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The Journey of Man -- Spencer Wells |
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Written by Mike Noel
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Sunday, 18 May 2008 |
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In The Journey of Man author Spencer Wells puts forth a description and explanation of how modern man descended from a single man located somewhere in Africa around 60,000 years ago. In more detail Wells describes the actual migration routes over the millenniums showing how man moved from one continent to another and eventually spread to every corner of the globe. Wells is able to come up with these astounding details through the clever use of genetics, in particular the Y chromosome, and statistical analysis. Unfortunately there are many many details left out and lots of gaps that make the whole premise much less solid. As I read through the book I found myself frequently scratching my head and wondering how the conclusion could possibly follow from the facts presented. There was also very little description or explanation of how Wells obtained the genetic data that he bases the entire premise on. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 30 May 2008 )
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Written by Mike Noel
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Monday, 03 March 2008 |
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While reading the paper today I came across an interesting quote. I was reading the latest news concerning the Democratic primaries. As expected, Hillary is continuing with her dreadful performance. The article was focusing on some of the women's groups who are irritated and angry with other women for "abandoning Hillary in favor of a 'rock star' candidate". The sentiment is that women are all leaving Hillary and jumping on the Obama bandwagon just because he's popular and all that. Who knows, that could be the case. If so then I can see being annoyed over that. It never makes sense to me that people would vote for someone just because he (or she) is the most popular. It does seem that the current election is becoming more and more like that. But that's not my point here -- I'm getting distracted.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 03 March 2008 )
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The Mammoth Book Of Fantasy |
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Written by Mike Noel
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Saturday, 16 February 2008 |
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The Mammoth Book of Fantasy is yet another anthology that I read. This time, I'm happy to say, there were a few stories in the collection that I thought were interesting. Many of the stories in the book were not what I would call fantasy though. That's probably because I have a limited or narrow definition of fantasy. I think that I should really be looking at "heroic" or "epic" fantasy. |
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Written by Mike Noel
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Wednesday, 30 January 2008 |
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The Last Unicorn is considered one of the top fantasy books in the last 100 years. Written by Peter S. Beagle in 1963 it boasts sales of over 5 million copies and translation into 20 different languages. At least one animated film has been made from the story and there is rumor of a live-action film in the works which has garnered a lot of excited attention from the fans. So I'm a bit baffled that I found the book somewhat lackluster. It was mildly interesting but not extraordinary. |
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Fantasy: The Best Of The Year 2006 |
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Written by Mike Noel
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Saturday, 19 January 2008 |
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When I read anthologies, such as this one, it is my intention to get broad exposure to different authors in the genre. I fully expect to like some and dislike some. In fact, it seems I end up disliking more than I like. But there is always the hope of finding at least one gem in the pile. In all of this I assume that the genre in the title is the genre I'm looking for. In this case, with a title like "Fantasy" I was expecting a couple dozen short stories in the fantasy genre. Silly me. Instead I got to read two vampire stories, a couple ghost stories, several science-fiction stories, and a supernatural thriller. Hardly what I would expect for "fantasy". |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 19 January 2008 )
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Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill |
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Written by Britney M Noel
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Wednesday, 09 January 2008 |
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Secrets Can Kill is a fun computer game for teens and adults. It has split-second danger and lots of puzzles to solve. This is the first game in a series of stickler computer games. They are exhilarating and get your adrenaline pumping with their surprises all along the way. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 January 2008 )
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National Treasure: Book Of Secrets |
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Written by Mike Noel
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Wednesday, 02 January 2008 |
National Treasure: Book Of Secrets is a great sequel to National Treasure. I wasn't expecting much from this movie. The previews came off as a bit cheesy and silly. I'm also not a huge Nicolas Cage fan. I generally don't appreciate his style of acting. But despite these things I was pleasantly surprised with National Treasure: Book Of Secrets. All of the same characters were back -- at least the good guys -- and they have been developed a bit more. The story is involved and fun. There's enough puzzling and problem solving to keep the viewers' interest. There is also quite a bit of intense action in the movie. The balancing platform scene was particularly innovative.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 January 2008 )
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Written by Mike Noel
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Thursday, 27 December 2007 |
Ticket To Ride is probably our favorite game right now. We got it a year ago and have played it more than any other board game since then. The basic idea with this game is simple. Each player attempts to build as many train routes as possible across a map of the United States and Southern Canada. Points are awarded for the routes built. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
It sounds easy (and it is) but you have to watch out for the other players. Inevitably someone will build a route where you need to go and you'll be stuck in an impossible situation. That can be very frustrating but a creative mind can oftentimes work around it.
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The Iron Lance -- Stephen Lawhead |
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Written by Mike Noel
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Tuesday, 25 December 2007 |
The Iron Lance is Stephen Lawhead's first book in the Crusades Trilogy. Starting off the northern coast of Scottland Murdo's father and brothers begin their quest to join in the crusades to rescue Jerusalem from it's captors. Leaving the young boy in charge the men expect to be back within the year. Due to incredible abuse of power and exploitation Murdo soon finds himself and the women in his care without land or home. Murdo follows after his father and brothers in the hopes that they will return and restore the land that was taken. Eventually, and against his will, Murdo ends up joining the crusades to retake Jerusalem. Befriended by a group of monks from the Cele De and finding himself disillusioned by all that occurred in the name of God, Murdo only wants to return home. When he find his father and brothers he is able to complete his business and return back home. Through the difficulties of the two year journey Murdo has become a man and returns home as a man.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 31 December 2007 )
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