Books for February

The Revolutionary Soldier by C. Keith Wilbur

Review

In this interesting and beautifully illustrated book about daily life for a soldier in the continental army, you will see that life was no fun being a revolutionary war soldier. Not only did you have to deal with the British, but there was disease, frostbite and a lack of uniforms to deal with. The author says, in the preface, that he was inspired to write the book after he went to a Revolutionary War museum and saw a mother point to a bullet mold and tell her children that the soldiers used this to crack nuts! Among the many interesting facts about weapons, ranks, uniforms and what type of food the soldiers ate (it wasn't that fun being a soldier), are short stories that help to flesh out the facts. The illustrations are beautifully drawn, using a short of sketchy style. An excellent book to read if you're interested in the revolutionary war!

The Young Entrepreneurs Guide to Starting and Running a Business by Steve Mariotti

Review

The Young Entrepreneurs Guide to Starting and Running a Business is a great guide for anyone who is thinking about starting their own business but doesn't know how. In the introduction, Steve Mariotti discusses why he founded the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Then, the book starts by discussing the basic principles of business (Buy low, sell high is one of them) and the pros and cons of entrepreneurship. Once the groundwork has been laid, you'll be learning how to start and run your own business; how to find a need and fill it, how to develop a good network of customers, advertising, keeping records and much, much more. After reading all the way through, I feel I definitely have a better idea of how I could start my own business!

The Legacy by R A Salvatore

Review

Drizzt may have tried to forget his birthplace, the dark city of Menzoberranzan far beneath the ground, but there are those there that have not forgotten his treachery against the dark elves and their dark god Lolth. One of these is his sister, one of the two remaining members of his family, who he thought was better than the others but seems to have been driven insane by the fall of her house. She and a host of drow make their way upwards to Mithril Hall, where Drizzt lives with his friend the Dwarven King Bruenor. After a battle with goblins that infested the lower tunnels, Drizzt and the others find that a group of dwarves have been missing for quite a while. Drizzt and the halfling Regis head down into the tunnels again, to investigate, and are captured by the the dark elves. Can Drizzt escape the horrible fate that awaits him back in the city of Menzoberranzan?

Siege of Darkness by R A Salvatore

Review

After the failed attempt to capture Drizzt and take him back to Menzoberranzan, the queen of the city has decided to form an army to take Mithril Hall and use that as a base to strike against the people above the ground. The dwarves have been preparing for such an assault for months, but they underestimate the resources of the drow. The local towns send soldiers to defend the Hall, for they know that if it falls, they will be in danger. A group of wizards have come to aid the cause, and deep gnomes, who have been driven out of their city by the drow, swarm up from the tunnels below to help. Finally, the dark elf assault comes, and the dwarves use their defenses to maximum effect, but the force facing them is too large. Can Mithril Hall stand against the horde?

Sea of Swords by R A Salvatore

Review

Wulfgar the barbarian appeared to have died in a battle with a Yochlol, a minion of Lolth, but was actually captured and tortured by demons for many years. Broken in spirit, he was finally freed by Bruenor and Drizzt, but turned his back on the life he once led, and ran from his former friends. He fell on hard times, becoming a bouncer at a bar and even being accused of an assassination plot. Worst of all, his magical hammer, Aegis-Fang, made for him by Bruenor, was stolen. Now Drizzt, Bruenor, Regis and Bruenor's daughter Cattie-Brie embark on a journey to find Aegis-Fang, but also to get back their friend, and return him to the right path once again. The hammer, however, has fallen into the hands of Sheila Kree, a pirate, and she isn't going to give it up without a fight.

-- JackW - 11 Feb 2010