Book Review: Heretics of Dune by Frank Herbert

 

Heretics of Dune is the fifth entry into the epic Dune saga and boy this was a difficult one to get into. Heretics takes place 1500 years or so after the events of God Emporer of Dune and all the main characters are long dead. But they are not forgotten. The prophecies and prognostications of Leto II are still at the heart of everything that moves human activity. With the God Emporer's death, humanity lacked direction and took to exploring new parts of the universe. This is called The Scattering and from the splintered pieces come new and powerful factions that are returning to the old realms to take power away from those that have ruled since The Tyrant's long plunge into the watery grave he accepted. 

The Bene Gesserit, Tlielaxu, Ix, and Fish Speakers are part of the old world and continue to compete for dominance over the most powerful resources, melange, and information. Now that melange can be made synthetically by the Tlielaxu the planet known as Dune, Arrakis, and now simply known as Rakis, the sandworms that create the original spice are not the only resource that is being fought over. It is still completely vital but so is knowledge. How do the Tlielaxu make their version of melange? How do they create and manipulate their ghola clones? How does the new Duncan play into all this? Who controls the diary passed down by the God-King Leto II and what does it say about the future? And who is the young girl who can speak to and control sandworms?  

Sheeana, a peasant girl whose entire family was killed by sandworms, can summon even the largest of sandworms, speak to them, and somehow hear their psychokinetic voices. She is the key to finding out if The Tyrant is back and what that might mean for the interests pulling at the strings of human evolution. Is his Golden Path being fulfilled or is mankind doomed? 

The Bene Gesserit are up to their usual witchcraft with the goal of protecting humanity from those groups that would suck humanity dry. Unfortunately, a group known as the Honored Matres has evolved more powerful forms of manipulation and control more forces than any other in the universe. They seek to wipe out the Bene Gesserit and anyone else that doesn't bend the knee to their form of tyranny. Lucky for the Bene Gesserit that they have the most powerful descendants of the Atreides lineage among their ranks and the power that those ancient genes have the potential to wield. 

This book is crazy complicated and it was very difficult getting into it for me. It took almost half the book for my mind to start to grasp the new players, motivations, and all the connections to the previous books. Once these connections were made though and the book became integrated into the canon of Dune lore it all clicked and I was once again mesmerized by the genius of Frank Herbert. It is hard to tell at first who to root for and who really matters. The new Duncan Idaho is younger than any from the previous books and is something to grasp onto as a connection to the previous books but soon takes a backseat to the new characters who weave their way into the Dune canon as characters that are just as powerful, terrifying, and heroic as any others in the series.

If you are already into Dune to get this far in the series then this book is worth the mind-bending trouble of nearly starting over in regards to the names and places that matter to the story. Once you get into it the whole world is still there, just expanded from the previous. The influence of the actions of characters from day one of the series is still visible all the way into the future world of Heretics of Dune. 

I came this far so why not keep riding this crazy space train?

Read my previous Dune reviews here:

Book Review: Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Review: Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

Book Review: Children of Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Review: God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

Book Review/Podcast 162: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Go to www.joesnotesblog.com for full show notes and links! 

In lieu of a standard book review, I decided to post my conversation with Channing on our podcast, The Fleeting Thoughts Podcast, about the book. Check it out on your favorite podcast app or on Youtube! 

https://fleetingthoughts.libsyn.com/episode-162-tender-is-the-flesh-and-cannibalism

Direct Download: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/fleetingthoughts/FTP_Podcast_162__final_audio_small.mp3

Youtube:

Book Review: News of the World by Paulette Jiles

 

If I were to describe this book in one word that word would be "Heart". Paulette Jiles weaves a tale about two unlikely comrades, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd and Johanna. At first glance, one might look at each of these characters as being weak, too old, too young; to be seen as potential victims in the wild world of the lawless turn-of-the-century frontier that we find them. Captain Kidd is an elderly man riding alone across the plains of Texas to read stories from newspapers, informing the locals of the going's on of faraway places. Johanna is a young girl who had spent the last four years as a captive/adopted child of the Kiowa Indian tribe. While she looks like the other white girls she is permanently changed by her captivity and considers herself Kiowa. Captain Kidd has taken on the job of taking Johanna back to her relatives in a town near San Antonio, which is a long journey from where they start. 

In The News of the World, we follow Captain Kidd and Johanna as they travel throughout the harsh plains of the southern Texas frontier. After the civil war and other numerous political changes, the land is not governed by any formal political party and so there are treacherous bandits, unofficial law enforcement, military enforcers, and natives to contend with. At first, Johanna is confused and angry about her new circumstances and wants to run away and go back to her Kiowa tribe but soon she begins to see the Captain as her Kontah, or Grandfather. He begins to teach her how to speak English and how to be "civilized" by using a fork and knife and wearing shoes. The Captain is reluctant at first as well but as he remembers his own daughters he commits himself to protect and take care of the young Johanna. 

