Rising Sun

Book Description

During the grand opening celebration of the new American headquarters of an immense Japanese conglomerate, the dead body of a beautiful woman is found. The investigation begins, and immediately becomes a headlong chase through a twisting maze of industrial intrigue and a violent business battle that takes no prisoners.

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

An ok cop tale, partly based around some American Japanophobia. Throw in the beginnings of the technology for faking video evidence, and some corporate stuff. Then there is the auto-erotic asphyxiation gone just a bit too far problem for one of the visiting business types. Naturally one of the main characters is a Japanese liasion expert, throw him together with a garden variety cop type and there you go.

Hissing Japanese people.......2007-06-24

Crichton's books are filled with action, suspense and great antagonists. So what does Rising Sun have to offer- dinosaurs, gorillas, giant glowing squid? No, we get hissing Japanese people. Of course a book with a negative portrayal of one race has to balance itself out with a good Japanese person and an evil white guy. But that doesn't stop messages like "the Yakuza are everywhere, watch the sleeves" or "all Japanese people hiss through their teeth when they get angry." The dated paranoia of the 80's and early 90's is put in perspective with sentences like "she was listening to the latest MC Hammer hit." This book doesn't stand the test of time, and to spare you the laughable climax, the Japanese business people have discovered how to use texture mapping. That's it. That's the only thing that makes this novel count as "mystery" or "suspense." One might accidentally assume it's a tense political thriller by the flag on the cover, or a smartly written commentary on Japanese society and business culture, but no, nothing in this novel is relevant, even as a casual read. On any list of Crichton books, this belongs on the bottom.

Decent Mystery, but Too Preachy for its Own Good.......2007-06-04

Michael Crichton wrote RISING SUN in 1992, when Japan was considered a big economic threat to the United States. Since then, Japan's economy has fallen into a long-term recession, and it has sold back many of the American properties it purchased over a decade ago. Japan is still a serious economic force, but it's no longer the economic bogeyman it used to be.

There's a decent murder mystery in RISING SUN, but this novel is essentially an excuse for Crichton to express his fear of Japanese business practices. Much of the dialogue in this novel is stilted, and is merely a front for Crichton to express his view that the American way of doing business is outdated, and cannot compete effectively against Japanese methods. Many of the characters are nothing more than caricatures designed to push this message.

Crichton makes some interesting points in this novel, but he is not particularly subtle. He basically makes the same points again and again, through one repetitive chapter after another. This novel starts very well, but it eventually wore itself thin with all the doomsaying and preachiness.

RISING SUN is an interesting read, and a clever thriller. But I wish Crichton had spent more time on characterization and plot, and less time on his agenda.

Crime Scene Japanese Style.......2007-02-19

Pete Smith is a Lieutenant in the Special Services Division of LAPD assigned to liaise between the Japanese and Americans when the need arises. He is called to the scene of a murder at a Japanese corporation and finds that the officials there are less than forthcoming with the investigation. Aided by a retired Special Services Officer, John Connor, Smith realizes that there are many cultural differences between Japan and America that he must master before he can hope to solve this crime that undoubtedly involves corporate officials at the highest level. What he does not anticipate is that the guilty will stop at nothing to keep their tracks hidden, including striking at Smith where it hurts the most - his family.

Crichton starts out this novel as a standard detective yarn about catching a murderer, but it quickly evolves into a dissertation, almost agenda driven, about the differences between Japanese and American cultures and the pitfalls associated with not taking the Japanese seriously. The information about how Japan is taking over corporate America was interesting, but the opinion often heavy handed. This took away from the plot of the mystery to the point of distraction at times. I felt as though Crichton had an agenda to push and it was not even a little bit subtle. Certainly he is entitled to his opinion, but I was left a bit disenchanted that he attempted to mask the opinion in the pages of a novel that suffered for it.

Rising Crichton.......2007-01-04

This is Crichton's best suspense novel. No questions asked. I read this about 3 years back, and I kind of forgot what the book was about, but I DO remember grabbing hold of the book until the very end... I'm not much of a suspense fan, but I still found this book worth reading.

Average customer rating:

Boyd Byrd is a genius
not the same ol' children's book
this is a good example
Morning Rituals
Peoples and their ways of greeting the new day.

