Exploring Extreme Programming
Labyrinths, by Jorge Luis Borges, 2007 edition. ISBN 0811216993. Borges was an Argentine fantasy writer. This book is a collection of 20+ short stories, as well as about 10 essays on writing. His stories often have themes of mirrors, mazes, Continue reading Review: Labyrinths
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure, by William Goldman. I saw this on a couple lists of favorite books a few weeks ago and had to re-read it. The title has it right Continue reading Review: The Princess Bride
Estimable stories can be estimated: some judgment made about their size, cost, or time to deliver. (We might wish for the term estimatable, but it’s not in my dictionary, and I’m not fond enough of estimating to coin it.) To Continue reading Estimable Stories in the INVEST Model
Accelerando, by Charles Stross. Ace, 2006. This novel explores the Singularity: What happens when AI, uploading, and other variations of humanity (or non-humanity) start to happen. I was worried that a novel on this subject would basically be, “Computers take Continue reading Review: Accelerando, by Charles Stross
Ruled Britannia, by Harry Turtledove. This is another of Harry Turtledove’s alternative history novels. In this case, the Spanish Armada succeeded in the late 16th century, and Spain has taken over England. This is the time of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth, Continue reading Review – Ruled Britannia (Turtledove)
Musashi, by Eiji Yoshikawa. Kodansha International, 1995. Swordplay, true love, and a man climbing up the side of a cliff. It’s not the Princess Bride; it’s the story of Musashi, the most famous swordsman of Japan. This is a romanticized, historical fiction novel. Continue reading Review – Musashi
Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis A linguist (Ransom) is kidnapped and ends up on another planet. (The science is wobbly, but it’s a classic travel story stretched to unexplored worlds). How will he work with humans or with those Continue reading Review – C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy
The Clockwork Man, by William Jablonsky. Medallion Press, 2010. Late in the 19th century, the world’s best clockmaker creates a clockwork man (who doesn’t like being referred to as a robot). He (it?) lets himself run down, and wakes up Continue reading Review: The Clockwork Man (Jablonsky)
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, by Cory Doctorow. Tor, 2003. What happens when reputation is more important than money, when death is yesterday’s problem? A group of people have decided to maintain Disney World. Is it better to change or Continue reading Review – Down & Out in the Magic Kingdom, by Cory Doctorow
Mabinogion Tetralogy, by Evangeline Walton. Overlook. 2003. This is an under-appreciated work of fantasy. It’s based on the Mabinogion, a set of Celtic myths found in Welsh documents. The version I bought 25 years ago was in four separate volumes, Continue reading Review – Mabinogion Tetralogy, by Evangeline Walton