J's Pages

by Simon Hawke

Labels: CheckItOut, SimonHawke, TimeWars

by Alexandre Dumas

This book I already had on my shelf. I had bought and thoroughly enjoyed it years ago. I forget why I first bought it. Maybe it was because I had recently seen and enjoyed the film version directed by Richard Lester. Or maybe I was just in the mood to buy a "classic" on the day I happened to be in the bookstore. (That happens sometimes, y'know) Either way, I came to enjoy the book on it's own considerable merits. In case you don't know, The Three Musketeers tells the tale of Monsieur D'Artagnan, a young man who comes to Paris in 1627 to seek his fortune. In short order he meets and is befriended by three of the Musketeers--the elite army regiment assigned to protect King Louis XIII. The four men have a variety of adventures, thwarting the schemes of the King's rival, Cardinal Richelieu. The four are true swashbucklers, full of testosterone, bluster and honor. (Well, their own code of honor, a bit different from what might be respected in 21st Century America.) All in all, it's an exciting tale with engaging events and characters.

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Labels: AlexandreDumas, DArtagnanRomances, OnMyShelf

by Friar Diego de Landa

This is a translation of a report made by Fr. Landa in the mid 16th Century concerning the native people of the Yucatan peninsula. Apparently he had got in some hot water with the authorities back in Spain, and had written the piece as part of his defense. Ironically, this is (or was, back in 1937) one of the only historical records we have regarding the native cultures in that area. It's ironic, because Fr. Landa was very keen on westernizing the natives and at one point destroyed a number of native writings. Anyway, it was somewhat interesting primary source material, but not having any special interest in Mayan culture (this book happened to be one of my wife's many textbooks) the best I can rate this is waiting room material. 

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Labels: WaitingRoomMaterial

by Simon Hawke

Book 2 in the Time Wars series finds the time commandos interacting with characters from The Three Musketeers. This time around, terrorists from the 27th Century are looking to change history by killing Cardinal Richelieu, King Louis XIII and Queen Anne in 17th Century France. Two of the soldiers from The Ivanhoe Gambit are loaned out to the Temporal Intelligence Agency to help outwit the bad guys.This one is a lot more light hearted than its predecessor--whether that's due to the quotes from The Three Musketeers or Mr. Hawke is emulating Mssr. Dumas' style, I don't know. Having already starting reading The Three Musketeers and my edition's introductory essay, it seems that Mr. Hawke has done his homework and pulled some ideas from the sundry sources used by Alexandre Dumas. Anyway, this one's a good book based on a great classic. A tome to keep on my shelf.
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Labels: OnMyShelf, SimonHawke, TimeWars

by Sir Walter Scott

Now I know why bookstores have different sections for fiction and literature. Just before reading this, I read The Ivanhoe Gambit, which is based on Ivanhoe. If you read the review of Gambit, you know I thought it a good book. But it is quite pale in comparison to Ivanhoe itself. The plot, the characters and the descriptions of the setting have much more depth than the same in Mr. Hawke's work. I was half tempted to believe that I was meeting real people in 12th Century England. (Of course, I should also point out that Ivanhoe is a much longer book...) Anyway, the tale centers on Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a Saxon knight who has returned from a crusade in the Holy Land. His father has disowned him, because he dared to love the noble Rowena against the old man's wishes. His nation is under the power of Prince John, the dishonest brother of King Richard, who is looking to seize the throne for himself and who would not welcome Wilfred, a loyal follower of the King. What follows is a masterful tale of chivalry, politics and romance played out by realistic characters. The 18th century English of the book is not for the faint of heart, but it is definitely worth the effort to read. It's a book for which I'll have to find space on my shelf. 

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Labels: OnMyShelf

by Simon Hawke

I've been meaning to reread Simon Hawke's Time Wars series since I reread book 5, The Nautilus Sanction, a few weeks back. I finally got around to it and have decided to not only reread the series, but also attempt to read the original works which inspired each volume. (Stay tuned for my review of Ivanhoe...) Anyhoo, The Ivanhoe Gambit is the book that started it all. The story introduces us to Sgt. Major Lucas Priest, a soldier in the Temporal Corps. In the future, once time travel has been discovered, national conflicts are resolved by sending soldiers to serve among the armies of the past. The scores are tallied and then the winner announced. A bit silly perhaps, but it makes a good backdrop for the tale. Anyway, Sgt. Major Priest has just returned from a hitch in the Punic Wars and decides to volunteer for a hitch with his friend, Sgt. Bobby Johnson. He's in for a surprise, however, since Bobby is assigned to an adjustment mission--one where past events have been messed up by time travelers and need to be restored by the Temporal Corps. In this case, a rogue time referee has assumed the role of King Richard the Lionheart and threatens to alter the history of England. Priest, Johnson and two other soldiers assume the roles of Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, Robin Hood, Little John and Ivanhoe's squire and attempt to stop the imposter. What follows is an enjoyable adventure tale which vaguely parallels the plot of Ivanhoe. It isn't great literature, but it is entertaining. Mr. Hawke's characters are likable and there's some surprising twists. It's a book to keep on my shelf for those times I want a quick, enjoyable read.

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Labels: OnMyShelf, SimonHawke, TimeWars