Howdy, this is my personal online journal for whatever I feel like writing about.
Mr. Lucky: A Novel of High Stakes
This is the second book I’ve listened to by James Swain and his casino caper inspired Tony Valentine series of books. This series of books is very much in the style of Carl Hiaasen or Elmore Leonard. A little offbeat, a little strange, and often set in Florida for some strange reason.
Like the rest of the series, this book’s gimmick is that Tony Valentine is an expert in casino cheating, so you get to hear about all the scams and capers that the Vegas/Mississippi/Atlantic City hustlers use to beat the house.
In this particular instance Tony pursues Ricky Smith, an Arkansas hick who miraculously beats Vegas in just about every game there is, followed by amazing wins in his home state lottery and horse track. Tony is hired by the casinos, who apparently don’t like giving up their money to cheaters.
Enjoyable, interesting, and I guess you could call it educational.
Read More... 
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
Lone Star Nation
If you grew up in Texas, you know that Texas History is a required course for all students. While our history may not not as long as that of our Yankee friends, it’s probably more colorful. Either I’ve forgotten much of what I’d learned, or I never learned it properly in the first place because this book taught me plenty.
As an avid history reader and proud Texan, I’d like to think I know a thing or two. This book covers a lot more than just the major battles, encompassing the bigger picture of historical context as well. I wasn’t aware of the issues surrounding the Mexican revolution of 1824 and its effect on Texas, for example.
Another surprise was that many Texans were originally fighting only to become an independent Mexican state, rather than its original status as part of a larger Mexican state.
Entertaining, and never dry, Texas and non Texas both would enjoy this book.
|
Read More...
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
Bluetooth Laser Keyboard
This is just too cool. Projecting a virtual laser keyboard onto any flat surface, it allows you to add keyboard functionality to your PDA, computer, or other bluetooth device. We’ve seen variations of this type of gadget for sometime, but the bluetoothness just tips the scales. It even features virtual click sounds as you “type” each letter.
I have nothing other than geeky, gadget lust for this new Bluetooth Laser Keyboard that ThinkGeek is selling. I don’t spend a lot of time in small areas where a laptop would be too unwieldy (like a submarine or a Mercury space capsule), but that doesn’t make me want one any less.
|
Read More...
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
I’m a Stranger Here Myself
I’m a Stranger Here Myself, by Bill Bryson, is a collection of short essays from a column originally intended for British readers. Bryson, an American by birth, spent many years in England before moving back to American.
The essays generally point out the humor and absurdity of American life and customs. In a few cases they are compared to life in Britain, but in general these could have been targeted at an American audience with the same effect.
All and all, a funny book that’s easy to enjoy.
|
Read More...
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
The Hanged Man’s Song
The Hanged Man’s Song by John Sandford is the fourth in his “Kidd” series of thrillers, but the first that I’ve read. It’s probably best classified as a techo-suspense novel I guess.
In it, super hacker (their words not mine) Kidd and his cat burgler girfriend seek to solve the murder of even more super hacker “Bobby”, who until his untimely demise was the leader of a hacking ring. Kidd, who improbably lives in St. Paul Minnesota, is also improbably, an up and coming painter (art, not houses) by day.
All this sounds cheesey now that I describe it, but it’s really quite entertaining. The computer stuff and the hacking is only mildly modified for public consumption, and still retains an air of authenticity. I’ve enjoyed this book, and wish Audible had more of the series available for download. In fact, I may just buy physical copies of some of the other’s in the series.
|
Read More...
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
Nothing Like it in the World
Nothing Like it in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad, was written by the late, great historian Stephen Ambrose. While this is not one of my favorite Ambrose books, it’s still a very interesting read.
It tells the story of the Transcontinental Railroad, from its early stages before the Civil War to its completion and growth through the end of the 19th century. It’s a story about engineering, business, government, and pioneering spirit.
Beyond the obvious historical facts, it taught me several important points truths, namely that Governmental corruption is not an exclusively modern trait, nor is dishonest contractors.
An interesting lesson learned was how the Central Pacific (heading East from San Francisco) viewed cost issues. Cottonwood was the local material for making ties, but only lasts a few years. More durable materials would have to be shipped overland from the East, at terrible expense. Since they were racing the Union Pacific for land, every day lost was money lost.
A little accounting showed them that it was actually more profitable to use the local Cottonwood, build faster, and then replace all of the original ties with wood from the East once the track was completed. Such was the cost of overland freight before the railroad and the value of the lands awarded to by the Government.
|
Read More...
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
Death in the Long Grass
This is an entertaining read written by Peter Capstick, the famous “great white hunter”. It’s primarily about wild animals eating people. Each chapter focuses on a different animal (mostly African) and its particular nasty points.
In each chapter the author relates some background material and then lots of anecdotal stories. Some from personal experience, some from friends and colleagues. It’s kinda like sitting around the campfire and hearing hunting stories or listening to those guys in Jaws discuss how they got their scars.
The author has been around the block for sure, but he’s an excellent writer. Surpisingly, he was a stock broker before moving to Africa to become a guide and big game hunter.
The usual suspects such as Lions, tigers, and crocodiles are there of course. What was suprising however was just how deadly other animals can be. Zebras, hippos, elephants, and other animals apparently are nastier in real life than in the cartoons.
|
Read More...
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer
I really enjoyed this book. While it is certainly historical, it is in no way dry, stuffing or boring. It’s fantastically exciting. More like an adventure narrative than a text book, its style is akin to that of The Killer Angels.
Based on letters, newspaper accounts, trial transcripts, and other first-hand accounts, the author breathes life into a story that we think we already know.
I was really surprised how much I didn’t know about the Lincoln conspiracy, Booth’s capture, and the country’s reaction to the murder. If you like history or adventure, you’ll love this book.
|
Read More...
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
IntelliJ IDEA in Action
My latest book is now available at Amazon, and other fine book sellers everywhere. This book covers the ins and outs of IDEA, the amazing Java IDE from the folks over at JetBrains.
It’s current through the 5.X release, and covers everything from debugging to project management. If you haven’t tried this IDE I recommend you do so. You can get a free evaluation at the JetBrains website.
Even though I’m currently doing .NET development, I’ve been using this IDE for about 4 years, and can honestly say it doubled my productivity. While it’s got oodles of great features, the best has got to be its refactoring capabilities.
|
Read More...
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
It’s not delivery, it’s Django!
Django is a classic Spaghetti Western in the style of the more popularly known Clint Eastwood movies like “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly”. Django is, surprise, a mysterious drifter with a dead on aim and quick draw.
Apparently he likes to fight men in groups of six, where he can kill the lot of them in one quick burst, without having to reload. He does this several times during the movie, and you’d think the bad guys would figure out that they would have much better luck if they would travel in groups of seven.
Django is an equal opportunity gunfighter. He kills banditos, evil henchmen, Fedaralies, and the dandy town boss. Likewise he helps out poor farmers, barkeeps, and wayward women. All in one movie!
Don’t let the sappy, 60’s intro music fool you. It’s a hardcore, shoot-em-up western through and through.
|
Read More...
|
Permalink | Comments[0] |
