Category Archives: books

Outlaws, Were-Bears, and Skunks

Posted on September 28, 2024 by JE

I’ve been reading the Gesta Herwardi (“The Deeds of Herward” a.k.a. “Hereward the Wake”), one of the original outlaw stories from England (although it’s written not in English, but in Latin—because, no doubt, Everything Is Better With Latin!™). The Robin … Continue reading →

Posted in books, fantasy, language, Morlock, Myth & Legend, sword-and-sorcery | Tagged , | Comments Off on Outlaws, Were-Bears, and Skunks

New Editions of Old Stories

Posted on September 21, 2024 by JE

Reading about cops and robbers today.

Posted in books, sff | Comments Off on New Editions of Old Stories

Thrush to Judgement

Posted on July 3, 2024 by JE

I’ve been rereading Petronius’ Satyricon, to take my mind off the imminent death of democracy in America. It’s not working that well, because Trimalchio (the wealthy boor who is the anti-protagonist of his own episode in the novel) keeps reminding … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient art, art, books, language, politics, television, words | Tagged , | Comments Off on Thrush to Judgement

Carney Knowledge: MADBALL by Fredric Brown

Posted on June 15, 2024 by JE

Fredric Brown was one of the best writers of sf at shorter lengths–especially very short lengths. His story “Knock” was so short he had to write a longer story to embed it in. His “Puppet Show” brilliantly mocked the Campbellian … Continue reading →

Posted in books, review or meta-review, sff, television | Tagged , | Comments Off on Carney Knowledge: MADBALL by Fredric Brown

Breslin vs. Trump

Posted on May 31, 2024 by JE

As Fate or Chaos would have it, the LoA collection of Jimmy Breslin arrived on my doorstep this week, so that on the evening when Trump’s guilty verdict was announced in Manhattan, I got to read Breslin’s verdict on Trump … Continue reading →

Posted in books, history, politics, review or meta-review, social media, words, writing | Comments Off on Breslin vs. Trump

Eldritch Lore of Lightning, Stars, and Magic

Posted on August 10, 2023 by JE

On Facebook, Michael Swanwick mentioned a historical (or maybe apocryphal) episode when the Pope invited Etruscan seers to use lightning magic to defend Rome against Alaric and his Ostrogoths. It’s a pretty good story, whether or not it’s actually history. … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, Adventures in the Public Domain, astronomy, books, fantasy, history, language, magic, Myth & Legend, Roman history, Rome, science, sff, social media, sword-and-sorcery | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Eldritch Lore of Lightning, Stars, and Magic

ΧΑΟΣ

Posted on July 12, 2023 by JE

I don’t know if you knew this about me, but I’ll buy a book every now and then. Because I am not a crazy person (anyway, I’ve never been officially diagnosed), before I’ll buy a book I see if I … Continue reading →

Posted in art, books, Chaos, fantasy, fantasy art, Keep it or chuck it?, Minnestoics, music, Myth & Legend, politics, review or meta-review, sff, sword-and-sorcery, werewolves | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Cattus Latinus Snoozicus

Posted on July 9, 2023 by JE

I’m rereading Ovid’s Metamorphoses again this summer, which always reminds me of my son’s late-but-great cat Lewis the Explorer. This picture from seven years ago may suggest why.

Posted in books, cats | Tagged | Comments Off on Cattus Latinus Snoozicus

Facts About Fiction

Posted on June 22, 2023 by JE

Studies show that most studies don’t show what they show. Still, this is an interesting and well-sourced piece about the connections between reading and empathy. https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/reading-fiction-empathy-better-person/

Posted in academia, books, science, writing | Comments Off on Facts About Fiction

Foreshadows of Hanuvar

Posted on June 9, 2023 by JE

Aya Katz talks with Howard Andrew Jones about LORD OF A SHATTERED LAND, his great book coming out soon from Baen.

Posted in books, fantasy, fantasy art, history, Myth & Legend, sword-and-sorcery, writing | Tagged | Comments Off on Foreshadows of Hanuvar