asimplechord: (Barbapapa reading)
asimplechord ([personal profile] 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*

[identity profile] why-me-why-not.livejournal.com 2010-07-06 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
Brian Kinney is fucking HOT, dude. *happy sigh*

Yay for having a working turn signal! And other working stuff on your jeep!