Tunnel in the Sky by Robert Heinlein - Book Review

Title: Tunnel in the Sky
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Pages: 262
Publisher: Pocket Books (New York), 1955

Robert Heinlein's ninth juvenile, Tunnel in the Sky proposed another alternative for space travel: energy tunnels.  At the time science fiction writers loved the idea of someone coming along and taking Einstein's theories and standing them on their head and Heinlein was no exception to this.  The idea of using energy gates to move without moving became a big hit for many authors.

Like all of Heinlein's juveniles it is a coming of age story concerning Robert Walker a senior in high school who is taking his final in Advanced Survival where the school drops participants off on a semi-hostile world and expects the students to survive for seven to ten days.  In this particular case a planet in a different part of the galaxy.  Robert soon finds himself along with his classmates and others from other schools, including college students, trapped on this world with no expectation of recovery.  What follows is a tale of survival, primitive society and human beings overcoming great challenges to create a small civilization.  After a couple years, the group is rescued and the greatest choice Robert has to make is to stay or leave.

Technologically, the book is a contrast between the great advances in technology that make such trips possible and the primitive technology of a colony of young people stuck on a world with no support where everything requires great effort to create and maintain. 

Sociologically, Heinlein begins to hint at the difficulties of governments that become too bureaucratic, how primitive societies evolve and the necessity of freedom for survival. There are other elements as he hints at sex for the first time with older kids getting married and needing honeymoon cottages as well as making a little light fun at how much resources it would take to make clothing that could be put to other uses.  Scribner's (the first publisher Heinlein worked with) did not seem to have problems with this one, although it was at this time Heinlein expressed his grief over having to work with them.

Stylistically, this is one of his better juveniles as it has some great descriptive language and yet is a pretty straightforward story.  Not to say it does not have any plot twists or turns, it does and they are brilliant.  Heinlein's characters are realistic as always,  They argue, make fun of each other and have joy and sadness.  We see another strong female character in this book but in the end the 1950s chivalry wins out a lot.

Rating: 3 and a half stars.  A good simple story that addresses some basic issues of survival on an alien world.  It has a good central character and some entertaining stuff.  Not one of Heinlein's best, but I would say a good read.

Two New URLs and Writing Fatigue

I love beagle pups and this one illustrates my dilemma so well.  Plus this one is so dog gone cute.

Just to let everyone know.  I started the process of getting real URLs for two of my blogs. 

rabydtheologian2.com for Rabyd Theologian 2.0

and

opentheism.net for Open Theism

Sometime in the near future both will be fully registered and take off.  I am still using Blogger.com for my format so you won't see any difference cosmetically (for now) just the new URLs.  I am hoping this will help them both take off better. 

I haven't written on anything much (here is where the beagle comes in), since getting back from Romania I have had sort of a writer's fatigue.  I love writing but there is a mental tiredness that keeps me from jumping off the barrel.  That and what I need to do next is a bigger jump than I have done before.  Being a writer is a job I love, but like exercise you have to have the juice to do it.  The new URLs should help get me kick started.

Blog Predicitons

I have been thinking long and hard about my blogging future and the more I look at it ans study it, I began to realize that success is more a measure of hard work and being innovative than anything else.

When I get back from Romania at the end of the month one of the first things I will pursue is getting URLs for each blog.  Once that happens there are other steps to follow but the basic idea is I will get more looks and that is the main goal.  Each blog though has its own uniqueness which will determine its own success level.

The Rabyd Theologian 2.0 - by far this is my favorite blog and the most freewheeling.  it is a theological opinion blog with series of posts on different topics that involve the Bible and life.  Since pulling my book and magazine reviews though the number of hits has dropped and the unfortunate thing is that one post has been driving the number of hits.  That post has started to fall.  Despite this I have high hopes for it.  No topic being safe or sacred means some controversial stuff gets written so it might do well.

The Temple Builder for Christ - this one is about my own personal quest in bodybuilding.  In large part this is to keep my self accountable, but it might make some money in the fact I do review bodybuilding magazines that get hits. As I look more and more the part and talk about the spiritual side of bodybuilding I think that will generate some interest as well.  As I am more successful in my quest, the blog will be more successful.

Open Theism - Actually of all my blogs I have the highest hopes for this one.  Open theism is a controversial way of looking at God's foreknowledge and providence and as such will get some attention both up and down.  That being said, that means a solid blog with a good niche.

Rabyd Reader -  the blog you are reading is about books and writing when you break it down.  It is one of those blog where I think time will be on its side.  The more reviews get written the more hits it will get.  I debate whether I should make this exclusively about me and my views on these topics or make it a group project with multiple contributors.

I have one more blog in the works and its' content will remain secret until revealed.  I am planning on using a different format (probably Wordpress).  This is mostly because I want to see what the advantages are for a different format and if Wordpress will work better for what I want to do.

I like this blogging thing.  It's fun and fits my writing style better than most others.  I want to see all my 'children' succeed but you have better feelings about some than others.

The Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanley

The Millionaire Mind

Title: The Millionaire Mind
Author: Thomas Stanley
Pages: 406
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (New York), 2001

Having read The Millionaire Next Door I was looking forward to this book as hopefully some more detailed information on how the mind of a millionaire works and if it is possible to adopt the mentality of a millionaire.  Thomas Stanley offers up 406 pages of information, facts and conclusions about how the millionaire mind works.

The book is basically a list of success factors that make up the difference between millionaires and most other people.  It includes such things as their education, courage, vocational choice, choice of spouse, being economically productive, home life and lifestyle.  Every single one of these flies in the face of modern convention and stereotypes.  The millionaire is not only different in how he lives but also in how he thinks.

The book is loaded with facts, charts, information and stories.  The style is straightforward and informative.  There is definitely an attempt to pass on the mind of the millionaire to the reader.  Ultimately the picture is one of a person who is courageous enough to take calculated risks, but humble enough to do what it takes to be successful.

If there is a weakness it is the length of the book, the content is definitely worth the read but it takes time.  You have to be really interested in changing your mindset to really take advantage of this book as well. 

Rating: Three and three quarter stars.  This is a solid book that meets its objectives. It is well researched and does the one thing that a book of this kind should do, it makes you think.  It looses some points for length and readability at times.

My Business of Writing

Today I was reflecting as a reader and writer how much the business of writing has changed over the years.  When I was a kid, we had books, magazines and other periodicals.  In all those cases, the main way you made money at it was to type something, send it to the publisher in questions and wait for a reply.  Payment was either a flat fee or per copy sold compensation.  Sometimes people got paid per word.  It was really though, a business based on the publishers controlling what they wanted to print.

Today that has all changed, now anything, and I mean anything can be printed or more accurately posted and if it gets popular enough it will make money.  Thank you Internet.  I suppose the downside is that writers and the image of writers has changed as well.  The half shaved, half dressed, literary hermit slouching over his typewriter if gone.  Now you really can't stereotype anything about a writer, there are as many types of writers as their are types of blogs. 

What this means is that who gets paid what on the Internet is largely a question of doing the right things to get attention and different readers.  Getting enough attention generates ads and advertising.  Being at the top when a search engine looks for your topic is what you want. 

For me this has caused me to give another look at my whole writing career.  People tell me all the time 'write a book' but is that really where the money is at anymore?  How about this start writing a blog, get a big audience that generates you income and then keep doing it.  Unlike a book that sells well for a time then drops down to find its way to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, a blog can stay current and keep making more and more money.

So here I am with four blogs and plans for a fifth when I get back from Romania.   Goal to build a following on all of them as large as possible and then hold them for as long as I can.  Sounds simple, but the work is in the executing of this plan. 

