Pathfinders

Pathfinders - The Golden Age of Arabic Science by Jim Al-Khalili as the title suggests is mainly a book about the misconception that the 'Dark Ages' produced little scientific advancement may be partly true for european science but possibly not by science in the Near- and Middle East.

Early parts of the book have quite a bit about his personal connection to this topic coming from Iraq originally- possibly a little too much of it; but it does help to make the book more accessible. The contributions of various scholars during this Golden period are highlighted, suggesting that directly or indirectly, scientists during and since the European Renaissance were heavily influence by the works of earlier Islamic scholars (as well as Greek and Indian).

The book ends with some discussion about why there has been a decline from this golden age in the science output in Islamic countries and some suggest some reasons. The book ends positively about the future in these countries and with some issues for the western countries to consider though about religions dictating scientific research. Science as a gradual process, that builds on the work of others comes through as a strong theme.

It is a good read, with some interesting insights. Another book (and accompany video) that I would highly recommend is 1001 Inventions (see links below) - I liked it so much I bought a friend a copy and lent my copy of the Pathfinders book.


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The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack

The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder is a great book. Richard Burton (the explorer not the actor) has had his destiny change by a time-traveller who comes to change the actions of one of his ancestors and ends up doing a lot more. This is the first in the series (previously I reviewed the second book http://scott-turner.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/curious-case-of-clockwork-man.html ).Richard Burton the explorer as a Sherlock Holmes-style private detective is an great idea, giving the character a reason to be an action hero. What genre to put this book is curious steam-punk or alternative history (a time-traveller had previously changed history), with well-known scientific heroes revealing a potentially darker alternative side.

Read this book first. It helps with understanding some of the issues in the second book, but also a great read that is hard to put down which is not bad for a 479 page book.

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The Fractal Prince

The Fractal Prince by Hannu Rajaniemi continues on from the earlier book Quantum Thief. Advance technology and post singularity humanity taking on god-like qualities and even people calling them gods and goddesses. War between the 'gods' is a central theme.

This is a good read, and enjoyed it but it is not an easy read the perspectives that the story is written from flips mid chapter and that can take some getting use to it. What exactly the thief Jean le Flambeur actually is, is not entirely clear. The war between the gods element is not some throw back to ancient Greece (though the temples are there) but a war of post-singularity entities.

Both this and Quantum Thief are really good hard sci-fi reads, that also works as a fast paced adventure. I look forward to the next Jean le Flambeur book the character is so good it would be a pity if more didn't follow.

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Apache Dawn

Apache Dawn by Damien Lewis is concerned with the experience of four British Army Air Corp pilots during their time in Afganistan during 2007.

This a book, written by a skilled journalist, it shows as far a possible  the thoughts an experiences of four pilots in Ugly flight. The respect that the pilots have the ground crew and the importance they play comes out in the book. The Soldiers first philosophy, that the Army Air Corp are first and foremost soldiers is clear in the book. It is very positive book, with little criticism of anything other than Health and Safety officials and possibly public reaction in 2007 to returning soldiers.

The problem for this the book, is  Apache by Ed Macy came out at the same time and that was a more personal account, first account of what is takes to be an Apache pilot.

The Vanishing Act

The Vanishing Act by Mette Jakobsen starts with the body of a boy being found on an island, of four people (a fisherman, daughter (the only one named with a 'real' name), priest and a magician/circus performer/cabinet maker) and a dog. It sounds as if this a start of a thriller, but actually is a book that is about the people on the island and their secrets. Part philosophy book (the author has degrees in philosophy and creative writing so not really that surprising) and a search for a community to come to terms with their pasts and the loss (for whatever reason) on a member of that community, wife, mother, or lover. The dead boy strangely becomes the vehicle for a father and daughter to work through their loss.

A nice book and fairly short at 217 pages worth a look though.

A Blink of the Screen

A collection of short stories by Terry Pratchett containing both Discworld and non-Discworld stories. Stories included cover quite a range of time 1963 ( surprisingly well written one when he was 13  - The Hades Business) to 2010. Most of the non-Discworld pieces I had not read previously, except the very good 'Hollywood Chickens'.  

The star story is a Discworld one, the excellent 'The Sea and the Little Fishes' with the always 'good' Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg, I won't spoil the story by giving away the plot.The Josh Kirby illustrations further enhance the book.

I would recommend this book to any Pratchett fan (you probably have this book already have it or it is on your Christmas list) or just a fan of good short stories.

Double Cross

Double Cross by Ben Macintyre is a book I have been waiting for to come out in paperback after reading his earlier book Agent Zigzag. I wasn't disappointed.

The book is mainly about the British run double agents during the second world war and their role in deceiving the Germans. Deceptions including sowing confusion about where and when the D-Day landing would take place. It isn't quite 'warts and all' and does take quite an affection view of the spies and spymasters, but does point out some of the mistakes that the Allies made - including how everything could have been destroyed because of a refusal to circumvent the animal quarantine laws. Actually, one of the heroes of the book (and in some respects a surprise one) was an Anglophile German playboy Johnny Jebsen. Who initially comes across as an crook and chancer; but who may have actually protected the secret of the network of double agents even under skilled interrogation and until his death likely outside a concentration camp.

The book is well written book that is paced well and kept my attention. Agent Zigzag and Operation Mincemeat only got a brief mention in this book, and this pleased me because the author hadn't taken the easy way and rehashed his earlier books.

After reading this book and Agent Zigzag I am going to have to read Operation Mincemeat!