[{"content":" I have always been fascinated by mysteries that resist an easy explanation. I\u0026rsquo;m not entirely sure when I first heard about the Dyatlov Pass incident, but the underlying question of what happened has stayed with me. It connects to the kinds of stories I have been drawn to for years, from The Reader\u0026rsquo;s Digest Mystery of the Unexplained, a book my grandmother had, to The X-Files in the 1990s.\nDead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass by Donnie Eichar centers on the 1959 deaths of nine Soviet hikers in the remote Northern Urals. Led by Igor Dyatlov, the experienced group set out on a difficult winter trek but encountered severe weather, low visibility, and extreme cold. What followed became the mystery: their tent was cut open from the inside; they fled into the snow without the supplies and clothing, and searchers later discovered the hikers under deeply troubling circumstances.\nEichar does not simply recount the incident. He follows his own investigation as well, traveling to Russia, meeting people connected to the case, and attempting to retrace the hikers\u0026rsquo; journey. The book is ultimately about trying to explain a mystery that has endured for decades.\nEichar moves back and forth between the past and the present: one chapter brings me into the events surrounding the hikers/rescuers, and the next follows his present-day efforts to reach the site, travel through Russia, and interview people. As the book moves toward its final ideas, it spends more time in the present, building toward a possible reconstruction of what happened. I found the conclusions interesting, particularly because I had not previously heard of the infrasound hypothesis. It seemed plausible. Although, a mystery with no survivors is impossible to prove with any certainty.\nEichar\u0026rsquo;s writing style made all of this easy to take in. I found the book easy to read and engaging throughout. It is a well-told story, and I had no real complaints about the reading experience. Even with the knowledge that the ultimate mystery cannot be definitively solved, the book captured my imagination.\nI would recommend Dead Mountain to anyone who enjoys unsolved historical mysteries. I thought it was a readable, well-structured, and thoroughly engaging book—one that respects the mystery while making the search for truth just as compelling.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/dead-mountain-dyatlov-pass-incident/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"cover.jpg\" alt=\"Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have always been fascinated by mysteries that resist an easy explanation. I\u0026rsquo;m not entirely sure when I first heard about the Dyatlov Pass incident, but the underlying question of what happened has stayed with me. It connects to the kinds of stories I have been drawn to for years, from \u003cem\u003eThe Reader\u0026rsquo;s Digest Mystery of the Unexplained\u003c/em\u003e, a book my grandmother had, to \u003cem\u003eThe X-Files\u003c/em\u003e in the 1990s.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident"},{"content":" Ralph Peters’ Hell or Richmond is the second novel in his Battle Hymn Cycle, following Cain at Gettysburg. It offers a compelling and often brutal account of Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign, told through the perspectives of the commanders and soldiers who endured it.\nThe novel covers the roughly thirty-day campaign that began in May 1864, moving from the tangled forests of the Wilderness through Spotsylvania Court House and the infamous Bloody Angle before reaching the disastrous Union assault at Cold Harbor. Rather than treating these battles as isolated events, Peters presents them as stages in one relentless struggle. Grant keeps moving south and attacking, while Robert E. Lee repeatedly tries to block his path and preserve the Army of Northern Virginia.\nThe central theme of Hell or Richmond is attrition. Grant understood that the Union possessed resources and manpower the Confederacy could not replace. Previous Union commanders had often withdrawn after a defeat or a failed attempt to destroy Lee’s army. Grant was different. Even when stopped tactically, he refused to end the campaign. He disengaged, moved farther south, and attacked again.\nThe story unfolds through multiple points of view. Historical figures such as George Meade, Robert E. Lee, Francis Barlow, and William Oates allow Peters to portray the campaign from both sides. Grant appears throughout, although readers frequently encounter him through the observations of the generals serving under him. This approach gives the novel a broad perspective while keeping the narrative grounded in individual experience.\nOne of Peters’ strengths is his ability to make well-known historical figures feel like human beings rather than names in a textbook. His generals are shaped by pride, exhaustion, uncertainty, and personal rivalry. Lee remains a formidable commander, but he is also an aging man trying to hold together an increasingly strained army. Meade must adjust to Grant’s presence and authority, while Grant carries responsibility for a campaign that demands almost constant sacrifice.