The Way to Start a Day
Byrd Baylor
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religions | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0689710542

Customer Reviews:

Boyd Byrd is a genius.......2006-11-06

The illustrations add so much to the simple beauty of this book. The story is sweet and uplifting. Well done.

not the same ol' children's book.......2004-08-30

Longtime collaborators Byrd Baylor and Peter Parnall again offer kids a new look and sound, this time in the service of starting the day with a ritual to greet the sun. Illustrations are flowing and colorful, more abtract than most children's books, and the text encourages connections to the past and to the earth.

this is a good example.......2002-12-11

this is a good example on how to start your life and how to face it

Morning Rituals.......2002-01-26

I am an elementary school teacher. Byrd Baylor has helped me teach reading, and loving to read, to first through fourth grades. It seems the more reluctant readers are most easily hooked!
Each school morning in September, I read The Way To Start A Day to my class. By the end of September, children are saying the words with me. Soon, kids volunteer to read the book, alone, or in pairs, depending on their abilities.
The children take extra copies from the classroom book baskets, and read them to their families. They are surprised at how many of the words they can read. But the book has become so familiar to them, it doesn't surprise me at all!
The Way To Start A Day flies off the school library shelves, and Byrd Baylor becomes a favorite author to my students. They innovate on the text, writing stories, poems, picture books, and more.
Peter Parnall's illustrations are as captivating as Baylor's lyrical text, and as fascinating to children as "Where's Waldo?"!
I love this book!

Peoples and their ways of greeting the new day........1999-05-17

This book for children shows how so many different peoples and cultures (from American Indians to African tribes to ancient Egyptians) have greeted the rising Sun with songs and praise. This book, illustrated by Peter Parnall, was a 1979 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children.

The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945 (Modern Library War)

Average customer rating:

Excellent
Excellent addition to the Modern Library War section
a compelling narrative
Frustratingly apologetic!
Good History

The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945 (Modern Library War)
John Toland
Manufacturer: Modern Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0812968581
Release Date: 2003-05-27

Book Description

This Pulitzer Prize–winning history of World War II chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Japanese empire, from the invasion of Manchuria and China to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Told from the Japanese perspective, The Rising Sun is, in the author’s words, “a factual saga of people caught up in the flood of the most overwhelming war of mankind, told as it happened—muddled, ennobling, disgraceful, frustrating, full of paradox.”

In weaving together the historical facts and human drama leading up to and culminating in the war in the Pacific, Toland crafts a riveting and unbiased narrative history. In his Foreword, Toland says that if we are to draw any conclusion from The Rising Sun, it is “that there are no simple lessons in history, that it is human nature that repeats itself, not history.”

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-08-10

Many people have given excellent reviews, so I will not repeat myself here. It's not a book written from a victor's perspective, thus some might have found that apologetic. Though I think the book was softer in Japanese side, I don't think it's seriously biased.

Many books about second world war were written with great emotions, hatred ... the rape of Nanking just popped up in head. So, I think for someone who just want to learn about the history, it's a rather good book without making you emotionally drained to learn the details of the atrocities of war.

I think super-patriotic American may find the book offensive. But, I will say it's recommended reading for WWII.

Excellent addition to the Modern Library War section.......2007-07-19

John Tolland's book is an excellent review of Japanese history in the World War II period of 1936-1945. it is a wonderful addition to the modern war library and conveys not only a great perspective on Japan but world politics at the time. It is very detailed on the significance of battles and key details. This is not a blow by blow summary of the war but a big picture look at how the pacific unfolded and the Japanese empire fell apart. The deep scar this left on the Japanese nation is apparent and the alien nature of Japanese culture to Americans is really well displayed. If you are just starting out on learning about Japan and World War II this really is the best book to start with.

a compelling narrative.......2007-03-15

This is a stupendous achievement: a detailed narrative of the Pacific War encompassing the perspectives of both sides that is a model of descriptive clarity and evenhandness. Some readers, even four decades after its publication, will be uncomfortable with the considerable use of original material from the Japanese side of events seemingly "uncontestable" in the popular mind in the U.S., Britain or Australia. Toland's journalistic effort, including interviewing scores of key players in Japan, is however what lends the book its greatest value - not because the Japanese perspective should prevail, but because it must be heard. Of course contractions and unexplained aspects of the war remain, and new research has superceded some of its material, but few books come close to conveying the ebb and flow of events that took Japan to war and defeat as convincingly as this one. It is, however, a work of journalism that extensively "recreates" conversations, as a television documentary would, and adopts a certitude about motives and actions that goes beyond the necessary caution of history. Also how much more valuable it would be as a reference work if it had a proper and full apparatus of citations.

