In this volume of the Pern saga, Anne & Todd McCaffrey explore the mining of the "firestone" used by the dragons to make flame to fight the dreaded Thread. The firestone currently being mined is too explosive, destroying mines, miners, dragons and dragonriders. The protagonists are involved with "holdless" residents vs those with holds. While the basic story fills in a missing part of the saga, character development is sparse--to the point of most of the characters being 2D at best. Some, listed at the frontispiece as integral are barely mentioned, while others, far more important characters, are ignored. Except for Halla, the shunned girl who plays a major role throughout, most of the characters are mere sketches, and even Halla is not fully developed. Of all the Pern books I have read (and there are 2 or 3 on the shelf), this is the least satisfying. I have read the Pern story since it was first serialized in Analog (I think that was the mag) and this book left me feeling blah.
Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754-1766 by Fred Anderson
Anderson presents and elegantly defends the thesis that the American Revolution is founded in American experiences directly related to the Seven Years' War. Utilizing historical documents, the author shows how the conflict in the colonies lead to a war England did not want to fight and could not afford to fight; how the taxation measures intended to pay the colonists' part of the war lead to the fight against taxation without representation; how the treatment of British soldiers was in direct conflict with what the colonists' saw as their rights as Englishmen; and how the freedoms generally taken for granted by the colonists were is conflict with the realities in England and what the rulers (governors, etc) saw as their roles.
One other thing brought forth very clearly in his discourse is that the Seven Years' War really was a 'world war' as it was fought around the globe by the English and the French.
I found the book to be a very good read and very stimulating. While I may have had minor quibbles with some points, I think the author has done a very good job of presenting, defending and proving his thesis.
One other thing brought forth very clearly in his discourse is that the Seven Years' War really was a 'world war' as it was fought around the globe by the English and the French.
I found the book to be a very good read and very stimulating. While I may have had minor quibbles with some points, I think the author has done a very good job of presenting, defending and proving his thesis.