History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

The Princess Diaries, Volume VIII: Princess on the Brink (Princess Diaries, Vol. 8)

Average customer rating:

At last! [spoiler alert]
upsetting
This volume is boring!
A Princess book with an actual conflict - too bad it goes unresolved...
As The Themes Get More Mature...Mia's Adulthood Seems To Delay Itself

The Princess Diaries, Volume VIII: Princess on the Brink (Princess Diaries, Vol. 8)
Meg Cabot
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060724560
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

At last, Mia is a junior. An upperclassperson. Free of her responsibilities as student body president. So why is it that everything is going so terribly wrong? What is she doing in Intro to Creative Writing? When she has made it through Algebra and Geometry, why must she be faced with Precalculus? And for the love of all that is Genovian, why has Lilly nominated her for school prez again? All this is nothing compared to the news Michael springs on her, however. On top of all the mathematical strife, her beloved boyfriend is leaving for Japan for a year. Precalc has nothing on preparing for the worst separation ever!

Turns out there is one way she might convince Michael to stay. But will she? Or won't she? No matter what, Mia seems headed for disaster.

Customer Reviews:

At last! [spoiler alert] .......2007-09-07

Okay, maybe I'm not the typical reader of this book, seeing that I have a child around Mia's age, but I am a high school librarian and I enjoy reading the books that I order for the students to read.

For seven books (and several novellas) we have listened to Mia blather on about Michael and school and Michael and her grandmother and Michael and ... well, you get the picture. With all of those adolescent hormones, she doesn't see that she needs to give Michael some space, as he is emotionally and intellectually several years ahead of her. She doesn't care to listen to the adult figures in her life (now THAT'S realistic!) on just about any serious matter, including this one.

Now she freaks out because she faces a year's separation (and despite what she believes, I am sure that her father would have flown her over at least once during that year) and plans to manipulate Michael with sex. (Not her finest plan. Can we all say "statutory rape"?) However, everything crashes around her feet when she discovers that Michael has a different viewpoint on intimacy. Not too surprising to adults, who realize that people reared with different cultural/religious beliefs are bound to have conflicts, some of which are un-work-out-able.

I remember someone telling me that her first husband was selected when infatuation was mistaken for love and the second (the one she stayed married to) was chosen when liking turned into love. We have seen J.P. from the very first book and he has gradually developed as a friend. It would be nice if this series developed to show that Mia chooses a relationship based upon a solid foundation, but I doubt that is Ms. Cabot's plan. Whatever she chooses, the next book can be an opportunity for Mia to mature without always wondering "what will Michael think about this?" My students (and I) eagerly await the next volume.

upsetting.......2007-08-04

i've loved the princess diaries series since book one. this book was very depressing. i'm just a hopeless romantic and this book spoiled everything.

This volume is boring!.......2007-07-09

I have been a fan of ALL the other Princess Diaries books. I have read many of them twice! This one was so boring! I should have listened to the negative reviews and passed on this one. Save your money and check this one out at the library if you must read it!

A Princess book with an actual conflict - too bad it goes unresolved..........2007-07-08

Finally, in the eighth book of a ten-book series, Mia Thermopolis again gets a honest-to-goodness conflict. It's been a long, long time. Mia's has dealt with plenty of anxieties, but most of them have been minor problems she's blown all out of proportion. Not since she learned she's a princess and had her whole future (and present) made over accordingly has she had to grapple with a real life-changing problem.

In Princess on the Brink Mia's boyfriend, Michael Moscovitz, tells her that he has the opportunity of a lifetime. He intends to go to Japan to produce a working model of the robotic arm he invented for a knife-free surgical procedure. Michael wants to prove - to the world and Mia's grandmother - that he's worthy of being a princess's intended. But that will require a long stay abroad. Mia panicks at the idea of being sans Michael for so long and comes up with the bright idea of tossing her virginity to him as an incentive to stay stateside.

The story takes place over a very short period, less than a week, from the time Michael tells Mia he's going to Japan to the time he actually leaves. During this period Mia also starts school so she's also worrying about her Chemisty and Pre-calculus classes and the pressure Lilly is again asserting on her to be in student government. She also has a creative writing teacher who fails to appreciate Mia's innate creativity and style (i.e., Mia's failure to follow assignment directions).

I LOVED this series when it first debuted, but the premise here is growing pretty thin. Mia's high-school worries and escapades simply cannot support the weight of so many books (8 so far and a number of shorter half-books). Her constant pop culture references, so cute and endearing at first, have also grown annoying. Or perhaps it's me - I've unplugged myself from cable and magazines and can't really relate to much of what Mia throws out there to explain her own worldview and perspective.

Also annoying is Mia's constant reference to her "Precious Gift" - that's her virginity to you and me. She gets this term from a True-Love-Waits-type book her friend Tina leant her. It's typical of Mia to over-romanticize anything, but she uses the term so frequently it deserves its own acronym - PG - if only to spare trees. Mia's willingness to set aside her previous sexual timeline in order to manipulate Michael tells a great deal about where she is in her personal development. What's best for Michael and the relationship in general is the last thing on her mind. This is typical teenage behavior, but Mia has never seemed so Machiavellian (albeit clumsily so) as she does here.

Many of the recurring characters are beginning to seem like cardboard cutouts of themselves marching around Mia. Lilly, in particular, seems less like a real person and more like a generic-but-cruel blowhard. Why Mia is still friends with her is beyond understanding. Of course, Mia is clueless as to the motivations of most of the people surrounding her. Watching both Kenny Showalter and J.P. zero in for the kill when they learn of Michael's departure is painful to read - Mia is so oblivious.

The book ends with everything about as unresolved as it can be. One of the series's underlying conflicts - how Mia will deal with the difference in maturity, particularly sexual maturity, between herself and Michael - finally comes to a head here, and Mia handles it in the most immature way possible, screwing up a number of her relationships in the process. Getting Michael out of the picture temporarily might have been a good idea a few books ago, but now it just seems ill-timed. The next book will no doubt be concerned with Mia's rebound, and then the last book with their reunion. That may be romantic in the final pages, but is Cabot going to shove two school years into two books? When it's taken 8 books to get to the beginning of Mia's junior year of high school? At this point, given Mia's shallow self-absorption, I think Michael would be within his rights to cut and run. And that's a painful thing for me to write about a series I once enjoyed so much.