Is a book still in my future?  Most likely, but that also means that a new order of ebooks has arisen as well as traditional paper books.  My guess is an ebook is better for the publisher as they only have to give out as many copies as readers request.  No leftovers to sell to the wholesalers.  Means that if I ever write a book I want to keep my royalty rights on a ebook copies. 

The thing is to keep writing, keep connecting and never quit.  What happens is really in the hands of what people want to read.   

Kindle - First Impressions

Kindle, Wi-Fi, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers

Well I got my Kindle yesterday.  This a a purchase I have been wanting to make for a long time and now that it is here I have some first impressions.  I like it: There are two major motivations for making this purchase: size and money. 

I am going on a Romania Trip in less than a couple weeks and during travel there is something I expect -- hurry up and wait.  I like to read, in fact some would say book addict (I can quit at anytime, no really!) but to take a lot of books on this trip would mean one thing - heavy backpack.  Today I put 70+ books and works on this thing and you know what -- it still weighs the same.

Those 70+ books also had another redeeming quality, 50 of them came in a collection that cost little and most of the rest were free.  Total cost" $10. If I had to buy all of them as real books -- yeah it would have cost much more.  I got my New American Standard Bible today too.    

I have noticed something about the free books.  They seem to come in three different types: classics, junk that no one wants anymore or erotica.  It simply means that it is going to take knowing what your looking for, but even newer stuff is cheaper on kindle. There are also some applications that might be helpful.  

All in all I am not disappointed, I will probably due a full review in a couple months.    

Time: The Blogger's Most Precious Resource

Time is the most valuable commodity on the planet for two reasons:  1) you can never get it back if you waste it and 2) You do not know how much you have left.  It is this unknown factor that makes time something that has great value so learn to value it and use it with purpose.

For the blogger or another type of writer, time is something we usually don't have much of as we sit down to write.  We all have stuff to do, but taking the time to blog each day is difficult and often hard to find.  Really if you think something is important though you make time for it.  Blogging is no different, I make time for it at some point every day.  The challenge is to writing well with limited time.

I am no expert on this but I have learned a little about the management of time and blogging:

1. Make sure you remind yourself how important blogging is to you -- you will make time for what you consider important.

2. Learn the word 'No' when dealing with people who want you involved in something that will not further your personal goals.  Time stealers are not your friends, they are thieves.

3. Have a notebook or some other way of recording ideas and outlines with you at all times.  That way when you are inspired you can jot it down quick and then when you write later, things will go faster.

4. Do not blog based on feelings.  Set a time for it and write.  If you think your post will be crap rewrite it and publish it, but don't come away from a set blogging time without publishing something otherwise you have wasted your time.

5. Write well but don't be a perfectionist.  There is no such thing as a perfect post.

6. Set a time to write and stick with it.

7. Do not be a blog hermit.  Get away from writing from time to time.  Overwork can rob you of creativity.  Sometimes the best use of your time is just to have fun and do something else you enjoy.

There are probably a lot more things that could be added and if you know some comment away on them.  This is what I have so far and it works for me.

The Star Beast by Robert A. Heinlein - Book Review

Star Beast

Title: The Star Beast
Author: Robert A, Heinlein
Pages: 253
Publisher: Ballantine Books (New York) 1954

The Star Beast was Robert Heinleins eighth juvinile novel and marked a slight departure in subject.  Instead of being out there in space, this book takes place on good old earth.  It is an earth of the future where travel in starship across the galaxy is possible nad brought to earth all kinds on extraterestrial flora and fauna to the earth. 

The central plot revolves around John Thomas, his girlfriend Betty Sorenson and the star beast known as Lummox.  The adventure starts when Lummox decided to take a stroll outside its cage and causes tons of damage.  The conflict continues as people want Lummox destroyed but Betty and John work hard to keep him alive even though it is discovered later lummox can't really be killed.  Despite the seeming lack of intelligence of Lummox it turns out that Lummox is part of an interstellar race more advanced than humans.  What follows is a tale of interstellar diplomacy, law and friendship.

The technology of the book is not a great advance except of the existence of interstellar ships and other items.  The technology of this book actually takes a back seat to the real issues on xeno-relationships with other star faring races.

Sociologically this book still has a strong message of how people would act in the face of 'we are not alone in the universe' and various alien races that must be negotiated with and dealt with on a personal level.  In a bold move for 1954, Heinlein also introduces the concept of children divorcing the parents.  The style is juvenile but Heinlein isn't thinking high school students in this one, but early college so the 'sex' question does get through although it is very veiled.

Stylistically, this book has real dialogue and humor that at times causes a pretty good chuckle.  Heinlein's plot is not only solid but has many twists and turns that are realistic and at time fantastic.  One thing to note is the character of Betty Sorenson, who is a very strong female character.  Rare for 1954 and up till now Heinlein had made his male characters the strong ones.  Betty introduces a pretty strong female heroine to Heinlein's books and he will have many more in books to come.  Even though John and Lummox take center stage most of the time, Betty gets them in and out of trouble more often than not.

Rating: 3 and three quarter stars.  This is a good book and well worth the read.  The issues are great brain stretchers and the humor entertaining.  The thing is this is a good Heinlein book, but not a great one.  It is innovative and fun, so it was a good read.

Blogging: Getting a URL - Is it an asset or a liability for a beginner?

This is a question I have been wrestling with ever since I finished reading Problogger.  One of the things you are expected to do is get your own URL so that you can improve your hits.  The argument being that having your own URL eventually pays for itself.  The question I am asking then from a business point of view though is this then an asset or a liability?  Ever since reading this book; however, I have been looking at the stuff I have in those two terms: asset or liability?

In truth for the beginner, like myself, this is a liability in its purest form as it will not generate income but take it.  Only when having the URL causes enough income to come in does it switch to becoming an asset.  How long will that take? 

I off course have this real rabid (smile) philosophy about debt anyway.  A bill is a debt until you pay it.  Based on this wouldn't a better policy be to get a blog to generate enough to pay for the URL first then get one?  Or is having a URL one of those necessary things to owning a blog?  It makes me think a lot right now. 

What do you think? Is a URL an asset or a liability?   

Problogger by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett - Book Review

ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income

Title: Problogger - 2nd Edition
Author(s): Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett
Pages: 220
Publisher: Wiley Publishing (Indiana), 2010

I decided to get this book after reading some the Problogger website. Given that one of the goals of my life is to make writing profitable and blogging is now a part of that it seems only natural to read some of the successful bloggers out there and acquire some of their secrets and tips for success.  Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett are both professional bloggers who do indeed make six figure incomes doing what they do.  The book promises to be guide to duplicating that feat, but it comes with no get rich quick claims,  Work hard, be patient and learn are its main themes.

The book is divided into eleven chapters that deal with the various aspects someone must know to be a successful blogger.  These include but are not limited to setting up your blog, blog writing, connectivity and marketing strategies.  Each chapter focuses on that particular aspect and looks at it from multiple angles.  While probably not complete, the book does give some excellent advice in each area.  It even at times delves into the ethics of blogging.

Stylistically this book is written by two authors, but it seems some steps have been taken to streamline this issue so it is hard tell who is writing what unless the authors tell you.  It is not difficult to read, although because of it's subject matter it has to delve into technical jargon which is always explained.  Some other features that I liked were the links and websites given as aids to the blogger.  There is also a pretty solid index

If there is a weakness it does seem deliberately made to be somewhat incomplete.  In part I think this is part of being a brand item and the authors are hoping to sell other products in that brand.  Can't complain too loudly because I understand the concept of marketing and will do so myself when I get a big.