As they make their way south toward San Antonio they stop at each town so that Captain Kidd can read the news to the locals. He makes sure to stay away from local politics as it can create unnecessary tension amongst the crowds. Instead, he reads stories about recent scientific discoveries, intrigue from foreign countries and makes sure to add in some light-hearted stories as well. For only a dime each the townspeople come to hear of the world and The Captain keeps their attention with his strong voice and carefully selected articles. While he is doing this Johanna is oftentimes giving hell to a sitter, trying to run away, or snatching chickens to eat. 

As the two continue on their path they find that they stronger together and as they get closer to each other they also get closer to when they will have to part. The Captain made a promise and he is a man of his word and that means that once they get to Johanna's uncle's farm that he must let her go. And so the real conflict shows itself. Will the two be reunited or is Johanna just another acquaintance passing through the Captain's long life? Read to find out. 

Because the two characters seem vulnerable set against such a harsh environment there is a constant sense of tension and suspense. Paulette Jiles writes with such elegance and fluidity that the reading experience is very enjoyable. The characters are vivid and relatable and there is never a dull moment. I laughed, I cried and I highly recommend this book. It is much more than a typical western. It is a story about the bond a parent feels for a child, how love can come from somewhere unexpected, and it is about hope. The author puts so much compassion, commitment, and love into this book that I fear they may have given away something of themself in the writing. We all benefit from this kind of story and its overflowing heart. 

Want to read another great western? Check out my review of Deadwood:

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-deadwood-by-pete-dexter

Book Review: 1984 by George Orwell

I wonder how many reviews there are of this book? Probably thousands. So what could I possibly write or express that would be worth repeating? I can't expect to come up with something new to say about it. I'm certain people talk endlessly about the historical references to communistic countries like Russia and China during the first half of the 20th century. Places where millions of people were murdered by their governments. Where the media was manipulated to show the virtue of the system and the evil of the enemy. Where their leaders were venerated as living gods. Where anyone that was inconvenient to the regime was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually killed or left so broken that they couldn't recognize themself in a mirror.  

I shouldn't write about how the book shows a world where the government spies on everyone, which we just take for granted in the modern world. We joke about our Xbox recording us. Google thinks you're talking to it when your not. Alexa gives away all your secrets when the right question is asked. Snowden showed us how the US is spying on anybody it wants. 

A world where the government runs the schools and convinces children to spy on their parents. That's in this book too. 

What hasn't been said about this book? What about the fact that it has a very stirring romantic plotline? A vision of secret love, torn asunder by the needs of the many. A love destined to fail as it represents the thing the system can't have. What's the point of life if love is forbidden? Can love break through the pavement like a flower or does it get the same poison as the rest? What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said?

It's written in a way that seems like the ride at Disney Land where the song "It's a small world, after all" plays continuously while you slowly float down an artificial river in an artificial world. Where little men and women pretend to be happy and wave to you but you know deep down they are just pawns in a system that would toss them aside the first time a gear breaks. The book leads you into a world that is not unlike the world you live in but for the ever-looming judgment of a confusing master. A perfect master that demands eternal obedience, and adulation. A master that demands that not only do you obey but that you believe. 

What can anyone say about this book, other than that it is dark, mesmerizing, and a third adjective hitherto unknown. Other than that there is nothing. 

I guess I could add something about the way this book made me feel. That's not something anyone else can know. While reading I felt anxious for the characters as they tried to skirt around the surveillance system that seemed to be everywhere. The worst crime in the book is thoughtcrime where one's thoughts are rebellious to the state. I hold skepticism in high regard and this book reaffirmed in my mind the need for the freedom to criticize the government and any other institutes with power over people. 

By the end, I also felt hopeless. The author does not lead one down a path toward redemption. It is a true tragedy in that there is no hero and no resolution. I think that the author intended for the book to act as a cautionary story of the dangers of seeking power, especially on a global scale, and of the dangers of giving power to institutes to dictate right and wrong. 

Or... Maybe freedom is only an illusion and no matter where you are or who you are you are just a pawn to a system that emerges from elements that no one controls directly. A system that is built on the momentum of history and the corruption of intentions. Or... maybe morality has to be fought for and subjugation should be met with resistance. I think that people naturally resist oppression but they are not always up to the task. Sometimes they need help from others that share their notion of freedom. The problem with righteous groups with righteous intentions is that they can justify force no matter how barbaric. 

Such a tricky game we play when we play with power. I liked this book and its message is important. I recommend it to anyone that is interested in political philosophy or fiction set in a dystopian future.   

 

Book Review: Comanche Moon by Larry McMurtry

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Comanche Moon is the second book in the Lonesome Dove series and continues the journey of  Texas Rangers Woodrow Call and Augustus McCrae as they try to tame the west from a dwindling but wildly fierce number of hostile Comanche tribesman. Buffalo Hump continues to lead his people against the encroaching caucasian intruders and we follow his story to the end, and his tale becomes a symbol of the weakening state of the once proud and free native peoples. We also meet Blue Duck, the main antagonist in Lonesome Dove, who is Buffalo Hump's half Comanche half Mexican son. Blue Duck never got along with his father and his disrespect for the old ways leads to him being cast out by his father. 