As The Themes Get More Mature...Mia's Adulthood Seems To Delay Itself.......2007-06-26

Mia enters her junior year of high school ready for a fresh start without the chaos of her sophomore year, ready to take on life with everything settled down for once. Unfortunately, Mia's life can never be easy and Michael breaks her the heart-breaking news that he's going to Japan to develop a robotic surgical invention that may be able to save the lives of others.
From this point on, SPOILER WARNING, and also a warning that I'm about to give this book a scathing review. I love most of the Princess Diaries series-especially the first three books where it was perfectly normal for Mia to be having chaotic breakdowns and insecurities, but now that she's supposed to be a junior in high school this is getting a BIT old, and by a bit, I mean at some points in this book I wanted to throw it out of my bedroom window. To begin with, how does Mia not notice that JP is hitting on her? How? It's so obvious Meg Cabot could only have made it better by writing it in giant pink letters across every page. The major problem I had with this though, was Mia's incredible stupidity when it came to Michael.
This series started its downward slope, in my opinion, as soon as Michael wanted to have sex with Mia. It's so hard to remember that she's sixteen, and by that I mean that she acts like she's twelve. I agree with Mia's decision to not have sex, because if she's not ready she doesn't have to, and there are just oh-so-many things she is not ready for. Like the truth, for instance, when Michael tells Mia about how he didn't save his "Precious Gift" for her at all, that it was randomly given to Judith, Mia's arch enemy until Michael chose her in the earlier books. I can't say that in the same situation most girls would freak out and get angry, but BREAKING UP WITH HIM? Someone seems to have forgotten that her boyfriend is in college, that he's older than her, that he has more experience, and though for a minute it was disturbing that he didn't seem to think much of it, I remember Michael's attitude towards Mia in the previous books and know that Mia and him becoming intimate would be entirely different and meaningful.
Which is exactly why I am sick of this spoiled-brat little girl, who hasn't developed in the eight books published about her one bit. She moans and complains about her Creative Writing grades when I can't exactly see anything special about her writing at all, she forms a childish plan to keep her boyfriend from going to Japan to do what he really loves, and if I have to read the phrase "doing it" or "precious gift" from the mouth of this pathetic high school student one more time, my eyes will start bleeding.
The writing is still classic Princess Diaries, the rest of the characters keep to their personalities (although I wish Lilly's would change), but the drama is a little too out of control, and personally, I hope Mia and Michael remain broken up because there is a promising hope of JP in the future, although, having read enough books like this, I'm sad to have to say:
"Like that will ever happen."

The Princess Diaries, Volume V: Princess in Pink (Princess Diaries)

Average customer rating:

princess in pink
Princess in Pink
Horrible, shallow display of teen egocentrism and misandry
a princess story
Princess in Pink

The Princess Diaries, Volume V: Princess in Pink (Princess Diaries)
Meg Cabot
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060096128
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Book Description

In her heart of hearts, Mia has but one wish: an evening spent with Michael in a tux and a corsage on her wrist -- in other words, the PROM. Michael, however, does not seem to share the dream that is the prom. Worse still, a service workers strike (with Grandmère and Lilly at the heart of it and on opposite sides) threatens the very existence of this year's prom. Will the strike end in time? Can Mia talk Michael out of his anti-prom views? Most importantly, will Mia get to wear her pink prom dress?

Download Description

Things are looking up for Mia: She's the newest staffer on the school paper, and her miraculous completion of freshman Algebra is just around the corner. Plus she's about to get a new baby brother or sister. Could things possibly get any better?

But in her heart of hearts, Mia has one wish: an evening spent with Michael in a tux and a corsage on her wrist -- in other words, the PROM. Michael, however, does not seem to share the dream that is the prom. Worse still, a service workers strike (with Grandmère and Lilly at the heart of it and on opposite sides) threatens the very existence of this year's prom.

Will the strike end in time? Can Michael be dissuaded from his anti-prom views? Most importantly, will Mia get to wear her pink prom dress?

Customer Reviews:

princess in pink.......2007-03-02

I read the book princess in pink. its about a girl named Miya. she is the princess of Ginovia. and she is upset because her boy friend won't ask her to the prom. And her dad whant's her to go to Ginovia with him for the summer because she is the princess. But she would rather stay in sanfrincisco with her boy friend.

I thought the book was a pretty good book because it was exiting and you didn't know what was going to happen next.

I didn't like some parts of the book because they were kissing and holding each other. But that's just me. If you like that stuff it's probably a good book for you.

But i liked the book over all and i consider you to read it. It's kind of a girley book so if your a boy you probably won't be interested in it.

Princess in Pink.......2006-09-02

Mia is trying to find a way to get Michael to take her to the prom, in this book. She's also having problems because Grandmere took her dog Rommel to Mia's birthday dinner, and when he escapes he causes a waiter to spill soup on Grandmere and get the waiter fired. Which is unjust, and it causes a whole strike in the city.
Either way, I enjoyed it and this book had a happy ending!

Horrible, shallow display of teen egocentrism and misandry.......2006-04-28

Lilly has always been the self-proclaimed feminist, but her influence on Mia definitely showed in this latest addition to the Princess Diaries series. Problem: Mia wants to attend the senior prom, but her boyfriend Michael doesn't want to, and it's only through him that she can go. Instead of considering what he wants, she whines and tries to subtly coerce him into going to the dance. She convinces her classmates to hire Michael's band to perform at the dance, further showing her true colors as it goes against even the band members' own wishes. The value she places on herself and her own desires, above the desires of others, is utterly selfish and disgusting. I strongly recommend NOT reading this book, it really made me dislike Mia as a character.

Why is the prom more important than respecting someone else's wishes? If Mia and Michael were so compatible, they wouldn't be split on this issue. From her insistence on the prom (which also seems uncharacteristic for her to want so badly), to the feminist view that men are oppressors and women shouldn't take their husbands' last names after marriage, Lilly's cold disregard for Boris' feelings and later hypocrisy over him and Tina, to the hateful quote that women need men like a fish needs a bicycle, and Mia's goal to "mold" her little brother into the perfect (read: pussified) boyfriend...shame on you, Ms. Cabot. You make masculinity something to be suppressed and ashamed of, when it should be revered.

