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You'd be better off with something other than this book.
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This book details an incredibly complex scheme by what is, in essence, the most politically connected corporation in America to fix prices in the lysine market. Lysine is used by the livestock industry to grow animals larger and faster. But, the conspiracy hardly stops there. ADM used similar price fixing techniques in other food additives they produced.
This is just the beginning of the criminal and unethical behavior of the Archer Daniels Midland Company and the management of that company, not to mention the behavior of the companies that ADM is doing "business" with.
Mr. Eichenwald has done an excellent job of detailing this complex conspiracy and telling an incredible, and often entertaining, story. You'd swear that this was a work of fiction. When reading this book, don't be afraid to go back and even put the book down for a few minutes to consider what you've just read. This is a very complex book. Which isn't to say it is difficult reading. It is not, but there are many details to sift through and the details sometimes become more mind-boggling as you go on.
Needless to say The Informant proved an excellent book for me to read. The bonus for me was that I got all of the information I needed to craft my next fiction novel, which will deal with an FBI and Navy sting operation and an informant.
I might add that The Constant Gardener by John Le Carre, just released an on it's way to being a bestseller (see my review), deals with something similar to the Archer Daniels Midland anti trust case. In Le Carre's book it is the pharmaceutical-government complex that are the bad guys.
Cat's Cradle is narrated through Jonah, an author who aims to write a book on the single day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. On investigating the atomic bomb's main founding father (and his three children) he is told about a *non-existant* substance with the capacity to provide all water on earth with a different molecular structure, turning it into Ice 9 (ie, a substance that could bring about the end of the world) A different assignment takes Jonah to the small island of San Lorenzo where he encounters Felix Hoenikker's three children and a society where the religion of choice (a religion that everyone knows is based on lies, yet still has utter faith in) is punishable by death, for the simple fact that it adds excitement to the dull lives of the inhabitants. I won't go any further...
The thing that delighted me most about this book was the way in which it was written. A lot of great and influential books are ones that (on the whole) you enjoy, but take a while to get into, and at times you feel like giving up on: you know the book in question is good literature, but the style and plot make finishing it seem a chore.
Similarly, a lot of fast-paced books hold little impact, don't challenge the mind and are forgotten the instant you read them.
Kurt Vonnegut has managed to write a powerful and memorable novel in a short, snappy style: this book has everything that makes a compelling, challenging read. Vonnegut lets you get a feel for the characters without going into lengthy descriptions, he manages to make sharp, subtle criticisms of religion, human nature and society without rambling or whining, his plot is exciting yet not unrealistic, he creates a hellish world that plays on everyone's fear of obliteration in precious few words. I thought the ending was too abrupt, but it fitted well with the rest of the story (and it would have been even more disappointing if he'd created a satisfying, everything-tied-up-nicely ending)
I found this impossible to put down, and highly recommend it to any fan of literature.
SIRENS OF TITANS is startlingly mature for a novel written in 1959 (...). The insights about life and reality which one finds all the way through TIMEQUAKE already are fully developed here.
What insights? The ones obvious to those with ears to hear: that life is governed by accidents rather than the will of divinity; that the concept of "hell" is hideous and wrong; that humans are capable both of great kindness and great depravity; that irony seems to rule the universe with an iron fist; that despite the pains and hardships of life, there still is an astonishing richness of beauty, of wonder, and much to laugh heartily about. When one finds these last three, one might do best by paraphrasing the words of Vonnegut's dad: "If this isn't nice, what is?"
The novel's plot is, as with all classic Vonnegut novels, remarkably serpentine, ingenious, pyrotechnic, comic, and irrelevant. The core of the book is the worldview--but one cannot understand the worldview without experiencing the plot. Form equals content. A neat trick!
...
As usual, Vonnegut's SIRENS conjures for me the works of Philip K. Dick, Walter Kaufmann, and Tim Miller. I scarcely expect any readers of this review to be so reminded.
And yet I am certain, based upon e-mail responses to my Amazon.com reviews over the years, that there is, in fact, a recognizable thread running through the works of the above authors. In fact, those for whom my words reverberate might do well to trace the thread of my reviews: you will find lots of other fun literary works which most probably will reverberate for you.
For the rest of you, forget it. You either get it or you don't. There just ain't no darn sense in trying to explain.
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Alex Ross's photorealistic painted artwork, rather than the pencil-ink-color process that is the norm, gives the book a 'real world' look. It's how the Marvel universe would look like were it shown 'live-action'. MARVELS marks Ross's big break into the comics scene, eventually making him one of the most in-demand talents in the medium today. This book was my first exposure to Ross' efforts, and I've been a big fan of his art ever since.
But there's also Kurt Busiek's story, which shows the man's reactions to the events as an outsider looking in. His story artistry gives you a glimpse, if you were able to, of how you'd experience the world of superheroes.
'Late!
