Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rick James on April 03, 2009, 04:10:12 pm
-
Because this forum is one of the last bastions of good grammar on the internet, I presume that at least some of you pick up a book or non-crapful magazine once in a while.
So...tell me. What are you reading right now?
-
I just finished City at the End of Time by Greg Bear. Really quite disappointing. Especially considering how good some of his previous work has been.
Also recently read House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds. That was pretty good. Again, he's done better, but pretty good. Worth picking up at the library or the used book store.
-
Ummm....Let's see:
Anathem - Neal Stephenson --- If you have the time to read it, it's well worth it
Little Brother - Cory Doctorow --- Hey, it's Doctorow, and it's free!
Off Armageddon Reef - David Weber --- So, Weber does still know how to write.
Storm from the Shadows - David Weber --- A bit disappointing, really. Too infodumpy.
Saturn's Children - Charles Stross --- If mankind takes to the stars, this is how we'll do it (probably)
Halting State - Charles Stross --- Realer than you'd think
Sometimes I hate holidays, sometimes I like 'em. Can't seem to make up my mind.
-
Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter.
The Brothers Karamazof by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
My reading is serious business.
-
2001: A Space Odyssey - Arthur C. Clarke -- Pretty good but I'm not too far yet
Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand -- Economic Philosophy, really deep
Anthem - Ayn Rand -- Anti-Communism, not quite as deep
All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque -- Very sad book about WWI
Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck -- :(
The Stranger - Albert Camus -- :mad: I hate this book, but we had to read it for class.
On Basilisk Station - David Weber -- Sci-Fi Space Opera, part one of 11.
March Upcountry - David Weber & John Ringo -- Playboy prince + Hell = Badass
Bolo! - Can't recall right now - Gigantic thinking tanks blow s*** up.
Foreign Legions - David Drake/Various - Romans get kidnapped from Earth for mercenaries.
-
March Upcountry - David Drake -- Playboy prince + Hell = Badass
Wasn't that one written by David Weber & John Ringo?
-
this forum ... good grammar
:wakka:
-
The Three Musketeers. (Translated into English of course...)
-
Temple of the Winds book 4 of 11 Sword of Truth series
-
Just finished reading the latest Osprey Aircraft collection book called "Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Russian Front". It was a good read and I love the colour profiles featuring a smattering of different 190 units and their camo schemes.
Also been reading the latest Aeroplane magazine. I need to find a new novel to read soon...haven't done that for a few months.
-
I'm reading the General Discussion posts on HLP.
-
Today, in my language class, we were assigned to tell the class about what books we're reading right now, and what our favorite book is. Aside from technical handbooks, class readers and skimming assigned literature for paper references, my mind was blank. So I blurted out "Cat in the Hat." Everyone laughed. I'm a 3rd year student at a major west coast research university. FML.
-
I'm reading this post and trying to recall what I read when I took a dump last night.
Barry Trotter and the Dead Horse - Michael Gerber
-
March Upcountry - David Drake -- Playboy prince + Hell = Badass
Wasn't that one written by David Weber & John Ringo?
Yep. Ringo's stuff was a lot of fun for a while. I think he crossed something of a line for a lot of people with 'Watch on the Rhine'.
-
Star Warped - A3R Roberts
-
Paperwork.
-
When I have a spare moment:
The Day of the Dragon by Richard Knaak, yeah it's warcraft, but Knaak spins it more like a traditional fantasy book. It introduced us to Rhonin the mage... :ick:
Rise of the Horde by Christie Golden, a much better Warcraft book, detailing the conversion of the Orcs from disparate tribes of shamanistic ancestor worshipers to green skinned army bred for a single purpose. Golden writes a MUCH better Warcraft book than Knaak. She's a fan and has a great knowledge of the lore and characters of Warcraft. She's the author of the upcoming Arthas companion book that a lot of us WoW cretins are frothing over.
Currently, as time allows, I'm rereading Heaven's Reach by David Brin.
-
Yep. Ringo's stuff was a lot of fun for a while. I think he crossed something of a line for a lot of people with 'Watch on the Rhine'.
IMHO, Ringo can still be fun, as long as he (or his cowriter) keeps his political ranting in check. (See: The Vorpal Blade-Series). But there really is nothing to say about "Watch on the Rhine", except maybe OH JOHN RINGO NO (http://hradzka.livejournal.com/194753.html).