Rating: 4 stars.  I would have liked more but the book is still well done.  This book will actually be my guide and step by step over the coming months as I try out some of their stuff on my blogs, so in a sense this review is not over as I will be reporting the results as I go. 

Starman Jones by Robert A. Heinlein - Book Review

Starman Jones

Title: Starman Jones
Author: Robert Heinlein
Pages: 261
Publisher: Pocket Books (New York) 1953

Starman Jones was Heinlein's seventh juvenile novel for Scribner's and was published in 1953.  His publishers only wanted minor changes and so for the most part the book went off without a hitch. 

The central plot centers around Max Jones who starts the story as a farm boy until his new stepfather abusive behavior drives him to seeking the far reaches of the stars.  Max's journey ultimately leads him to befriending a tramp named Sam and both of them stow away on a space liner.  Max's natural talent for remembering everything he reads and mathematics soon finds him promoted to being an astrogator, but the course of events leads the liner to be lost in space and Jones being ultimately promoted to captain and it is placed on his shoulders to get them home. For Jones it really becomes both a rags to riches story and a coming of age story all in one.

Technologically, this was a big leap for Heinlein and a look at real speculative technology involving space travel on a stellar level.  Star to star travel is made possible by the discovery of warp points and massive discoveries in power and space drive technology.  Astrogators are needed to do the complex mathematics to make these jumps possible.  Ultimately this is the only place where current technology has already surpassed Heinlein's vision as modern computers could do what the astrogators do. Artificial gravity generated by fields and other convenience technologies give us a world where real space travel across the galaxy is possible.

Sociologically, Heinlein engages the idea of human freedom as in the course of the liner being lost they encounter a planet that has evolved into a symbiotic slavery.  The statement being that humans were not made for such a thing.  Heinlein does make some sexually interesting situations but they do not in any way go over the top.  As always, Heinlein bets on mankind's abilities to adapt and overcome obstacles.

Stylistically, this is a well written book but perhaps because this is the first time he has really gone far into the future, not one of his best.  His characters are well done, but the story at times seems a little predicable and slightly romanticized.  Other than that this is classic Heinlein.

Rating: 4 stars.  I love this story and it introduces us to Heinlein's far future history which is good.  Other than the few small objections I have, this is a good read and an entertaining one.

Welcome to the Rabyd Reader!

Welcome to the Rabyd Reader! This blog is a spin off blog from the Rabyd Theologian 2.0 which involves all my posts and comments involving books, book reviews, blogging and writing. Here I will make comment on my quest to be profitable blogger and writer as well as give my thoughts and feelings on the world of books.

All the content posted before this post is stuff from my previous blogs so if reading and writing are your thing you don't have to go back and forth.

Blessings and Enjoy!

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter - Book Review

Title: Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Author: Robert T. Kiyosaki (with Sharon L. Lechter)
Pages: 208
Publisher: Warner Business Books (New York) 1996

It is very rare for me to say that a book completely changed my thinking on a topic. Rich Dad, Poor Dad did exactly that. I have always been a guy who believed in simplicity of lifestyle and playing good financial defense, but I have never been one to build a good offense when it comes to finances. I am starting to rethink that a lot and it is mostly due to this book.

The central core of this book is the comparison between Robert's two dads 1) his biological dad who was educated, smart but broke all the time and 2) his 'adopted' dad who was uneducated but rich. He contrasts their two different philosophies and shows what his rich dad taught differently than his poor one so that he got rich. it is the lessons of the rich dad that become the driving force of this book.

The lessons are, to say the very least, mentally and spiritually challenging. There are six lessons in all and each of them deals with how the rich think differently and how they teach those concepts to their children. Lessons on: Not working for money, teaching financial literacy, minding your own business, knowing the history of taxes and the power of corporations, how the rich invent money and working to learn are all challenging because our culture is so against the ideas presented in them. The fact is, and this is an overused phrase but it is accurate, the book causes you to either have a paradigm shift or toss it aside.

If there is a weakness to the book it is the author saying that "the love of money is the root of all evil' is a wrong thing to say. Any Biblically literate person might be instantly offended without explanation. If you read the whole book you do get an explanation and rational for saying so and it is about taking on a certain interpretation of 1 Timothy 6:9-10 not the actual meaning. You have to dig for this explanation though and my only concern is that if your going to sell this book and seemingly directly challenge the Apostle Paul, you probably should write a paragraph or two about what you mean before every Biblically literate Christian puts the book down and leaves.

That said, the book makes a great case for pointing out that much evil is caused by want and need. The great difference ultimately is that poor people get taken to the cleaners by their own fear and desires while the rich master their fears and desires. A very solid financial lesson.

Stylistically, you can tell a little that it had another person's input but for the most part it is an easy and fun read at times. The story and contrast of the two dads keeps you engaged and the principles keep you challenged and thinking. A real pleasure to read and the concepts keep you hungry for more.

Rating: 4 and a quarter stars. Everyone should read this one, you will either be changed and rethink how you do financial offense or you will put it down and continue to be poor. Life changing book.

Farmer in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein - Book Review

Title: Farmer in the Sky (aka Satellite Scout)
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Pages: 290
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises (New York), 1950, full version 1953.

This story was originally serialized for the magazine Boy's Life and was originally called Satellite Scout. It was released in 1953 in an extended novel form in 1953 and won a retro Hugo Award for best science fiction story of 1951. Retro because the Hugo Award did not start until 1953 and they went back to 1946 with the first set of awards. This would be Robert's first Hugo but not his last. This is Heinlein's sixth publish juvenile novel (in its final form) and one of his best.

The plot centers around a young man William 'Bill' Lermer as he and his family become colonists to one of Jupiter's moon's Ganymede. Like all of Heinlein's juvenile novels it is a coming of age story that shows a young boy becoming a man. Bill is a boy Scout and throughout the book scouting becomes a central theme. As Bill heads to and settles on Ganymede, he deals with a multitude of issues involving family, farming, colonization in space and the challenges of life. Throughout the story he struggles with one question: Do I stay or do I go back? There are several plot twists and discoveries that help Bill answer that question.

Technologically, Heinlein had yet to engage the problem of actual colonization of a different world by mankind and so this is his first attempt and it is a good one. My copy had an analysis of the technology and methods involved by physicist Dr. Jim Woosley who say basically two things: 1) For what Heinlein knew in 1950 he did a great job extrapolating but 2) knowing what we know now about Jupiter and Ganymede the story loses some credibility. In any case some of his predictions about other technology like microwaves and such are pretty good.

Socially, Heinlein shows his rugged individualism coupled with free community and a distrust of central authority. He also seems very interested in showing the benefits of frontier society on humanity.

Stylistically, this is a great story. It is well written and entertaining from start to finish. Even when he is giving some of the science of things he does it with a dose of humor and never lectures too long. As always, Heinlein's characters are real with strengths and flaws and family interactions realistic.

Rating: 4 and one quarter stars. One of Heinlein's best juvenile novels with a good story and a realistic feel even if flawed by poor understandings caused by modern findings about Jupiter and Ganymede.

The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko - Book Review

Title: The Millionaire Next Door
Authors: Thomas Stanley and William Danko
Pages: 258
Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (New York), 1996

Millionaire. Guy inherited his money and lives high on the hog at the expense of everyone else. Drives in a fancy car, lives in a big house and flashes a lot of bling. Greedy and selfish, right? Not according to this book which chronicles the research results of the two authors who studied millionaires and their habits and discovered a few things that blow the above out of the water.

1. 85% of millionaires are first generation. The majority of them are self made and didn't inherit a dime.
2. Most of them worked hard to get their money and work even harder to keep it.
3. Most of them do not own expensive cars or bling and live in middle- upper class neighborhoods in $250,000 homes or less.