Also, as some reviewers have said, 15 is a bit young to be exploring sexually, and it's illogical for Mia and Lilly to join in on such behavior. Since when does turning 15 equate with 'becoming a woman'? Kind of an odd thing to say.

a princess story.......2006-03-30

Princess in pink is a diary and its about a girl named Mia who is a priness wanting to go to the prom with her boyfriend micheal.Mia grandma brought a dog to the restaurant and it caused a busboy job. Mia friend is protesting for the the busboy that got fired because it was not his fault.Her friend cheats on her boyfriend with the busboy. Also that Micheal might not want to go to the prom.
What I learned from the book is not to cheat on your boyfriend. Not to lie and to tell the truth.Also to help everybody else not just helping yourselve and to get good grades if you want be a writer or whatever you want to be. When you have a party and your parents aren't looking, don't play nasty games.

Princess in Pink.......2006-02-28

Princess in Pink
By: Meg Cabot
Reviewed by: R. Kim
Period: P.1

This book is mainly about Princess Mia wanting to go to the senior prom. Mia is in love with her boyfriend, Michael who is a senior, and she really wants to go to the prom with him. Michael in the other hand thinks that the prom is stupid and a waste of time and money, so he said that he doesn't want to go. Mia can't go to the prom without a senior, because this is a senior prom. Mia gets upset, but what can she do about it? The prom gets cancelled because no one in the city is working their jobs, due to Mia's Grandmother's dog. Everyone is mad at Mia, because if it weren't for her Grandmother to bring her dog to Mia's birthday dinner, than this would've never happened. Mia's Grandmother reserves a place for the prom, and people are not mad at her anymore. Michael still doesn't want to go to the prom...What will she do? Mia asks Lana, the head senior prom committee, if Michael's band can play for the prom, and Lana says "Okay." Michael only agreed to go to the prom if his friends were going. His friends had to be going, because they were in his band. Mia is happy that she can go to the prom with her loving boyfriend and her beautiful, pink dress.
I really liked this book, because it was in the form of a diary, and it kept me attentive. Mia seems to show a lot of emotion in her writing, by being specific on what her friends or people say to her. Such as, "How could he?" she keeps wailing. "I turn my back for five minutes-five minutes!-and he runs off with another girl? What can he be thinking?" This quote shows affection and emotion. Mia's writing this quote down when she's talking to Lila (person who's speaking in quote.) Another quote is, "Would you please stop writing in that journal for ONE MINUTE and tell me how I can win Boris back?" When Mia's talking to other people, she writes in her journal the same time, which gets the people who she's talking to you annoyed. That characteristic shows that Mia is a great writer. That's one thing that I really like about this book. When you're a writer, you have to be "on top of things."
My favorite part of the book was when Mia and Michael were in the prom. This was my favorite part, because this is Mia's first time going to the prom, and she expresses her feelings down on her journal. I liked it when Mia talked about dancing with Michael and how Michael played in his band. She was very specific when she wrote about the prom. That's my favorite part in this book.

The Princess Diaries, Volume VI: Princess in Training (Princess Diaries)

Average customer rating:

repulsive
Princess in Training
Mia is back!
Disappointing
A fine addition to the series

The Princess Diaries, Volume VI: Princess in Training (Princess Diaries)
Meg Cabot
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060096152
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Book Description

Princess for president!

Student body president, that is -- nominated by her power-mad best friend, Lilly. This is not how Mia imagined kicking off her sophomore year, but as usual, she has bigger problems to worry about, like Geometry. And now that Mia's one true love, Michael, is uptown at college, what's the point of even getting up for school in the morning? But the last straw is what Lana whispers to her on the lunch line about what college boys expect of their girlfriends. . . . Really, it's almost more than a princess in training can bear!

Download Description

Princess for president

Student body president, that is. It's all the fault of Princess Mia's power-mad best friend and campaign manager, Lilly, who nominates her in the first place. This is not how Mia imagined kicking off her sophomore year, even if Grandmère thinks ruling her high school makes good practice for ruling Genovia someday.

As usual, though, Mia has bigger problems to worry about. Sophomore Geometry appears to be just as hard as freshman Algebra, and a shocking B on her first English assignment has Mia reeling. And with Michael, her one true love, uptown at college, what is the point of even getting up for school in the morning? The last straw is what Lana whispers to her on the lunch line about what college boys expect of their girlfriends ...

Really, it's almost more than a princess in training can bear.

Customer Reviews:

repulsive.......2007-05-13

im only going to comment on one thing because it basically ruined the whole book for me. Michael pressuring Mia into sex and Mia whining about it throughout the whole book. Okay, Michael is 18 and Mia is 15. The age of consent in NY is 17. if these two have sex its called STATUTORY RAPE. it is a CRIME and Michael will go to JAIL. but meg cabot is writing about it like its perfectly normal and acceptable for a high school sophomore and a college guy to have sex. and by the way, this book is marketed to 8 year olds.

NOT COOL. if i could give it a 0 i would.

Btw i listened to this as an audiobook w/clea lewis as the narrator. just the cutesy way she whines about not wanting to 'do it' throughout the book makes it obvious that the author doesnt even take teenage sex seriously. she just keeps writing this garbage to titilate curious preteens and sell more books.

Princess in Training.......2006-09-02

Okay, this reminded me so much of Ready or Not. Just different characters.
Either way, now Mia hears from Lana that now that Michael is in college he'll want to Do It. So she becomes worried, as is Mia, and when she talks to him about it, he says something that makes her worry even more. To Do It, or not to Do It. That's the question.
And inbetween this, Lilly nominated Mia as Student Council President of AEHS against her enemy, of course Lana. Which Mia has no desire to do.
I'm glad that Meg Cabot put the Student Council President part in it, because if it was all about Michael and Mia having (or not having) sex then I wouldn't have been as thrilled with it.
Either way, Mia is still a great character!

Mia is back!.......2006-08-12

Mia is back! She's starred in 7 books, 2 movies, and several self-help guides. And her life is still topsy-turvy. In the latest edition of her escapades, we rejoin Mia in the crazy, wonderful world of....wait for it.... high school! 10th grade to be exact. And she hasn't a CLUE what's going on.

1. Her best friend nominates her for student body president...only because she can't nominate herself.

2. Said best friend's geeky ex-boyfriend comes back from summer vacation...(gasp) HOT!! Majorly Hot. Which instantly sends said best friend into tailspin.

