The Harry Bosch Novels Volume 2: The Last Coyote, Trunk Music, Angels Flight

Book Description

THE LAST COYOTE: LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch is suspended from the force for attacking his commanding officer. Unable to remain idle, he investigates the long-unsolved murder of a Hollywood prostitute-his mother. TRUNK MUSIC:Harry returns to the force to investigate the murder of a movie producer with Mafia ties.Up against both the LAPD's organized crime unit and the Mob, Harry follows the money trail to Las Vegas, where the case becomes personal. ANGELS FLIGHT:The murder of a prominent attorney who made his career suing the police for racism and brutality lands Harry's friends and associates on the list of suspects-and he must work closely with longtime enemies suspicious of his maverick ways to investigate them.

Customer Reviews:

a serial killer.......2007-09-18

Several weeks ago, I picked up a Harry Bosch novel in a local book store. Since then I have ordered 12 other of the series from Amazon. I only have three left to read. Each novel stands alone, but if you read the series in order, it's a lot more fun. Great detectuve stories by a very readable author.

Gift.......2007-01-12

I have no idea what this book is like, I ordered it for my niece for Christmas. He is her favorite author :)

Another 'can't put down' book.......2006-11-04

Harry Bosch is now a 'friend'. When I needed relief from my busy life - I
escaped by reading his cases. I am ordering more Michael Connelly books!!

A great read!.......2006-08-28

After reading the "Dark Tower" series, twice, I was looking for another series for my reading time. I never had read any kind of mystery/crime/police type novels before. I kind of feel like I started with the best which is kind of depressing, I will always compare anything else in this genre to Harry Bosch!

I love Harry! Yea he has an attitude, and you would too if you were lugging the steamer trunk of baggae he does.

This book is essentially 4-6 of the Harry Bosch run. Worth the time and money!

Well up to his high standard.......2006-03-10

As I write this I have only read book #1, The Last Coyote and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It is probably best, I think, to read the Bosch novels in sequence; then you may appreciate better the developing plots which sometimes refer back to previous events. But each novel can, of course, be enjoyed on its own.

Amazon.com

Thomas Harlan's impressive first novel, The Shadow of Ararat, delivers big-screen entertainment. It's an alternate history with babes, battles, and believable magic theory and technology, not to mention political intrigue and major spectacle. Think Spartacus meets Merlin by way of Frankenstein.

The Roman Empire has reached our 7th century without falling or becoming Christian. Galen Atreus, Emperor of the West, and Heraclius, Emperor of the East, join forces to overthrow Chroseos II, Emperor of Persia. The book follows four major characters. Dwyrin MacDonald, a young Irishman learning sorcery, is prematurely initiated and sent to fight with the Roman army, though he can barely control his gift for calling fire. The Roman Thyatis Julia Clodia, a covert warfare specialist, leads her unit behind enemy lines. Ahmet, an Egyptian priest/sorcerer at Dwyrin's school, sets out to rescue Dwyrin but meets Mohammed (yes, that Mohammed). They join Roman allies Nabatea and Palmyra, desert cities facing superior Persian forces without Roman aid. Finally, Maxian Atreus, Galen's youngest brother, a healer-magician, discovers a "curse" protecting the State from inimical magic but also preventing nonmagical progress. He sets out to lift it at any cost, resurrecting canny Julius Caesar and searching for Alexander the Great--an even greater source of magical power.

Harlan's ability to evoke cinematic images makes scenes come alive. There's plenty of action and an ending that both satisfies and promises lots more to follow. --Nona Vero

Book Description

In what would be A.D. 600 in our history, the Empire still stands, supported by the Legions and Thaumaturges of Rome. Now the Emperor of the West, the Augustus Galen Atreus, will come to the aid of the Emperor of the East, the Augustus Heraclius, to lift the siege of Constantinople and carry a great war to the very doorstep of the Shahanshah of Persia. It is a war that will be fought with armies both conventional and magical, with bright swords and the darkest necromancy. Against this richly detailed canvas of alternate history and military strategy, Thomas Harlan sets the intricate and moving stories of four people. Dwyrin MacDonald is a Hibernian student at a school for sorcerers in Upper Egypt, until he runs afoul of powerful political interests and is sent off half-trained to the Legions. His teacher, Ahmet,undertakes to follow Dwyrin and aid him, but Ahmet is drawn into service with the queen of Palmeyra. Thyatis is a young female warrior, extensively trained by her patron in the arts of covert warfare. And Maxian Atreus is Galens youngest brother, a physician and sorcerer. He has discovered that an enemy of Rome has placed a dreadful curse on the City, which must be broken before Rome can triumph. Woven with rich detail youd expect from a first-rate historical novel, while through it runs yarns of magic and shimmering glamours that carry you deeply into your most fantastic dreams