The Millionaire Next Door paints the picture of the millionaire of today and shows how wrong those people who envy them are on two counts: They are not greedy and they are not hurting anyone. They just have some really boring habits that they keep doing over and over and by the end of the day they come out ahead of everyone else.

Those habits are the central core of this book and they take on the whole gambit: living well below their means, they are efficient, they believe in financial independence, they did not get help from their parents, they raise their children to be economically self sufficient, they target opportunities well and the chose the right occupation. The book takes a chapter on each of these qualities and digs up the real story of millionaires and boy are they dull. In fact, they could be living right next door to you and you would not really know it. Thus the name of the book.

Stylistically, this book has case studies, charts and stories as well as hard conclusions based on facts. It is well written and has some good but dry humor. I loved it but I am a little bit of a nerd but it is also good if you like understanding money and how it affects your life.

The one thing you do come away with very strongly in this book is that there is no real reason to be envious of millionaires or think they came about their money unfairly, they simply are hard working people who know the value of money and use it to make more. They also play economic defense really well by being frugal. Anyone could do this if you had the desire and were willing to develop the self discipline over the rest of your life.

Rating: Four stars. The information alone is worth one star and the gut check worth another. The rest of the book is good solid stuff. Definitely worth the reading time.

The Rolling Stones by Robert Heinlein - Book Review

Title: The Rolling Stones (aka. Space Family Stone)
Author: Robert A Heinlein
Pages: 287
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises (New York), 1952

I was particularly excited to read and review this one because I had never read it before. The sad truth is I write book reviews to justify my book addiction and my 'need' to buy them.

The Rolling Stones was also published as the Space Family Stone and it is Heinlein's fifth published Juvenile book. By all accounts this one was readily received by Heinlein's editor and publisher. The reason is simple; it a great story and a lot of fun to read.

The plot basically centers around a pair of twins: Castor and Pollux Stone and their family: Hazel Stone (Grandma), Robert Stone (Dad), Edith Stone, (Mom) Meade Stone (sister), Lowell Stone (brother) and Buster Stone (baby brother). The Stone Family which lives on Luna (The moon) gets caught up in the idea of the Stone twins of setting out and seeing the solar system. The boys are not saints and they try to scheme there way though a lot of situations. Dad ultimately decides to purchase a spacecraft and set out with the whole family as year long vacation. In a very real way this is a cross between a family trip in a Winnebago, a family of pioneers crossing the old west frontier and a space adventure. The whole lot of them are rugged individualists and that creates some interesting situations in and of it self as the journey from Luna to Mars to the Asteroid Belt. Along the way, they have adventures, sell bicycles and 'flat cats', and the twins grow from being selfish boys to responsible men.

Stylistically, this is a funny book with all the snappy banter of any sitcom but with characters so real to life you almost forget it is a space story. This is classic Heinlein as far as storytelling. Sometimes things go well for the characters, sometimes not and there are some interesting twists and turns.

The Technology issues are great as for the most part Heinlein was trying to show that with some expected advances in technology of his day (1952) such space travel would be possible. In my edition published by Baen in 2010, Steve A. Hughes writes in the end of the book analyzing the technology in the book and basically says that Heinlein did very well with about 80% of his predictions, his big miss being communications, but the rest was very close.

If there is any theme to the book it has to be pushing back the frontier. Hazel Stone at the end of the book sums it up the best: "Why does anyone go anywhere?...To see what he could see...The dull ones stay at home - the bright ones stir around and try to see what trouble they can dig up." In the end freedom and pushing the edge of what we think is possible is the message of The Rolling Stones.

Rating: Four stars. One of Heinlein's best juveniles. I will definitely look forward to reading it again. Very humorous and entertaining.

Reflection - Why I Write

Since the month began (in truth probably since the middle of April), I have been plagued by several questions not the least has been what to do with my writing. I mean throwing blog article out there is great from time to time and it has its moments where people seem genuinely touched, but what is it all for?

Last week I read a reviewed Robert A. Heinlein's Grumbles from the Grave and to be very honest it was challenging book to read from the standpoint of it challenged my motivation for writing. Heinlein in the book answers a letter from a reader answering several questions. One of those questions is 'why do I write?" Heinlein's response is lengthy to explain three simple statements: 1) To support myself and my family, 2) To entertain my readers and 3) To make people think. I believe he is dead on.

I think my problem is related to these answers; in that, I have the last one but not necessarily the first two. Ultimately, it is the first two though that mark the success of any writing venture. Writing takes time and it is time I could be doing something else that actually did number one. So far the grand total made in my writing career is $50 but it was enough that I had the same sort of reaction that Heinlein did when he got his first check for writing his first short story: 'Life-Line'. "How long has this racket been going on?" was his response. Mine was: "Holy crap, it took me ten minutes to write that letter to Musclemag International and it netted me 50 bucks. Talk about easy money!" To be honest, if I could sit an write stuff and net a few hundred a week, I would. If I could make more, even better.

Artistic purists always whine about money ruining art, but the fact is without cash any pursuit will eventually die out on planet earth. More money means more time and freedom to enjoy and pursue what you want. It is not money itself that pulls me but the things I could do with it and if writing were my second career, and it could generate a significant enough paycheck, I would love doing it even more.

The real thing though is number 2 - entertainment. If it is not entertaining, no one will read your stuff. No one has to read your stuff; they have choice. On the Internet there are a google of choices to read out there why should they read mine? The only reason anyone would is that they like it enough ot bypass the others and read mine. Books are about as bad, but the same principle applies.

So, for the last week I have been just thinking positively about the whole thing and doing the one thing I know works - praying and then shutting up and waiting for God to answer. You know this Law of Attraction thing works! Suddenly I was hit with an idea and instructions. The idea was to take the themes of the non-fiction book I have been stuck on and turn it into a work of fiction. What was turning me off about the book is it was basically a series of lecture type essays. The only thing entertaining about them was my sarcastic sense of irony. Taking those same themes (and my sarcastic sense of irony)and weaving them into an entertaining novel would definitely make it better. The only question is backdrop, characters and plot. Story tellers are always far better received than lecturers anyway.

I got instructions as well. Wait till I go on the trip to Romania to start. Why? There are some things I need to see and learn from the trip that will help the book. I have always heard that world travel is as educational and life changing as university or college; I guess this will put this to the test.

My blog is an entirely different matter. The real questions is learning how to connect in the right ways. There are a ton of blogs out there on how to make money blogging, why not read them and see what they suggest? There are a lot of questions here but I know what gets hits: magazine reviews. One post shot up simply because the title made it perfect for Google when you typed in a search that read "scientific method". Learning what does this and how to do it better are essentials here. I need to be the thing people are searching for.

Making people think is what I try to do naturally in all my communication but what they feel, see and hear is important too. Communicating on all levels to get mind, heart and spirit change is the real challenge, but that's what I love about writing and preaching for that matter.

For the first time in a while I have sense of real purpose about this writing thing and it feels great. I can see what I am trying to achieve, I can hear the sound of change falling into my bank and I feel the winds of success. This is great stuff.

Grumbles from the Grave by Robert A. Heinlein (edited by Virginia Heinlein) - Book Review

Ever read a book written by someone after they died? In a sense, this is what this book is. Grumbles from the Grave is a non-fiction work that contains the letters of Robert Heinlein and others back to him from throughout his career. This book was put together by Virginia Heinlein (Robert's wife) after Robert Heinlein's death, but it was his idea including the title.

In essence this book is edited correspondence between Heinlein, his agent and others that chronicles some of his struggles, thoughts and triumphs over the years of his career. There are chapters that cover various aspects of his life from his early career, his juvenile novels, his adult novels, his travels, his thoughts on life and the publishing industry of his time. There is much more as well about other topics. The reason it is called Grumbles from the Grave is that most of the correspondence focuses on the complaints he had about things and when people wanted to change his work.