Frustratingly apologetic! .......2006-12-25

I used to have high respect for Toland for being an author of various books on World war II but this book give me a second thought about his objectivity as a writer.Quoting from almost exclusively Japanese sources,he seems to neglect the fact that even today after more than sixty years,the japanese,notably their alledgedly democratic and peace loving leaders, remain stubbornly refused to acknowledged that they committed anything wrong in invading their asian neighbors,massacres of their inhabitants,stealing and ransacking their properties,raping their women and other atrocities.Toland's apologetic attitude toward the Japs is alarming aside from being disgusting.However his attempts to present history from the point of view of a criminal is something quite new but I found it worth reading, just to learn another lesson of man inhumanity to mankind.

Good History.......2006-08-15

The book is good history, expecially for the events and negotions leading up to actual war between America and Japan. The history of the actual fighting is good, but is only one of several histories that are available, of which each is edited according to various viewpoints and biases.

Rays of the Rising Sun, Volume 1: Japan's Asian Allies 1931-45, China and Manchukuo

Average customer rating:

Rays of the Rising Sun, volime 1 - more than just China and Manchukuo
An excellent recommendation for military collections

Rays of the Rising Sun, Volume 1: Japan's Asian Allies 1931-45, China and Manchukuo
Philip Jowett
Manufacturer: Helion and Company Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Strategy | Military | History | Subjects | Books

20th Century | World | History | Subjects | Books

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Nonfiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1874622213

Book Description

When the Japanese Empire went to war with the Allies in December 1941, it had already been fighting in China for 10 years. During that time it had conquered huge areas of China, and subjugated millions of people. The Japanese needed to control the Chinese population in these occupied territories, and for this reason they set up governments from amongst the leaders of the Chinese who were willing to co-operate with them. These so-called 'puppet' governments were designed to rule on behalf of the Japanese while firmly under their overall control. In turn, the puppet governments needed their own armed forces to help them maintain control over the populace and so they raised their own 'independent' armed forces. These puppet armies were large in number, reaching a total of well over 1 million before 1945. Although poorly-armed and equipped, these forces had an influence on the Japanese war effort through sheer numbers. The Chinese puppet soldiers ranged from the well-drilled and trained regular Army of the Last Emperor of China, Pu Yi, who ruled the newly-formed state of Manchukuo, 1932-45, to the irregular Mongol cavalry who served alongside Japanese troops in the 'secret war' waged in the Mongolian hinterlands.

The troops were dismissed as traitors by the Chinese fighting the Japanese, and they were equally despised by the Japanese themselves. The troops were motivated by a range of reasons, from simple survival to a loyalty to their commander. The fact that so many Chinese were willing to fight for the Japanese was embarrasing to all sides, and for this reason has been largely ignored in previous histories of the war in the East. In the first of a two-volume series, Jowett and Berger tell the story of the Chinese who fought for the Japanese over a 14 year period. Well over a million pro-Japanese troops were under arms in China and Manchukuo, with possibly two million at one time. There were 7 different 'puppet' governments in existence, 1931-45 The Manchukuo State possessed an Army, Navy and Air Force. The governments were given all the paraphenalia of independent states, including their own flags and insignia.

Customer Reviews:

Rays of the Rising Sun, volime 1 - more than just China and Manchukuo.......2006-12-22

There has been very little written about the various 'puppet' forces raised by the Japanese following the September 1931 Manchurian Incident, and Philip Jowett's book is a welcome arrival. Drawing from a wide range of sources, Mr. Jowett covers not only the major 'puppet' forces of Manchukuo and the Nanking Army, but also the Inner Mongolian Army, White Russians in Japanese service and a number of the smaller forces in North China. In addition to the written information there are a good selection of photos, organisational charts and four pages of colour plates showing uniforms and aircraft colour schemes. Volume two of the series is eagerly awaited.

An excellent recommendation for military collections.......2006-01-09

Philip S. Jowett's Rays Of The Rising Sun: Armed Forces Of Japan's Asian Allies 1931-45, Volume 1: China And Manchukuo is also an excellent recommendation for military collections, covering a puppet government set up in China by the Japanese and the armed forces which served this government. These 'puppet' armies were large and held over a million before 1945, and influenced the course of the Japanese war effort in China and Asia. Despised by both the Chinese and the Japanese, the troops have been largely under-represented in World War II coverages, until now. Details of their organization, training, actions, and uniform and battles make for an important study.