On the other side of the fence, we get to meet the incomparable Captain Inish Scull and the eccentric Famous Shoes. Famous shoes is a Kickapoo tracker who never rides a horse and yet somehow is always ahead of the Rangers he is tracking for. He leaves for days on end but always comes back with interesting information. He knows the land and helps Inish Scull when his exceptionally large horse is stolen by the infamous horse thief Kicking Wolf. Inish finds out how harsh the frontier really is when he finally finds out what happened to his horse. 

The book mainly focuses on the perspective of the Comanche people while forwarding the character-driven work he started in the previous entry. Call, McCrae, Pea Eye, Deets, Newt, and many more characters are all there and we finally get to see the evolution of Call's relationship with Maggie, the whore whose son Call won't claim. We also find out about what happens to Long Bill Coleman, who made his way through the torment of the death march in Dead Man's Walk, and Clara Forsythe, who Gus will always pine for. 

The Lonesome Dove Series is a must-read for fans of the western genre and Comanche Moon acts as a tribute to the transition from the old ways to the new. Everyone gets older and people die. No matter how much you want to cling to the past things change and you can either change too or fade away into history. The characters are treated and developed with care and respect and we see things from their respective perspectives. Everyone has their own motivations for what they do and no one's perfect. In summary, this book is fun, easy to read, well-paced, and well written and you should read it. 

*I haven't seen the movie based on it but I'm sure it makes a good companion to the book. 

Read my other reviews from Larry McMurtry Novels:

Dead Man's Walk

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-dead-mans-walk-by-larry-mcmurtry?rq=mcmurtry%20

Lonesome Dove

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-lonesome-dove-by-larry-mcmurtry?rq=mcmurtry

Book Review: The Reckoning by John Grisham

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About a month ago I decided to save some money and pick up a few books from the local Good Will. I highly recommend doing this yourself as there are tons of great used books at places like that and they were only a couple dollars each. I had never read a book by John Grisham but I have seen a few movies based on them and they have all been great. The Reckoning is one of his newest offerings and reached the New York Best Seller list. I am not quite sure why.

John Grisham is known for his suspenseful character-driven tales that oftentimes include courtroom dramatics. His knowledge of the legal system, history and the interplay between personalities allows him to create realistic and immersive stories that are rich in detail. This book is no exception.

The Reckoning revolves around one event and spreads the circumstances around the event over a few hundred pages. The first section of the book describes the seemingly sudden murder of a small-town preacher by the town's most prominent wealthy landowner and farmer Pete Banning. Pete does not try to get away with the crime and is arrested straight away. He is also uninterested in telling anyone why he did it. The entire rest of the book is a circuitous journey toward the truth and it isn't told until the very last chapter. The mystery of the book is skated around and hinted at for the entirety of the novel and, while it is an interesting route, it is ultimately unsatisfying. The suspenseful interlude to the truth is built up for so long that there might have been no ending that would have lived up to it.

The middle section of the book is almost entirely filler as it explores Pete Banning's legendary career in the military during World War 2. This might have been the most exciting part of the book as it explains how Pete was captured by the Japanese, tortured and then how he escapes and becomes a guerilla fighter. This part of the book is action-packed and shows how Pete gained his heroic status in his home town but seems like a long tangent to the main story. The last section of the book explores the aftermath of Pete's trial and how it negatively impacts his family and legacy and then ends with a final diatribe of explanation as to what caused all the domestic turmoil.

The one redeeming quality of the book is John Grisham's exemplary writing. While I found the book to be long-winded at best and needlessly verbose at worst it is amazingly well written and because it promises to finally pay off at some point I kept reading and found its winding path entertaining. Grisham creates such a vivid world and writes in a way that always moves forward which made it easy to keep going even at its most mundane. It is an amazing accomplishment to be able to write in this way and I think that many people enjoy this kind of storytelling more than I do.

If you are looking for relentless suspense, action, adventure, or deep philosophical metaphors this is not a great example but if you are looking for a well crafted and character-driven tale that makes the most out of very little detail or you are a fan of John Grisham maybe you'll like this more than I did.

Book Review: Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry

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After reading "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry and finding out that it was just one in a series of Western books written around the characters of Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call I went out and immediately purchased "Dead Man's Walk". For my review of "Lonesome Dove" check the link below. I was so impressed and enthralled with the storytelling in "Lonesome Dove" that I knew that I would enjoy another adventure and this book does not disappoint.

"Dead Man's Walk" is a prequel to "Lonesome Dove" and offers up the story of Call and Gus as they begin their careers as Texas Rangers. Where "Lonesome Dove" shows the two characters in their wizened forms, "Dead Man's Walk" shows them as real greenhorns poised to be molded into the hardened leaders of men they would become. Knowing that they will survive all the ordeals in "Dead Man's Walk" does not take away from the excitement and intrigue the book delivers but instead opens the characters up for a more intimate and raw examination.