-
http://www.seventhsanctum.com/generate.php?Genname=magicrealm
-
2001: A Space Odyssey - Arthur C. Clarke
For the hundredth time I suppose.
-
A ton of random books on US history, environmental science, psychology, the ACT, and the SAT.
-
Lately I do most of my reading online, as I'm between authors I can stand.
So!
The Salvation War (http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?t=118771) God abandons Earth to the Devil. Earth has something to say about this; after all, war is hell...
Shadow Unit (http://www.shadowunit.org/) If you put together a little of Without A Trace, a little of X-Files, and a little of Torchwood, it'd probably look something like this.
Blogger Slacktivist's excellent examination of the Left Behind series. (http://slacktivist.typepad.com/slacktivist/left_behind/index.html) In which we study the confluence of Bad Theology, Bad Writing, and Bad Acting in well-considered detail. While you're there, check out Right Behind (http://exharpazo.blogspot.com/) for ideas on what a Post-Rapture story ought to have actually been like.
Various fanfics which I can't really recommend to the world at large. (GO READ SHINJI AND WARHAMMER 40K (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3886999/1/Shinji_and_Warhammer40k) DAMMIT)
-
The Necronomicon. And believe you me, acquiring it was no easy feat.
-
The Necronomicon. And believe you me, acquiring it was no easy feat.
Congratulations on purchasing the Necronomicon! We hope that, by reading it, you will acquaint yourself with the undead and hopefully see that being sent to Hell is not as bad as most of your species might make it to be.
:drevil:
-
Currently, I'm re-reading Shinji and Warhammer 40k, (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3886999/1/Shinji_and_Warhammer40k) online.
After that, its the Omnibus edition of Ciaphas Cain HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!!
Also, Jingo, Reaperman, Thud and the Fifth Elephant from the Discworld series.
After that, its the Omnibus edition of the Dragonmaster. Though its hard to find, its a very good read, especially if you like fantasy. The reason its so hard to find is because the author, Chris Bunch is dead, and I think they're not printing it anymore.
After that, I'll probably go re-read the Dresden Files, since the newest book is slated to release sometime this month.
After that I guess I'll go read the Magician's Guild trilogy.
Then once I'm done with that I'll go read my military thrillers; got about five of those to read. Mostly concerning the Silent Service, now that I think of it, from assorted writers.
-
Shadow of the Hegemon, by Orson Scott Card. I enjoyed most of the rest of the Ender series, if I don't like the direction it took near the end.
Just finished Revolutionary Road, by Richard Yates. The author has an incredible grasp of conversation.
-
The picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
Quo Vadis - Henryk Sienkiewicz
Prohibited - Luis Royo
The Grey Death Trilogy - William H. Keith jr.
C for Beginners - i have the feeling it was written by Lew Nikolajewitsch Tolstoi :mad:
-
Just finished The Farthest Shore, now on Tehanu. Can't wait to read The Other Wind.
-
Just finished The Farthest Shore, now on Tehanu. Can't wait to read The Other Wind.
So...the raging "message fantasy" feministic hijack doesn't bother you about Tehanu?
-
Just finished The Farthest Shore, now on Tehanu. Can't wait to read The Other Wind.
So...the raging "message fantasy" feministic hijack doesn't bother you about Tehanu?
I thought it was thoughtful, lyrical, and well-handled.
I mean, unquestioned gender discrimination was a part of Earthsea from the very beginning, touched upon in The Tombs of Atuan, and here it finally got a good exploration.
And it wasn't like Tenar became some kind of world-shattering mage. She was still not much of a force by the end. The book did a good job of exploring what kind of power a woman could wield without resorting to tired old sorceress or Amazon cliches.
-
"Elements of Chemistry"... :nervous:
Did anyone here read Brisingr, by the way?
-
Temple of the Winds book 4 of 11 Sword of Truth series
Soul of the Fire book 5 of 11 Sword of Truth series
-
Ensign Flandry- Poul Anderson
Ran across it on my bookshelf while jonesing for something to read before bed, probably not read it since 1993...