\nReaders familiar with Civil War history already know where the campaign leads, but that knowledge does not diminish the experience. The interest comes from seeing how Peters imagines the conversations, emotions, and private doubts behind the historical record. He uses fiction to explore what these men may have felt during one of the war’s most punishing campaigns.\nHell or Richmond is a worthy successor to Cain at Gettysburg and another strong entry in the Battle Hymn Cycle. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the Civil War, particularly readers who enjoy historical fiction such as Michael Shaara’s The Killer Angels. Peters combines extensive historical detail with an engaging narrative, communicating both the strategic importance of the Overland Campaign and its horrifying cost.\nThis is not a story of one decisive victory. It is a story of endurance, arithmetic, and the grim determination to keep moving forward, no matter how much blood has already been spilled.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/grants-grim-road-to-richmond/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"s-l640.jpg\" alt=\"Hell or Richmond by Ralph Peters\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRalph Peters’ \u003cem\u003eHell or Richmond\u003c/em\u003e is the second novel in his Battle Hymn Cycle, following \u003cem\u003eCain at Gettysburg\u003c/em\u003e. It offers a compelling and often brutal account of Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign, told through the perspectives of the commanders and soldiers who endured it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe novel covers the roughly thirty-day campaign that began in May 1864, moving from the tangled forests of the Wilderness through Spotsylvania Court House and the infamous Bloody Angle before reaching the disastrous Union assault at Cold Harbor. Rather than treating these battles as isolated events, Peters presents them as stages in one relentless struggle. Grant keeps moving south and attacking, while Robert E. Lee repeatedly tries to block his path and preserve the Army of Northern Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Grant’s Grim Road to Richmond"},{"content":"The Digital Pensieve is not merely a tool for recollection; it’s a portal to the past and a window into the present. It is a place where memories can be examined and understood.\nI’m Erick, a technology architect, lifelong reader, and naturally curious collector of ideas. This site is where I write about the subjects that hold my attention—history, books and audiobooks, technology, travel, gardening, food, and the occasional project or experience worth preserving.\nThe name Digital Pensieve reflects what I want this site to be: a personal archive of thoughts, discoveries, reviews, and reflections. Some posts explore the past through military history and historical fiction. Others document places I have visited, things I have learned, meals I have made, or projects I have worked through. The topics may vary, but they are connected by curiosity and the desire to capture ideas before they disappear.\nA Few Favorites Books Dune, A Walk in the Woods, The Bicentennial Man Movies The Shawshank Redemption, Spirited Away, The Thing from Another World, The Usual Suspects Music The Pixies, The Smiths, The Wedding Present Topics I Return To American Civil War history, science fiction, technology, travel, gardening, and books in nearly every format ","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/about/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe Digital Pensieve is not merely a tool for recollection; it’s a portal to the past and a\nwindow into the present. It is a place where memories can be examined and understood.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m Erick, a technology architect, lifelong reader, and naturally curious collector of ideas.\nThis site is where I write about the subjects that hold my attention—history, books and\naudiobooks, technology, travel, gardening, food, and the occasional project or experience\nworth preserving.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"About"},{"content":" On previous visits, we had stayed at the Emily Morgan Hotel. The last time we were downtown, however, we walked through the Menger Hotel and were immediately intrigued by its beautiful lobby, old-world character, and incredible history. We made a note that someday we should stay there.\nIn San Antonio was spent at the historic Menger Hotel, located right beside the Alamo. Opened in 1859, it is known as the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. Walking through its Victorian-era lobby and quiet hallways feels a little like stepping back in time.\nThe hotel has welcomed presidents, military leaders, entertainers, athletes, and other famous guests over the years. Theodore Roosevelt famously recruited men for his Rough Riders at the Menger Bar, and Babe Ruth was also among the hotel’s many notable visitors.