asimplechord (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
asimplechord) wrote2010-07-05 08:36 pm
asimplechord) wrote2010-07-05 08:36 pm
Entry tags:
in an effort to actually keep track of what gets read & liked vs recycled
Title: A Soldier's Duty
Author: Thomas E. Ricks
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: June 2001
Editorial Review: here. Google books here.
Why? Because I've read or have in my to-be-read pile all of Thomas Ricks' non-fiction, and I thought I'd give his attempt at fiction a try.
What did I think of it? I'm not sure what I was expecting. The story itself seems consistent with a lot of what Ricks has written in his non-fiction or blogged about as WSJ and WaPo military reporter. It definitely showcases Ricks' expertise in military affairs and his affection for Afghanistan, where he lived in his youth.
Purely a personal preference: I was annoyed by POV shifts in-scene. Pick one head and stop hopping, dammit.
This book was written pre-11Sept2001 but set in 2004, so there was some dissonance as a reader, seeing military/political figures discuss a peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan without reference to Iraq. I was reading just as McChrystal's RS profile came out, so the book's contents were extremely pertinent, with respect to military disrespect for civilian overseers. I thought it illuminated the divides that can exist, even with the military hierarchy.
Ultimately, I prefer Ricks' non-fiction.
Keeper? I'll be happy to share my hardcopy if anyone wants it.
Unrelated: a new sushi place opened up down the street. :D My new favorite roll: wasabi tobiko with avocado, cucumbers, sprouts, and jalapeno.
Also unrelated: my Jeep now has new tires, a turn signal that works, a working license-plate lightbulb, a non-leaking oil pan, an uncracked radiator cap and flushed/refilled coolant, and a current inspection sticker. The other half of what should be done will have to wait for another paycheck.
Finally: how did I get sucked into reading Queer As Folk fanfiction? I wasn't that into it when QaF was on, why now? ...oh, yeah, Brian Kinney. *nods*
Author: Thomas E. Ricks
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: June 2001
Editorial Review: here. Google books here.
Why? Because I've read or have in my to-be-read pile all of Thomas Ricks' non-fiction, and I thought I'd give his attempt at fiction a try.
What did I think of it? I'm not sure what I was expecting. The story itself seems consistent with a lot of what Ricks has written in his non-fiction or blogged about as WSJ and WaPo military reporter. It definitely showcases Ricks' expertise in military affairs and his affection for Afghanistan, where he lived in his youth.
Purely a personal preference: I was annoyed by POV shifts in-scene. Pick one head and stop hopping, dammit.
This book was written pre-11Sept2001 but set in 2004, so there was some dissonance as a reader, seeing military/political figures discuss a peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan without reference to Iraq. I was reading just as McChrystal's RS profile came out, so the book's contents were extremely pertinent, with respect to military disrespect for civilian overseers. I thought it illuminated the divides that can exist, even with the military hierarchy.
Ultimately, I prefer Ricks' non-fiction.
Keeper? I'll be happy to share my hardcopy if anyone wants it.
Unrelated: a new sushi place opened up down the street. :D My new favorite roll: wasabi tobiko with avocado, cucumbers, sprouts, and jalapeno.
Also unrelated: my Jeep now has new tires, a turn signal that works, a working license-plate lightbulb, a non-leaking oil pan, an uncracked radiator cap and flushed/refilled coolant, and a current inspection sticker. The other half of what should be done will have to wait for another paycheck.
Finally: how did I get sucked into reading Queer As Folk fanfiction? I wasn't that into it when QaF was on, why now? ...oh, yeah, Brian Kinney. *nods*
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Yay for having a working turn signal! And other working stuff on your jeep!
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In retrospect, I'm sort of amazed that it made it to and from Dallas for that last trip. O.o
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Haha, seriously, with my bad luck that weekend, we were really lucky.
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Well, I knew about the turn signal and the tires - I checked them, and figured I could make the drive, but that if it rained heavily I'd have to be really careful, b/c the treads were low. But the other stuff was all slow-leak stuff, and it's hit the 100k mile mark and needs a bunch of stuff replaced just as routine maintenance.
I told the service guy that the cruise control didn't work, and he tested it and it worked. I was like, "No, really, it hasn't worked for me for over a YEAR. And it didn't work the times Aaron tried it, either." and he was like, "Whatever, you are smokin' crack, lady. Let me show you what really *does* need to be fixed."
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(Also, that icon may be a little appropriate since I'm supposed to. Be writing threesome fic right now, lol!)
Ugh, don't you hate it when something on your car doesn't work and then you take it to the shop & it works for the tech? Boo hiss on that nonsense.
At least it's better now?