Books| Category Archives| Speljamr.com

June 9, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: Confession of a Buddhist Atheist

Confession of a Buddhist Atheist by Stephen Batchelor My rating: 5 of 5 stars I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into when I started this book, but I’m glad I did. This is a confession of someone trying to find himself and his way in the larger world. From his Western upbringing, to … Continue reading →

June 7, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: Great North Road

Categories: Books, Science Fiction

Great North Road by Peter F. Hamilton My rating: 5 of 5 stars Police drama, mystery, military action, aliens, and expansive world building, all packed together in a 900+ page science fiction epic. Peter F. Hamilton just can’t do small! And I’m all the happier for it. This is a must read book if you … Continue reading →

May 15, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy

Categories: Books, History, Religion

Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich My rating: 3 of 5 stars If you are looking for a quality text to have on your shelf that documents the entire history of the papacy (or at least the major highlights of it) then this is the book you need. It is … Continue reading →

March 24, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: The Phoenix Rising

Categories: Books, Science Fiction

The Phoenix Rising by Richard L. Sanders My rating: 4 of 5 stars After reading the first book, ‘the Phoenix Conspiracy’, I was left with the feeling that the book was ok, but not spectacular; it had an interesting story, but suffered from some obvious editorial needs. However, I have to say that ‘the Phoenix … Continue reading →

February 28, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: The Long Earth

Categories: Books, Science Fiction

The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett My rating: 4 of 5 stars I found this to be a rather interesting collaboration by two authors I never would have expected to get together. I’ve admittedly not read very much by Terry Pratchett, probably because his style of fictional humor simply isn’t my favorite genre. I am … Continue reading →

February 22, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief

Categories: Books, Religion

Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright My rating: 4 of 5 stars It seems that the past couple of years have not been good for Scientology, several books have been released examining and bringing to light it’s difficult history, strange sci-fi beliefs, and scandalous, even dangerous, internal behaviors. ‘Going … Continue reading →

February 22, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: Hypatia of Alexandria: Mathematician and Martyr

Categories: Books, History

Hypatia of Alexandria: Mathematician and Martyr by Michael A.B. Deakin My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a rather scholarly work, so if you’re looking for some sort of detailed history of Hypatia, this isn’t it. In fact, there is far too little evidence left to produce such a work. Instead, this book attempts … Continue reading →

February 3, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: Who’s in Charge?: Free Will and the Science of the Brain

Categories: Books, Science

Who’s in Charge?: Free Will and the Science of the Brain by Michael S. Gazzaniga My rating: 4 of 5 stars what exactly is the I we think we are? Where does it come from, and is it really in charge? These are the questions tackled in this book, along with issues such as responsibility … Continue reading →

February 3, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: Bowl of Heaven

Categories: Books, Science Fiction

Bowl of Heaven by Gregory Benford My rating: 4 of 5 stars Seems there are quite a few low ratings for this book on GoodReads.com; I think this just shows me to be a bit old-school when it comes to my sci-fi. I rather liked the book and didn’t mind that it didn’t try to … Continue reading →

January 13, 2013, Author: speljamr, Leave a comment

Review: John McAfee’s Last Stand

Categories: Books, Current Events

John McAfee’s Last Stand by Joshua Davis My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is, hands down, the craziest story I have ever read, and it’s all true. John McAfee has certainly lead an interesting life, and all of his achievements seem to stem from his paranoia – from developing some of the first anti-virus … Continue reading →