\nOf course, the Menger is nearly as famous for its ghost stories as it is for its history. It is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in Texas, with stories of unexplained footsteps, mysterious figures, and former guests who may never have completely checked out.\nWe didn’t experience anything too dramatic during our stay—but we did have a couple of small, unexplained moments that made us stop, look at each other, and wonder whether we were really alone.\nWhether you believe in ghosts or not, the Menger is a fascinating place to explore. Between the architecture, the history, the location, and the possibility of bumping into a guest from another century, it made for a memorable night in my hometown.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/the-menger-hotel-san-antonio-texas/","summary":"\u003cdiv class=\"gallery\"\u003e\n  \u003ca class=\"gallery-main\" href=\"/posts/the-menger-hotel-san-antonio-texas/menger-hotel-facade.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"/posts/the-menger-hotel-san-antonio-texas/menger-hotel-facade_hu_49dca80bed1e2593.jpg\" alt=\"The Menger Hotel - San Antonio - Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n  \u003c/a\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"gallery-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/the-menger-hotel-san-antonio-texas/IMG_5344.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/the-menger-hotel-san-antonio-texas/IMG_5344_hu_c93ab7cef4e85b4d.jpeg\" alt=\"The Menger Hotel - San Antonio - Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/the-menger-hotel-san-antonio-texas/IMG_5346.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/the-menger-hotel-san-antonio-texas/IMG_5346_hu_e72c60ace25ded17.jpeg\" alt=\"The Menger Hotel - San Antonio - Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/the-menger-hotel-san-antonio-texas/IMG_5354.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/the-menger-hotel-san-antonio-texas/IMG_5354_hu_28b8e30da656b48d.jpeg\" alt=\"The Menger Hotel - San Antonio - Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn previous visits, we had stayed at the Emily Morgan Hotel. The last time we were downtown, however, we walked through the Menger Hotel and were immediately intrigued by its beautiful lobby, old-world character, and incredible history. We made a note that someday we should stay there.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Menger Hotel - San Antonio - Texas"},{"content":" Ever since I was a kid, my father would point out the Stagecoach Inn in Salado, Texas, whenever we drove between San Antonio and Dallas. Over the years, I found myself doing the same thing with Sergio. It is a place I always wanted to stay.\nThis time, on our way to San Antonio, we finally did.\nWe stayed at the historic Stagecoach Inn and spent some time exploring the charming town of Salado. The inn is the second oldest continuously operating hotel in Texas and has welcomed an unforgettable list of guests over the years, including Sam Houston, Robert E. Lee, and the notorious Jesse James.\nThere was something special about finally staying in a place that had been part of so many childhood road trips and family memories. Sometimes the best travel moments come from finally stopping at the place you’ve passed a hundred times.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/","summary":"\u003cdiv class=\"gallery\"\u003e\n  \u003ca class=\"gallery-main\" href=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5328.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5328_hu_68edccca9e4d0c16.jpeg\" alt=\"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n  \u003c/a\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"gallery-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5296.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5296_hu_6c3fc7fde6e2ee15.jpeg\" alt=\"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5320.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5320_hu_198f84127eabfed4.jpeg\" alt=\"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5321.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5321_hu_22dda726bd09697f.jpeg\" alt=\"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5322.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5322_hu_2d121aabd7b6e87f.jpeg\" alt=\"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5323.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5323_hu_2f98c4155bfdf7e.jpeg\" alt=\"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5325.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5325_hu_31799799faa316f9.jpeg\" alt=\"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5329.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5329_hu_6314b5b6e2ea0233.jpeg\" alt=\"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"gallery-item\" href=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5330.