Gil Chesterton, Herb Wells, and a Whole Lotta Steampunk: Reviewing "The Emperor of North America" by John McNichol

The Emperor of North America by John McNichol

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If Gilbert Chesterton and Herb Wells were best friends in a steampunk universe when they were 17 and had a crazy adventure involving airships, robots, flying cities, Pinkerton men, a mysterious female nemesis, Gil's true love, a couple of courageous young lads who double as inventors, and much more ... then you would have this book.

It grabbed me in a most unexpected way as you may be able to tell from the fact that I picked it up yesterday morning to read something different and early that evening found myself on page 300. I polished it off this morning. It's an adventure a minute but with time here and there to consider a few deeper things in life ... before being whisked off to another phase of the adventure.

Who is it that is after Gil and never quits trying, using all the forces that money can buy, to get their hands on him? And why would anyone be interested in a young journalist?

What a great time this book is ... all those disparate ingredients may make it sound chaotic but the author just keeps sending you further on the adventure and it all makes perfect sense at the time it is happening.

In the final analysis, I really enjoyed this and definitely recommend it. There are strains of Catholic worldview that are shown as part of various characters' moral fiber and others are shown espousing different views that are set in opposition. I didn't find these to be preachy or moralistic, and they were not the main focus of the action, though they definitely motivated actions. As with all things of this nature, your milage may vary.

I would say that although I enjoyed the mash-up of real and fictional characters, toward the end it did become a bit wearying to have every single major character be referential. It would have been nice to have a few main characters be solely of the author's creation. Perhaps in the next adventure he will venture into that new world. He has it in him and must merely be not afraid. I, personally, also did not like the back story for Gilbert's parents. It would have been nice to have something be what it appeared on the surface and see how that affected a character as well. To have those sorts of simpler characters encounter the over-arching conspiracy would have been refreshing.

However, as I say, I really enjoyed the book. It is those few problems above that kept it from being a five-star review for me. But they are small things indeed. It's a fun ride and one that left me interested in the first book of the series which I haven't encountered yet and whatever adventures McNichol sends Gil and Herb on in the future.

Weekend Joke: On This Day in History

From Dr. Boli's Celebrated Magazine.

ON THIS DAY in 1871, Mrs. O’Leary’s cow discovered fire. Unfortunately, she was unprepared to handle such advanced technology, setting bovine civilization back hundreds if not thousands of years.

Adorkable - My New Favorite Word

Thank you, Cracked, for this!

 (language warning because it is Cracked.com)

4 Reasons Zooey Deschanel Can Stop Pretending She's a Dork

Fillion Friday ... Updated

Another reason I love The Crescat. She'll say what the rest of us are thinking.

For instance, she's got a category for: I desperately love Nathan Fillion so much it makes others uncomfortable

And can any of us blame her?

I think we know the answer to that.

I ain't watching Castle for the plots.

Update:

Troy: Me and Abed have an agreement. If one of us dies, we stage it to look like a suicide caused by the unjust cancellation of Firefly. We're gonna get that show back on the air buddy!

Community

The Things Saints Leave Behind: Reviewing "Saints Preserved" by Thomas J. Craughwell

One thing we can count on Thomas J. Craughwell for is looking at a well-worn subject with an unpredictable eye. His previous book, Saints Behaving Badly, told shocking stories of people who later became saints. And he actually managed to shock me, which was quite an accomplishment since I thought myself unshockable.

Now he brings us Saints Preserved: An Encyclopedia of Relics. That's not such a big deal, right? A finger bone here, a lock of hair there, or perhaps a scrap of tunic, all carefully preserved in churches around the world.

Ummm, not exactly. Oh, the fingers, hair, and tunics are included. But I think we can all agree that is just perverse that every time I picked up this book to find a sample to include here, the book naturally opened to the Holy Prepuce, or Foreskin, of Jesus Christ.

Yes.

You read that right.

Again, I thought myself unshockable. Again I was wrong.