What this book offers is a unique look inside the mind of Robert Heinlein. you see where he gets his ideas, how he develops his work, his motivation for writing and living and his conflicts with editors and publishers. It is very enlightening for a Heinlein fan to see that much of his realism came from being real. It is also interesting to see some of his dialogue in his books was inspired by some of this correspondence.

Stylistically, it is excerpts from real letters and they have been edited to get to the good parts. There are also several editor's notes from Virginia regarding certain subjects to help clarify and every one of them is helpful. In addition there are many pictures that show the man and his life around him.

Rating: 3 and three quarter stars. The big issue with this book is that if you are not a real fan of Robert Heinlein, it will not be entertaining to you unless you are a writer. In those two cases though, it gives good background on each book and many of the short stories as well. It also gives an inside look into the man who is considered the Grandmaster of Science Fiction. For the writer you can see that even the great writers have their struggles and that sometimes inspiration can come from odd places. I loved it but I am both a fan and a writer.

The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein - Book Review

Title: The Puppet Masters
Author: Robert Heinlein
Pages: 340
Publisher: Del Rey / Ballentine Books (New York), 1951

The Puppet Masters marks a great moment in Robert Heinlein's career as writer as it is his first novel that was a) not a reprint of a serialization and b) not a juvenile novel. Even though it was an adult novel, it had some edits in 1951 which toned down the sex and nudity, but in 1990 after Heinlein's death the book was republished with the edits restored.

Alien invasion is a popular theme in science fiction and in this case it is a combination of science fiction and horror as the puppet masters are a parasite that uses human hosts to do so. The 'slugs' become an insidious enemy that take over secretly by riding on their hosts and controlling their actions. They creep into society and only a botched space craft gets them noticed in the first place.

The plot centers around secret agent Sam Cavanaugh who follows the invasion from its earliest beginnings to the final days when all seems lost. In the end, Sam becomes the key to organizing and finally defeating the 'slugs'. The adventure takes him from being possessed by a parasite to learning everything he can so he can fight them.

Technologically speaking the book presented some interesting options for 1951 including the ideas of implant technology, advanced medical technology including burn grafts, and transportation that involves cars that could both fly and ride roads. For the aliens the issue is not technology by the idea of parasite control and borrowing the technology of all the interplanetary races they had encountered.

Sociologically, Heinlein is at his best even in the edited version. Because the parasites can attach themselves any part of the human body, the best defense is for people to be naked so they can be seen to be 'slug free'. At the beginning of the war, the chief antagonists are not the slugs, but the social mores of human beings. This changes very quickly when people become aware of the truth of the invasion. Heinlein was an avid nudist in life so this is an interesting take on it. What happens when nudity is your only defense against being completely robbed of life and humanity? Would the human race get over its own moral taboos or cease to exist?

Stylistically, this is pure Heinlein, his characters a real and the situations equally so. The plot has a lot of interesting twists and turns and the ending soul searching. The man makes you think in this one.

Rating: 4 and one quarter stars. This is truly classic Heinlein. He is still rough around the edges but not very much so. It is a long story, but it still entertains throughout the entire story. It is a combination of science fiction and horror so it has some rough and morally challenging spots but definitely worth the read.

Law of Connection by Michael J. Losier - Book Review

Title: Law of Connection
Author: Michael J. Losier
Pages: 145
Publisher: Wellness Central (New York) 2009

After reading and writing a review of Law of Attraction by Michael J. Losier, I decided based on that good experience to give his second book a try. Law of Connection did not disappoint. As a pastor and communicator in many forms I am always looking for ways to improve my communication skills and so this book promised a simple yet foolproof way to do just that by using Neuro-Linguistic Programing (NLP).

Like Law of Attraction this is work through book; that is, you are going to be doing something not just reading it. The basic outline is Rapport, Calibrating and Understanding Communication Styles. It is the third part that he spends the most time. He breaks down communication styles into four groups: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic (Feel), and Digital (Mental). The basic idea is to identify the style of the person you are talking to and then adjust your language and listening skills to that style to build rapport. It talks about both the strengths and challenges of each style and how to relate better to people who are not your style.

The real strength of the book is the test that allows you to identify you dominate style and more importantly your weakest. This way you can know what you need to work on to communicate better. The test, if you let others take it, will also help you identify their style so you can know the challenges of how to communicate with them and build better communication because of it.

Probably the best way to illustrate this is using myself. When I took the test, I scored a 33 Digital, 25 Auditory, 22 Visual and 20 Kinesthetic. That means my dominate way of communicating is by sharing ideas and thoughts. My weakest being Kinesthetic means I have a hard time with people who use feeling language of touch or heart. It means when I talk I use words like "think, understand, I know ..." but it would be rare for me to use words like "How does that feel? etc." For me to improve my communication I need to work on this and start balancing my language between all four styles.

Another great feature is the many ways Michael shows how to use the Law of Connection in real life situations. Groups, Business, Dating, Marriage, Parenting, etc. are all covered. One that caught my attention was website issues and it gave me some real tools to evaluate my blog to see who it appeals to and how to make it appeal to more people. I have something for everyone but there are some areas that are more strong than others. Thanks Michael, I am going to put this to use.

Stylistically, the book is written to appeal to all styles of communication so it practices what it preaches. It also is another book that is a quick and easy read so it has a mass appeal and wont kill your time to read it.

Rating: 4 and a half stars: Law of a Attraction was a good book, Law of Connection I liked even better. This book was extremely helpful and I plan on putting it into practice. It is one of those rare books that breaks things down simply and gets its point across: I see it, I hear it, I feel it and I know it.

Between Planets by Robert A Heinlein - Book Review

Published in 1951, Between Planets is a basic science fiction adventure, but because Robert Heinlein writes it; it is not basic. In Heinlein's day Venus was still pretty much a mystery and so he was able to cast it as a jungle/swamp planet inhabited by various creatures and aliens. Even though it is juvenile science fiction, the publishing went off without a hitch and it became a reasonable success.

The basic plot revolves around the main character Don Harvey as he is unwittingly drawn into an interplanetary war between the Federation of Earth and Venus. Harvey was born between planets and so has dual citizenship both on Earth and Venus. The story is a great boy to man story where the backdrop is both space and an alien world. With the help of friends, including a dragon from Venus named 'Sir Isaac Newton', he discovers how important a simple plastic ring can be as he tried to deliver it to his parents on Mars and gets sidetracked to Venus.

The book explores the politics of interplanetary relationships and how the idea of 'home planet' can change depending on where you were born. It is also another book about human-alien relationships and the possibility of a major breakthrough in technology and how it would affect the world. It is also a great view of how some thing might change and some things would stay the same despite technological advance and interplanetary colonization.

This book has many Heinlein themes. The idea of freedom and rights being sacred and the faults of colonialism are present. The human race is not alone and does not have the inherent right to dominate everyone else in the universe is also there. Not many of Heinlein's moral issues come out as this is a juvenile book, but the hint at how space travel would change family and relationships is there.

Rating: Four stars. Solid Robert Heinlein but the story seems like Space Cadet redone a little. Even so the story telling is great and the science a little more solid this time.

Law of Attraction by Michael J. Losier - Book Review

Title: Law of Attraction
Author: Michael J. Losier
Pages: 152
Publisher: Wellness Central (New York) 2006

Books like this used to make me laugh a little, but now that I look at human behavior a little more, I can see that people do tend to attract more of what they think about and speak about than they realize. My idea of reading this book was to see what value this approach has in modifying my goal setting and other issues. As it turns out, there is some value to the ideas in this book and how significant they are depends on how much you take its message to heart.