3. Geometry is supposed to be the perfect subject for those who can't understand algebra...so why does it not make any sense??

4. Boyfriend is in college. What's the use in dressing up anymore? Who's to see the effort put forth?

5. Best enemy takes it upon herself to inform Mia in the dessert line of the cafeteria that college boys leave their girlfriends if they don't Do It. Ewwww.

6. How to tell said boyfriend that this princess has no desire to Do It?

7. And, umm, there was that tiny matter of dumping 10,000 snails in the Genovian Harbor in the dead of night to eat killer algae...and the teensy-tinsesy matter that Genovia might be kicked out of the European Union for it.

8. How a princess supposed to stay SANE under these circumstances?????

Once again, Meg Cabot delivers a deliciously funny work suitable for almost any taste. Princess in Training works on every level. Mia can be every girl's best friend, and speaks for those of us who have never been popular or pretty. WELL DONE!!

Disappointing.......2006-07-01

Mia is no longer the free-spirited individual she once was. She's become obsessed with current pop culture icons and gets defensive when her English teacher disapproves of her references to them. Mia's friends react in a similar way, treating the teacher as the enemy who overstepped her bounds. This seemed pretty immature, considering that Ms. Martinez (the teacher) was only doing her job and giving Mia constructive criticism. If Mia represents Meg herself, then she's not likely to ever be taken seriously as a writer. I.E., her work isn't standing on its own. Other 'serious' authors, such as Stephen King, do use references but only to enhance the setting of their stories.

Also, even if this is her personal diary, Mia overreacts to situations and seems to bring onto herself most of the drama and stress she feels. Feeling stressed is a choice we make, and Mia complicates the subject of sex by worrying excessively and being grossed-out at the thought of it. She is nowhere near ready for it, and Michael was wise not to pressure her immediately. But him saying he wouldn't wait forever seems unfair. She is only 15, maybe it would have been more appropriate to wait till she turned 18 instead.

I'm most confused with the way Mia let herself get all worked up over a comment made by someone she didn't even like (Lana). If she needed advice or to address an issue, she should have simply asked someone. Like most girls, Mia would prefer to stew and worry and obsess and imagine the worst possible scenario than to simply just be honest and ask someone for help. And she treats direct honesty as 'the hardest thing' she's done. Women create their own drama! This is not a course of action we should be teaching our daughters, yet with such a series as Princess Diaries, the young girls today are learning to do exactly that.

I also found it disrespectful of Michael when Mia was jealous over Tina because Tina's boyfriend, Boris, was 'nice' and let her push him around. Mia wished Michael would do the same. This is a harmful attitude and not one that girls should be learning.

A fine addition to the series.......2006-05-04

I think that people have overreacted to the whole Michael/ sex thing. I bet if you asked other 15yo girls who are part of a relationship with a decent guy for over a year and they would admit to having sex on the brain (not to say that they all intend to act on it though). So, to me it is understandable that this book is about that topic. Also, I really don't think Michael was giving Mia an ultimatum. He says clearly that he knows it takes her a while to get used to things so he wanted to get that seed planted in her head- that he would like to do that sometime in the future. Knowing the characters I think that is not an ultimatum but merely a way of having a discussion about the subject. I do not recall saying that he would break up with her if she didn't "do it." Read more carefully if you think that was the bottom line. Finally, remember that it was Mia that brought up the subject...Michael probably would have gone on for quite a while without bringing it up or moving in that direction.

This book was pretty good all around. I enjoy this series so I will keep reading them till she stops writing them. :) I get a bit bored with how Mia obsesses about 2-3 things per book. After 200 pages it can get a bit old. But, the writing is good...I just skim to get to the plot sometimes.

A Lady Raised High: A Novel of Anne Boleyn

Average customer rating:

Good historical fiction
Pretty good
An Excellent Novel for Hopeless Romantics who also like Historical Fiction
Interesting view of Anne Boleyn, but the way of telling it is insipid.
Well worth reading

A Lady Raised High: A Novel of Anne Boleyn
Laurien Gardner
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0515140899

Book Description

Young Anne Boleyn entranced the most powerful man of his time, King Henry VIII. But she would not yield to him unless he offered her marriage and the Crown.

To win her, Henry would challenge the powers of Heaven--and create upheaval on Earth.

Customer Reviews:

Good historical fiction.......2007-06-18

The story is told from a young maid who serves in Anne Boleyn's court before and during Anne's marriage to King Henry XIV and ends at Anne's beheading. The story is very interesting and moves along at a good pace. I like historical fiction, in fact it is probably my favorite genre, and this also has a bit or romance in it as well. I saw the "hook up" coming a mile away (I'm skilled at noticing these things by now I guess), but it was engaging and a good read. It seems like the author has two more books in a similar vain, and I'll probably end up checking those out as well.

Pretty good.......2006-11-14

I read this book to learn more about Anne Boleyn. I am aware that it is FICTION. After reading THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, I thought this book was excellent. Unlike BOLEYN GIRL, Lady Raised High portrays Anne Boleyn as a gentle kind person who gets angry and have bad days instead of portraying her as a complete arrogant idiot. The only thing I regret is that it starts with Anne & Henry already together and doesn't tell alot of what she might have been thinking.

An Excellent Novel for Hopeless Romantics who also like Historical Fiction.......2006-11-10

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and the love story found within it. "A Lady Raised High" utilizes the character of Frances, a lesser nobleman's daughter who was taken in and brought to court by Anne Boleyn after she showed Anne a fierce loyalty during a time when no one else would. The novel tells the events of the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn as they were experienced by Frances, who herself had a love story of her own with her husband Sir John Carlisle, a gentlemen of the King's privy chamber whom she met when she was brought to court as a Queen's attendant by Anne.

One of the main reasons I liked this book was that I myself am a hopeless romantic, and I was fascinated by the relationship between Frances and John (who throughout most of the book is known by his nickname, Jack). The give and take between them is exciting, and scenes the two of them share fills any romantic's heart with longing.

As a historical fiction novel, this book inludes all the court intrigue and tragic historical figures you could want. While there are other books that focus more closely on the characters of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII than this one does, I feel that this novel still did a great job of conveying their story along with that of the main heroine's.

All in all, I could barely put this book down, and I recommend it!