Customer Reviews:

This series is only for the most dedicated reader.......2007-05-31

I've read the entire series...and on the whole I liked it. The setting is set up historically so that not much time is spent on it...at least not on the Roman part. The maps were both helpful and puzzling. I may just be less adept at reading battle maps. But the world maps were good, and I learned things from both the map and the story that I'd never known before. I learned about Nabateans. There were other things, but most were things that I already knew. I think it's great when you can learn real world facts from fiction. However, as I said, the reader must commit to reading this series. There were times when the detail or the slowness of plot or even the lack of interest in a character would make me want to quit. I,at least, had to come up for air to clear my head many times...and I found that even though I was not crazy about some of the topics (necromancy, in particular), I was interested enough and invested enough to finish. I'm just glad that I had all 4 books at the time, or I probably wouldn't have completed the series. It's both interesting and irritating. I love to read very long books if they are well-written... as this is in most parts. I'm not usually that interested in alternative history...but I gave it a chance and I'm glad that I did. I felt like I'd accomplished something by the time I finished this book because at times it felt like real work. It wasn't all difficult...and I really did end up liking most of it...and I did conquer.

Ruthless editing needed here.......2005-06-20

Shadow of Ararat is one of those books which sounds promising at first, but just fails to hit the mark. First of all, the book is HUGE and the font is VERY small. Ruthless truncating is needed here -- nothing that a good editor can't do.

In addition to that, I believe Mr. Harlan, though a budding, talented author, needs to take a few courses on cohesive narration and plot. I could never really fathom the plot -- I have an odd habit of not reading the inside book cover summaries, and then I try to figure out the basic storyline as I read the book. Usually this works, but not with Shadow of Ararat. I did not even know who were the main characters! Mr. Harlan changes the points-of-view so often and strays away from one character for such a long time, that when you get back to that character's point-of-view, you've most likely already forgotten about him or her. (At least, that's what it's like with me; otherwise I'm just another average fourteen-year-old.)

Another gripe I have about this book is the narration. Some of the sentences are rather choppy, and Mr. Harlan seems to find pleated tunics and dazzling sunsets and magic spells much more fascinating to write about than actually developing a coherent plot. It is clear that Mr. Harlan has done his homework and researched extensively. For that, I commend him, as this is a historical/fantasy novel. I was just a bit surprised that once I had finished this book, I discovered that I had learned more about ancient Roman and Persian weapons and clothes, and did NOT feel enlightened in any way whatsoever. But Mr. Harlan does have a good eye for detail; he at least paints a very colorful picture of what the Roman empire was like. You can just see the tumultuous, chaotic atmosphere of the city of Rome, and the hot, sweltering Egyptian desert under the noonday sun. He does spend a good amount of time describing a character's clothing and physical appearance.

What I found most disappointing about this book, however, is the lack of an interesting plot, and its incohesive narration which I thought was rather confusing. Sometimes I found myself reading passages just for the sake of finishing the book. At times I even wanted to throw the book out my window in hopes that it would give hapless passersby a headache as bad as the one I would be having (from reading the book).

Great Characters and brisk plot.......2003-06-24

Harlan is able to weave a believable version of Rome in a world of magic. The Dahak character intrigues and the battles are fresh and lively. Harlan is able to bring suspense to Thyatis' commando style raids as well as Galen's politicing. An excellent debut to what becomes a decent series. The author does well to describe scenes from many views without getting bogged in repetion.

"A Big Book is like a Big Evil".......2002-09-08

The quotation from Callimachus that is the title of this review could in this case be continued, "And Four Big Books...." Mr. Harlan has certainly accomplished a remarkable feat in producing so much prose in so short a time--indeed, he even managed to produce more than Tor would publish, which must be almost impossible. His website indicates that he had to cut over 300 pages. But don't worry, they have been preserved there.......

The main value of these volumes is as a testimony to the lack of editors in publishing today. "Terbert Jordkind" has already demonstrated that, of course, but in Harlan's endless works we have more entire pages which could be omitted and whose omission would considerably strengthen the story.