-
Just finished reading Republic Commando: Hard Contact and Republic Commando: Triple Zero, and part way through Republic Commando: True Colors, all in preparation for Republic Commando: Order 66. Say what you will about reading star Wars books, Karen Traviss is a damn good writer. There's some really good characterization going on, some outstanding action, and a fascinating view of parts of the Star Wars universe that seldom get mentioned.
****ing Jedi. Such hypocrites.
-
Traviss and Stover are two brilliant Star Wars writers.
-
Traviss and Stover are two brilliant Star Wars writers.
Dunno about Traviss, but agreed on Stover. His version of "Revenge of the Sith" actually managed to be awesome.
-
Karen Traviss is a damn good writer.
No. Just. No. Traviss' Mandalorian fetish is ugly, her ego uglier yet, and her commentary on the universe can literally take one's breath away in its incredible stupidity regarding her distaste for Jedi.
And then I read Aspho Fields, and that is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It is one to be thrown with great force.
-
Okay, I admit, I haven't read Traviss, just heard a lot of good things. And some bad ones.
But I stand by Stover!
-
No. Just. No. Traviss' Mandalorian fetish is ugly, her ego uglier yet, and her commentary on the universe can literally take one's breath away in its incredible stupidity regarding her distaste for Jedi.
:mad:
I love Traviss. Mando are badass. Jedi do act hypocrites. If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it.
That said, if you don't want to actually contribute to the discussion, except with mindless hate-posts, stop reading the f*cking topic.
-
Whoa, Scotty, back off. He was critiquing an author who's not a member of this forum. You're flaming.
And you need to react to opposing opinions with your usual calm, not with vitriol. You should be able to tell it's not 'mindless', and he's contributing to the topic.
-
I've never really bothered to read Star Wars books...
-
If you ever decide to, steer clear of anything writtin after Episode II's (and quite a bit of I's) release.
-
If you ever decide to, steer clear of anything writtin after Episode II's (and quite a bit of I's) release.
Actually, I'll probably pick up Republic Commando books only.
I've very attached to my pod-brothers.
-
If you ever decide to, steer clear of anything writtin after Episode II's (and quite a bit of I's) release.
With the usual exception for Timothy Zahn. I picked up Allegiance today (or really yesterday); Mr. Zahn did not disappoint.
(Yes, I finished a full-length novel in under six hours...)
-
No. Just. No. Traviss' Mandalorian fetish is ugly, her ego uglier yet, and her commentary on the universe can literally take one's breath away in its incredible stupidity regarding her distaste for Jedi.
Quite true. She does have a Mando fetish, and her distaste of Jedi seems to know no bounds. That's why I like her.
Still, you can't dodge the fact that she raises some very, very interesting points regarding the GAR. Not the least of which being; how can the Jedi claim to be fighting a war for freedom when they use a slave army to do it?
That said, I completely and totally agree that Tim Zahn is the ****.
-
I've never really bothered to read Star Wars books...
I have 50+ XD
That being said, the Legacy novels are truly the worst out there... I just can't get my head around what the **** they were thinking when they wrote them. <_<
I like the first 2 RC books.. the other 2 are a little overboard. Even so, I will be guying the next installment in the series.
-
If you ever decide to, steer clear of anything writtin after Episode II's (and quite a bit of I's) release.
Make an exception for Matthew Stover's work.
-
I really enjoyed Traitor and Shatterpoint.... o_o
Anyways, starting on a new book
A Game of Thrones - Greg Martin
-
No. Just. No. Traviss' Mandalorian fetish is ugly, her ego uglier yet, and her commentary on the universe can literally take one's breath away in its incredible stupidity regarding her distaste for Jedi.
:mad:
I love Traviss. Mando are badass. Jedi do act hypocrites. If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it.
That said, if you don't want to actually contribute to the discussion, except with mindless hate-posts, stop reading the f*cking topic.
You're not very good at taking your own advice.
On topic, I've recently finished The Chaos Crystal - Jennifer Fallon.
-
The A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin.
I really enjoyed Traitor and Shatterpoint.... o_o
Anyways, starting on a new book
A Game of Thrones - Greg Martin
Woo, another fan :P.
-
other than this thread :lol:
Heretics of Dune
-
Gordon Brown - Analysis by Tom Bower
-
I really enjoyed Traitor and Shatterpoint.... o_o
Traitor is easily my favorite of the NJO series.
