The Twelve (Book Two of The Passage Trilogy): A Novel

The Twelve (Book Two of The Passage Trilogy): A Novel

THE TWELVE, which is the second book of Cronin's towering trilogy, can be read as a complete book, whereas the first book stopped abruptly, like a gasp. However, I urge you to read THE PASSAGE first, because the epic as a whole is a finely calibrated accretion of history, plot and character. The Twelve refers to the twelve "parent" or original virals, the death-row-inmate subjects-turned-virals from "Project Noah," who must be liquidated in order to save the world. The thrust of this book is the hunt of the twelve by Amy, Alicia, Peter, and company.

"All eyes." Two words commonly spoken by the First Colony Watchers, starting in Book one--survivors of the end of the world as we know it. I shiver when I read it now, this sober siren call of fellowship to signal strength and vision, to defeat the virals. It carries an additional, deep and tacit message now--that I honor you, comrade (lover, brother, father, mother, friend, sister, soldier, daughter)--go bravely and stay safe. And keep your eyes forward, against the last remaining light of the day.

Cronin's weighty trilogy, a hybrid of mainstream and literary fiction, isn't just a story about these photophobic vampiric virals, identified variously as dracs, smokes, flyers, jumps, and glowsticks. Rather, it is a portrait of humanity in extremis. Virals, caused by a military experiment gone awry, are a malignant, violent force of annihilation. But what reserves of strength keep us fighting? How do people live in a post-apocalyptic world? Is another end coming? Or a beginning? Is the world even worth saving? THE TWELVE, like THE PASSAGE, has as much anthropology, eschatology, psychology, and philosophy, as it does gore, battle and horror.

Puppyhood: Life-size Portraits of Puppies at 6 Weeks Old

Puppyhood: Life-size Portraits of Puppies at 6 Weeks Old

It seems that most reviews of the book are by one of two types of reviewers: 1. the reviewer either loves or hates O'Reilly, or 2. the reviewer either loved or hated how it was written. Here is my take, leaving the personal feelings about the author aside, Killing Lincoln delivers on its mission. Many rip O'Reilly apart for it not being an in depth treatment of his death and surrounding events. Here's a news flash: it's not supposed to be. It is not written as a doctoral dissertation on the subject nor is it intended to be. It is not intended to give every detail about what happened. It is intended to be an engaging read that follows the events surrounding Lincoln's last days. It is intended to be written from the perspective of putting the reader on the streets of D.C. during those days, putting you into Ford's Theater the night of the killing. In that regard it delivers. Here is my recommendation for this book: give this book to someone that you want to get interested in history. Give it to a student and let them see that history does not have to be boring. Give it to someone that loves novels, but hates non-fiction and let them discover how engaging and important history is and can be. On that level O'Reilly delivers.

The Secret Keeper: A Novel

The Secret Keeper: A Novel

Every family has secrets, but few are as disturbing as the one kept by the Nicolson family. One beautiful summer afternoon, sixteen-year-old Laurel watched her mother kill a man in cold blood. Now, fifty year later as her mother lies dying, Laurel decides to unravel the events leading up to that fateful day.

The Secret Keeper is a story about the power of secrets and their cost, a mix of history, mystery and family drama. The storyline moves between 2011 Suffolk and 1941 London, slowing interweaving to create a compelling tale of ambition, deception and unexpected redemption.

I really enjoyed this book. It starts out sedately, but it doesn't take long to become completely immersed in Laurel's search for answers. I finished the last 200 pages in one go and was just blown away by the surprise ending. The characters are well drawn - sometimes sympathetic, sometimes utterly maddening, and not quickly forgotten.

Kate Morton has penned an enjoyable and entertaining read. It's also thought-provoking. We tend to see our mothers and fathers not as individuals but rather as parental units devoid of passion. And yet we are shaped by our parents' often unspoken past. This book might well prompt you to examine your own family dynamic.

Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot

Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot

I was working in downtown Washington, D.C. on November 22,1963, the day John F. Kennedy was killed. A few days later, I stood at Pennsylvania Avenue in bright November sunshine and watched an unforgettable funeral procession. A team of white horses pulled a two wheeled artillery cart carrying JKF's flag-draped casket, followed by a black, saddled but riderless horse. Boots, placed reversed, were in the stirrups. An unhurried, muffled drumbeat accompanied the inexpressible sensation of grief that pervaded the cool air. There was collective anguish for the man, of course, but also grief because it seemed our country would never be the same. What I am about to write is not a political rant. Rather, it concerns the ever-lengthening shadow that continues to be cast to this day by the unthinkable events of November 22, 1963.

I still have a copy of the Life magazine that came out just a few days after the assassination. An article in Life stated that the President had turned toward the School Book Depository, which explained the entrance wound that the Parkland doctors had discovered in his throat. Later this was corrected by the FBI, and we were told the Texas doctors were wrong about the entrance wound, it was an exit wound. By December 3rd a story was "leaked" to the press stating that J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI had already determined that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin. This information seemed to calm the distraught nation. Almost a year later, the Warren Commission Report was published. It was hailed by the mainstream media with virtually universal praise, although its supporting 26 volumes of evidence (with a supplementary FBI report) would not be published for another two months. I believe I am one of the very few people who ever read the 888 page Warren Commission Report.

Israeli Civilian Gas Mask w/ Nato Filter

Israeli Civilian Gas Mask w/ Nato Filter

The three masks I ordered had expired filters as of 2005. I wish this was disclosed in the description because people are staking their lives on this product if they actually needed to use it (NBC attack or pandemic). I wish people were informed that these filters have a shelf life of 5 years, some better filters have 10 years. Unfortunately new filters are double the cost of this mask, almost $35 each. I will have to buy 3 new filters for $110 for these masks, otherwise they are basically useless and even dangerous, false sense of security.
They are a good deal though, considering just the mask is more expensive elsewhere and the mask itself seems quality, good fit and comfortable. I just can't give it more than 2 stars because I am disappointed there is not full disclosure in the description- I would not expect to ever receive an expired (shelf life) item when it is sold as "NEW".
If you decide to buy this mask I would still recommend it, however just expect to have to buy new filters also (true with all the masks/filters I have seen on Amazon- I would not buy any others without verifying the expiration date). You can buy new filters with a 10 year shelf life at approvedgasmasks.com
Also, unrelated to this product or review but important to mention: be aware that most filters will last 8-12 hours once opened (depending on type and concentration of chemical/bio) so, in some sort of attack or extended pandemic you will need to keep 3-5 filters per mask!

Hobart 770129 Oxy/Acet, Goggle - Flip Front, 50mm Eye Cup Shade 5

Hobart 770129 Oxy/Acet, Goggle - Flip Front, 50mm Eye Cup Shade 5

I actually purchased these for use as part of a costume. If one had a face that was shaped like a ball and the size of a watermelon, they MAY fit. The cups are sharp-edged semi-soft plastic/vinyl. The left and right edges have some foam padding, the rest do not. Apart from the padded sections, there is about a 1/4" gap between the cups and my face. Unless you really, really cram these on (and that hurts - a lot - sharp plastic digging around your eye sockets) - the gap remains, and the goggles shift. They are also not very dark. I do weld occasionally, and these are nowhere dark enough. All that said, for welding - forget it. For a costume accessory, not too bad.

3M Peltor Optime 105 Earmuff

3M Peltor Optime 105 Earmuff

 

The Peltor H10A Hearing Protector ear muffs really do the job! I ordered them to help eliminate the annoying whine of my computer tower. You know the kind of sound...very slight, but so high-pitched it goes straight to your ear drums and drills a hole till you can't STAND it anymore!! Why am I SHOUTING!? Well, you can see how I had to do something to preserve my sanity.

I received the Peltor set and man, oh man, does it eliminate sound!! What pc whine? What pc! This headset completely eliminates those little sounds that drive you crazy. I recommend it for those who have noisy neighbors or roommates, barking dogs, drippy faucets, etc. It is amazing. Loud noises can still be heard, so the headset does not interfere with normal life and is not a safety hazard. They are comfortable on the ears, are fairly lightweight, and fit very(!) snugly.