If you react to the first two volumes as I did, you will find yourself awash in a sea of words and eventually drowning in them. Everything is described in detail, and the book shifts from viewpoint to viewpoint like a kaleidoscope. Soon this whirring becomes a whirlwind and you will not remember, when you encounter Maxim, or Dyrwin, or whoever, for the fourth time, what he was up to when you last saw him. Mr. Harlan's gift for verbosity is not matched by a gift for clarity, so often you will not really be sure what happened at all--but, what the heck, just shrug and go on to the next hundred pages, I mean, what difference does it make? It's not as though this hash were carefully constructed.

And, if you are like me, you will find yourself caring less and less, and skimming, and skipping, and then, at the end of volume II, going to the nearest large trash container, tossing both volumes into it, and thanking heaven you didn't buy all four.

A picky, pedantic note: I will always wonder why Mr. Harlan called the King of Persia "Chrosoes" when the name of those two monarchs is spelled, in English, "Chosroes," (or Khosru Parviz). But then, he also uses the word "avtokrator" when he means "autocrator." Oh, well, as Pope said, a little learning is a dangerous thing.

And as the Duke of Gloucester said, "Another da(r)ned, thick, square book! Always scribble, scribble, scribble! Eh! Mr. Gibbon?" Gibbon didn't deserve it, but Mr. Harlan.....

Ambitious, sweeping and boring.......2002-03-30

I am interested in Rome and Byzantium, which is why I bought this book. I respect this author's technical knowledge, and he excels at description...but about 1/3 of the way through I ran into problems. First of all... my understanding is that 'alternate history" should provide some kind of 'branching point in history" which caused this world to evolve differently from our own. In this case, there was no Christianity and no split between the Eastern and Western Empires. That's 2 branching points already. In addition, the empires seem to have been spared the massive migrations of people which caused the real Rome to be swamped by 'barbarian' invasions. So I guess the Huns, etc. were simply Nice Guys in this book and never bothered Rome?

OK. Moving on to the real problems of this novel: though I tried very hard, I felt no identification with the protagonists. The author does a wonderful job of describing what they wear, what they look like and the landscapes through which they pass. But as for what makes the people tick--nothing. No word of their pasts, their griefs, joys, thoughts, beliefs. Nobody falls in love or even really has sex. One character encounters the Queen of Palmyra; the next time we see them they are apparently lovers, though we never see how they interact and reach this state. To me, that's a fatal error. An author can get away with blah characters in a short novel, but in a book of this length it quickly becomes deadly--especially since I really didn't care that much about the Roman Empire's victory over the Persians. In fact, I found myself rooting for the underdog Persians.

In addition: I quickly lost track of what the characters were doing and why. Scenes seemed to be thrown together at random. I realize that this book is part of a series--nevertheless I regard it as a critical weakness when one book of a series can't 'stand alone". Tolkien got away with it--but since I did not feel satisfied at the end of this book, there's no way I'm going to read the next one.

Two stars for technical excellence.

Average customer rating:
Shadow Of Ararat - Book One Of The Oath Of Empire
Thomas Harlan
Manufacturer: Tor: Tom Doherty Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S14RR8

Average customer rating:
Shadow of Ararat / The Dark Lord / The Gate of Fire - 3 Book Pack (Oath of Empire, Volumes 1, 2 & 4)
Thomas Harlan
Manufacturer: TOR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000WO519E

Product Description

3 volumes in the Oath of Empire Series.

Average customer rating:

The Shadow of Ararat (Tor Fantasy Ser)
Thomas Harlan
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTH0UK

Average customer rating:

Worlds without end- human potential without limit

Ring around the sun;: A story of tomorrow
Clifford D Simak
Manufacturer: Simon and Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Similar Items:

Cemetery World

The Goblin Reservation

Way Station

ASIN: B0007DZNA2

Customer Reviews:

Worlds without end- human potential without limit.......2005-02-17

Jay Vickers was an ordinary man, or so he thought. All he wanted was to be left in peace to finish his next book. However, strange things started happening- from his discovery of a mouse that was not a mouse, to the visit of an old neighbor that was not a man. Or at least he was not an ordinary man. For as it turned out, neither was Jay Vickers.

This is the story of human mutation- the next step in the evolution of the species. What if mutants walked among us already? What if they were organized? What if they had unbelievable powers, such as the ability to cross between alternate worlds or dimensions at will, or to intuitively reach the absolutely correct answer by intuition or "hunch", or to telepathically reach out to the stars? Such supermen would automatically try to conquer lesser men, would they not? Or would they do everything in their power to free the rest of humanity from slavery and suffering? Just what would the political and corporate powers- that- be do to keep their power and their slaves? How would mutants undermine the power of these bosses to set mankind free?

