a hatred fueled by a fiction novel that he wrote. Shark Trouble is one of the last books he wrote before he died, a non-fiction book about sharks and the importance of them and other ocean life. Also, Mr. Benchley was friends with Richard Ellis the author of The Search for the Giant Squid and both reference each other in their respective books.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Book Review 2: Ghost Road Blues
Its kind of the usual story: There's a killer on the loose in a really small town, a small town that happens to be just big enough to also contain an ancient evil that has been laying dormant in the spooky forest outside of town. Now the killer will awaken the ancient evil and the Apocalypse as we know it, is upon us.
That's the gist of my second book that I am reviewing: Ghost Road Blues by Jonathan Maberry. The author, Mr. Maberry is a Pennsylvania native. He lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the eastern part of the state, not far from Philadelphia. Appropriately enough that is where this story takes place. Jonathan Maberry has been writing for a few years now, mostly non-fiction books about the occult and real-life hauntings. Ghost Road Blues is actually his first fiction novel, and the first of a trilogy, the other two of which have not yet been published. The second book is coming this summer, and the third the summer of 08'.
There is no real literary value here. What there is, is old-fashioned, horror fun with a well-written and engaging story. This book will never win a Pulitzer prize, nor does it deserve to. But it will keep you on the edge of your seat with an exciting, fast-paced plot. I'm not usually a big horror novel fan, but on occasion I get in the mood for one. I was in the mood for a horror story that's why I picked this up.
If your looking for literary substance, pass this one up. But if your looking for an exciting and entertaining read that will give you the creeps, by all means try Ghost Road Blues.
That's the gist of my second book that I am reviewing: Ghost Road Blues by Jonathan Maberry. The author, Mr. Maberry is a Pennsylvania native. He lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the eastern part of the state, not far from Philadelphia. Appropriately enough that is where this story takes place. Jonathan Maberry has been writing for a few years now, mostly non-fiction books about the occult and real-life hauntings. Ghost Road Blues is actually his first fiction novel, and the first of a trilogy, the other two of which have not yet been published. The second book is coming this summer, and the third the summer of 08'.
There is no real literary value here. What there is, is old-fashioned, horror fun with a well-written and engaging story. This book will never win a Pulitzer prize, nor does it deserve to. But it will keep you on the edge of your seat with an exciting, fast-paced plot. I'm not usually a big horror novel fan, but on occasion I get in the mood for one. I was in the mood for a horror story that's why I picked this up.
If your looking for literary substance, pass this one up. But if your looking for an exciting and entertaining read that will give you the creeps, by all means try Ghost Road Blues.
Similar Reading:
The Town- Bentley Little
This is a really creepy novel, that follows the same "small town and ancient evil" format that Ghost Road Blues has. The main difference between them: Ghost Road Blues has more of a plot and is much better written. The Town, is similar and I did enjoy it, but its more of a gore fest, cheap scares and a lot of graphic horror elements: sex, gore, violence etc. If you want a horror novel like that read The Town. If you want a horror novel that is really interesting with an engaging plot that has more depth and suspense read Ghost Road Blues.
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