Exjackly

Harry Turtledove scrambles history for us, taking situations from the first half of the 20th century and mixing them up geographically.

Imagine a dis-United States split into independent North and South with a breakaway state in the west. Great Britain attacking America, swirled alliances in Europe and warfare breaking out all over the place. Put the fascist governments in new locations with a different race as the scapegoat. Add fuel and ignite.

I think of it as World War II with an edge that we do not get in North America during History classes. The edge is that the worst fighting is happening at home – not overseas. It is civil war, world war, fascism, extremists, terrorism and sabotage rolled into one.

The first response when starting this book was antagonism – I felt like it was going to be cheap shots at sacred cows and not much character building or storyline. I am not too proud to admit I was wrong.

This book did develop some real characters. Perhaps overly flawed. Perhaps too real because of it. These characters became real enough to me that I understood their thought processes. I didn’t agree with them, but they were logical and understandable.

If all the characters were that real this book would earn a five star rating. Unfortunately, the cast of characters being developed was too big, and history was still being expounded upon towards the end of the book. Knowing that this is the first of a trilogy, it is easy to see how Mr. Turtledove is setting things up for the next books. I just wish it did not feel quite as formulaic.

Despite these complaints, I enjoyed this book and will probably look to the other two in the series if I ever run low on books to read.

4 stars.

Return Engagement (Settling Accounts, Book 1)

Harry Turtledove. Del Rey 2005, Paperback, 656 pages, $8.49

Drive to the East (Settling Accounts, Book 2)

Harry Turtledove. Del Rey 2006, Paperback, 640 pages, $6.68

The Grapple (Settling Accounts, Book 3)

Harry Turtledove. Del Rey 2007, Paperback, 640 pages, $10.28

Collin Moshman is a mathematician who turned away from post-graduate economics studies when he chose to pursue poker as a full-time professional. He has also written several books including this one.

This books looks at the easiest to join, most common online tournament: the Sit-N-Go (SNG). A Sit-N-Go tournament is a 9 or 10 player, single-table tournament that pays out to only the last 3 players. First place earns 50% of the prize pool. Second place earns 30% and third place earns 20%.

This guide takes a view that it is the result that is most important. It details a particular strategy that is intended to help a player increase the frequency with which they finish in the money. Along the way it delves (lightly) into the math behind the strategy, offers up personal insights, and includes specific examples to illuminate the points.

This book is split into three primary sections: Low Blind Play, Mid Blind Play and High Blind Play. Within these sections, different categories of hands are discussed, and the impact of the blinds on solid strategy at each level is covered. The fourth section discusses concepts for anybody considering playing sit-n-go tournaments for a living.

In a nutshell, Collin recommends a conservative start with aggression levels rising as the blinds increase and additional players are eliminated. The focus is on winning these small tournaments, as additional First Place finishes will more than offset a slight increase in out-of-the money finishes.

Overall, I am glad that I purchased this book. I enjoyed the read, and the concepts are not difficult to apply. Unfortunately, I did not get this book until after I had played in a number of sit-n-go tournaments and only managed to break-even. Since reading this book, I am much more successful.

I strongly recommend this book.

Sit ‘n Go Strategy

Collin Moshman. Two Plus Two Publishing LLC 2007, Paperback, 281 pages, $13.00

Laurell K Hamilton writes in a genre that I generally avid: romance. That was almost enough to stop me from reading this book. Ultimately, I chose to read this book for a couple of reasons: I am challenging myself to stretch my boundaries and this book promised to have some elements of the fantasy genre.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. For anybody who likes to have some story around the adult sections, this one delivers. I will admit that there were quite a few pages I rapidly skimmed – especially in the second half of the book. As I said – I generally avoid romance, and this book was not enough to change that.

Merry Gentry, a.k.a. Meredith NicEssus is the heroine of this tale. As a multi-racial (human, elven, brownie) sidthe princess, she does not fit into the Unseelie court she has been born into. When her enemies try to kill her, she flees and chooses to hide in a detective agency in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, as far as she runs, escape is only temporary.

This story begins a multi-volume storyline on what happens once she is found.

While I have only read the first book, I have linked to additional volumes in the series for anybody who desires more.

A Kiss of Shadows (Meredith Gentry, Book 1)

Laurell K. Hamilton. Ballantine Books 2002, Mass Market Paperback, 480 pages, $4.24

A Caress of Twilight (Meredith Gentry, Book 2)

Laurell K. Hamilton. Fawcett 2003, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages, $1.99

Seduced by Moonlight (Meredith Gentry, Book 3)

Laurell K. Hamilton. Ballantine Books 2004, Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages, $4.19

A Stroke of Midnight (Meredith Gentry, Book 4)

Laurell K. Hamilton. Ballantine Books 2006, Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages, $3.81

Mistral’s Kiss (Meredith Gentry, Book 5)

Laurell K. Hamilton. Ballantine Books 2006, Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages, $3.87

A Lick of Frost (Meredith Gentry, Book 6)

Laurell K. Hamilton. Ballantine Books 2008, Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages, $3.97