Book #93: "The Book of Myths and Misconceptions"

 

This one I actually found more interesting, because knowledge is a very collective thing (ask any kid who thought Washington chopped down a cherry tree or that there were only three Wise Men.) But the topics in this book are varied and wide-reaching, and anyone would find something to learn here.

Author: Armchair Digest

Potentially objectionable content: Some myths are probably not suitable for children.

Book #92: "The Extraordinary Book of Lists"

Much like the first book by this group/company, I don't remember anything about this really. In this instance, as indicated by the title, all the information is grouped in lists, and a fair portion of the lists are locations of things. So if you've ever wanted to plan a vacation based entirely on roller coasters, or food, this is your book!

Author: Armchair Digest

Potentially objectionable content: no more than the last book.

 

Book #91: "The Extraordinary Book of Information"

 

I read this book MONTHS ago and honestly don't remember much about it, but I always enjoy trivia, so it was a good time.

Author: Armchair Digest

Potentially objectionable content: Not unless you object to encyclopedias or looking things up on the internet; the stuff is probably there, but it's presented in a matter-of-fact way.

Book #90: "This was a Man"

 

It was a wild ride, too, particularly in this last volume. Never have so many plots been introduced and then discarded with wild abandon; all the relationships are tired; attempts to create drama by altering characters completely fall flat; and for several pages I was rooting for one of the villains because at least she was interesting. An ENTIRE CHAPTER was devoted to a cricket game which had no significance whatsoever, while the major conflict on which the series was based was finally resolved, with absolutely no fanfare, 90% of the way through the book. And at long last, two major players are given fatal diseases, which ends with one smothering the other with a pillow. I wish I was kidding.

The final speech, a eulogy, is lovely and moving–Archer does know how to compose stirring oratory–but in the end (literally, in more ways than one), it just made me sad for what might have been.

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Potentially objectionable content: Seventh verse, same as the first; opera style IS the worst. (That's to see if my dad is reading!)

Book #89: "Cometh the Hour"

And the hits just keep on coming! My "Come now, Spud Jr." moment was on page 84, whereon lies the most ridiculous narrative left turn thus far. I was hoping it might get better, but I hoped in vain, as (in agonizingly slow succession) Archer introduces a love interest for a character, has the couple get engaged, then promptly bumps one of them off; has one character be accused of two separate and patently ludicrous crimes; reunites a character with his long-lost love (and absurdly precocious child) without so much as a conversation between the two; has another character fake a pregnancy for money; resolves the Russian writer story line with much more of a whimper than a bang; and oh by the way, Emma's now best friends with MARGARET THATCHER. This does not even get into the "brilliant" concept introduced in the epilogue, which could definitively resolve the whole conundrum of Harry's parentage, yet somehow has occurred to NO ONE prior to this, despite the item belonging to the family business THE ENTIRE TIME.

At this point I'm sorely tempted to give up, but there's only one book left and frankly I'm being driven by morbid curiosity as much as anything. So I'll stick it out, even though I'll probably regret it.

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Potentially objectionable content: language, adult them

Book #88: "Mightier Than the Sword"

 

As chronicled here, at one time I only owned the first two books of this series in material form, and the next two electronically. That remains true, with an addendum, as I have since added volumes five, six and seven to my physical library. 

This presented me with a conundrum, because this undertaking was meant to depict my journey through reading only those volumes printed on paper (which still outnumber my digital titles on a scale of roughly 15 to 1.) However, it's been years since I read the first four books, and despite still holding on to most of the major plot points, I knew my experience of these installments would be enhanced by a re-read of the others. So my decision was to read, but not write up, volumes three and four. (Volume one here if you're interested.)

Having dispensed with the preliminaries: this is...not great. It's engaging enough, I suppose, but frankly I lost interest in these characters about a book and a half ago. Perhaps growing tired of hitting the same old notes, or needing more material to lengthen a story even he's no longer interested in, Archer subjects the long-suffering Clifton-Barrington clan to ever more ludicrous plot twists, aided by a rotating cast of arch-nemeses who could pursue Bond villainy as a viable career path. (Seriously: how many enemies determined to cause their downfall at any price can one family have?) Moreover, the twists and turns demanded by this saga are accomplished by introducing characters and causes we've never met before (Harry's sudden fixation on an imprisoned Russian author comes out of nowhere, as does Sebastian's supervisor at the bank) and using facts and traits that were never mentioned previously (Giles and his wife are estranged? Harry has a photographic memory?) Soap operas have better-scripted surprises (and indeed, as in all good soap operas, several characters have come back from supposed deaths at this point.) And to top it all off, we have completely abandoned the story's original premise: is Harry a Clifton, biologically, or a Barrington? (Because, lest we forget, if the latter, he's married to his half-sister. Something that didn't slow either of them down in the slightest, and hasn't even been mentioned since about two chapters into book three.)

Despite all this, I have been, and remain, a fan of Jeffrey Archer's work. But I would advise him to stick to single volumes, and leave the series to someone–anyone–else. 

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Potentially objectionable content: occasional language, intense scenes

Book #87: "Honor Among Thieves"

I own several of this author's books, and I can't remember where I got this one. My guess would be a library sale, though most library hardcover jackets are wrapped in plastic to protect them, and mine isn't. It's also an older edition, so it seems less likely it was a donation they couldn't use (though possible, if someone donated books they've had for a while.) What I do know for sure is that I've never read it before; I bought it based on the author alone.

Quick aside about name recognition: when I was in eighth grade, I had a speech teacher tell me that books are usually published with the title at the top and the author at the bottom. But once an author gets famous enough (and I'm not sure what formula they would use to calculate "famous enough"-total copies sold, maybe?) they would switch the author and the title, on the assumption that the author's name would be a better way to attract attention and thereby sales. This makes sense, although it's not universally true; the Harry Potter books spring to mind as an exception. It's also supported by evidence from other mediums: movie posters, covers and even opening credits all use this to some degree. (That wasn't as quick as I intended it to be.)

Back to the book: It feels like it's from earlier in his career (indeed, a quick internet search reveals that it was his eighth published novel) and doesn't have any of the plot devices that show up so often in his later work. And because of the summary, I wondered for a while if the idea for this movie originated here. There are some parallels; the stealing of the Declaration of Independence is really only the beginning of the adventure, rather than the climax; decoys are used in both stories; someone who is an academic becomes more of an action hero; etc. (Since I'm making this comparison, I'll just say it: Disney did it better. I was more invested in both the outcome and the characters in their story, and if there's one thing Jeffrey Archer really lacks in his books, it's a sense of humor.) I also thought it had some problems with pacing (something he also struggles with) and both character and plot could have used better development. 

Despite being the "Cars" of his novels, it's a decent one; I always like a good caper, especially one tied to American history, and this delivers on that aspect of it at least. We'll see how I feel about it if I ever make it back around. 

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Potentially objectionable content: It's REALLY violent; at least 20 people end up dead, and some of them are described in a bit more detail than anyone needs. There's also a fair amount of language and some sexual references (though nothing graphic)