I have to remark on style to start because this is one of the simplest books you will read, which is a good lesson if want to write a book with mass appeal. It also has several illustrative cartoons that help as well. At 152 pages it is quick read as well. In addition to all this, it is a work through book where you have to work though your own desires and wants into a workable plan of using the Law of Attraction.

The book starts out with the basic science of the law of attraction and the idea of positive and negative vibrations that influence each persons life. The idea is that we attract the same things as the vibrations we are putting out. If we are negative we attract the negative, if positive we attract positive. If mixed we get mixed. The book then goes on to help the reader come up with a plan to take deliberate action to move them from negative to positive vibrations in our life.

If one can have faith in the 'science' of attraction, I guess this would work. I have come to see this same idea from a spiritual perspective of faith but the principles are much the same. But the book does bring out that being positive is a far better way to live than the alternatives. It is not some unrealistic book either as Losier brings out that some negativity is from others in our lives that we cannot help but be there (family, coworkers). The idea is to control your own sphere of attraction and work on the rest. The book also give tips for teaching and dealing with others who are negative.

Rating: Four stars: If I (and this is me being the scholar) have a complaint, it is lack of depth. It also loses half a point for being somewhat incomplete but then again it assumes that you are going to buy Losier's other book the Law of Connection. That said, this is a good book if you want some basic information on the Law of Attaction. It also is a good help book if you want to apply that law to your life.

Sixth Column / The Day After Tomorrow by Robert A Heinlein - Book Review

Title: Sixth Column (aka The Day After Tomorrow)
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Pages: 144
Publisher: Signet Publishing (New York) 1949

Review:

Nothing makes things more fun when reading a book than when that book has a great albeit confusing history. First the book has two titles 1) Sixth Column and 2) The Day After Tomorrow. It was originally published as a serial in pulp publications in 1941. Later it was put into novel form and published in full in 1949. The original backdrop for this story was the communist rebellion of China and the historical prediction that all Asians would unite under one flag to take over the world.

The basic plot is that the Pan Asians have indeed conquered America and subjugated the entire country. Major Ardmore assumes command of the last US military post: The Citadel an underground secret base in Colorado which only has five men left. His plan is to drive the invaders out and he gets unexpected help in that some of the scientists have discovered a unified theory of physics that allow them to do 'miraculous' things. Using the only thing the invaders have left free; the free exercise of religion, they create the cult of Mota, which allows them to work fairly freely to build a sixth column that eventually starts a rebellion against the Pan Asians.

The book explores what would you do if a sudden major technological advance allowed you to kill discriminately, lift heavy objects, cure disease, trans mutate any material to another material (lead to gold), etc. The added twist of leading a rebellion starting with six people against the whole invading force is a good angle as well. The only problem the rebels face is the limited availability of the technology.

The use of religion in the book is heavy and Heinlein sets some of his original observations about religion as a whole in this book. The book also has race as a heavy theme although both sides are racist by modern standards. Heinlein's politics also come through as the army maintains its mission with out a working government because they exist to defend and preserve the constitution. Once done the plan is to restore representative government.

Rating: Three and three quarter stars. Even Heinlein himself did not like this one overly well as he considered it a 'non-artistic success'. For me, the religious being combined with the scientific as an interesting angle, but some of the technology advances are way out there. It is still a good read if you like Heinlein as his style is still very much there.

The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction by Philip Athans - Book Review

Title: The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction
Author: Philip Athans
Pages: 244
Publisher: Adams Media (Avon, Mass.) 2010

Review:

Every once an a while, I buy a book on writing and read it to see if it has any good advice on bringing me out of the realm of writer obscurity into published bliss. Being both a fantasy and science fiction fan, I thought this one would be good read seeing it was written by an editor and writer of both genres. The book also promises an introduction and original story by R.A Salvatore a fantasy writer known for his work with the Forgotten Realms books connected with Dungeons and Dragons. The book promises six steps to writing and publishing your bestseller.

The book is laid out according to those six steps: Storytelling, Characters, The World, Details, Nuts and Bolts and Finishing Touches. There is also a section on the business side of writing as well as an original short story by Salavore that has never been published before to illustrate what the author is talking about as an example. Each part has several chapters and covers both fantasy literature and science fiction.

Stylistically, the chapters are short and focus the writer on asking questions and Athans tries to get the writer to think of everything and goes through much of the process of writing: from idea generation to final touches for each genre. He also give an insider's view from an editors point of view of what he is looking for when a book crosses his eyes.

From an information standpoint, this was a great insiders viewpoint that allows a writer to see what editors are looking for in a book and makes note that in the two genres involved people are looking for different and unique ways of doing things and writing a story. If there is a failure in it it is that the chapters do not go into super depth but the hit the intermediate and basic levels.

The bonus story is one for which Salavore had a rejection and both he and Athans look at it to see how things work and don't work.

Rating: 4 stars. This is a solid book on writing science fiction and fantasy books with an eye toward publication. The chapters are short and the read is engaging. If your looking for an insider's view on how to get published in the genres of science fiction and/or fantasy this is it. The bonus story is OK as well.

Red Planet by Robert Heinlein - Book Review

Title: Red Planet
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Pages: 229
Publisher Ballantine Books (New York: 1949)

Review:

When it was first published in 1949, Heinlein's editor tore large chunks out of it to make it able to fit on a public middle school library shelf. In so doing, the book was stripped of much of its Heinlein charm. In 1992, after Heinlein's death the book was re-published with the edits restored. I have read both versions and let me tell you I like the one that is restored much better. The third of Heinlein's juvenile books, it remains a classic.

When Heinlein wrote this book in 1949, Mars was an very much unknown place. It had canals and the possibility of life much like our own. It remained a science fiction paradise and playground for many years and in many ways still does. In Heinlein's Mars, there is life, Martians, canals and water. It has an almost fantasy quality.

The central plot of Red Planet centers around two teenage boys who discover a plot against the colonists of Mars by the company government. Through their actions with a little help from the Martians (in particular, a Martian bouncer 'pet' named Willis) they are able to help save the day. It is a solid adventure story and has some interesting twists and turns.

The romance of being a human colonist on another planet is the driving force of this book. The colonists are free people with a great deal of liberty and aim to stay that way. Heinlein explores the nature of some of the difficulties of colonizing another world both from a technological point of view and from a diplomatic point of view. The most charming part of this book is of course the Martians. They are truly different from humans and it is this large difference that makes the struggle even more interesting.

The style (once the edits are put back in) is very Robert Heinlein. Fierce loyalty to individual liberty, an understanding of the science of colonization and realistic characters are distinctive Heinlein traits in this book.

Rating: 4 stars. While not my favorite of Robert's juvenile books, it is extremely well done and merits a read. Just make sure you get a copy published after 1992; it is much better.

God of the Possible by Greg A Boyd - Book Review

Title: God of the Possible
Author: Greg A. Boyd
Pages: 175
Publisher: Baker Book House (Grand Rapids, Michigan) 2000

Review:

Someone once asked me if there was an "Open Theism for Dummies" to read. Yes, this is it. Greg Boyd is probably the person most responsible for getting the message of open theism out there and this is the book that has done most of the work. It is and will be regarded a classic among the open theist community of theologians.

God of the Possible is a book that addresses the fundamental questions of God's foreknowledge. It has one of those questions across the top: Does God Ever Change His Mind?. Boyd, through this book attempts to take on this question and at the same time presents the basics of what has become known as the open view of God's foreknowledge.