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As it stands, the book is a great choice for one of two reasons. As an introduction to Vonnegut, it is light and clever enough to draw a reader in to his somewhat twisted worldview. And then if someone is addicted to Vonnegut and can't get enough of him, then this book can be alot of fun because it is pretty much pure Vonnegut (the style is present as well as a few characters from his other novels).
Other than that, I don't see much reason to rush to a bookstore and purchase a copy. People have stated that it is about America, and that is true, but the criticism/analysis goes nowhere. I believe it is more about writing and specifically about the idea of fictional characters, but not in a metaphysical way (which would have been interesting). If you like the recurring Kilgore Trout character in Vonnegut's work, then you'll enjoy this book because the story is all about him and the ending spotlights him in a rather magical way.
Among the many minor (or mini) themes that Vonnegut offers the reader throughout the book, a major one emerges. He seems to say that people should be careful of what they say, or write, because we effect other is ways that we can't even imagine (both negativelly and possitivelly). Often times we are, and remain, unaware of the consequences of our actions.
There is also another aspect of the novel that is noteworthy: The illustrations. Mr. Vonnegut weaves rather simple drawing into the actual text of the story (often for a humorous effect). These illustrations often take the place of verbal descriptions. For the first hundred pages, or so, this style is interesting. However, after that it grows old, and begins to seem like an easy way to avoid describing objects. This, however, is my only complaint concerning the book. I would recomend the novel to any Kurt Vonnegut fan. I would also recomend this as an introduction to Mr. Vonnegut's work, or to a person who loves humorous stories.
First, it is an important lesson in American history. In the form of a fictional town, Vonnegut creates a brilliant (read "entertaining") satire of American life. With great agility he addresses race, sexuality, gender, freedom, nature, and much more. Although still largely applicable, this satire is dated (1972).
Second, Vonnegut experiments with form; the narration occurs as an acummulation of loosely connected details. This makes the book fast and fun to read--we skip from one interesting thought to the next, and before we know it, a plot develops. The entire story is littered with profound ideas about life and art; Vonnegut is refreshingly honest and articulate concerning the great mysteries, including life's meaning and minimal art.
Third, the author demonstrates his drawing talent (albeit it limited), with almost every other page hosting a small doodle. While these pictures add little to the content, it is apparent that Vonnegut took great satisfaction in making a text complete with illustrations. For this reason, I call it art.
Fourth, this book might actually encourage you to measure your genitals. (So as to compare yourself with Dwayne, Kilgore, and the rest of the characters.) And, as a bonus, the author reveals his own measurements. In fairness, women are also reduced to their bust/waist/hips measurements.
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Without giving away the story, the "big secret at the end of the book" lives up to its billing; in so many books, the "big ending" falls flat. Not so in this case. I was floored, moved, elated, and generaly in awe of the genius of the idea. It made me realize that the helter-skelter events in the main character's life had been anything but; Vonnegut had written every event in the main character's life like Mozart placing every note it its correct place. This may be the most human book I've ever read; it is teaching the reader about life without being preachy, witty without being annoyingly sarcastic and thoughtful about the state of human existence and how we all interact. Most of all, it makes the reader really think about what he or she ultimately does with his life. This book is a must-read.
Vonnegut's books often make no sense on purpose. This annoyed me about Vonnegut when reading Slaughterhouse 5 and Breakfast of Champions. However, Slapstick has an impressively coherent plot. For all those who have complained that there is not enough unity or togetherness in the world, this book is an answer. The arbitrary collectivism imposed by the main character is disastrous to the nation. Everything regresses. While Vonnegut claimed to be an advocate of socialism, this book makes a well-defined argument against it. Vonnegut's works are not often read as intensely ideological, merely as humor, but satire implies ideas. This is one of my 20 favorite books, and that is exceedingly high praise.
Vonnegut fans will enjoy the inherent satire in this book, as well as the usual cheap comic gimmicks (yes, you know the phrase involving flying donuts and the mooooooooooooon). However, those who dislike most of Vonnegut's work will find in Slapstick a thorouighly enjoyable, coherent ideological work. Even if you don't generally like Vonnegut's style, this book may very easily surprise you.
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I read this book after covering Coriolis's larger Exam "PREP" book (which I can't recommend) a few days before my test. This book & its sample tests covered much material NOT found in the PREP book. This book, combined with the Transcenders, gave me the ability to score 933.
I have read many reviews that complain about the 11+ pages of errata that Coriolis has provided at its website for the various editions of this book, but I think they are overreacting. What many of these reviewers miss is the fact that most of these corrections have already been assimilated into the newer editions of the book. If your book's publishing date is 1999 or later, you have little to worry about. As Coriolis says, "This page was created so that even those with the earliest printings of each title can have access to the most current updates."
This being said, there are still a few lingering errors, and I even found one case where a question in the 1st sample test directly contradicted a virtually identical, but reworded, question in the 2nd sample test. I forwarded my findings to the publishers & was surprised when Ed Tittle personally replied within one day. They may not have wiped out every single error, but at least they're staying on top of things.
Overall, this is an exceptional review book & a darned good value for the money.