Interesting view of Anne Boleyn, but the way of telling it is insipid........2006-09-21

I'm one of those stubborn folk who when they start a series of books, unless it is perfectly dreadful, will grit their teeth and stay with it until it ends. Sometimes the effort is worth it, and I'll be rewarded with a book that is enjoyable and I get to escape for a few hours and learn something new. Other times, far too many times, I get disappointed and wished that I could get those wasted hours back.

A recent historical series of novels, based around the six wives of King Henry VIII of England has been released. Each novel, written by a different author under the common psuedynom of "Laurien Gardner," takes on one of the unfortunate queens of this monarch. The first one was about Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, and the second takes on her rival, Anne Boleyn. This time the actual author of the novel is Jennifer Ashely.

Young Frances Pierce is a girl of seventeen when the King and his lady, Anne Boleyn, come riding through their village on royal progress. The year is 1532, and while Queen Catherine is still mighty Henry's legal wife, Anne Boleyn is able to enjoy all of the perogatives of being a 'queen,' including a magnificent household and fine trappings. Frances, knowing herself to be plain with mousy hair and no great dowry or beauty, is bedazzled by Anne's charm and dark eyes, enough that when Anne is taunted and jeered by the peasant women, Frances rushes to Anne's defense and finds herself smeared with muck.

Soon, Frances is accepted into Anne Boleyn's household as a reward, fitted out with fine clothing and flirting with the gentlemen of the court. She writes her poetry, and views life as a grand and glorious game. But one courtier -- John Carlisle -- doesn't seem to take much delight in Frances being at court. He's grim and dour and seems to be underfoot when she's trying desparately to get Anne's brother, George Boleyn, to notice her.

It's through Frances' eyes that we see Anne's rise to power, as she first plays the game of 'will I, won't I?' with Henry VIII, striving to hold out for a marriage proposal, and the crown. There's a secret wedding or two, a coronation, Anne's first pregnancy that resulted in a princess -- the future Elizabeth I -- and the swift downturn as Anne fails to supply that vital prince, and her eventual trial for adultery and execution. Frances, faithful and loyal, manages to find a love of her own, a stable relationship, but even that might not be enough to save her when her mistress faces the swordsman and enters into legend.

Frankly, I was surprised by this novel. I was terribly disappointed by the first book of the series, finding it overwrought and badly plotted, but this one, despite the rather lifeless heroine, was better than I thought it would turn out. Gardner -- or rather Ashley -- does her research, and peoples the story with those who were actually there throughout Anne Boleyn's hectic time as queen. The only exceptions are Frances and John, along with various servants, but the four courtiers and the musician that would be executed with Anne all lived, along with other ladies who were in Anne's household. Gardner does well with staying within the known facts, except for a few glitches here and there.

The only one that really made me cringe was some of the detailing on clothing, such as 'wimple' and 'veil' which would have been found in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, not the sixteenth. Anne too, gets a bit of an overhaul in this, actually being a bit kindly in her behavior towards Frances, and not the shrewish b!tch that history usually treats her as.

Part of the problem with this novel is that the main character, Frances, is so passive. She's literally plucked out of obscurity to become one of Anne's attendants, flirts and plays at love, marries, and finally gets to observe Anne Boleyn's downfall at a very close range. While I do like the fact that the author did do her research and manages to weave in what did actually happen, the main character is such a milksop and not that entertaining, even when she is arguing with her one true love. Only towards the final chapter or two does Frances start showing a backbone, and while it is welcome, it's not quite enough to save this one either.

Fans of the Tudor period, or historical fiction will find this one interesting. In my opinion, it's infinitely better than the bestselling The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. Say nearly four stars for this one, as the author does try hard to get it right, and very nearly succeeds at it.

Recommended.

Well worth reading.......2006-09-18

A novel of Anne Boleyn, told from a lady-in-waiting's viewpoint? When I received this book as a gift, I wondered how well I'd like that storytelling technique applied to a period of history - and an historical figure, Anne Boleyn - of long-standing interest to me. My "after-the-read" opinion is that having the fictional character Frances Pierce tell Anne's tale worked very well indeed.

Henry VIII, King of England, wants one thing above all others: an heir for his throne. A male heir, of course, since any woman must be ruled by her husband; and how can Henry leave his kingdom to a son-in-law's control? His queen, Catherine of Aragon, has in the course of eight pregnancies managed to rear only one child: Princess Mary. So when Henry's roving eye (not considered a fault, or even a cause for comment, among royals in this era) falls on a beautiful and strong-willed young noblewoman, he's able to justify making a second marriage with her in dynastic terms. What makes it different from other occasions when kings have put away one wife to marry another, though, is that the pope refuses Henry's petition for annulment of his marriage to Catherine. Anne won't bed with him unwed, and he does need a male heir. So Henry uses the era's rising movement toward religious reform for his own purposes, and divorces the English church from that of Rome before he - now considered that church's head - divorces himself from Catherine.

That's the familiar background. Placed on its canvas to tell this story is Frances Pierce, an impoverished baronet's only child who gains a place at court just as Henry begins establishing Lady Anne as his future wife. Impulsive, fully as strong-willed as her patroness, the naive young girl is lucky enough to attract the immediate attention of King Henry's courtier John Carlisle - an earl's son, who understands the dangers of court intrigue. During the next few years, Jack Carlisle watches over Frances despite that young woman's resentment of his efforts. Eventually he negotiates to win her as his wife, a process that has nothing to do with gaining her consent to the marriage - indeed, Frances knows nothing about it until the deal has been concluded.

Can Jack carry out his stated intention in marrying Frances, and protect her during the turmoil that results from Anne's following in Queen Catherine's footsteps by producing only a princess? Or will Frances, whose devotion to Anne blossoms over the years from girlish admiration into a friend's steadfast love, bring herself to grief at last despite his attempts to keep her safe? Author Gardner succeeded in making me care as much about Frances and her Jack as I ever have about Catherine, Anne, and Henry VIII's other unfortunate wives, through all the many books I've read about them. While this isn't deep historical reading, neither is it the kind of "historical romance" that plays fast and loose with the facts. It was worth both my time, and the gift giver's money.