That being said, the Legacy novels are truly the worst out there... I just can't get my head around what the **** they were thinking when they wrote them. <_<
Not quite, but close. I think the Lando Calrissian series takes the cake for that. I think it was more of a "we need to advance the plot line" kind of thing than a serious attempt at a good story.
If you ever decide to, steer clear of anything writtin after Episode II's (and quite a bit of I's) release.
Some of them are worth it. I loved the whole NJO series, but I can't recall dates on those. I'm pretty sure they were after I, and possibly II. Republic Commando books are pretty good. I like the Mandolorians, even the facsimile editions. Outbound Flight is a good one too (at least I think so.)
EDIT:
And you need to react to opposing opinions with your usual calm, not with vitriol. You should be able to tell it's not 'mindless', and he's contributing to the topic.
You're right, sorry. I still don't think he contributed that much with the post though.
-
Just finished Jim Hines' "Stepsister Scheme". Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty kick ass!
-
Just picked up Triss by Brian Jacque today. I was hesitant when I got Redwall a couple years ago bundled in with a bunch of other things I won at a library lottery. After letting it rot on my bookshelf for about a year, i picked it up, read half of it, then set it aside. About a year ago I read it all the way through, and they're now a nice filler for when I'm waiting to find a new series of books. (It typically takes me about a week to read through a 600 page average trilogy.)
-
Zahn is the best plotter of the SW writers, Aaron Allston is the best character writer. By far. Though Stackpole is quite good by the NJO.
-
I think someone mentioned X-Wing. Stackpole and Allston have a quasi-collab for those. Besides, Stackpole writes for BattleTech :D.
-
Oddly, Battletech fans seem to hate Stackpole. Most of the criticism is focused on his battles and his characters, sometimes derisively called the 'SuperFriends'.
I always liked 'em, though.
-
Menu Music - Joseph Toscano - ExtremeTuxRacer
-
Oddly, Battletech fans seem to hate Stackpole. Most of the criticism is focused on his battles and his characters, sometimes derisively called the 'SuperFriends'.
I didn't start to hate Victor until he threw the Federated Commonwealth in the wastebasket and effectively betrayed a lot of people who fought for him, and probably betrayed a lot of other people considering his younger sister has the second greatest amount of cuplability for this situation after Katherine. I do think, however, he wasn't nearly as interesting a character as Hohiro Kurita and Shin Yodama.
Much of why people dislike Stackpole was the fact that, either by chance or choice, he ended up getting most of the major storyline novels. (Offhand, I think only the Twilight of the Clans novels dealing with the invasion of Huntress were in the category of "world-changing" and not his.) The resulting improved continuity was, to my mind, worth it.
As to why people rag on Stackpole's battles...I'm not sure. Unlike the rest of the authors, Stackpole captured the feel of the tabletop game exceptional well. (This is because he actually gamed many of the smaller actions. There are two such instances in Dire Covenant alone; you can probably pick them out.) The only person I know of who writes 'Mech-to-'Mech combat better is Dave Wainio.
Speaking of which. (http://www.dropshipcommand.com/fanfic.cgi?show=Dave_Wainio) The Warders series is for those who want to read novel-quality work. The Urban Legends stuff? Palerider's UrbanMech Brigade LIVES!
I also recommend Silence of the Urbies and The Good, The Bad, and The Urbie (http://www.dropshipcommand.com/fanfic.cgi?show=Erratic_Cheese). Erratic_Cheese must be read to be believed. Whether his writing is wtfhilaritygenius or the wrong end of mind enema is up to you. (Personally, I'm not sure those are mutually exclusive.)
MaddMaxx (http://www.dropshipcommand.com/fanfic.cgi?show=MaddMaxx) wrote a series of stories based on MechCommander 1, and a few others. Of particular interest is probably The Confederate (http://www.dropshipcommand.com/fanfic/confederate.htm), which is from a tanker's point of view rather than a MechWarrior's.
Last and most certainly not least: New World Order (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/251974/1/New_World_Order) by The Wobbly Guy. When you're done with that, start on Seekers In Shadow, and spam his e-mail to finish it.
-
In somewhat related news (http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/970/970001p1.html), Greg Bear has been hired to write Halo prequel novels? This could be interesting....
