Anyone
who likes Lord of the Rings will love this; it recalls the tropes and even
incidents of LOTR but is entirely original: the author has an amazingly
expressive and sinuous prose style that almost verges on poetry, but without
being florid or just descriptive: the story drives you relentlessly forward and
the incidents are wondrous and incredible.
The fate of the world is at stake
and we have a disparate (motley even) fellowship that is commissioned to save
it. You are propelled from page to page. Great read. To aid full disclosure,
the author is my son – who would not be proud of this achievement?
There are many books on WW2 but this one is really different: incredibly readable, full of deep, intriguing insights and
information.
What I particularly like is the way that Oulds extracts the
importance of the cultural backgrounds of the combatants in terms of how this determined
the outcome. In essence, the Anglo-sphere's long-standing cultural development
of individualism, innovation, and market-forces explains so much of what went
'wrong' for the Axis powers.
Further, this narrative provides profound insights
into some of the characters. For example, the extent to which Hitler was a
compulsive gambler; also, the depths of his strategic incompetence. This is a
joy to read - I finished it in a few days since I couldn't put it down.
The global conflict of WWII, the bloodiest yet in human history, was as much a clash of cultures as it was a clash of arms. Different world visions collided as fiercely as the great armies which encountered each other on the battlefields of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The struggle of ideas was as vicious as the battle on, and below the waves as was the fight in the skies above. Indeed, the culture war and national differences drove the conflict and influenced where, when, why, and even how, the war was fought.
Legacy is an imaginative fable and
simultaneously a narrative poem that is beautifully constructed. It is very
relevant for our times.
First, it is a gripping read of heroism, triumph over difficulties,
and of confrontation with evil. As fable, it joins the ranks of the classics
like Aesop’s Fables or more recently George Orwell’s Animal Farm. But part of
its beauty is not only its construction but also that it can be read it to your
young children - they will love it!
It is simple to follow, yet has profound
depth. It’s been described as “a much-needed antidote to the moral vacuum of
modern culture.” I totally agree. Reading it is great but I even more strongly
recommend listening to it: the author’s voice is good enough for Disney.
StairWell is volume 2 of The English Cantos: From the
confines of Hell’s hospital ward (HellWard) the Poet begins the climb of
Purgatory, and in so doing follows Dante, his guide. Through ascending the
footsteps of the stairwell, he must reach the Chapel of St. Luke, the only
place where healing (from cancer) is possible. This is a real place of solace, as
well as a sacred space existing on a metaphysical plane, available to those who
pass the trials of the purgatorial ascent.
On the way, the Poet meets individuals both from his own life - and more famous
characters - struggling with their own quest for salvation. Combining deep
psychology with fantastical grandeur, StairWell explores human fragility and the transformational
power of Faith.