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Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Abby K- Art Geeks and Prom Queens
Abby K- Art Geeks and Prom Queens
"Heathers" for the new generation
Art Geeks and prom queens the best book

Art Geeks and Prom Queens: A Novel
Alyson Noel
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312336365
Release Date: 2005-08-11

Book Description

Being the new girl is toughjust ask sixteen-year-old Rio Jones. A New York transplant, Rio has no clue how shes going to fit in at her fancy new private school in Southern California. Plus, being late, overdressed, and named after a Duran Duran song doesnt help make the first day any easier. Then, Rio meets Kristi. Beautiful, rich, and a cheerleader, Kristi is the queen bee of Newport Beach. And, Kristi isnt friends with just anyone, so Rio is thrilled when shes invited to be part of the most exclusive, popular cliquea world of underage drinking, drug dabbling, and hooking-up. At first, Rio is having a great time. But, as she becomes more immersed in this jet set crowd, Rio figures out there is one unspoken rule that her new friends forgot to mention: dont cross Kristi.

Customer Reviews:

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-07-03

Rio Jones is the new girl at her school. As if that isn't hard enough, her mom is an ex almost-model and expects her daughter to be pretty and popular, and she's named after a Duran Duran song. Except that she is an art geek. On her first day, she meets kids from her art class that take her off campus for lunch (which isn't allowed). And she gets detention for it, so her mom tells her that she can't hang out with them anymore.

Rio is a geek, until she meets Kristi.

Kristi is a rich, beautiful, popular cheerleader. She and Rio become friends and in Kristi's group there are rules. You always have to smile even if you don't mean it and be nice to everyone. Kristi is the only one in the group who thinks that the rules don't apply to her because she's Kristi. Soon Rio becomes even more popular than Kristi is and, of course, Kristi is jealous. Not that she would ever tell anyone that. But there is one rule that her friends left out -- don't cross paths with Kristi. Rio's life soon goes back to worse than it was before she met Kristi, since even her art friends won't talk to her.

I am obsessed with this author! She is SO funny and all of her books are so realistic! As expected, another must read from Alyson Noel!

Reviewed by: Taylor Rector

Abby K- Art Geeks and Prom Queens.......2007-03-27

Art Geeks and Prom Queens was one of the greatest books i've ever read. It was tense that I couldn't put downt he book. I loved the teme of the book, jealousy. I loved it because that's what keeps me interested and motavated to keep on reading. I also liked how the characters were all snobby and high-class because I'm into like drama, high-class books.

One thing that could have made the book better would be another twist. Even though it had twists, one more twist could have improved the book better. Another thing that could have been better would have been to add more. For example what happened to Kristi?, Are Jas and Rio still a couple? or What happened to Mason, Jen and Kyla? That is what the book could have improved in.

If I was recommending this to an age level student, I would recommend it to 14-16 years olds. I think that's an age approiate level because in the books there is some inapproiate parts in the book that I don't think would be suitble for younger kids. I aslo think that teenagers would get a better understanding of the book because of the drama, jealously, everyday issues about school and peer pressure. I wouldn't recomend it to younger children because they might not like the kind of book this is, and how it talks about inapproiate gestures and it has cuss words in it. Also, you probably don't want younger children swearing because they would want to know where they got it from. Art Geeks and Prom Queens is a 240 page book and it would be hard to finish for them.

Abby K- Art Geeks and Prom Queens.......2007-03-27

"Heathers" for the new generation.......2006-09-29

This was an enjoyable read. It tells the story of Rio, who's named after a Duran Duran song. She lives with her former model mother and lawyer father in Laguna Beach, but misses New York and her friends there (they recently moved).

Rio makes a couple of friends from her art class in Laguna Beach, but then Kristi, cheerleader and queen bee, takes her under her wing. Suddenly, Rio has to follow rules...who to associate with, which boys to like, how to dress...or otherwise make Kristi mad. Everyone tiptoes around Kristi. But then, a fateful game of spin-the-bottle seals Rio's destiny. Kristi's not talking to her anymore, and she's turned the whole school against her.

This was an insightful look at high school cliques, the fear of those in power, and also just a fun bubbly read that made me remember being a teenager. The writing was pitch-perfect and really sounded like a young adult.

Art Geeks and prom queens the best book.......2006-08-25

All i have to say is this book is good. I loved it so much and so will every other teenage girl in the world i meen seriously!!!

The Mists of Avalon. Book 2: The High Queen (The High Queen, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

The Mists of Avalon. Book 2: The High Queen (The High Queen, Book 2)

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Product Description

12 Hours 34 Minutes, on 11 CD's.This imaginative return to the Arthurian legend as told from its pagan priestesses continues with Book Two: The High Queen. Morgaine, finally reconciled to the birth of her son, must relinquish him to her aunt Morgause in exchange for the kept secret regarding his parentage. Arthur marries the timid but dutiful Gwenhwyfar, while ongoing wars with the Saxon invaders continue to rage accross the land. Morgaine, tired of worldly concerns, attempts to return to Avalon, but disappears without a trace somewhere near the end of her journey. In a last bid for peace, Arthur compromises his loyalty to Avalon by carrying the Christian banner into battle. Gwenhwyfars inability to conceive has the kingdom despairing of an heir to the throne, while behind the scenes, her love for Lancelet grows more impassioned and desperate.

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Queen of Camelot

Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0739424556

Product Description

The two captivating novels of Guinevere, The Child Queen and The High Queen, at last joined together in one thrilling story.

Average customer rating:

Rich and famous people want to get into you
Exciting and Hilarious!
Bored to tears
An unlikely success story
A fascinating often humorous work of speculative fiction

Cleopatra 7.2
Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
Manufacturer: Ace Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 044101206X
Release Date: 2004-12-07

Book Description

Elizabeth Ann Scarborough continues the tale of Cleopatra's resurrection as the Queen of the Nile's DNA is blended with two present day hosts.

In this compelling new thriller, forensic anthropologist Leda Hubbard and Egyptologist Gabriella Farouk-Cleopatra 7.1 and 7.2 respectively-face recriminations from the U.S. government for illegal DNA blendings--as well as the good and ill effects of playing host to an Egyptian Queen.

Customer Reviews:

Rich and famous people want to get into you.......2006-01-07

Imagine that being the subject heading for your next SPAM email. This would be possible if Nucor Helix Corporation had their way.

"Blending" is a biological technique which takes collected DNA from a famous person and inserts it into a donor. The host donor now has a blended personality with the rich and famous person.