The book is divided into sections. In the first, Boyd presents the classic view of foreknowledge and the Bible verses that support it and why he feels they are wrong. In the second, he then presents the case for the open view and the Scripture that supports it. In the third section, he presents the practical advantages of the open view as compared to the classic view. In the forth section he answers common questions and objections to the open view. There is also an appendix with further verses that support the open view as well as a solid index.

Boyd has a couple of key objectives that he states in his introduction: 1) to present the open view relying as much as possible on the Biblical support and 2) to present this in a easy to read and understand book. He succeeds on both counts. While there is some reasoning and philosophical arguments, the main appeal is to the direct wording of Scripture. It is also an easy to read book.

Rating: Four and a half stars. I like books like this. Make your case, use the Bible and do it in a way that everyone can understand it. If you are looking for an introduction to the open view of God's foreknowledge and want it in plain language - this is it.

Book Review: Space Cadet by Robert A Heinlein

Title: Space Cadet
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Pages: 223
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates (New York, 1948)

Review:

Robert Heinlein's third published book and second work of juvenile science fiction is Space Cadet. Set roughly one hundred and thirty years in the future from 1948, this book is a classic among science fiction. Space travel is not only common place but planetary colonization has taken place on many worlds in the solar system. it is against this backdrop, the Heinlein spins a simple tale of a young man Matt Dodson who joins the Space Patrol, the organization charged with keeping the peace in the solar system.

The central plot centers around Dodson and his friends as they navigate space patrol training, their first assignments and ultimately their first real adventure. Their travels take them from earth orbit, to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and to Venus. Along the way, the Grandmaster of science fiction teaches valuable lessons about space travel, living in space aboard ship, dealing with extraterrestrials and above all else paints the picture of an ideal space going peacekeeping body -- The Patrol.

As a work of juvenile fiction, Heinlein's desire to inspire and young generation into space is highly evident. In this he urges them to dream big and reach for the stars. You can bet his calculations about space travel as far as astrogation are concerned are probably dead on even though he does not bore his audience with them. Technologically, many things he speaks of; cell phones, computers, etc. are not real in his day have become science fact in ours. Socially, you see the development of his first 'military' ideas in many senses as the Patrol is a group of volunteer professionals who strive as men to be the best men they can be. Politically, he shows both and understanding of politics and how long term peace would lead to apathy.

Stylistically, the language is simple and real. Heinlein's characters are not larger than life. They have flaws and conflicts just like today, but they achieve great things because they are men that have embraced being the best they can be as men. The plot is not completely predictable because Heinlein see space as unpredictable, but men as supremely flexible and adaptable.

Rating: 4 stars. This is one of my favorites of Heinlein's juvenile fiction. I have read it many times and it never ceases to entertain. It is probably in the best three of Heinlein's juvenile fiction

Book Review: Hell the Logic of Damnation by Jerry L. Walls

Title: Hell: The Logic of Damnation
Author: Jerry L. Walls
Pages: 159
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press: (Notre Dame, Indiana 1992)

Review:

I had the good fortune to be at Asbury Theological Seminary and take several classes from Jerry Walls. In the class titled: The Problem of Evil this was one of the textbooks, so I got to participate in its dissection with the author present. I probably would have enjoyed it more but it was this particular semester that my father had died so I was going through my own problem of evil issues. In any case though, Jerry Walls is a smart, logical and entertaining professor. He is also a helluva (pun intended) good author as well.

This book deals with a central problem in Christianity as regards the problem of evil - the doctrine of hell. Hell: The Logic of Damnation is a work of philosophical theology. Its aim is to take the traditional doctrine of hell and question it from every angle to see if it holds up to logic. Hell is considered in the light human belief; God's knowledge, power and goodness and human freedom and misery.

Walls does a very good job attacking the doctrine and shows how the traditional doctrine of hell suffers from many philosophical weakness. He also draws a conclusion that many would find unacceptable but is in some ways inescapable if you accept his argument.

The style of the book is scholarly and not for the average reader. It assumes that you understand philosophical and theological terms and concepts. It is also heavy reading for 159 pages as Jerry Walls is a deep thinker. Still the content is very good and follows a solid logical argument with the only challenge being accepting the conclusion.

When I first read this book many years ago I disagreed with its conclusion and still do, but what it did cause me to do was rethink my whole understanding of hell and damnation. The final result of these thoughts is found in my series Is Hell Justified? This book in many ways became my introduction to both philosophical theology and new theological understandings of hell and deserves praise on both counts.

Rating: Four stars. The only thing that would make it better is if it was more readable to the general public. Maybe a second book doing just that would be helpful.

Book Review: "Beyond This Horizon" by Robert A Heinlein

Title: Beyond This Horizon
Author: Robert A Heinlein
Pages: 158
Publisher: The New American Library (New York; New York) 1948

Review:

I actually have a 1948 copy of this book but the cover above is the new cover from a more recent publication. This novel was actually originally published as a series in 1942 in science fiction pulp periodicals under the pseudo name of Aston MacDonald. The fact it is from World War 2 is evident by the predictions in it that the war would dropkick the Russians and Chinese back to the stone age while the rest of the world would survive and prosper. When it was finally published as novel in 1948, it would have been a nostalgic view back in time to when the war was uncertain. This is also the first non juvenile novel Heinlein would publish. It is for adults, it has adult conversations, no sex or nudity yet, but their are veiled sexual references (for 1948) and social relationships that are different as well as fashion ideas that would have been challenging for the time of writing (men wearing nail polish for example).

The central plot of the story center around the main character Hamilton Felix who is trying to answer one question: Why? and specifically: is there something we can prove scientifically that a) there is life after death and that b) gives life meaning? Hamilton lives in a world where voluntary genetic breading has wiped out most illness, made the human race stronger, faster and smarter, but the 'why' question challenges his mind. He himself is a star genetic line that his society wants to use to procreate the next generation of humanity - a better race. The story takes Hamilton through several situations that cause him to search and look for the answers to these questions.

As a work of science fiction, Heinlein is way ahead of his time in many areas: genetics, telepathy, social customs because of technological improvement, space travel is in the background, educational and child rearing advances, etc. Stuff in the real world of 1942 that was pure theory, Heinlein is racing ahead and making some realistic and startling predictions.

As far as style and content, this book is pure Heinlein with many of his social and political views in your face. Libertarianism is in your face throughout the book, nothing is ever forced on any citizen but often people volunteer for things because it betters the race as a whole. The concept of a citizen having a 'private sphere' that even the media and nosey neighbors would consider it rude to interrupt is present. The concept of an armed citizenry making a more polite citizenry and civilization, economics based on his economic theories, open and temporary marriages, mankind always coming out on top, etc. are all here in some form or another. As with all Heinlein books the characters are believable and real but set in a science fiction future.

Rating: Four stars. Heinlein's early adult stuff is very good but limited by the publishing industry due to society being very conservative. This book is a good representation of that as Heinlein's first published adult level novel. You think while reading this book that Heinlein is being true to himself but is being reigned in. The story is good and the conclusion is mentally challenging. It is well worth the reading time.

Book Review: "Leadership and Self Deception" by The Arbinger Institute.

Title: Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box
Author: The Arbinger Institute
Pages: 180
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. (2000)

Review:

If there is a list of books that I have that are must reads, this book is on my top ten. Next to the Bible, it is one of the best books to read about the real nature of ineffective and effective leadership, relationships and human nature.

One of its greatest strength is that it is not written as a text book, but is in the form of a story about an executive Tom Callum, who is introduced to the greatest strategic initiative of his new company Zagrum (fictitious). That intuitive is to remove the force of self-deception as much as possible from the company.

