Apocalyptic Planet

Apocalyptic Planet: Field Guide to the Everending Earth by Craig Childs

If you are a Creationist or a non-believer in science, I don't recommend this book.  It will be, to you, a work of fiction and delusion.

If you are very interested in science, geology, the history of the planet and where we are headed, this is a great read.

The author traveled to a variety of locations around the globe to see first hand what was going on with the climate, the topography, the plant and animal life that exists now as well as to probe into the geological evidence of the past.

The scientific evidence he brings forth takes us clear back to the birth of our solar system and planet.  There is some very deep science and immense stretches of geologic time covered in a way that is interesting and readable.

This book combines science and adventure to make a very readable book.  He gives us the thoughts and predictions of a variety of scientists regarding where we are and where we are headed.

I highly recommend this book.  It is a book that doesn't have to be read cover to cover but you can pick and choose which chapters you want to read first (although I recommend starting with the first and ending with the last but the middle is easily a mix and match).

Lord John Grey

I finished off the Lord John books by Diana Gabaldon with...
Lord John and the Hand of Devils, The Custom of the Army and The Scottish Prisoner.

The Hand of Devils is a trilogy of short stories.  The Custom of the Army is a novella and the Scottish Prisoner is a novel.

These books are pure entertainment and if you haven't read any of the Outlander or Lord John books, I would read them in their proper order. The proper order is as follows:

Outlander (big novel), Dragonfly in Amber (big novel), Voyager (big novel), Lord John and the Hellfire Club (Lord John and the Hand of Devils), Lord John and the Private Matter (novel), Lord John and the Succubus (Lord John and the Hand of Devils), Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (novel), Lord John and the Haunted Soldier (Lord John and the Hand of Devils), The Custom of the Army (novella), The Scottish Prisoner (novel), Plague of Zombies (Down in These Strange Streets ed George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois), Drums of Autumn (big novel), The Fiery Cross (big novel), The Breath of Snow and Ashes (big novel), An Echo in the Bone (big novel), Written in my Own Heart's Blood (not yet published bug novel), A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows (novella), The Space Between (The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination ed John Joseph Adams), Virgins (Warriors ed by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois)

The Big Rock Candy Mountain

The Big Rock Candy Mountain by Wallace Stegner

Stegner excels at his description of people, their emotions and what makes them tick.  This book is no exception.

This book follows a family over the course of about 50 years as they struggle to survive in an uncertain world.  The voice of the book is an omnificent third party.  The voice first follows Elsa who marries Bo Mason against the better judgement of her family.  Bo is an erratic and volatile man who is in search of the next great break.  He is constantly trying to find his "big rock candy mountain."  Later, the voice changes and follows the youngest son Bruce.  Bruce had a difficult early childhood but learns to adapt to his ever-changing environment.  He ends up succeeding in ways the rest of his family never did.  He is also able to see his family with a detached view which seems almost cold and calculating.

This book takes place largely in the west and up into Canada.  It is set during the early years of the 20th century so we see the local effects of World War I, prohibition and the flu pandemic.  It is viewed as a largely autobiographical novel.  Whether it is or not, Stegner's tale is heart wrenching and poignant. This book was very difficult to read at times but in the end, I really enjoyed it and thought it was well worth reading.