What woman wouldn't want to have Cleopatra with her? Well, Leda Hubbard, for one. In the prequel to this novel, the forensic scientic blended Cleo with her to keep Cleo's DNA safe from the inevitable marauders who want to steal Nucor Helix's technology and use it for nefarious purposes. The new 'invasion' has been both a blessing and a curse. Cleo's instinct for survival is great, but the former Egyptian ruler also wants to kill off any potential rivals.

Now, Nucor Helix believes itself safe. With Leda/Cleo's guidance, they've found Cleo's true treasure--scrolls and have decided with Cleo's blessing to imbue her personality onto another woman--Dr. Gabriella Faruk, an Egyptologist, who can work with her 'inner Cleo' to translate the scrolls.

Or so it seems.

The second blend Cleo wants romance. Cleo/Gabriella's first task is to find her mummy, find the token of Marc Antony's hair and get Cleo's husband back.

Meanwhile, new bad guys have surfaced. A Saudi amir, angry that Gabriella has tried to help his kinswomen escape his bondage, is out to harm Gabriella. And, Leda/Cleo has trouble of her own.

This is definitely a fun romp and well worth a read. I recommend reading "Channeling Cleopatra" first. Much of Cleo 7.2 is predicated on what has happened before and the character's motivation is not as clear as it might be.

Exciting and Hilarious!.......2005-06-12

This second Cleopatra book is even better than the first. An exciting adventure, interesting sci-fi premise, and hysterical humor make this a really fun, and different, sort of tale.

Bored to tears.......2005-02-28

I was very surprised and upset as to how much I did not like this book.
The writting style put me off, and the story lined dragged on and on.
I found myself skipping pages to try and find the good parts.
Not a very good read.

An unlikely success story.......2004-12-22

If you had posited the plot to me without telling me the name of the author, I'd have gone right past this one. The clone of Cleopatra operating as a latter-day Indiana Jones? In a near-future SF story? Nah....

But it's Scarborough, and I'll try ANYTHING she writes, and this book and the one before it are winners! Scarborough may not have the archeological expertise of Elizabeth Peters, but you wouldn't know it from this; clearly she knows how to ask the right questions and who to ask them of. This book has everything; inventive plot, memorable characters, amazing speculative setting, adventure, humor...everything except favorite recipes or a pattern for beading (you did know that Scarborough is an avid and expert bead-designer didn't you? I think it shows in her weaving of intricate plots and the ability to carry multiple threads clear through to the end). Nothing gets in the way of enjoyment here!

I'm looking forward to more like this!

A fascinating often humorous work of speculative fiction.......2004-11-01

A scientific breakthrough by the Helix Corporation allows the DNA of one person to be implanted in the body of another person; thereby two minds share the same body. Forensic anthropologist Leda Hubbard and Egyptologist Gabriella Forout share their bodies with the mind of Cleopatra. Once they find her final resting place, they transfer the sarcophagus, amulets, jewels and scrolls to the museum. Not long after Helix downsizes Leda due to a change in management.

Gabrielle belongs to an organization that hides abused women from their families. When a Saudi Princess changes her mind and wants to go home she tells her family everything about the group. Her family tries to kill Gabrielle and her aunt. Two time crook Mike Angeles breaks into the museum where Gabrielle works and finds the locket with Marc Anthony's hair. Cleopatra 7.2 tricks him into accepting Marc Anthony's DNA so the lovers can be reunited in the present. When Mike and Gabrielle get kidnapped by the family of the Saudi Princess, Leda senses it and rushes to Egypt with Sir Andrew, he future employer and possible suitor who has the DNA of Sir Walter Scott inside his body. Andrew wants Leda so he helps her rescue her friend but he has a secret that once revealed could cost him Leda's love.

CLEOPATRA 7.2 is a science fiction thriller that feels like a futuristic James Bond. In addition to all the other problems the protagonists face, terrorists set a bomb that could kill the heroes. The romance between the lead couple is realistically portrayed and the idea of two minds inhabiting one body in which the person is not mentally ill or Steve Martin is a fascinating premise. The way they blend together and respect each other's personality makes Elizabeth Ann Scarborough's latest work a fascinating often humorous speculative fiction.

Harriet Klausner

The Honor of the Queen (Honor Harrington Series, Book 2)

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Not Free SF Reader
Second in the excellent Honor Harrington series: introducing the Graysons
One Of The Best In The Honor Harrington Saga
Honor of the Queen
Great reading

The Honor of the Queen (Honor Harrington Series, Book 2)
David Weber
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0671721720

Customer Reviews:

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

Having triumphed in the face of banishment and dodgy new technology, Harrington is given something else to do. She is sent into a sticky
political situation between the planets of Haven and Manticore. Being diplomatic is hard when they do not respect women, so that plays a part.

Some running ship battles and other sorts of shooting ensue, amidst all the political skullduggery.

Second in the excellent Honor Harrington series: introducing the Graysons.......2007-07-21

"The Honor of the Queen" is the second book in a wonderful space opera series set some three thousand years in the future and featuring David Weber's best fictional heroine, "Honor Harrington." The books are best read in sequence and I strongly recommend that you start with "On Basilisk Station" which is the first one.

Despite the futuristic setting, there are strong parallels with Nelson's navy. Assumed technology in the Honor Harrington stories imposes tactical and strategic constraints on space navy officers similar to those which the technology of fighting sail imposed on wet navy officers two hundred years ago. The galactic situation in the novels contains strong similarities to the strategic and political situation in European history at the time of the French revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.

This seems to be quite deliberate: many thinly veiled (and amusing) hints in the books indicate that they are to some extent a tribute to C.S. Forester, while the main heroine of the books, Honor Harrington, appears to owe more than just her initials to C.S. Forester's character "Horatio Hornblower."

This book introduces the planet Grayson which is to become immensely important in future stories. When Honor Harrington first meets the inhabitants of Grayson in this book, they appear to be boorish, male chauvinist dinosaurs, and she has great difficulty dealing with them. However, it is a challenge which she eventually surmounts with flying colours.

A large number of important characters are also introduced in this book: and not just among Honor's Manticoran compatriots and her new Grayson allies. The two captains who the enemy "Peeps" have sent to stir the pot in Grayson will also feature in most of the forthcoming books - but not necessarily on the same side.