Self-deception or 'Being in the box' is a force known in philosophy, psychology and sociology that prevents us from making real progress because we cannot see it. It robs companies of progress and profitability, families of love and relationships of genuineness.

The Arbinger Institute uses the story to introduce what self-deception is, how it dominates our life, how it happens to us and ultimately how to get out. This book then becomes their first stage in addressing the problem, but I can tell you its content alone without the rest of the training they provide will revolutionize your thinking on the subjects of leadership, relationships and human nature.

Stylistically, because it is a story, It makes the book a joy to read and you can definitely identify with Tom Callum in the story as he takes the role of asking the common questions and raising the most common objections. The story teaches as it entertains.

If there is a weakness it is that it is an introduction to actually dealing with the problem of self-deception. To get the rest, you have to contract the Arbringer Institute for their training and consultation.

Rating: 4 and a half stars. I make it a point to read this book at least twice a year. I have actually thought about memorizing it; it is that worthy of any one's time.

Book Review: "Rocket Ship Galileo" by Robert A Heinlein

Title: Rocket Ship Galileo
Author: Robert Heinlein
Pages: 211
Publisher: Ace Books (New York)

Review:

By 1947, Robert Heinlein had changed tactics in getting his views across. He had authored tons of science fiction short stories by this time and at last he got his first full length novel published. He did it by changing over to the popular 'pulp' type stories of his day and toning down the moral stuff to engage a work of juvenile fiction to reach the teen/young adult audience of his time. Rocket Ship Galileo is a basic adventure story of the time but with Robert Heinlein as the author, the science part of the science fiction is high quality and as accurate as the times could make it.

The story is about and man who enlists his nephew and his teenage friends to help him convert a rocket transport into a moon ship with an atomic drive. At the time, atomic power and application was wide open and the story would have had a very realistic appeal with the 'could be' of atomic power at the time. They group of four has many adventures just getting their ship into the air and then the moon trip ends with a discovery, humans are already on the moon secretly. The Nazi's have a secret rocket base on the moon already and the four are forced to take action.

The message is clear, we need to get to the moon because if we don't we could be in danger and who knows what we will find. It is a message Heinlein will repeat. The story is set in his near future, the early 1950s, so he is also pointing out that with a few scientific advances it could be done. Heinlein was pressing for Mankind to reach for the stars for the advancement of man and that it need not be far in the future to do so.

In the story Heinlein still possesses some of his political naivete, showing the United Nations as a world unifying force. But we also see his conservative and libertarian side by showing the benefits of both a capitalist and free society. Young people are valued in the story and it is designed to inspire a young generation to do great things. It is a great tactical change for Heinlein, as in the coming years his fan base will grow up and be ready for the rest of his message.

Rating: Four stars. This is a great adventure story as well as being informative from a science point of view of what people thought was possible in 1947. Heinlein captures the imagination with this one and it is a great science fiction story as well as being a good Heinlein novel.

Book Review: 'Huge and Freaky' by Robert Kennedy and Dennis B. Weis

Title: Huge and Freaky Muscle Mass and Strength Secrets
Authors: Robert Kennedy and Dennis B. Weis
Pages: 496
Publisher: Robert Kennedy Publishing

Review:

My personal motivation for reading this book was stagnation. Stagnation in the fact I had neither the motivation or knowledge to really push my training from intermediate to advanced training. My hope was that this book would push my knowledge and motivation beyond the current limits I possess.

It did not disappoint. Kennedy and Weis have put together and absolute fountain of motivation and knowledge that absolutely blew me away. There is a ton of stuff here to inspire and challenge anyone who is ready to take their training to the next level.

One of the outstanding strengths of this book is the focus on mental preparation and concentration to train. The authors are right in that we often talk about this part of training but never really know what to do or focus on it. It is probably the most important part of training as it deals with the mind and body connection. The authors devote several chapters to this part of training. including some very detailed instructions on how to approach a workout with renewed mental focus.

In addition to this, there is training ideas galore. There are far to many to list here and that is a good thing. If your looking for something different or something else to try that might work better in your training as a bodybuilder, this book probably has it. The even better part is that it is all in one book.

The graphics are strong with tons of pictures to inspire and illustrate each concept. The charts are extensive and informative with specific programs outlined in detail. Writing style is straightforward and at times entertaining.

If there is a weakness, it is that this is not a beginners manual. It is definitely designed for someone who who has the basics down and understood. If you have been lifting for more than a year or two and want to supercharge your efforts, this is the book for you.

Rating: 4 and a half stars. I am pretty sure the authors achieved their purpose. This is a book that gives out a lot of information and motivational tools and secrets. The boost it gave my motivation and training as already been substantial and I still have not touched the tip of the iceberg so to speak of all the information in this book. Combine this and some of the most practical advice on mental focus and mind-body connection in training I have seen and this makes it a bodybuilder's must have.

Book Review: "For Us, The Living" by Robert A. Heinlein

Title: For Us, The Living - A Comedy of Customs
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Publisher: Pocket Books (New York)
Pages: 329 (paperback)

Review:

Of all the science fiction writers that have ever written, Robert A Heinlein is simply one of the best. He is considered by all who love the genre of Science Fiction to be one of the the Golden Age writers (along with Asimov and Clark) and he himself is known as The Grandmaster of Science Fiction.

This book was written between 1938 and 1939 but was not published until 2004, sixteen years after his death in 1988. It is not that it never was submitted, it simply was rejected twice. Not because it is not well written or even a fun Heinlein type story but it had two qualities that would have made it nearly impossible to publish in 1939: 1) stylistically it fit more with the later works Heinlein did like To Sail Beyond the Sunset or Time Enough for Love, there are a lot of conversations set in the future and it resembles a series of lectures encased slightly in a story and 2) it was moralistically 'ahead' of its time. Heinlein was a nudist, believed in open marriages and despised religious taboos and he puts these in this book. In 1939, it means rejection notices. He would have to wait until the 1960s before such a book could be published and that with edits.

The story is basically of a man who dies and by some unknown means enters the body of a man who lives 150 years in the future. Under this backdrop, Heinlein lays out a vision of utopia or at least utopia as Heinlein saw it in 1939. Much of the book focuses on the economic system which is not surprising considering the Great Depression is still in power at the time. He also touches on cultural taboos, religion, psychology, technology, and social customs. In this world, everyone is tolerant, educated, lacking in cultural taboos, open and non-religious.

Whenever I read Heinlein, my mind and heart are always challenged. The man is smart and good writer. He makes you think. This book was in 1939 far ahead of its time and it is probably for this reason it was rejected. He would have caused quite a stir; with naked people running around and his comments on religion, it would have made he Bible Belt enraged.

For the Heinlein fan, this book gives one of the greatest insights into the origins of this literary genius. In this book you see it all -- Heinlein's future history, his drive to advance the cause of man, his moral and ethical understandings and his absolute gift for making his characters believable. In it you also see a change from a man who wants to lecture on what needs to be into a story teller who tells stories with the lecture so well hidden that you don't see it until it has already affected you. We see a teacher learn to teach through character, plot and theme. We see someone who seeks to overwhelm us with his logic change into a person who invites us in, lays out lunch and tells us a story that changes our minds; so subtly, that we are not aware it has happened until long after it is over. This book; in short, is the only blunt instrument he will ever use, after this he prefers the rapier.

Rating: 3 and a half stars. As Heinlein books go, this is not a bad one. The story is a simple one but illustrates many concepts. If you are interested in Heinlein's early career and writings, this is a great read because it shows us that Heinlein didn't so much change his views as he did tactics in getting them across. Stylistically, it lacks the sophistication of his later works but the essence of Heinlein's style is there. If you want your mind challenged and don't mind sitting through a few written lectures, this is a good read.