The book begins with the two new recruits on an expedition into the baren American frontier in hopes of discovering a usable road west of San Antonio along the Rio Grande river but what they find on the trail is only their own ineptitude. This is when we are introduced to the main characters that will accompany Gus and Call for the bulk of the book. We meet Matilda Roberts, also known as "The Great Western", who is the only woman on the journey but as she is larger than most men and braver and more surly than most as well she doesn't take a side role in the ensemble. We also meet Bigfoot Wallace and Shadrach, who are the most experienced frontiersmen of the group and provide Gus and Call with mentorship throughout their hard journeys. Along with about twenty others, they make their way along the Mexican border.

Not far into this, their first rangering expedition, the group runs head-on into a small group of Comanche warriors and discover that the native people are not to be fucked with. One of the groups' members is killed within spitting distance and they don't even notice. Then they watch as one of their friends is scalped while running away from the Comanche Chief named Buffalo Hump. This wouldn't be the last time they see Buffalo Hump either. Not by a long shot.

Not long after our main characters return to the relative peace of civilization they find that another expedition is preparing to leave and this one would be an even better opportunity to find fame, fortune and whatever it is that Call's after. The new expedition is from San Antonio to Santa Fe and is headed up by an ex-pirate with a pension for pomposity and violence named Caleb Cobb. The expedition starts with over one hundred members but within just a few weeks dwindles steadily down as many simply turn back. The men that are left end up running directly into the wrath of the Comanches lead by Buffalo Hump, who does everything he can to terrorize the soldiers.

Soon the men split up only to find that they are well into Mexican territory and that the Mexican army knows they are there. With no water and no food, the soldiers have to decide whether to fight the superior Mexican army or surrender. The decision would be another in a long line of circumstances that lead to pain and suffering, which is really the main event featured in this book. It could have entitled "The Ordeals of the Ignorant" or "A series of horrible yet avoidable events". The hardships that the characters endure are seemingly never-ending and as a reader, it was never boring. 

I am not sure what I would think about this book had I not read "Lonesome Dove" first. I might think that it is a bit one dimensional as there is not much under the surface of the text. The plain language of the narrator and characters does not leave much room for mystery or suspense but the whole thing seems like it is plucked out of a 19th-century western frontier campfire story. Because I have read "Lonesome Dove" I was excited to read about what made Call and Gus the hardened cowboys they became. I was even more enticed getting to know the accompanying characters Matilda, Bigfoot, and Shadrach.  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes westerns even if they have not read any of the other Lonesome Dove series books before but if possible I think reading "Lonesome Dove" first is ideal. It is a deeper book that explores more of the emotional side of the characters as they reach retirement age. Also, below is a link to the very long movie based on "Dead Man's Walk" and I highly recommend watching it as a supplement to the book. The story and dialogue are essentially right out of the book and might be the most accurate adaptation I have seen. If you like westerns or want to try something new please check out these books. 

Lonesome Dove Review Here:

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-lonesome-dove-by-larry-mcmurtry

The Movie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta3yLM2m5Ho

Book Review: Breathed out By God by Channing Cornwall

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          All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.2 Timothy 3:16-17

Breathed out by God is Channing Cornwall's sixth novel and the second in a series following the book Hell Came With Her, whose characters show up in this entry but are not the main characters here. This new entry into the series shows a different side of the author. A side that is conflicted yet organized, and maybe, just a little preachy. 

The story is centered around Isaac Teller, an ex-preacher whose soul was shattered by a violent act, leaving his belief system naked and torn. In an effort to find God he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, all the while encountering increasingly difficult moral conundrums amid a cutthroat frontier Oregon landscape. Cora Reid is a reformed whore who hopes that Isaac might be the shepherd she needs to stay off her back and accompanies Isaac into the wild. They form an unlikely bond that borders on the romantic with Cora's playful banter creating a tension that tests Isaac's more puritanical ideals.   

Channing's uncompromising portrayal of a barbaric 19th century can be shocking at times as he does not shy away from taboo words and language. This just adds to the significance of the story as the author takes you into a world many would step on eggshells to navigate but he seems to find solid ground easily enough. The tale is so full of thoughtful moral challenges that heavy topics seem to be the order of the day and Channing rides waves of uncertainty deftly. Moral juxtapositions shift up and down on a see-saw of Western-style travel adventures consistently creating suspense, intrigue, and momentum. Where Hell Came With Her is about the unwavering drive for revenge, Breathed out by God is what happens when you slow down and start to question the world around you.

Breathed out by God delivers a moral rollercoaster with stints of steadfast resolve that offer a brief reprieve and I really enjoyed the ride. There is a bigger point to this book than that of a simple western with its duels and violence. Beliefs have the power to cripple the mind and bolster the heart.  But no matter how hard you try we learn that change is inevitable.

Channing is a friend of mine and I am very fond of his work. I can't wait for the next one.


Read my other reviews of Channing's books:

Hell Came With Her

The World Carried On

Book Review: The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

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This book is the perfect accompaniment to the author's previous release "Extreme Ownership".  In "Extreme Ownership" Jocko Willink and Leif Babin make the case that for leaders to succeed they must take responsibility for everything in their world and while that is an extremely important and difficult lesson to learn, there was more to the story. That is where their new book, "The Dichotomy of Leadership", comes in. In "The Dichotomy of Leadership" the authors dissect real-world situations, both in the military and in business, that illuminate the balancing act that all leaders face. When a leader starts to slide too far to one end of the seesaw they risk falling off the ride. This book is for those that want to continue the fight and lead their teams toward victory. 