From Sand Creek: Rising in This Heart Which Is Our America (Sun Tracks)

Average customer rating:

Offers a spiritual center

From Sand Creek: Rising in This Heart Which Is Our America (Sun Tracks)
Simon J. Ortiz
Manufacturer: University of Arizona Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0816519935

Customer Reviews:

Offers a spiritual center.......2000-04-14

In November 1864 in Colorado Territory a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho was savagely assaulted by the Colorado Volunteers under the leadership of the Reverend Colonel Chivington. Ortiz calls to mind this event in prose, and then offers on the facing page poetry of hope and renewal. That is how this remarkable book begins. Throughout the book, the author (one of the best American poets writing today) pairs poems on one page with historical vignettes, personal notes, and political comments on the facing page. The book moves through alcohol treatment in VA hospitals, American mythology that undergirds a sense of mission, episodes in Indian-white relations, and many other such topics. In this work Ortiz builds toward a vision of America that is political committed, spiritually centered, and humanizing. He expresses this vision in full knowledge and acceptance of the awful truths of patterns of mistreatment and oppression. Unlike so much of the patriotism that is rooted in a "my country right or wrong" attitude, Ortiz writes as an Acoma Pueblo Indian and US citizen who loves this country deeply for what it can be.

Customer Reviews:

ONE OF THE BETTER ONES I'VE READ.......2004-10-08

This is an excellent first hand account. It is rather well done, more so than several others I have read. I do wish we had more like this one. Very inspiring. I felt it gave even a greater insight to the war in the Pacific. Recommend you add this one to your collection.

My Grandfather's Story.......2002-01-19

The author of this book is my grandfather. I found this book to be inspiring as I am also a soldier. I am in the Army and found this book to give me a greater appreciation of my profession as well as bring a greater understanding of my grandfather's life and why he is so proud. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to understand what POWs in the Philippines went through. I have lent my copy of his book to several of my friends and they all gave it great reviews as well.

A brief first hand look.................2001-04-18

William Berry has written a well-detailed, although brief, look at his attempted escape and captivity after the fall of Correigdor. While not a scholarly look at these events, the author gives a good account of his capture, escape and trek through the jungle, recapture and liberation by American servicemen from Bilibid prison in Manila. He painfully recounts the agony these men went through as they were crammed, up to 13 men at one time, into a 10 by 10 cell and forced to sit, without flinching, and stare at the wall all day.

As a recaptured prisoner, Berry and his two comrades somehow survive the war, as the usual penalty for escape is execution. They were sent to the maximum security prison in Manila for "special prisoners", and many prisoners stopped here only long enough to be sentenced and shot. Berry, who was a fledgling lawyer before enlisting in the Navy, saw these skills save his life and the lives of his friends when being sentenced, not so much his arguments, of course, but rather how he shaped it to fit his audience (A Japanese tribunal)

This book does not take long to read, but it is an interesting tale, and well worth the time invested. But, if you want greater scope and detail of Americans in Japanese captivity, read "Prisoners of the Japanese" by Gavan Daws, an extremely informative and well-written look at the horrors these men had to endure daily.

Excellent. One of the best POW books I have ever read........1999-03-28

One of the few true to life books written by a WWII POW. As a history buff I find the first hand accounts in this book of the authors experiances and the others he came in contact a first rate story of America's darkest time. A must for all those who want to know more about POW's of the Japanese.

Book Description

It was the greatest battle in naval history with over 250 vessels involved. Yet its outcome depended on the heroism of a handful of sailors and the nerve of the opposing commanders: one kept his nerve while the other lost his.

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyable, but .........2007-07-07

While this book may be not as well researched as other books on the same subject, I did like and find it easy to read.
I'm not an expert, but I like to read about WWII Pacific battles, so I found a little disturbing 2 mistakes that I read in the book:

1. page 47, it says Kurita was born in 1899. Page 48 it says 'When he was 55 years old, he led the bombardment group assigned to protect the Japanese invasion forces at Midway'. Midway was fought in 1942, so Kurita was 43 (or 42, but not 55);

2. page 365, listing fleet carries in task force 38 (as of Oct. 24, 1944), it names Intrepid, Lexington, Essex, Enterprise and Franklin. Page 366 it reads "You would see five Essex-class fast carries...". No, you would not, because Enterprise was a Yorktown-class carrier.