Some people, including Catholics I know, find the idea of relics morbid or unnatural. Craughwell, however, points out that Catholics aren't the only ones who value relics.

Even secular society prizes relics: at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, I saw crowds press around a display case that contained the gloves Mary Todd Lincoln wore to Ford's Theatre, stained with the blood of her assassinated husband. No doubt morbid curiosity plays a part, but I believe the desire to see Mary Lincoln's bloodstained gloves represents something deeper—the longing to have a physical connection with one of the greatest men, and one of the most tragic moments, in American history. It is that same longing to connect on a physical and not just a spiritual level that draws the faithful to the tombs of the saints, the houses where they lived, the altars before which they prayed, even the prisons where they were tortured.

I found myself entertained, informed, and inspired by this encyclopedia of relics. It made me think of Butler's Lives of the Saints as I read the brief biographies which covered major events, feast days, and patronage, while telling us where to find relics.

The only thing this book is missing is a patronage index to the saints contained in the book, which would have been very handy. There are occasional photos which were interesting although there were so few that I wondered why there were not more photos or no photos at all.

A great resource that can serve as a quick guide to a saint's biography, a tourist destination choice for those who want to mix relics and relaxation, or personal inspiration ... which was the case for me as I pondered all the varied ways that saints have done God's will over the last two thousand years. Definitely recommended.

I leave you with a sample entry; that of a saint who appeals to me on several levels.

Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560-636). The relics of Saint Isidore are preserved in the Cathedral of Murcia, Spain, along with the relics of his brother Saint Fulgentius and his Sister Saint Florentina.

For many generations Isidore's family had served as administrators of the Roman Empire in Spain. By the sixth century, the empire had collapsed, the provinces were i the hands of barbarian tribes, and the entire infrastructure of Roman society was vanishing—its libraries, its roads, its aqueducts, its laws and literature. In a desperate effort to halt the decay, Isidore began to write a massive twenty-volume encyclopedia of all existing knowledge. He included all the arts and sciences; the engineering that made aqueducts and the arch possible; medicine, metallurgy, and agriculture; even how to build furniture. And he urged his people to learn to read. "When we pray," he said, "we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us."

Saint Isidore of Seville is the patron saint of the Internet. Feast day: April 4.

World's Longest Book Meme? 31-40

It still has my interest ... and hopefully y'all's too. Part 4 picks up where we left off yesterday:

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I don't mind it at all. Although if it is a review book I tend to just not mention the book at all, especially if I requested it.

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
Chinese. Once upon a time, long ago, I could read a bit, but never enough to read novels.

33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Dante's Divine Comedy.

34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
Nervous? Hmmm ... can't think of any.

35. Favorite Poet?
Shel Silverstein, which tells you a lot about my love of clever word use and lack of appreciation for most other sorts of poetry.

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Four or five.

37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
Plenty, because if they don't pass my 50-100 page samples then I have no qualms about not reading them. Though lately I try the Kindle samples instead of bothering the library for their books ... that way I am more likely to want to read the book when I get it.

38. Favorite fictional character?
Again, this is like trying to pick my favorite child. Lately though ... Doan and Carstairs (Norbert Davis, author) have won my heart. Doan the mild-mannered, toughest private detective ever. And Carstairs, his Great Dane who is more than a mere dog but not at all like Scooby Doo.

39. Favorite fictional villain?
I'm fond of Professor Snape in the Harry Potter books. He is so unwavering in his disdain.

40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
Fiction, probably science fiction ... and lots of it.

"The Way" Opens Today

Steven G. Greydanus reviews it at National Catholic Register.

Amy Welborn reviews it and offers a good book recommendation about the Camino pilgrimage.

I agree with them ... and reviewed it here.

Short take? Get a ticket and see it.