This is a story of unlimited freedom, of worlds without end, ready for the taking. It is also the story of powerful, benevolent beings that exist only to help those who need that help. Simak sets this optimism off against the far-flung future- of 1987. This is a future of a lop-sided mechanical culture of technology that could provide creature comfort for a few, but not human justice or security for the many. It is a future of hate, and war, and worry. Nothing like the way the world really turned out....

Years ago when I first read this novel the uncanny "coincidences" with my own life gave me chills.

But then, there couldn't really be an underground of mutants working to free humanity... could there?

Ring Around the Sun (Classic Ace SF, F-339)

Average customer rating:

Worlds without end- human potential without limit

Ring Around the Sun (Classic Ace SF, F-339)

Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 0441043399

Customer Reviews:

Worlds without end- human potential without limit.......2006-06-16

Cosmic Manhunt / Ring Around the Sun (Ace Double D-61)

Average customer rating:

Cosmic Manhunt / Ring Around the Sun (Ace Double D-61)
L. Sprague De Camp , and Clifford D. Simak
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HXGM3Y

Average customer rating:

Cosmic Manhunt and Ring Around the Sun
L. Sprague and Simak, Clifford D. de Camp
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J5LF5K

Average customer rating:

Cosmic Manhunt/Ring Around The Sun
L. Sprague/Simak, Clifford D. de Camp
Manufacturer: Ace Double Novel, #D-61
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000KD7CAI

The Early Asimov Book One - Callistan Menace - Ring around the Sun - Trends - Magnificent Possession - History - Imaginary - Half-Breed - Homo Sol - Weapon Too dreadful to Use - Half-Breeds on Venus - Heredity - Black Friar of the Flame - Secret Sense

Average customer rating:

The Early Asimov Book One - Callistan Menace - Ring around the Sun - Trends - Magnificent Possession - History - Imaginary - Half-Breed - Homo Sol - Weapon Too dreadful to Use - Half-Breeds on Venus - Heredity - Black Friar of the Flame - Secret Sense
Isaac Asimov
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000Q5YE7O

Galaxy Science Fiction, December 1952; Part 1 of Simak's *Ring Around the Sun* (Volume 5, No. 3)

Average customer rating:

Galaxy Science Fiction, December 1952; Part 1 of Simak's *Ring Around the Sun* (Volume 5, No. 3)
Clifford D. Simak , Isaac Asimov , Howard L. Myers , and Robert Sheckley
Manufacturer: Galaxy Publishing Corp.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1415552126

Average customer rating:

RING AROUND THE SUN
Clifford D. Simak
Manufacturer: Carroll
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000V6XLFY

Average customer rating:

Ring Around the Sun

Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HU5IV4

Average customer rating:

Worlds without end- human potential without limit
exciting novel
A wonderous book that I need to read again.
A unique thriller with one hell of a twist.
Good writing, interesting ideas.

Ring Around the Sun
Clifford D. Simak
Manufacturer: Mandarin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ASIN: 0749303530

Customer Reviews:

Worlds without end- human potential without limit.......2004-07-07

This is the story of human mutation- the next step in the evolution of the species. What if mutants walked among us already? What if they were organized? What if they had unbelievable powers, such as the ability to cross between alternate worlds or dimensions at will, or to intuitively reach the absolutely correct answer by intuition or "hunch", or to telepathically reach out to the stars? Such supermen would automatically try to conquer lesser men, would they not? Or would they do everything in their power to free the rest of humanity from slavery and suffering? Just what would the political and corporate powers- that- be do to keep their power and their slaves? How would mutants undermine the power of these bosses to set mankind free?

This is a story of unlimited freedom, of worlds without end, ready for the taking. It is also the story of powerful, benevolent beings that exist only to help those who need that help. Simak sets this optimism off against the far-flung future- of 1987. This is a future of a lop-sided mechanical culture of technology that could provide creature comfort for a few, but not human justice or security for the many. It is a future of hate, and war, and worry. Nothing like the way the world really turned out....

Years ago when I first read this novel the uncanny "coincidences" with my own life gave me chills.

