Comic Book Review: 47 Ronin

Comic Book Review: 47 Ronin by Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai The tale of the forty-seven ronin is one of the classics of Japanese culture.  It’s based on actual events that occurred in 1701-2.  Lord Asano was provoked into an offense that caused him to be sentenced to ritual suicide, his lands were confiscated, and… Continue reading Comic Book Review: 47 Ronin

Movie Review: Viking Saga: The Darkest Day

Movie Review: Viking Saga: The Darkest Day A fairly low-budget film based very loosely on the real-life events surrounding the Book of Kells.  Viking raiders have sacked the monastery at Lindesfarne, killing most of the monks.  In addition to their usual spoils, the Vikings desire a book.  This illuminated copy of the Bible is particularly… Continue reading Movie Review: Viking Saga: The Darkest Day

Book Review: A Wilder Rose

Book Review: A Wilder Rose by Susan Wittig Albert Disclosure:  I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it. Most of you are familiar with the “Little House” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, about her life as a pioneer’s child.  If not the much beloved books themselves, then… Continue reading Book Review: A Wilder Rose

Book Review: A Reader’s Book of Days

Book Review: A Reader’s Book of Days by Tom Nissley Disclaimer:  I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it.  My review is based on the Advance Reading Copy; there may be small changes in the finished product. Unlike most of the books I review, I have not… Continue reading Book Review: A Reader’s Book of Days

Giveaway: Autumn Giveaway (Ends September 30, 2013)

This giveaway has now ended.  Congratulations to the winner, who will receive an ARC of “Hen of the Baskervilles!” There’s a chill in the air as fall approaches–time to warm up with a book! This time the prize is one of seven books that I’ve recently reviewed: Beneath the Bleak New Moon by Debra Purdy… Continue reading Giveaway: Autumn Giveaway (Ends September 30, 2013)

Movie Review: The Grandmaster (2013)

Movie Review: The Grandmaster (2013) This Chinese-French co-production is a Wong Kar Wai film loosely based on the real life of Ip Man, Bruce Lee’s instructor in the art of Wing Chun style kung fu.  As the title indicates, however, the true central character is the Northern Grandmaster, Gong Yutian.  As the film begins, Master… Continue reading Movie Review: The Grandmaster (2013)

Book Review: Wrapped in the Flag: A Personal History of America’s Radical Right

Book Review: Wrapped in the Flag: A Personal History of America’s Radical Right by Claire Conner Disclaimer:  I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it. This is an autobiography of Claire Conner, daughter of Stillwell J. Conner, one of the first members of the John Birch Society… Continue reading Book Review: Wrapped in the Flag: A Personal History of America’s Radical Right

Book Review: The 47 Ronin

The 47 Ronin by A.B. Mitford This is an abridged and dolled-up reprint of A.B. Mitford’s Tales of Old Japan with lots of color illustrations.  Tales was originally published in 1871, as Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, a member of the British legation in Tokyo, witnessed the rapid modernization of Japan.  He decided to set down some traditional stories… Continue reading Book Review: The 47 Ronin

Book Review: The Boy Knight

Book Review: The Boy Knight by G. A. Henty G.A. Henty (1852-1902) was a writer of children’s historical fiction, who began his career as an author after a friend heard him telling bedtime stories to his kids.  Like many Victorian authors, he’s out of favor these days, but my parents found this book at an… Continue reading Book Review: The Boy Knight

Manga Review: Ayako

Manga Review: Ayako by Osamu Tezuka Osamu Tezuka is best known in the United States for his early children’s manga and their subsequent animated adaptations like “Astro Boy” and “Kimba the White Lion.”  But later in his prolific career, he also produced quite a few works for more mature readers, such as “MW” and “Ode… Continue reading Manga Review: Ayako