Reviewing Centurion's Daughter by Justin Swanton

Her Frankish mother dead, 17-year-old Aemilia arrives at Soissons in Roman Gaul in search of her Roman father whom she has never met. She knows only that his name is Tarunculus and that he is a former centurion. She finds an old man fixed on the past, attempting in vain to kindle a spark of patriotism in his dispirited countrymen. Soon, Aemilia is caught up in her father's schemes to save the Empire and the intrigues of the Roman nobility in Soissons. In the war between Franks and Romans to decide the fate of the last imperial province, Providence will lead her down a path she could never have imagined.

Centurion's Daughter is a well written piece of historical fiction set in Gaul (France) when the Roman Empire was in its last gasps.

It is a time period I know little about but was soon more educated in as Aemilia's story was told. Aemilia herself was an interesting character, reminding me more of Saint Monica than of the more common spirited, assertive female usually seen in today's historical fiction. Aemilia was completely dependent, in turn, on her father, a local member of nobility, Soisson's bishop, and various other authorities. She usually had no choice but to do what she was told if she wanted to have clothing, food, and housing. However, as happens in real life, her natural character shone through and impulsive comments or acts of kindness would draw different influential characters' attention to her. They may have used her abilities for their own purposes but Aemilia's own goals were often served in the process. I found Aemilia a most appealing character and the way of telling her story to be refreshingly subtle.

In addition, the story seems carefully researched and the author brought this time period alive. Other characters in the book are equally well sketched with minimal description so that readers see the full gamut of personalities scheming to achieve their own goals while saving the little town of Soissons.

I suppose one could call this a YA book but it held my interest the entire time, as any well written book would regardless of intended age group. Highly recommended and I look forward with interest to seeing what Justin Swanton writes in the future.

World's Longest Book Meme? 21-30

Part 3, continuing from yesterday ...

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
If I'm super-excited about it or if I think someone will like it.

22. Favorite genre?
Science fiction.

23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
I'm actually happy with what I read and don't have genre envy. If I wanted to read a genre more ... I would!

24. Favorite biography?
Agatha Christie's autobiography. Not only do you learn about her life, but it is like a trip to Victorian times.

25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Not that I can think of though, of course, anything is possible and I simply may not remember.

26. Favorite cookbook?
Isn't that like asking if I have a favorite child? Favorite cookbook authors: James Beard, Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid, Mark Bittman (for How to Cook Everything, not for his others), Nigel Slater, Nigella Lawson (How to Eat, How to Be a Domestic Goddess, Feast ... haven't read others) ... off the top of my head.

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom.

28. Favorite reading snack?
I don't really snack while I read. No particular reason but I just don't.

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
I can't think of any but if I think I'll be reading something I try to avoid hype so I don't get spoilers or inflated expectations.

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
It really depends on the critic and the book. I don't count on it but am not surprised if I do. Critics have very little to do with whether I read a book or not. I trust friends' recommendations more than anything.

Scott wanted to keep the Batman soundtrack and I've got red on me.

Yes, the long-awaited Shaun of the Dead conversation is ready to go at A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast. Shamble like a zombie to get there without being attacked...

O Lord, Grant Steve Jobs the Joy of Your Presence ...

... and us who are living the happiness of knowing this.

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011 ... he changed the world we live in and died too soon.

Urgent Prayer Request for a Dying Atheist

I have an urgent prayer for my elderly atheist friend. He is to all appearances close to death now. Two years ago I e-mailed to ask for prayer for him, and his health improved. After reading about you asking your dad to reach out and take Jesus' hand at the moment of death, I asked my friend do do the same. His face softened and he said"Of course. I'm not too proud to admit if I've made a mistake." I am hoping, in your phrase, that this gets his toes across the line.

Please join me in prayer for this elderly atheist ... not my friend but that of an anonymous reader who occasionally emails.

Dad? You there? I'm asking for your prayers for this fellow ... and calling on St. Monica and St. Augustine to join us as well.

God of power and mercy, you have made death itself the gateway to eternal life. Look with love on our dying brother, and make him one with Your Son in His suffering and death, that, sealed with the blood of Christ, he may come before you free from sin. Amen.