Like "Extreme Ownership", this book is broken into chapters, each with three sections: military examples, principles to take away and a real-world example of the lesson from the business world. Each chapter focuses on two opposing forces and breaks down the importance of each side. Then, it illuminates strategies for finding a balance between them. For example, the first chapter is about balancing the need to care about each team member while understanding that each team member is at risk of being killed, in the military case, or being replaced, in the business case. In this chapter, the reader learns that, while a team leader must be connected to their team members they cannot lose sight of the overall goal and mission that they are tasked to accomplish. A leader cannot be so close to someone that they neglect to hold them accountable and they can't be so detached that they engender no loyalty or respect. 

Another example I really enjoyed was in chapter two entitled: "Own it all, but empower others". In this chapter, we get more insight into the lessons that were discussed in "Extreme Ownership". The dichotomy of taking ownership of one's own responsibilities must be balanced with the ability to allow others to take ownership or their responsibilities. If a leader only holds him or herself accountable then they are doing their team a disservice by not creating a leadership mentality among the entire team. On the other hand, if a leader blames their team for every mistake then they are separating themselves from the team and not taking responsibility for their role the team's development.

As one continues to read they learn more and more about different opposing forces and how a leader can successfully identify when they are neglecting one aspect over the other. Each chapter empowers leaders with entertaining and instructional lessons, plucked from the real world, with strategies and tactics to correct the many imbalances that can occur. In chapter nine, A Leader and a Follower, we learn the power of humility and it is only with humility that one can look at one's self honestly and attempt to improve. This book is for those that have the humility to not take their own abilities for granted. By detaching from one's ego one can begin to see things more clearly and this book offers great insights into the many internal and external perils that leaders face.   

While this book can be read without having read its predecessor I think that they are really just extensions of each other. Both "Extreme Ownership" and "The Dichotomy of Leadership" contain the fundamental strategies, concepts, and philosophy that underly all successful leaders. One can choose to lead from a place of authority and may get compliance or one can lead from a place of friendship and they may get loyalty but for a leader to gain all the benefits that come from gaining the respect of their team one must learn to be balanced. A leader that does not take into account the dichotomies inherent in dealing with complex social interactions is bound to fall flat on their face, leaving their team directionless. Do not be that kind of leader. 

For my review on "Extreme Ownership" click here.

The Walking Dead: Ranting (Spoilers)

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I stopped watching The Walking Dead before the last couple of episodes of season 6. I became bored, apathetic and uninterested so I stopped watching. Recently the entire show through season 8 is on Netflix and I decided to re-watch it and see how far I get this time.

After watching it again I both appreciate it more and hate it more. And I realized that I actually love to hate it. I like the way that it engages my mind in critical thinking and scrutiny over how these people deal with their circumstances.

The following should clarify my hatred for this show but it also reveals my love.


SPEARS!

Why the fuck don't they utilize spears? Or at least more swords, machetes, and other less loud options? If the walkers smell then how were they able to hide under the busses in season two when all the herd walks by? It doesn't make sense that they can only smell themselves which is why putting their stench on you makes you invisible to them. If sounds attract walkers then why you would ever just start shooting them? Just walk the fuck away or around them as they are slow as fuck. They can not run so if you go at a steady jogging pace you should be fairly safe. Or you could quickly kill them by thrusting a sharp spear into their heads one at a time.

It is not hard to learn how to use a spear and a sword for simple purposes and is manageable by even the simpler humans. But no, they go off and start shooting just for fun, wasting precious bullets. I imagine that in a world where the majority of the population is no longer capable of owning property that with a moderate amount of searching you could find all the melee weapons imaginable. Even if 10% of the population has a decent melee weapon in their house and most of the houses are already raided you would find something longer than a knife to kill the easily killed walkers.

Also, there are dozens and dozens of stores and building with ready-made melee weapons or opportunities to fashion makeshift weapons with ease. Also, why don't they manufacture body protection for bites? A little armor for the arms and neck and such would ensure less of a chance for a fatal encounter with a walker.  This can not be that hard to come up with on the fly. A thick enough leather coat would at least help the situation but during all their downtime and salvaging runs they can't figure this out?

What about trenches? Why not reinforce an area by manipulating the environment to your advantage? Such as digging fucking trenches for the walkers to fall into. Or make the trenches wide enough and fill it partially with water. Or take down trees around the fort and lay them down as obstacles.

What about motherfucking distractions? They learn nearly immediately that walkers are attracted by noise so why not always carry about little noise making devices? Kids toys, electronics that still work, firecrackers would be the best or just use a fucking rock and hide. Walkers are really fucking stupid and if you could combine this tactic with getting their stench on you more regularly you would never have to deal with walkers.

Why not train everyone in your tribe to utilize all the weapons? And train them in basic medical and walker specific medical practices. And train them to avoid and defeat walkers.