So if I could find these mistakes, I wonder how many more are still there.
I found maps and diagrams very interesting and helpfull in understanding the situation on the field, something I missed very much in Barrett Tillman's book about the Mariana Turkey Shoot.

A Commanding History of the Largest Naval Battle Ever Fought.......2006-08-04

This is perhaps one of the best scholarly histories of a naval battle you can buy, and a powerfully good account of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Although this book is more historically oriented than popularly oriented it is still very enjoyable to read as the author makes a clear effort to humanize all the facts, analysis and context behind what became the largest naval battle ever fought. This makes its long 391 page length (and each individual page is fairly information packed) far easier to digest.

He goes through all phases of the battle, which was actually a campaign of four or five battles depending on how you count, giving equal weight to the American and Japanese perspective. This paints a canvas that allows you to understand the battle in its entirety; how the strategic interplay of both sides' plans, objectives, knowledge of each other, and actions inexorably cast the outcome. Context, fact, analysis and personalized stories are presented concurrently in a seamless and skillful fashion.

He proceeds from the seedlings of the battle, where the Americans and Japanese altered their grand strategies for the war after the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Here the American debates between MacArthur and Nimitz were particularly interesting. The preceeding battles, namely the Air Battle of Formosa, which played a critical role in the upcoming Leyte campaign are then described, followed by every naval facet of the actual Leyte campaign itself that you could want to know. Everything in the book is well researched and extremely detailed. There is also a particular, and highly justified, focus on the actions off Samar on 25 OCT 1944, also memorialized outstandingly in "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors."

This is a highly recommended read for any WWII or Navy history buffs! A lot can be learned about waging wars and fighting battles in general from this pivotal action, and the author does much to teach it to you.

From the daughter of a Leyte Gulf Veteran.......2005-11-07

Kenneth Freidland has done a wonderful job of bringing to life the detailed events leading to and surrounding this gripping story. If ever you wanted to feel good about the military or proud of the values that this country is built upon, you will find it here.

As a historical tribute, there are a lot of details (so many names of so many bombers and all of their targets) that many will be grateful for but some may find bothersome. Deal with it.

Perhaps lost prematurely in a world of competitive publishing that may have overlooked foresight, Freidland's work deserves a bigger audience. (Or perhaps a screenwriter!)

It just might be relevant to the world currently around us.

Compelling reading.......2003-06-10

Interesting book that moves along at a fast pace. Highly recommended for those interested in history.

Where is Task Force 34? The World Wonders.......2002-08-27

The battle of Leyte Gulf was the largest naval battle of World War II and for all practical reasons, the end of the Japanese navy as a fighting force. Kenneth Friedman has done a superior job of describing each encounter that took place between the Japanese and Americans off the Philippines.

The goal of the Japanese was to destroy the American troop ships anchored off of Leyte. They devised a bold plan to trap the Americans in a pincer movement. One force was to steam through the San Bernadino Strait and attack from the center, while a second group was to attack from the South out of the Surigao Strait. A 3rd force consisting of the Japanese carriers attempted to lure the bulk of the American carrier strength North from the Leyte beachhead, leaving it virtually defenseless. American submarines spotted the Northern force and sank 2 haevy cruisers. The force reversed course, but did not retreat, much to the later surprise of the Americans. Meanwhile, a group of American battleships, some of them Pearl Harbor veterans, thoroughly destroyed the Southern force. However, the center force had regrouped and continued through the San Bernadino Strait. The only force the Americans had guarding the beaches were 3 light carrier forces under the command of Admiral Clifton Sprague. What transpired over the next couple of hours can only be described as a naval miracle. Using sheer courage and excellent tactics, the tiny carriers managed to hold off a force consisting of battleships and heavy cruisers and kept the beachhead safe. Meanwhile, Admiral Halsey's tactics were severely scrutinized. He took the Japanese bait and led his entire force of fast battleships and fleet carriers north to attack the Japanese carriers while leaving the Leyte beachhead virtually defenseless. This prompted Admiral Nimitz to send his famous message: "Where is Task Force 34? The World Wonders". If not for Sprague's heroics, the outcome of this battle could have been much different.