It's Funny What You Learn About Yourself from Memes ...

4. Bad book habit?
Reading so quickly that I don't pick up on the details others do, and then I don't remember much later. 

Jenny from Reading Envy (who I met through SFFaudio ... all the best people read science fiction, right?) picked up the world's longest book meme. I was excited to see we have two favorite childhood books in common.

But I also saw that interpretation is a funny thing. What Jenny sees as a bad reading habit is one that I suppose I would also call a bad habit. Except that very habit is what allows me to reread books and enjoy them all over again as I discover "new" details that I didn't catch the first time around.

Of course, sometimes, as in my rereading (via audiobook) of the last Harry Potter books I discover, as Jenny points out, that I don't remember much. But that is generally not the case for me. I usually remember the big pieces and when the excitement of the initial story is out of the way, then I can settle in to reread for those lovely details.

Anyway, all that aside, if you haven't looked around Reading Envy, you definitely should stop by. For one thing Jenny is an adventurous reader (by my standards) and not only glances over things like the 2011 Scotia Bank Giller Prize Shortlist but actually gets all the books and reads them to see which she likes best!

I know, right?

No wonder I stand in some awe of her.

World's Longest Book Meme? 11-20

Continuing where we left off yesterday ...

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
When forced to do so by book clubs or podcasts ... maybe every two or three months?

12. What is your reading comfort zone?
Mysteries, science fiction, cookbooks.

13. Can you read on the bus?
Alas, my severe motion sickness makes that impossible.

14. Favorite place to read?
Anywhere I happen to be. Places I read most often: living room and bed.

15. What is your policy on book lending?
If I lend you a book that is a measure of how much I trust you ... which is to say that I rarely lend out books because they are like my children. The exception is books about religion. I never know if someone might really need it (we're talking about souls, people!) and not be able to find it otherwise so I lend them freely ... I'm prepared to replace those for my own library.

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Never.

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Fiction, never. Nonfiction, constantly. And underline. And highlight.

18. Not even with text books?
Hah! See above.

19. What is your favorite language to read in?
English.

20. What makes you love a book?
A great story. Or in the case of nonfiction ... I dunno. Any book I love lit a spark of excitement somehow.

Reviewing "Mass Revision" by Jimmy Akin

Any time one makes a big change, it can have unforeseen consequences, and not all of them good. That's why newly built boats have shakedown voyages, newly designed computer programs have bug releases, and so forth. It takes a while for a new or changed system to show how it works in practice, and often a little experience with it shows that some tweaking is necessary.

That is essentially what has happened with the liturgy. A big change was made in the 1970s, and from the decades of pastoral experience that followed, Pope John Paul II became convinced that the liturgy could be improved.  ...

... The translation that had been prepared in the 1970s was put together somewhat hastily, and it used a trendy philosophy of translation known as "dynamic equivalence." In this method, a translator tries to take the thoughts expressed on one language (in this case Latin) and bring them into another language without carefully mirroring the vocabulary, word order, or style of the original. ...

Although dynamic translations have some advantages, they also have drawbacks. One potential one is the "dumbing down" or "flattening out" of language that is meant to be noble and elevating. That is one of the concerns of the Missal that was produced in the 1970s. ...

Jimmy Akin's blog is one that I have long counted on for straight answers about Church teachings when I couldn't easily find the answer elsewhere. Soon after I entered the Church, the U.S. bishops issued a General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), designed to set up norms of worship around the U.S. The actual result was hotly disputed issues about things like taking communion on the tongue or in the hand, taking communion kneeling or standing, and having to stand and sing after communion instead of being allowed to kneel and pray. I always appreciated Akin's straight forward answers, supported by canon law, Church teachings, and other documentation. I never read it, but I knew that Akin even wrote a book, Mass Confusion, to instruct laypeople about liturgical law so they could see for themselves what was allowed and what wasn't.