How is it that after a month or two people would still be soft? After a month or two of being without a citie's transportation, communication, electrical and emergency infrastructure would render most people dead just from starvation so to have lived for that long subsisting off the leftovers and land and fighting walkers and dealing with desperate people and witnessing horrific deaths and transformations you would be either dead or hard as fuck. At least hard enough not to whimper, whine and cry when a walker came at you.

Carl died because be tried to use a knife instead of a fucking spear! Why get close when you have long sticks all around you to stab walkers with.

It is probably deliberate but there are nearly no cultural references about the past. People would talk more or less the same as they did and they would randomly bring up references and metaphors.

I realize that this show is a drama first and realistic last. It does a great job of creating suspense and drama and the action is a lot of fun. I just can't help myself from criticizing the logic and pragmatics. It reminds of Sons of Anarchy because it is a soap opera geared toward the male audience and it does a good job of getting you hooked on the characters, no matter how flawed and annoying they can be.  It is a fun exercise to think about what I might do in such situations and pretend that I might do well.

I decided to write a couple of fan fiction stories. Check out the links below and let me know what you think about them.

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/2018/10/7/30-days-of-fiction-day-25

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/30-days-of-fiction-day-26

Book Review: The World Carried On by Channing Cornwall

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"The world is ending. Ending just the way we all feared it would. Not from disease, or global warming, but fire falling from the sky."

-The World Carried On

The World Carried On is an epic tale written by Channing Cornwall. In this novel, his most ambitious to date, he intricately weaves a story that is captivating from the first paragraph. Channing breaks the mold with The World Carried On by giving the reader multiple perspectives to unwind the mysteries and adventures that await. With each chapter, we bounce around the primitive post-apocalyptic environment learning about its inhabitants and interconnections. By seeing things from every angle we get a better understanding of the motivations of all the characters showcasing the ambiguous nature of human conflict. 

While the main characters are the twins Malin and Marek they are not the main focus. We root for them because they are the most innocent, brave and moral but by contrasting their innocence with the imperfections of the supporting characters we see humanity as it truly is, flawed. As we learn about what drives the conflicts between characters in the world we also get a glimpse into how the world ended up the way it is now, which is a world reborn from the ingenuity of humans but only made necessary by the cruelty of humans. 

This story does not have a clear good vs evil motif but instead paints a bipolar dichotomy of human nature as one marred by internal conflict, confusion, and motivated by survival. Throughout the book, each character is fully realized and vividly depicted giving depth and life to everything that happens. By revealing each side of the equation we are not allowed to easily cast aside any individual or group as simply evil but rather we see into the justifications that are generated when one is forced to decide whether to fight, run or submit. 

Nothing is wasted in the lines of this book. Channing's writing is both poetic and concise, which is a very difficult balance in such a long novel but there was no time where I wanted to skip a section or felt that it was meandering aimlessly. The story is full of intrigue and mystery as with each new piece of knowledge I learned I was left with more questions. Nearly every chapter left me wanting to know more and excited about what might happen next. The pacing is wonderful and builds subtly toward the climactic ending beautifully. Even while there is so much going on it never feels needlessly complicated or bewildering but instead, Channing guides you ever deeper into the rich world until soon you find yourself drenched in intrigue and adventure. 

Channing just gets better with each publication and I am genuinely impressed with The World Carried On. I  recommend it to anyone interested in a deep story that is both sophisticated and fun. 

Interested in reading it? Click here to get it from my affiliate link and thanks in advance!

Book Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

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This book puts the virtue in virtual reality.

This book can be summed up in one word: Fun. Or maybe exciting. Or entertaining, suspenseful, exhilarating, masterful, heartwarming? This book can be summed up with many words, all of which lead to a worthwhile read. Ernest Cline wonderfully portrays the struggles and triumphs that young people face in a way that is both futuristic and timeless. His depiction of a future where the real world is crumbling into a more and more polarized environment while the unreal world online serves as a distraction and shelter is masterfully weaved into the text with rich and relatable detail. Anyone who has spent hours in online chat rooms, video games or on social media will immediately recognize the temptations and consequences that these platforms can have.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is that it never slows down but instead builds from beginning to end with a momentum that leads the reader to continue reading. The story is like a freight train that once it has left the station never stops to let passengers off. Probably because it is a freight train that doesn't have passengers but instead is controlled by a mad conductor that continues to shovel coal into the fire faster and faster. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger that tests the reader's self-control.

"Just one more line to see what's coming next," the reader might think and soon they find they are pages deep into a new chapter and postponing whatever they might do in the real world. The book acts as like its own Oasis distracting the reader from whatever they could be doing otherwise but in the best way possible.

This book teaches the classic lessons of how the power of friendship, money, technology, and perseverance can be used as a force for good and evil in a context that is both modern and epic. From the first person perspective of the main character Parzival we learn how to be courageous, loyal, hard-working, and imperfect. We learn how to cure loneliness with vulnerability and corruption with virtue. We also learn that as much as we want to create virtual paradises in the end what we crave is a real human connection. And a little fun along the way.