Book Description

This spectacular fifteen-volume series that charts the U.S. Naval operations during World War II with an insider's perspective. Morison, a Harvard professor, was given a special rank and writing post by FDR. He had active duty aboard eleven different ships, allowing him to witness many crucial battles in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Volume Three -the first on the war in the Pacific-includes coverage of the attack on Pear Harbor and its aftermath as well as the Defense of the Malay Barrier. Filled with many maps and file photographs.

Customer Reviews:

excellent book.......2002-01-18

Although this is #3 in a set of 15, this is my first book read out of the group. Mr Morrison does a wonderful job piecing together accurate accounts of the early stages of the Pacific theater, along with the well written chapters regarding the prelude to war with Japan. How he achieved this was by actually writing about the war during the conflict. So much more is gained by writing in contact with events, while the participants are still alive. This book is much more detailed with events than other similar books, and the writing gives a feeling of almost being there.

Highly Entertaining And Thorough.......2001-10-20

This is the third volume in a fifteen volume series. Volume III is a very thorough history of the rise of Japan militarily between World War I and World War II. The book ends with the Halsey-Doolittle raid over Tokyo launched from the aircraft carrier Hornet on April 18, 1942.

Morison's writing style is highly entertaining and his attention to detail unsurpassed. It is important to note that the author wrote this history right after the war's conclusion and from the perspective of one who had served on eleven different U.S. ships during the conflict.

Morison Delivers.......2000-04-05

Selected by president Roosevelt to help document the war Mr. Morison found himself on a ship in the Pacific with the rank of LCDR (reserve). From this vantage point he delivers the most accurate and well researched accounts of the Japanese military build-up and their subsequent naval accomplisments. The socio-political aspects of Japan's conversion to an almost Asian Sparta are also covered. Excellent, descriptive accounts of all events both military and political including the discusions between Japan and America prior to Pearl Harbor. Also, the various attacks and invasions on Dec.7th thru the 26th 1941 by the Japanese are again well covered. As this book brings out the seldom known (yet important) events as well as an in depth perspective to the more often defined events the authors style and canter keep the reader always interested.

Black Sun Rising (The Coldfire Trilogy, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Combo of Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Fell apart a bit............
Despite a great premise - formulaic story, bland characters
starts fast and winds down...
Black Sun Rising: Hope the tempo starts RISING in 2nd + 3rd

Black Sun Rising (The Coldfire Trilogy, Book 1)
C. S. Friedman
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Dark | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0886775272

Book Description

The Coldfire trilogy tells a story of discovery and battle against evil on a planet where a force of nature exists that is capable of reshaping the world in response to psychic stimulus. This terrifying force, much like magic, has the power to prey upon the human mind, drawing forth a person's worst nightmare images or most treasured dreams and indiscriminately giving them life. This is the story of two men: one, a warrior priest ready to sacrifice anything and everything for the cause of humanity's progress; the other, a sorcerer who has survived for countless centuries by a total submission to evil. They are absolute enemies who must unite to conquer an evil greater than anything their world has ever known.

Download Description

Over a millennium ago, Erna, a seismically active yet beautiful world was settled by colonists from far-distant Earth. But the seemingly habitable planet was fraught with perils no one could have foretold, and the colonists found themselves caught in a desperate battle for survival against the fae, a terrifying natural force with the power to prey upon the human mind itself, drawing forth a person's worst nightmare images or most treasured dreams and indiscriminately giving them life.

Twelve centuries after fate first stranded the colonists on Erna, mankind has achieved an uneasy stalemate, and human sorcerers manipulate the fae for their own profit, little realizing that demonic forces which feed upon such efforts are rapidly gaining in strength. Now, as the hordes of the dark fae multiply, four people -- Priest, Adept, Apprentice, and Sorcerer -- are about to be drawn inexorably together for a mission which will force them to confront an evil beyond their imagining, in a conflict which will put in jeopardy not only their own lives -- but the very fate of humankind.

Customer Reviews:

Combo of Sci-Fi and Fantasy.......2007-04-11

This is a nice combo platter of two interesting genres. It SEEMS like its going to be the same old same old, but then you realize very quickly that this book is quite different. Interesting characters with enjoyable conflict. The second and third books are better - but reading this will not be a chore.

Fell apart a bit...................2007-01-30

The basic plot premise of this book is to introduce 4 characters who go on an adventure to "save the world" (standard fantasy style) and to return to one of the characters her lost memory. You meet Gerald Terrant, the dark, enigmatic adept; Damien, the honorable priest; Senzei, the power hungry sorcerer and Ciani, the apprentice who has lost her memories to demons. (At least I think Senzei is the sorcerer and Ciani is the apprentice, I was never really quite sure and that annoyed me. I really like Tarrant who is basically evil, but struggles with honor and Senzei, who is basically good but struggles with power hungry tendencies, they seemed to have the most depth.