Over time those questions seem to have have settled down. However, with the upcoming changes to the liturgy there is great potential for people to resent the revised liturgy replacing the one they love. My interest was piqued when I saw that Akin has a new book covering the changes, Mass Revision: How the Liturgy is Changing and What It Means for You.

It turns out that Mass Revision is a hugely revised version of Akin's previous book, Mass Confusion, but now focused more on the liturgical revisions than on abuses. I worried that the tone of the book might be strident, considering the previous focus on abuses, but nothing could be further from the case.

Akin calmly and clearly takes readers through the Mass step by step, detailing on the way where changes are being made and the logic behind them. I was pleased to see that his commentary actually serves as a thread binding together excerpts from various Church documents which are the genesis for the liturgical instructions. It was fascinating to see how many documents supported each other each step of the way. Also, in reading the actual excerpts I was often touched by the care shown to the faithful, the reverence for the Eucharist, and the practicality of the result.

Akin's comments serve as a guide, clarify possibly contentious points, and also give us helpful reasons as to why something may be misunderstood, as we can see in this excerpt.

Final Prayer over the Gifts

Following the lavabo, the priest directs the people to pray. The rubrics of the Mass state:

Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says:

Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),
That my sacrifice and yours
May be acceptable to God,
The almighty Father.

The people rise and reply:

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
For the praise and glory of his name,
For our good
And the good of all his holy Church.

There is something interesting to note here, because the release of the full Roman Missal clarifies something from the General Instruction that proved to be misleading in practice. According to the General Instruction:

The faithful should stand ... from the invitation, Orate, frates ("Pray, brethren"), before the prayer over the offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated below. (GIRM 43)

When the General Introduction was first released, people read this passage and assumed it meant that the congregation was to stand from the beginning of the invitation "Pray, brethren." Instead, as the rubrics of the Roman Missal (quoted above) make clear, they are to stand at the end of this invitation to pray. It is only after the priest has said "the almighty Fahter" that the people "rise and reply."

This sequence is also indicated later in the General Instruction itself:

Upon returning to the middle of the altar, the priest, facing the people and extending and then joining his hands, invites the people to pray, saying, Orate, frates ("Pray, brethren"). The people rise and make their response: Siscipiat Dominus ("May the Lord accept"). Then the priest, with hands extended, says the prayer over the offerings. At the end the people make the accalamation, "Amen." (GIRM 146)

However, this passage was overlooked as people focused on the previous passage. Because the first passage is found in the section of the General Instruction dealing specifically with posture, it is understandable that people would focus on that one and miss the implication of the later one. Nevertheless, it caused substantial discomfort as the faithful tried to guess when the priest was about to start the invitation so they could stand immediately beforehand.

The copious bonus materials comprise the final hundred pages of the book and cover everything from the Outline of the Mass to Low-Gluten Hosts and Mustum to Table of Postures During Mass. This is going to be my go-to resource when a specific question comes up for clarification.

The promotional materials and the back of the book seem to focus on liturgical abuse before pointing out that Mass Revisions above all describes and clarifies the liturgical revisions. I know this may be Akin's reputation but don't allow it to put you off as it almost did me. This book really does exactly what the subtitle says: how the liturgy is changing and what it means for you.

Get yourself a copy. You won't be sorry.

World's Longest Book Meme? 1-10

Well this may not actually be the longest, but I don't think I've ever seen one longer. I picked it up from the extremely literate Darwin Catholics, where Mrs. Darwin did the honors.

We'll take it in stages, shall we? A little every day ...

1. Favorite childhood book?
A Little Princess (also the Little House books, A Wrinkle in Time, and The Wonder Stick)

2. What are you reading right now?
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (audio), The Centurion's Daughter by Justin Swanton (review book), A Mended and Broken Heart by Wendy Murray (for Catholic women's book club)

3. What books do you have on request at the library?
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury (audio and print versions for A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast), The catechist's toolbox by Paprocki, Joe (looking for any good tips for RCIA small group), The color of magic : a Discworld novel by Pratchett, Terry (Rose's request), Essential Pepin: More Than 700 All-Time Favorites from My Life in Food by Pepin, Jacques (not even at the library yet but I wanted to get in line early), The accidental sorcerer by Mills, K. E. (Jeff Miller liked this and I liked the Kindle sample ... but the library has it for free ...)