In this second book of the series, Honor Harrington has been promoted after her victory in Basilisk, and given command of the brand new heavy cruiser "H.M.S. Fearless." She is also the senior officer of the military force escorting a diplomatic mission under her old mentor, Admiral Raoul Courvisier, to persuade the planet Grayson to ally with her home country, Manticore, against the looming threat from the People's Republic of Haven (Peeps.)

Grayson, in the Yeltsin system, was settled by religious fanatics. It turned out to have a highly poisonous ecosystem, which forced their descendants to amend some of their principles in order to survive. But their remaining prejudices, especially against women, initially make them difficult to deal with.

However, the Graysons are sweetness and light compared with the male rulers of the planet Masada in the neighbouring Endicott system. Descended from Graysons who went into exile after refusing to make the compromises necessary to prevent the planet killing them, the Masadans' ruthless sexism and intolerant bigotry make the Taleban look like a bunch of Episcopal feminists. They are still bent on revenge - and the People's Republic of Haven is only to happy to help them secure it.

Honor Harrington is going to have to go into battle against horrendous odds - again ...

This is another clever story with wonderful and believable characters, brilliantly described space battles, and a well crafted set of explanations of how the tactical situations in which the characters find themselves relate both to the technology their ships use and the political dynamics which set up the conflicts between them.

Many people read Weber for the space battles, and this book scores very highly here. In some of the later books of the series when describing major fleet actions, Dave Weber sometimes writes a bit too much like the wargame designer he once was, but he is superb when describing single-ship or squadron-level actions such as those in "The Honor of the Queen."

Two aspects of this book may make some readers a little uneasy. At this stage of the series Weber gives full vent to his distrust of politicians, especially left-wing ones.

In later books, apparently to broaden the appeal slightly, he creates some extreme ultra right-wing reactionary politicians who he can criticise from the left so as to counterbalance his criticisms of socialists and liberals from the right. Weber thereby places the views of most of his sympathetic characters in the moderate centre of the Manticoran political spectrum. From book ten he also writes in one or two sympathetic liberal politicians! However, when he wrote "The Honor of the Queen" he had not made these adjustments.

Anyone with liberal or left wing views about economics or defence and security issues and who isn't willing to put them aside to enjoy a novel may be irritated by the political slant of the book. However, this slant is not as strong as that taken by some other military SF writers such as John Ringo.

The other aspect of the book which may be slightly uncomfortable for a minority of readers is the role of men and women. In respect of Grayson, the novel looks from a viewpoint totally committed to absolute equality between men and women at how a society which has gone down a different road can be persuaded to reform. In respect of Masada, their status as the bad guys is confirmed by their horrible crimes against women.

If you like this book, you will want to read the rest of the series. At the time of writing there are thirteen full length novels and four short story collections in the "Honorverse" as the fictional galaxy in which these stories are set is sometimes known. The main series which tells the story of Honor Harrington herself currently runs to eleven novels; in order these are

On Basilisk Station
The Honor of the Queen
The Short Victorious War
Field of Dishonour
Flag in Exile
Honor among Enemies
In Enemy Hands
Echoes of Honor
Ashes of Victory
War of Honor
At All Costs

The four collections of short stories set in the same universe, not all of which feature Honor Harrington herself, are

More Than Honor
Worlds of Honor
Worlds of Honor III: Changer of Worlds
Worlds of Honor IV: The Service of the Sword

The two spin-off novels are "Crown of Slaves" (with Eric Flint) which is a story of espionage and intrigue featuring a number of characters first introduced in earlier Honor Harrington books or short stories, and "The Shadow of Saganami" which is a kind of "next generation" novel featuring a number of younger officers in the navies of Manticore and her ally Grayson.

For amusement, if you want to try to look for the parallels to nations and individuals from the French revolutionary period and the Hornblower books, one possible translation would be:

People's Republic of Haven during books 1 to 3 = Bourbon France
People's Republic of Haven from book 4 onwards = Revolutionary France
Star Kingdom of Manticore = Great Britain
Gryphon = Scotland
Grayson = Portugal

Prime Minister Alan Summervale = Pitt the Younger
Hamish Alexander, later Earl White Haven = Admiral Edward Pellew
Honor Harrington = Horatio Hornblower
Alistair McKeon = William Bush

Crown loyalists and Centrists = Tory supporters of Pitt
Conservative Association = isolationist/hardline High Tories
New Kiev Liberals = Whig Oligarchists
Progressives and traditional liberals = Whig radicals

Anderman Empire = Kingdom of Prussia
Silesia = Poland
Solarian republic = United States of America

One Of The Best In The Honor Harrington Saga.......2007-03-12

David Weber's "The Honor Of The Queen" is still among the best in the "Honor Harrington" series, setting the stage for her subsequent exploits against the People's Republic of Haven, introducing us to several important re-occuring characters, and demonstrating her talents as a starship captain and fleet commander. Weber's engrossing space opera homage to C. S. Forester's "Horatio Hornblower" series truly takes off in this fine novel, replete with ample space battles and political intrigue to satisfy discerning fans of both military space opera science fiction and the "Horatio Hornblower" saga. Captain Harrington, and her new Star Knight class heavy cruiser, HMS Fearless, are sent on a politically delicate mission to Yeltsin's Star, in the hope of adding the people of Grayson to the Star Kingdom of Manticore's slowly growing list of allies for a potential conflict with the People's Republic of Haven. She finds herself trying to contend diplomatically with sexist bigotry by Grayson's leading political and military officials (The planet was settled hundreds of years ago by religious zealots who regarded women as less than second class citizens, virtually as reproductive slaves; a political status that has gradually improved for women over the centuries.). She must deal unexpectedly too with the planet's ultimately successful defense from religious zealots from the planet Masada in the nearby Endicott system, who've received substantial military support from Havenite military leaders. Against impossible odds, Harrington and her crew meet these challenges, and usher revolutionary polticial and social change which will benefit not only the citizens of Grayson, but also those of her home solar system of Manticore, which will do great service to the honor of her queen. Weber offers a fascinating, multidimensional depiction of Honor Harrington, which truly raises his work well above most generic military space opera novels that I've come across, doing a splendid job of depicting a "Horatio Hornblower" saga in interstellar space.

Honor of the Queen.......2007-01-22

Excellent story, takes military high tech into deep space in a believable coherent manner.

Great reading.......2006-11-03

How soon are they going to write more books in the Honor Harrington series?

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