On Book Reviews – Harari, Baldacci, Singer/Cole, and Latiff

OK, these are not “book reviews” as you traditionally think of them – but more my recommendations on the books I’ve read recently – with some spartan comments on each book at the end. Not too long ago, I was in a period of reading science fiction in addition to my usual fare of Polybius, Xenophon, Paul van Riper, Robert Scales, Lawrence Freedman and so on. You can see my previous reviews here: https://www.mirbahmanyar.com/blog/2020/8/30/on-book-reviews-scalzi-etheridge-bauers-banks-baldacci-kristian-singer-amp-cole-and-wright

Not science fiction – but I read a David Baldacci novel during this time and decided to read more of his commercial fiction. And boy did I. I purchased (not from Amazon) some of his books from my local bookseller and also used the Toronto Public Library’s eBook service for a few older titles. 

Over the last couple of years, I have focused my reading on researching future war as part of my MA in war studies from King’s College London. The research also led me to several talks by Yuval Noah Harari (a medieval historian, of all things) about the convergence of bio-engineering with AI. I found out he is a vegan, gay, and an Israeli. Why, you ask, is this important? It is not -but it does tell me that he must have experienced all sorts of discrimination. I used to own newsstands in the Bay Area (now better known as Silicon Valley, where I went to high school and college) and one of my stores was located on Castro Street, San Francisco – the heart of the gay community. I cannot - and will not - forget the impact HIV/AIDS had on the community. Back then many houses flew black flags indicating a death in their household. Later, I had two business partners who were gay. I too am vegan. And although I am critical of Israel, especially with its shift to the extreme right (hello America under Trump), I have a lot of Jewish friends, some who are Zionists, one who even spent time with a gun in a kibbutz! Anyway – all of this to say - what’s not to like about Yuval? I bought Homo Deus. And no, god did not will me to do so…

I also am reading Singer/Cole’s hot-off-the-press, Burn-In, and should say my comments below are my early impression of it. Haven’t finished it yet, but…

Another book that is a must-read is retired Air Force general Robert Latiff’s, Future War. 

OK, now to the reviews…

David Baldacci

A Minute to Midnight (Atlee Pine)

Split Second (Maxwell and King)

Hour Game (Maxwell and King)

The Innocent (Will Robie)

The Hit (Will Robie)

The Target (Will Robie)

I read these over the last month or so. It is clear why Baldacci is one of the most successful commercial writers of our time. His writing style is sparse, his chapters short, with a fast moving plot. I don’t always love the big picture plots, but they all are enjoyable reads. I think reading his novels is making me a better writer – strange to write, but true. His writing style is similar to Hollywood scripts, make your points succinctly and get on with the plot (although most scripts suck, because everybody thinks they are writers - but you get the point). Not sure how many more I will read, but I probably will because there is another thing I really like about him – he has worked since he has been a kid without hand-outs from anyone. At least that’s what I have found out about him. A good-old working stiff who has earned everything unlike a number of other writers – Game of Thrones’ Benioff anyone, Goldman Sachs?  I also like James Patterson because he too worked his way up. I know they don’t need what little money I can spend, but…

Yuval Noah Harari

Homo Deus

I finally got to around to his best-seller, and it demands the reader’s attention. Overall, a very thoughtful and provocative book, especially about the potential evolution or creation of a new human species. The only thing that kind of annoyed me was when he discussed a particular lab experiment about two monkeys involving bananas and grapes. I am fairly certain the translation from Hebrew to English was the reason for my annoyance because he writes that if the reader wanted to see the ‘funny’ video it was available online - grrrrr. I am particularly sensitive when it comes to animal experimentation, even during the pandemic – stop torturing animals. Anyway, the book was great. I hope he is a good person as well – I think he is…

P.W. Singer and August Cole

Burn-In

The opening was jarring and I blame Baldacci for that – hahaha. I had to re-read the first few pages to set my slow-moving brain into the future where this novel takes place. I will do a more detailed review down the road, but since the book just got released I thought I should give it a shout-out because so far, so good. I enjoyed their previous effort and Burn-In seems to be better, well different at least, and that’s good. The characters seem more fleshed out. Buy it and judge for yourself.

Also, check out my quick review of their first novel Ghost Fleet.

Robert Latiff

Future War

Arguably my favorite book on the future of war. It is a short, quick read. A must for anyone interested in the future of war and science fiction. It has valuable discussions on leadership and ethics. It is a gem of a book, written with a steady hand and superb knowledge because Latiff is a retired Air Force general with an excellent background on the subject matter. Buy this book – you will not regret it.

So buy books, if you are fortunate enough to have money to spare, and support writers everywhere, but don’t buy from Amazon if you don’t have to.