There are natural forces akin to magic called the fae, dark fae, earth fae, etc. Here is where my first real issue comes, the author never really explains in detail what the fae is. I like my magic fully explained in fantasy books, complete with rules so that I can see for myself where it might come in useful instead of it becoming just a deus ex machina way to get out of bad situations and this book failed to do that.

The world building is pretty good. It's a dark gothic world that is a bit fascinating. In fact, it is so dark, that I almost didn't even believe the times when the sun came out. Which says quite a bit for the author's writing ability in scenic detail. However, this world seems to be a parallel to earth and has things called unhorses, uncats, etc. Again, this is never fully explained, so I didn't quite get it. The author would have been better served by having a short history somewhere in the beginning of the book about what happened to earth, why people colonized on this planet and what the parallels and differences are...

All in all, it was an average book in the fantasy/sci-fi genre with a few interesting concepts. I did buy the series as a whole, so I will read the other two. I hope they get better from here.

Despite a great premise - formulaic story, bland characters.......2007-01-21

Thin plot, boring characters (besides the Hunter, who is the only character worth caring about, but he's evil) and very little action makes this book very slow and bland.

The fae premise, while confusing and not very well explained (or shown) in this book, is really cool. Unfortunately the plot and characters aren't up to par with the great premise.

The characters aren't portrayed very deeply. They each go through some trials early on, but these are quickly forgotten. Instead of character development, the author spends time discussing this journey they are on, even though the premise for the journey is weak, and they seem to stumble upon the villain awfully easily.

In a world where (supposedly) people's fears are manifested into reality, I don't recall that ever happening in this book.

Very cool premise, interesting world - combined with bland characters, no plot, and average writing made this book a huge disappointment. Don't bother with the rest of the series.

starts fast and winds down..........2005-12-15

I hadn't read any of Friedman's books previously, so this started off as a pleasant surprise. The opening is fast, gripping, and delicious: atmospheric and encapsulating many interesting directions that it could go.

Behind the prelude, though, is a more standard modern epic fantasy. The mix of SF and fantasy is nice and nicely handled, reminiscent of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series. Friedman writes well and the text has a nicely lush quality to it.

That's a lot of "nice" where perhaps some more risks should be taken. If there is a problem with this book, it is the pedestrian plot and the characterization. While the characters are not as irksomely cardboard as some big sword-and-sorcery books, they are not very deep, mostly puppets to jerk to the tune of the author. There are some holes in the plot that are a bit annoying.

Still, overall I liked this effort, but it took some work to read it cover to cover.

Black Sun Rising: Hope the tempo starts RISING in 2nd + 3rd.......2005-05-20

Although this novel has garnered many positive reviews, I do not believe it deserves such rich credit. I bought this trilogy solely based on the plethora of 5 star reviews and found myself sadly lacking in confidence over my transaction. "Black Sun Rising", was a formulaic fantasy at best; slow and grating, predictable and infruriating all at the same time. Friedman has taken what should have been a new and invigorating ideal in fantasy and given it the same pale complexity the likes of which Gerald Tarrant(Antagonist) supposedly wears. Speaking of which, here's another witty response, highly over-rated antagonist!. If you want a complex, dark natured antagonist fraught with an inner battle of good vs. evil but whom tends to lean toward the latter, read the, "Dragonlance Chronicles", trilogy in which you will meet one of the greatest chararcters in the fantasy genre, Raistlin Majere. Although it was an elementary trilogy with formulaic sub-plots, it was entirely enjoyable to read. In short B.S.R was a disappointing entrance to a trilogy, I can only hope it gets better from here on in of which all your other reviews persuade me to believe!.

The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire

Average customer rating:

Great history, great drama

The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire
John Toland
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Great history, great drama.......1999-10-13

This book should be in print. The story of the Pacific War as the Japanese experienced it. Toland did extensive research, including interviews with people on the Japanese side who were involved with the war at every level--from the battlefield to the conferences where the emperor "presided". He has a novelist's eye for detail. The result is a sweeping historical account peppered with fascinating vignettes that show how these events impacted the lives of hundreds of individuals. A long book, but never boring.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books