-
More? Still waiting for the next, but that's good news. ^_^
-
Oddly, Battletech fans seem to hate Stackpole. Most of the criticism is focused on his battles and his characters, sometimes derisively called the 'SuperFriends'.
I didn't start to hate Victor until he threw the Federated Commonwealth in the wastebasket and effectively betrayed a lot of people who fought for him, and probably betrayed a lot of other people considering his younger sister has the second greatest amount of cuplability for this situation after Katherine. I do think, however, he wasn't nearly as interesting a character as Hohiro Kurita and Shin Yodama.
Much of why people dislike Stackpole was the fact that, either by chance or choice, he ended up getting most of the major storyline novels. (Offhand, I think only the Twilight of the Clans novels dealing with the invasion of Huntress were in the category of "world-changing" and not his.) The resulting improved continuity was, to my mind, worth it.
As to why people rag on Stackpole's battles...I'm not sure. Unlike the rest of the authors, Stackpole captured the feel of the tabletop game exceptional well. (This is because he actually gamed many of the smaller actions. There are two such instances in Dire Covenant alone; you can probably pick them out.) The only person I know of who writes 'Mech-to-'Mech combat better is Dave Wainio.
Speaking of which. (http://www.dropshipcommand.com/fanfic.cgi?show=Dave_Wainio) The Warders series is for those who want to read novel-quality work. The Urban Legends stuff? Palerider's UrbanMech Brigade LIVES!
I also recommend Silence of the Urbies and The Good, The Bad, and The Urbie (http://www.dropshipcommand.com/fanfic.cgi?show=Erratic_Cheese). Erratic_Cheese must be read to be believed. Whether his writing is wtfhilaritygenius or the wrong end of mind enema is up to you. (Personally, I'm not sure those are mutually exclusive.)
MaddMaxx (http://www.dropshipcommand.com/fanfic.cgi?show=MaddMaxx) wrote a series of stories based on MechCommander 1, and a few others. Of particular interest is probably The Confederate (http://www.dropshipcommand.com/fanfic/confederate.htm), which is from a tanker's point of view rather than a MechWarrior's.
Last and most certainly not least: New World Order (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/251974/1/New_World_Order) by The Wobbly Guy. When you're done with that, start on Seekers In Shadow, and spam his e-mail to finish it.
I think people got thrown off by the number of exploding fusion engines in Stackpole's work -- something comparatively rare in actual Battletech.
-
Random question about 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Why would monkey-humans evolve to have hands and feet and all this ergonomic stuff if they weren't using it to their advantage? If they were all just dying out anyway how would this new species have survived through natural selection? I mean, if they had to be told that they could pick things up with their hands, why would they evolve that way in the first place...?
-
I think people got thrown off by the number of exploding fusion engines in Stackpole's work -- something comparatively rare in actual Battletech.
True, and if i take a look at Mechwarrior 4 - Vengeance, it seems M$ has a soft spot for him.
The Warrior trilogy is, imo, his best work in the BT universe.
Loren Coleman is also a good writer, his "Capellan Solution" books are amongst my favorite BT books.
-
I think people got thrown off by the number of exploding fusion engines in Stackpole's work -- something comparatively rare in actual Battletech.
Depends on the pilot's style, really. In the Stackpole novels I've read, most of the 'Mech battles are between heavyweights, which need something rather, um, explosive to put it down hard enough. Besides, if you play MechCommander 2, the style you use in command relates to how many really explode. Some people go for heavy stuff on heavy 'Mechs and consequently, fusion engines go boom. Others go light, and salvageable 'Mechs litter the battlefield.
-
Which isn't true to the original tabletop game the novels are based on. In fact, standing near to an exploding 'Mech wouldn't scratch your paint there. It was only after the Stackpole novels became popular that such a rule was added, and even then only as a so called Layer 3 rule, meaning that it was essentially a house rule that would never be used in any official tournament. (In terms of realism, fusion reactors do not explode violently. They just tend to sizzle out rather than exploding messily.)
-
Yeah, but how interesting would that be? :)
Besides, it makes sense that a hot fusion reactor would detonate rather violently if the containment thingy is breached. The release of untold billions of joules of energy = ouch.
-
Besides, it makes sense that a hot fusion reactor would detonate rather violently if the containment thingy is breached. The release of untold billions of joules of energy = ouch.