While this book is somewhat tailored to a younger, mostly male audience, I think that anyone with the thirst for adventure and intrigue will enjoy this book. It's a tale that paints with vivid three-dimensional strokes a world that is not unlike my own; frightening and beautiful. It reminds me of the youthful energy that can be forgotten with age and disillusionment. It makes me want to play video games and fall in love and compels me to join my friends to fight for something epic and worthwhile. In a word this book is Fun.

Convinced? Buy it at my affiliate link here: amazon.com

Book Review: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

If humanity is a team then it is on all of us to become better leaders. 

Extreme Ownership is a non-fiction book written by ex-Navy Seal operators Jocko Willink and Leif Babin that both educates and entertains. In each chapter, the writers describe real accounts of their military experiences highlighting key aspects of leadership principles, then they lay out the principles involved in a more abstract way and then illustrate the application of the principles to the business world using real-life examples from their work with high-level leaders in the corporate world. Each chapter highlights a specific leadership trait or strategy such as extreme ownership, decentralized command, cover and move, check the ego, leading up and down the chain of command and much more. 

One of my favorite aspects of the book is its accessibility. This book is the opposite of pretentious as it doesn't attempt to show off with inaccessible vocabulary, self-righteous preaching, or overly complex explanations. Both Jocko and Leif write in a similarly straightforward but not dumbed down style. Even though the sections note which author wrote which it was easy to go from section to section even as the authors change. 

I would say the only negative thing I have to say about the book is that sometimes the chapters would go on a little longer than I needed to understand the point of the section. I am sure that having additional examples and further explanation would be helpful for some but a few times I thought to myself, "I get it already." This didn't take away from the overall experience and even when this occurred soon enough a new section would start and the redundancy was over. 

I am very impressed with the writers' ability to apply military leadership strategies to the business world. As I have been in a few leadership positions at the ground level for a couple of large corporations and as I enjoy learning about military history, culture and tactics, I found both the military stories and the corporate business lessons equally compelling. 

The military stories are very detailed offering an in-depth perspective on the realities of our most recent war in the middle east. Most stories focus primarily on the action of front-line soldiers but the stories in this book focus more on what the leaders deal with as well as the effects it has on everyone up and down the hierarchy. I really appreciated the level of interpersonal communication and respect that is portrayed in these sections. 

The corporate lessons were engaging in a different way. They also offered an insight into a world that most will never be a part of and that many think of negatively but the book shows the humanity that exists in these elite organizations. High-level corporate managers are people that have to make very difficult decisions and they don't always know what to do or how to do it. I am inspired by the simple yet difficult solutions that arose from corporate leaders applying the principles outlined in this book. 

Extreme Ownership builds on the idea that to be a great leader you must start with the war inside yourself. It challenges you to take a hard look in the mirror to discover who you really are and what you could be. Once you can take responsibility for yourself and the effect you have on others then you can start to become a great leader. 

Leadership is a heavy burden and should be taken seriously and this book offers a no-bullshit guide that is entertaining, inspiring and practical. I recommend it to anyone interested in personal development as well as those taking on leadership roles. The principles and strategies outlined in this book can help leaders break through the fog of uncertainty to produce tangible results. If humanity is a team then it is on all of us to become better leaders. 

Book Review: The Ten Pillars of Wealth by Alex Becker

I decided to steal this book off of my brother's nightstand because I was drawn to the idea of getting into the mind of the wealthy. I have only recently developed a desire to make money as my own boss. I started a video and photography business about a year and a half ago with my brother and after I got my first check from independent work I become excited about the prospect of making money for myself instead of for a faceless corporate boss. I still work for a corporation now but after reading this book my mind has been set a quiver with ideas about how to become my own boss.

I enjoyed the conversational and unique voice that Alex Becker delivers. While at times it came across as egotistical, overconfident, pretentious or otherwise off-putting, Alex somehow brings you back through his honesty, humor and blunt explanations. He makes no bones about what this book is about or who it is for. He is not interested in winning a popularity contest or to hold your hand into the world of the megawealthy. This book is for those that want to know like the 1% of the 1% of people in the world that have made money through hard work, intelligence, perseverance, and ambition.

 While my goal is not to be megawealthy this book has helped me to think about how money and wealth are created in entirely new ways. To look at the economic landscape as a fertile playground where I do not have to choose between only one or two ways to make a living. I have been inspired to take the business I started with my brother to new levels through better sales and marketing strategies, to look at my finances more seriously in regards to investing and retirement, to look at avenues where I can make money that I previously did not know existed and to really think about what my goals are as an adult. How much money do I want to make and in what amount of time? How can I leverage my time and knowledge to better suit myself and serve others needs?

This book was easy to read and I think I only found one grammar error the entire time, which is pretty impressive. The pillars that Alex describes are straightforward and practical and the real-world examples are instructively giving the reader a sense of urgency and compelling action. By the end of the book, I find myself wanting to go over it again just to make sure that I really reinforce the lessons and mindset that will compel myself to pursue financial independence and success. I recommend this book to anyone that wants an insight into the elite world of the super wealthy but more practically to anyone that wants to know about what is outside the 9-5 "traffic fighting" world so many despise.