4. Bad book habit?
Reading too many books at a time. I just keep beginning interesting new ones and I wind up with 6 - 8 books underway. Then I have to get very stern with myself and not let myself request any new books until I'm done with some of the ongoing ones.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Declare by Tim Powers (for Good Story podcast), The light fantastic : a Discworld novel (Rose), The man in the high castle (Rose), Middlemarch (Rose), Nightwatch (Rose) ... can you tell that Rose isn't working right now? I want to read Nightwatch when she's done and someday I will tackle Middlemarch which she highly recommends.

6. Do you have an e-reader?
Yep. Very handy though I prefer real books.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
We all know it is several.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I have less time to read and now must force myself to spend an hour each evening reading ... not that I don't slip in reading the rest of the time anyway (brushing teeth, getting dressed, feeding the dogs...all excellent quick reading opportunities)

9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)
The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril by Paul Malmont. I never finished it but so much explanation with so little story was a deadly combination.

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
Of the 125 books I've read so far ... East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I know, right? Color me surprised (and grateful that Scott picked it for Good Story). A close second is Declare  by Tim Powers (again, surprised and grateful ... this time to Jeff Miller)

Discovery: A Roomful of Women Who Don't Know How to Make Coffee

Now that's a life skill that I wouldn't have thought would have been lost in such a short time.

Rose is on jury duty as an alternate. It's a jury composed solely of women. In Family Court. Yeah ... some not-nice stuff being heard and decided (though she didn't divulge further details ... as a good juror).

She said that she was really surprised when they were in the jury room and thought they'd get the coffee pot going.

"Twelve women and not one really knew how to make coffee. And the woman who said she likes it strong advised one-half tablespoon of coffee per cup of water." (Then they were all surprised that it was so weak.)

Now, I know that Rose can make coffee. I'd take credit for properly training her but the fact of the matter is that whoever puts the coffee pot away is the one who is responsible for setting up the coffee the next day. I think everyone in our home does it by osmosis. (Like many good life skills, right? Dusting, sweeping, and so on...)

According to Rose, excuses ranged from regular Starbucks visits to "I just have one of those pod, single-serve machines."

So I asked if she volunteered.

"Hey, I didn't want any coffee. I kept reading my book. They all seemed able to drink it anyway."

We are so different.

And I fear for our country when a roomful of women don't know how to make coffee.

October Means Halloween ... All Month Long

HALLOWEEN (the book): I downloaded a sample of this book of Halloween short stories. I definitely would pick up the actual book because Ray Bradbury has forbidden anyone to use his work in ebooks and his story October Country is no exception. It is not in the ebook but is in the print version. There is an extremely interesting essay at the beginning about the history of Halloween. Among other things, it points out that Americans have fallen into the habit of celebrating Halloween all month long ... as this very post probably proves. (I prefer to look on it as a count-down, but po-tay-to, po-tah-to, right?)

Redecorating Middle-Earth in Early Lovecraft (Always Halloween and Never Thanksgiving): Amy H. Sturgis reinforces that month-long celebration point with her annual Halloween count-down. Art, quotes, and other ghostly things will be there every day of October.

Halloween Haunt: This annual podcast is back up and running. I always enjoy it for the good mix of fact, poetry, and pop culture episodes.

Tony Romo, Your Three Interceptions Punched a Hole Where My Heart Used to Be

I miss Jon Kitna.

At least when he threw interceptions it was because he got next to no practice with the first string ...

Weekend Joke

From Singing in the Shower, where there at least six more hipster jokes awaiting you.

Two hipsters walk into a bar. One walked in before it was cool. The other walked in ironically.