Granted, Mechs exploding are better than Mechs simply falling down.
However, if a fusion reactor's containment fails, the first thing that the plasma hits is the relatively cool reactor hull. Destroying that eats up a lot of the thermal energy that fusion plasma is known for. Same goes for a hit that manages to penetrate the reactor hull, if the plasma is going to vent, it still spends a lot of energy on the 'Mech its venting from. Now, your usual Mech carries several tons of explosives around with it, but even if that were to explode all at once, it wouldn't account for the damage that you get in Stackpoles' novels or the PC games. It's simply one of those things where the Rule of Cool was used to justify an exception to BattleTech's generally realistic atmosphere.
-
Cooking off ammo will blow off limbs. Exploding reactor, which then cooks of all ammo, in addtion to the enormous energy realeased from a failing fusion reactor.
-
Yeah, but how interesting would that be? :)
Besides, it makes sense that a hot fusion reactor would detonate rather violently if the containment thingy is breached. The release of untold billions of joules of energy = ouch.
No, it doesn't make sense. You can go over to the Classic Battletech forums and post a thread about this if you want a lengthy explanation. CBT establishes that the only way a 'Mech is rendered totally unsalvageable (i.e. engine destroyed, presumably by cataclysmic detonation) is if its center torso internals are totally destroyed by an area saturation artillery attack.
CBT fusion engines are extremely safe. Mike Miller, materials engineer on the CBT writing staff, can give you a better explanation as to why.
Cooking off ammo will blow off limbs. Exploding reactor, which then cooks of all ammo, in addtion to the enormous energy realeased from a failing fusion reactor.
Again, failing fusion reactors don't release enormous amounts of energy. Google-Fu provides some basic evidence. Nor have exploding reactors ever done any damage in the Battletech universe.
The reason is that the fusion reaction ends very rapidly once containment is breached. What little plasma escapes will cool off very fast. Fusion reactors are, unfortunately, rather safe.
-
I'm feeling ignored.....
Anyway, a quick look in my gaming library reveals that the rules that were made to allow those explosions to happen in the boardgame are extremely conservative. And even the novels adhered to it relatively close. (Basically, in order to explode, an engine has to sustain two or more critical hits in the same round and the controlling player has to roll a 12 on 2d6. And to repeat myself, these rules are Level 3, meaning that they are essentially non-canon.)
-
Which isn't true to the original tabletop game the novels are based on. In fact, standing near to an exploding 'Mech wouldn't scratch your paint there. It was only after the Stackpole novels became popular that such a rule was added, and even then only as a so called Layer 3 rule, meaning that it was essentially a house rule that would never be used in any official tournament.
See, there's a problem with that. And that problem is that Stackpole never actually described a fusion reactor going off the deep end as dangerous to anyone else. It can do catastrophic damage to the 'Mech that just lost containment, but it's not a threat to other 'Mechs nearby (even ones that were engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the 'Mech that lost containment; see the Battle of Luthien; Shin Yodama's Phoenix Hawk rammed a Vulture, which lost containment, and the Phoenix Hawk was untouched). This makes a degree of sense; 'Mech reactors are described usually as tokamak, or at least implied. The operating temperature of a reactor is going to be many times higher than that of a PPC strike, which is the closest functional equivalent. (Recall too that even 12.7mm machinegun fire can damage a Battletech containment vessel.) There are emergency shutdowns and safeguards; dampeners and at least one novel describes an emergency shutdown as including blow-off panels on the 'Mech's back that vent the plasma. If, however, all those fail, the reactor is going to result in some fairly impressive pyrotechnics...albeit ones that will be confined within the 'Mech or close to it.
This is exactly how Stackpole describes such things.
-
But the thing is that 'Mech engines don't usually (or really ever) lose containment -- they shut down when damaged.
The novelists play a bit loose with this, Stackpole in particular. Or at least that's the allegation from the die-hards.
