jayes_musings: (Default)
This fun series of time-travelling (we don't call it time-travel) shenanigans has evolved into a series of some 10 books and several short stories that fit in between.

Series List

In the words of the late British Historian, Arnold Toynbee, history is... )

It does suffer a little, as all long series tend to, with becoming a bit repetitive in the later books, but the humour, characters, and action manage to not make it dull. The later short stories diverge a little by focusing on more minor characters rather than Max, like Markham, Mrs. Mack and Enderby, and a trip to space. If I had one complaint, however, it would be the series villain, Clive Ronan. While he starts out as a really good villain, he should have been defeated long ago, but instead he just keeps coming back and is becoming more of a caricature and a new 'big bad' is needed (or even 'little bads' as St Mary's get into enough trouble on their own without a villain seeking to disrupt their plans!)

I give it 9/10
jayes_musings: (Default)
I've been doing quite well at getting through books this year. I'll review some of the others at some point, but I just finished a reread of Michael Crichton's "Timeline" last night and wanted to jot down some thoughts while it's still fresh.

I first read this around 2000, about three years before the movie starring, yes, Gerard Butler was released. I really liked the novel, a blend of two of my favourite genres, historical fiction and sci-fi. And I admit, I was so happy when I first heard that Gerry had been cast as my favourite character Andre Marek. But this is not a review on the movie or a comparison between the two as it's been a long time since I've watched it.

Generally speaking, I still really enjoyed the story with its blend of science and history, and well I am a sucker for a good time-travel yarn. Still, while it is still very enjoyable, and a book I will probably reread again at some point in the future, this time round I couldn't help but notice some of its problems. Of course, Crichton was one of the most popular authors and many of his books were blockbuster films ("Timeline" ironically was not one of these, and he apparently hated the film).

The Bad )
The Good )

Overall, like I said it is still a very enjoyable story with lots of excitement, tension, and set-action pieces, but I did realize a lot more of its faults this time around.


I give it 7/10
jayes_musings: (Being Human -- Palm trees)
Well, I've been back...nearly a week, and I'm getting ready for my oldest son to pay me a visit as well as the hubby returning from that unpleasant place that he's been for six months. So, I thought I'd share some of my holiday pics and bore you all (especially if you've already seen them on my FB)! *g*

Edinburgh to Bedfordshire. Lots of pics. )
jayes_musings: (Gerry -- 300 Genetic perfection)
Last weekend (if you've seen my FB) me and the hubby went to the nearby city of Trier (oldest city in Germany) and enjoyed the Brot und Spiele (Bread and Games) fest that they held amongst ruins of the Imperial Baths. They had a Roman camp, artizans, food and beer (it is Germany, after all!) and displays. Unfortunately, we didn't know we had to buy the tickets to the full Gladiator Games in advance, so we missed out on that, but next year.

Certain muses were also very much awake.

ROMAN PICSPAM )
jayes_musings: (Heroes -- Hiro)
I had a doctor's appointment today at the base clinic -- very small and very full of ORF (read: old retired farts) most of the time, so much that you don't pay much attention to them.

So, there I was after my appointment waiting to pick up my prescription from the clinic pharmacy window, when this apparent ORF goes to the second window...I don't take any notice until the pharmacy technician serving him, who happen to be a not-so ORF, said to him. "That's okay General, I don't need to see your ID." So then, I start blatantly eavesdropping, as does the young Airman serving me, as you do.

The old technician then says, "It was you who inspired me to join the Air Force, sir."

Now, I'm really interested, and then the General says something about being down in Edwards AFB this past September, flying an F-16 and realizing that he was there, flying the day the Air Force was officially created...back in 1947!

I then realized that I was standing next to the man who broke the sound barrier...none other than Chuck Yeager. And I took a glimpse of him, and sure enough it was him.

Just WOW!

Both me and the Airman were very quietly squeeing!

I know that may not be a big deal to many other people, but I was standing next to a piece of history (and the guy's in his 80s, and still flying F-16s!!!!)

WOOHOO!!!!

Oct. 15th, 2005 01:22 pm
jayes_musings: (jaye: hun)
I just got my grade for my PfH (Paper from Hell) that I did for my History Research Class and which I was so busy with for a few weeks there. It was about Attila...and I got a...

96%

YES!!!!

Not only that, but the instructor said that I should enter it for UMUC's History Essay Prize... WOW!!

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Jaye

August 2020

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