But then, there couldn't really be an underground of mutants working to free humanity... could there?

exciting novel.......2003-09-02

I read ring around the sun years ago and as a translation in my native language, Dutch. The story is gripping and with an unexpected twist. Mr. Simak brings you back to the time when he wrote this story: the fifties. The story encompasses many aspects of its time: the luxury items people surround themselves with, the cold war starting, the big brother watching you idea and the latest trends in Science in those days: quantum technology and the believe of some scientists that there is a paralel universe. After I read Michael Crighton's Timeline I noticed the similarities in the topic. Crichton also references a book that goes deep into the topic: The Fabric of Reality by David Deutsch.
Mr. Simak build a good story around these topics and Ring around the sun is a must read for Science Fiction fans.

A wonderous book that I need to read again........1999-02-27

I read this Simak offering so many years ago that I honestly can't recall how long it's been. All I know is that I really NEED to read it again. Simak was one of my all-time favorite SF writers. It helped in no small way that he lived and worked in my hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and that his fictional settings were so familiar to me because he wrote of places I could see just down the road. His gentleness, good humor and his graceful way of writing only endeared him to me more. Please, Mr. Publisher, see your way clear to reissuing this grand old piece of fine science fiction!

A unique thriller with one hell of a twist........1998-08-24

Once again Clifford D. Simak shows us the depth of his imagination. Drawing you in to a very familiar world, with superbly crafted charters and Simak's cosy style. Then when he has you where he wants, you suddenly, along with his charters, realize that things are not as they seem. Then you get to see why Simak is one of the most unique and imaginative authors ever. He is able to open the limits of human possibility in ways that few others explore. This story is the story of one very ordinary man and his role in events that change the world. This is a common Simak theme. Simak's heroes are heroes in the way that any of us could be heroes in the right circumstances, not supermen. Like many Simak books this will leave you thinking and enriched.

Good writing, interesting ideas........1998-08-24

Deals with the problem of how human mutants, superior to their fellows, might seek to bring about a better world. Simak offers many interesting ideas and a good overall plot, but the book has a bit of a cardboard, comic-booky feeling to me, with the characters and their actions and dialogue a little cliched. Entertaining, but I don't think it is as good as his "Way Station."

Average customer rating:

Not worth the time or money

Cold-Smoking & Salt-Curing Meat, Fish,& Game

Not what I had hoped for . . .

Cold Smoking & Salt Curing Meat, Fish & Game

the canning freezing, & smoking of meat, fish and game

Cold-Smoking & Salt-Curing Meat, Fish, & Game
A. D. Livingston
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Canning & Preserving | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Meats | Meat, Poultry & Seafood | Cooking by Ingredient | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Culinary Arts & Techniques | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Household Hints | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Build a Smokehouse: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-81 (A Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin)

A Guide to Canning, Freezing, Curing & Smoking Meat, Fish & Game

Basic Butchering of Livestock & Game

Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking, and Curing

Meat Smoking and Smokehouse Design

ASIN: 1558214224

Book Description

Includes construction plans for a smokehouse and fifty recipes for smoked delicacies.

Customer Reviews:

Not worth the time or money.......2006-06-22

I am a food professional and consulting chef with many years experience curing and smoking. I found much of the information to be incorrect and some of it unsafe from a food handling, curing, and smoking perspective. There are much better sources of information available, both in books and on the Internet.

Cold-Smoking & Salt-Curing Meat, Fish,& Game.......2005-08-20

I bought this book for our son inlaw, He seems happy with it after having a good look but has not tried anything out of it at present

Not what I had hoped for . . ........2004-09-08

This slim volume, while interesting, did not provide the depth I had been hoping for. However, what really ticked me off is that the index is horrible. I was particularly interested in a recipe for cold-smoked salmon. There is one in the text, but it doesn't show up in the index. Of course the author also suggests cooking the smoked salmon before eating -- yeah, that would be great on a bagel!

Cold Smoking & Salt Curing Meat, Fish & Game.......2002-03-11

A very disappointing book. The descriptions are to vague and are of little use to anyone other then someone with absolutely no knowledge what so ever of this subject. I got more information surfing the net for 45 minutes then this whole book has cover to cover. What good is a book that feels the need to include a recipe for a ham and cheese sandwich? If you are looking for information on smoking and curing meats I highly suggest you look into one of the other books on this subject. This book is not the money.

the canning freezing, & smoking of meat, fish and game.......2002-02-27

We got this book in the library and decided that it needed to be part of our collection at home.This is a great book for do-it-yourselfers. Those of us that want to take the middle man out, raise and cure your own meat this is the book for you. It also has some great recepies in the back.

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