-
See, there's a problem with that. And that problem is that Stackpole never actually described a fusion reactor going off the deep end as dangerous to anyone else. It can do catastrophic damage to the 'Mech that just lost containment, but it's not a threat to other 'Mechs nearby (even ones that were engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the 'Mech that lost containment; see the Battle of Luthien; Shin Yodama's Phoenix Hawk rammed a Vulture, which lost containment, and the Phoenix Hawk was untouched). This makes a degree of sense; 'Mech reactors are described usually as tokamak, or at least implied. The operating temperature of a reactor is going to be many times higher than that of a PPC strike, which is the closest functional equivalent. (Recall too that even 12.7mm machinegun fire can damage a Battletech containment vessel.) There are emergency shutdowns and safeguards; dampeners and at least one novel describes an emergency shutdown as including blow-off panels on the 'Mech's back that vent the plasma. If, however, all those fail, the reactor is going to result in some fairly impressive pyrotechnics...albeit ones that will be confined within the 'Mech or close to it.
This is exactly how Stackpole describes such things.
Agreed. If my comments led you to believe otherwise, I apologize. (And I do remember much ranting about Stackpole and 'Mechs exploding needlessly back when I first started reading those books. God, is that really 15 years ago?) But there is some fun to be had in the Mechwarrior RPG, especially when the first thing that tips the players off that something fishy is going on when the enemy 'Mechs start exploding....)
And I think that the one thing that ticked the hardcore people off more than anything was Kai Allard-Liao using his 'Mechs explosion to trigger an even bigger boom in one novel (Natural Selection, IIRC).
-
And I think that the one thing that ticked the hardcore people off more than anything was Kai Allard-Liao using his 'Mechs explosion to trigger an even bigger boom in one novel (Natural Selection, IIRC).
Also mentioned in Bloodname of the Jade Pheonix trilogy.
-
And I think that the one thing that ticked the hardcore people off more than anything was Kai Allard-Liao using his 'Mechs explosion to trigger an even bigger boom in one novel (Natural Selection, IIRC).
Also mentioned in Bloodname of the Jade Pheonix trilogy.
Yeah. That was really irritating.
If Mechs were portable bombs they'd be used that way tactically against other 'Mechs.
Worse yet, Kai did it by yanking some wires in the cockpit.
-
The Rights of Man
by Thomas Paine
(http://manybooks.net/titles/painethoetext03twtp210.html)
^You can download it at the link^
everyone should read at least some of it, it's very enlightening.
-
Currently Reading "Small Favor" by Jim Butcher. Not his greatest, but still good.
-
The Book of Numbers from the New American Bible: Official Catholic Bible, Red Letter Edition.
I may switch over to the Hebrew-English Tanakh, though as I have an interest in reading the Holy Books besides the native language.
Asides from that I have the Complete Works of Flavius Josephus that I plan on tackling.
After having read those, I might try out the King James version, or once again attempt to read the Qu'ran.
-
Moby Dick (Abridged) - Herman Melville
-
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya just came out in English, so I think that'll be the next one on my list. Haven't really been reading for fun much, what with two big research papers due in May. But the Haruhi series are light novels, so they should be quick reads. Handy for my situation. :)
I wonder how long it'll take 'em to translate the rest?
-
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya just came out in English, so I think that'll be the next one on my list. Haven't really been reading for fun much, what with two big research papers due in May. But the Haruhi series are light novels, so they should be quick reads. Handy for my situation. :)
I wonder how long it'll take 'em to translate the rest?
They're done : http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Suzumiya_Haruhi
That's where I read it all.
On another note, I'm reading Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (well, more of put on hold for now after finishing the first part).
-
Not so much reading as listening to World War Z by Max Brooks a documentary interviewing people after the end of the Zombie War. Infantryman Todd Wayneo's testimonial of The Battle of Yonkers was excellent. Quiet frankly the entire thing is excellent, pretty much the best description of such an scenario packed with social commentary.
-
I'm reading George R R Martin's A Feast for Crows at the moment. The first two thirds of the book appear to be nothing but throat-clearing, which is disappointing after A Storm of Swords. I'm also working through his Dreamsongs short story collection, which makes for some interesting counterpoints to the wandering uneventfulness of A Feast for Crows.
I read Adam Roberts' Stone recently as well, which was the last novel of his I hadn't read. Not my favourite of his, but his concepts are as always wonderfully strange.
-
They're done : http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Suzumiya_Haruhi
That's where I read it all.
Yeah, I've read baka-tsuki's translations, but this is the official translation, so I'm curious as to how it may differ.