Buy it using my affiliate link and start changing your mindset today!

I justed finished watching Bill Burr's new special

02/01/2017 at 12:30 am


I justed finished watching Bill Burr's new special "Walk Your Way Out" with my brother. In this special he utilizes his immense imagination and engaging stage presence to tell stories that seem to be going off the rails at times but always end up on track toward a laugh. That was a lame sentence. (I'll start over.)

The first time I saw Bill Burr was in the early 2000's when he came to my tiny, backwoods, community college. I remember thinking it was amazing and that live comedy was something special. I remember being really stoned and that someone in the audience got kicked out for being a drunk asshole. Since then I have seen a lot of Bill Burr's work from my computer. From his previous special "I'm Sorry You Feel That Way" to his Netflix TV show "F is for Family". He's even in "Breaking Bad" which I'm re-watching now. I love when he is on Joe Rogan's podcast and he has his own podcast where he rants about things.

Bill Burr's special most recent special really was great. It's funny and entertaining and his characters, voices and body language are engaging and hilarious. He takes on taboos with ease and a biting humor and his observations are dark, grounded in reality, playful and maybe a little whimsical. I relate to his sensibilities minus some of the anger. I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't afraid to hear someone speak their mind.

Other than that I went to work earlier and I am becoming more self reliant. I feel like I know the people that work there better and I'm more comfortable helping customers. After work I came home and caught up with my brother about business stuff. A couple things are not going as well as we wish they would. Getting funding from one source didn't work out, a client is late on a payment, our custom e-mails aren't working. Minor things ultimately, but they are frustrating. We have a meeting tomorrow about a previous job and branding. I am excited to see what is next for the business.

Book Review: Neil Gaiman's "The Graveyard Book"

I decided to buy Neil Gaiman's book entitled "The Graveyard Book" on the recommendation of Tim Ferris, a noted author, and podcaster. I had no idea what the book was about but I thought if Tim Ferris loved it so much it must be worth reading. The book sat in a drawer for quite some time before I got to it and I'm really glad I did. It is a wonderfully written and thoroughly engaging book.

The book is about a boy that grows up in and around a graveyard in what, I surmise, is a normal, modern-day English town. It is nearly impossible to talk about the book without giving something of the magic of the book away so I will try to describe it without revealing too much. Neil Gaiman masterfully blends supernatural elements in with a grounded tale of a young boy learning about the world and where he fits into it. With his parents gone he is taken in by an unlikely duo of dead do-gooders and a rugged but fair guardian.

In each chapter we learn more and more about the world the boy finds himself and about the dangers that await him outside the graveyard as well as some that lie within its gates. He meets historical figures and mythical creatures and all the while learns about the power of friendship and how complicated growing up can be. In the end, he finds himself taking on death itself and discovering the price one pays to do the right thing.

This book is a very fun read and has many great life lessons told in a way that a wide range of readers can enjoy. It creates subtle intrigue and exudes imagination that saturates the reader in a fantasy that is both unreal and instantly familiar. Neil Gaiman takes a fresh look at how boys become men and take the reader on an adventure through all the joys and pains that go along with that transition. I highly recommend this book, especially to young readers who have the courage to discover the world on their terms.

Try it out! Click here to buy it using my affiliate link. 

Book Review: Hell Came With Her by Channing Cornwall

"Just fuckin do it, ye cowardly bitch!" He spat, staring up at his angel of death. 
The last bullet burrowed into his gut.

To start this review I want to be upfront about my bias for this book. It is written by one of my best friend's Channing Cornwall. He is an incredible person and his passion and commitment to writing are inspiring. He has written four novels, at least one play, a collection of poetry and a collection of short stories. That being said this is my favorite piece of his writing yet.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the short chapters and lack of over-explaining fluff. It is a quick read and dispenses with extraneous details. It gets to the grit and grime of the story without wasting time.

Another aspect I love about this book is the intense, realistic and unflinching violence. This book does not shy away from illuminating the worst of humanity in the old west and the brutal nature of terrorism and revenge. It is graphic with brains strewn about and some sexual violence that took me aback while reading. But I am glad the violence is not glossed over or dumbed down.

I have two main criticisms. First, the old-fashioned language was hit or miss for me. I think that the use of "ye" was sometimes confusing and possibly used too much. It is a difficult task to take on accents in writing and I appreciated the effort. I did enjoy the use of idioms and terms from back then and the effort to remain authentic to the time period was not unnoticed.

Second, is the lack of character evolution. This book is a straight forward revenge story but other than the immediate change in the main character Sadie the characters do not change in meaningful ways. This is not a particularly egregious charge but it is something I noticed and a little more character development might have helped me feel more sympathy for the characters.  

In conclusion, this is an action-packed western that I would recommend to anyone who wants a fun romp through a gritty world full of gunslingers, outlaws, and a relentless heroine. I'll admit I am not much of a reader and it took a bit to get into it but by the end, I was fully wrapped up in this vengeful tale.

Interested in buying? Click here to use my affiliate link to pick it up!