ego? moi?

[realthog]

The by now incontrovertibly indefatigable Charles Tan (charlesatan) has just posted a glowing review of my nonfiction book Discarded Science on his Bibliophile Stalker blog. Here are some juicy extracts:

It was author Jeffrey Ford if I'm not mistaken who said that he mines pseudosciences for story ideas and if you're that type of person (I was certainly itching to turn on my computer and start writing), this book is certainly a treasure trove. John Grant gives us a history of everything, from creation to physiognomy, and narrates it in an informal style that gets to the point and doesn't require a bachelor's degree in whatever science to understand. [. . .]

What I particularly enjoy about Grant is that his writing is balanced. While the religious are typically the target of his criticisms in the book, the scientific community isn't exempted either and a good chunk of the book is devoted to their inaccuracies. Those looking to use the book for research purposes will find this to be a holy grail as far as referencing goes. [. . .]

Discarded Science was certainly an enjoyable read and one of the more densely packed but accessible texts. Critical analysis combined with restrained humor and compelling writing make me look forward to the sequel.

Y'know, I should definitely go put a copy of this book up in the helpvera  auction.

Comments

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

Hey, it and Corrupted Science are on my reference shelf, and they used on a regular basis. (My only quibble, and it's really slight, was in your section on arson experts. I have to admit that I laughed a bit to discover that Corsicana is close to Dallas, and then I realized that on a global scale, you were right. Considering the number of technical recruiters who assume that Dallas is a quick drive down the street from Austin or Houston, and get really pissy when I ask if I'll get reimbursed for mileage for a two-week assignment, it's a really slight quibble.)

You know, I just thought of something. My wife and I purchased Corrupted Science on our fifth anniversary last year, and we're getting ready to go to the same hotel in Fort Worth for our sixth. You have a new book coming out, don't you?

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"You have a new book coming out, don't you?"

I have Bogus Science coming out next Fall. It was originally scheduled for earlier, but all my surgical delights have delayed things a bit. (Very luckily, my publisher has been understanding!)

I've had plenty of fiction published this year, though! The Dragons of Manhattan (http://www.johngrantpaulbarnett.com/DragonsofManhattan.html), Leaving Fortusa (http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9781934648735-1) and -- any moment now -- the novella The City in These Pages (http://store.pspublishing.co.uk/acatalog/the_city_in_these_pages_hc.html).

See? Never let slip an opportunity to do some plugging, that's me.

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

That'll definitely work. The Czarina is looking for new authors (she's the big fiction enthusiast in the household), and I think it's time to terrorize the local Barnes & Noble.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

You'll certainly not find The Dragons of Manhattan in B&N; the book has yet to find a US publisher -- I've imported a stack of copies so people don't have to pay the extraordinary shipping costs involved in getting single copies from the UK.

Leaving Fortusa you might find in B&N, but more likely will have to order specially.

I'm not sure what's happening in the US about The City in These Pages.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

" . . . restrained humor . . . " is an apt descriptor!

Love, c.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

" . . . restrained humor . . . " is an apt descriptor!

Oh, come on! Some of the jokes are funny, surely?

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

Funny, yes, but droll. You don't get enough droll in this day and age. If wit is the sniper rifle of humor, then drollery is the motion-activated grenade.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

"Restrained humor" is highly complementary. Very funny doesn't necessarily negate restrained. Meaning so aptly on the money. Witty. So there.

Love, C.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

That's an excellent review. It would make me go out and buy a copy of the book, but for the fact that I already have one.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Well, are you sure you don't need another?

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

If I grow an extra head I'll think about it.