Clan Loyalties

Here is a look at which Legend of the Five Rings clan I belong to.

Book Lists

Here are some books I've enjoyed recently and some I didn't.
BOOKS I ENJOYED:

• Chester Brown - Louis Riel
• Andrew Cockburn - Rumsfeld. An American Disaster
• Robert A Doughty - Pyrrhic Victory. French Strategy and Operations in the Great War
• Warren Ellis - Desolation Jones: Made in England
• Stan Lee - The Essential Captain America vol. 2
• Tim Moore - Nul Points
• Greg Pak - Hulk: Planet Hulk

BOOKS I DIDN'T ENJOY:

• Mario Acevedo - X-Rated Blood Suckers
• Mark Edundson - Why Read?
• Sam Harris - The End of Faith
• Russell Kirkpatrick - Across the Face of the World
• Ron Suskind - The One Percent Doctrine

The Other Side

Civil War: Iron Man is an attempt to show this conflict in the Marvel Universe from the less popular side. Many readers would have found themselves agreeing with Captain America as he argued for individual freedom. But Iron Man was just as passionate in his belief that super powered beings registered with the government and trained properly would benefit everyone.

The first part of this graphic novel has a debate between Captain America and Iron Man and is probably the best discussion of both sides of this argument, you can feel the passion both sides are dealing with.

Unfortunately the rest of the stories don't hold up to this high standard with not much actually happening apart from lots of talking, a complaint of the Civil War series as a whole.

If you are interested in this 'event' then keep an eye out for it but it's not really worth owning.

Bio

Adrian Goldsworthy's biography of Caesar called Caesar. Life of a Colossus is a wonderful read. Yes it is long but Caesar had such a full life that it needs a big book to cover it all. What makes this one so good is that it is a very easy read, this does not mean it isn't scholarly, it just means that Goldsworthy has a very readable writing style.

This biography is detailed and isn't afraid to enter into scholarly debates about aspects of Caesar's life that aren't clear. An enjoyable read that is well worth giving a go.

Interactive Storytelling

I am currently enjoying a wonderful storytelling experience that is a great example of how current-generation computer and console games are stretching themselves.

Programmers are using the technology available to them to stretch the limits and involve the player in new and more wonderful adventures.

The game I am currently playing is Bioshock and it is a revolution in involving the player in a story they have control over. The game is set in 1960 and the plane you were traveling in has crashed somewhere in the Atlantic ocean. You escape the wreckage and enter the underwater city of Rapture.

Rapture was built in 1946 by industrialist Andrew Ryan who wanted artists and scientists to live in a city without government controls, were they would be free to create bigger and better things. But when the player arrives it is clear that something has gone drastically wrong and society in Rapture has collapsed on New Years Eve 1959.

The game is atmospheric with the city of Rapture created in a wonderful Art Deco style and the steady collapse of its society shown in the way the city is starting to crumble and fall into disrepair.

I have not finished the game yet but look forward to many hours of enjoyment in this wonderfully created world.