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full-size image\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/posts/stagecoach-inn-salado-texas/IMG_5330_hu_84d80d73a930584e.jpeg\" alt=\"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEver since I was a kid, my father would point out the Stagecoach Inn in Salado, Texas, whenever we drove between San Antonio and Dallas. Over the years, I found myself doing the same thing with Sergio. It is a place I always wanted to stay.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas"},{"content":" TL;DR This novella expertly ties up loose ends from the main books in the series. Jonathan Keeble\u0026rsquo;s narration is top-notch and a major contributor to the story\u0026rsquo;s emotional impact. If you\u0026rsquo;re invested in the Horus Heresy series, this is a crucial conclusion that adds depth to the overall narrative. Be prepared for a thrilling conclusion to a significant story arc that will leave you with a new perspective on the series. Body As I finished listening to the audiobook version of \u0026ldquo;Sons of Selenar\u0026rdquo; by Graham McNeill, I couldn\u0026rsquo;t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having finally tied up a loose end that had been lingering in my mind since reading \u0026ldquo;Saturnine\u0026rdquo;. The novella is part of this larger universe, and it\u0026rsquo;s clear that McNeill has put a lot of thought into completing this narrative arc.\nOne thing that struck me was how effectively the novella weaves together the various threads from previous books to create a satisfying conclusion. Jonathan Keeble\u0026rsquo;s narration only adds to the experience, bringing depth and emotion to the story. By tying up loose ends, it added a level of completeness that I hadn\u0026rsquo;t realized was missing.\nHowever, one potential drawback is the somewhat rushed pace towards the end. With so much ground to cover in such a short space, some of the supporting characters felt a bit underdeveloped. Nevertheless, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent novella.\nKey Takeaways The novella effectively ties up loose ends from the main books. Jonathan Keeble\u0026rsquo;s narration brings depth and emotion to the story. Be prepared for a thrilling conclusion to a significant story arc that will impact your understanding of the series as a whole. The brevity of the novella belies its significance in the overall narrative. If you\u0026rsquo;re invested in the Horus Heresy series, this is a crucial conclusion that will add depth to your understanding. Final Thoughts In conclusion, I would recommend \u0026ldquo;Sons of Selenar\u0026rdquo; to anyone who\u0026rsquo;s invested in the Horus Heresy series. While it may not be a standalone novella, its impact on the overall narrative is significant. If you\u0026rsquo;re new to the series, be aware that this novella assumes some knowledge of the main books.\nAs I reflect on my listening experience, I\u0026rsquo;m reminded of why I love the Horus Heresy series so much – its epic scope, complex characters, and gripping narrative arcs.\nTags Horus Heresy series, Graham McNeill, Jonathan Keeble, Warhammer 40k, novella, audiobook, conclusion, loose ends, narrative arc\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/a-gripping-conclusion-to-horus-heresy/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"91_vgIePigL._SL1500_.jpg\" alt=\"A Gripping Conclusion to One of the Shattered Legions Story Arcs\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"tldr\"\u003eTL;DR\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis novella expertly ties up loose ends from the main books in the\nseries.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJonathan Keeble\u0026rsquo;s narration is top-notch and a major contributor to\nthe story\u0026rsquo;s emotional impact.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re invested in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882\u0026amp;q=Horus+Heresy+series\u0026amp;bbid=3650818680256554123\u0026amp;bpid=5766035112842194605\"\u003eHorus Heresy\nseries\u003c/a\u003e,\nthis is a crucial conclusion that adds depth to the overall\nnarrative.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBe prepared for a thrilling conclusion to a significant story arc\nthat will leave you with a new perspective on the series.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"body\"\u003eBody\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs I finished listening to the audiobook version of \u0026ldquo;\u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882\u0026amp;q=Sons+of+Selenar\u0026amp;bbid=3650818680256554123\u0026amp;bpid=5766035112842194605\"\u003eSons of\nSelenar\u003c/a\u003e\u0026rdquo;\nby \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882\u0026amp;q=Graham+McNeill\u0026amp;bbid=3650818680256554123\u0026amp;bpid=5766035112842194605\"\u003eGraham\nMcNeill\u003c/a\u003e,\nI couldn\u0026rsquo;t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having finally tied\nup a loose end that had been lingering in my mind since reading\n\u0026ldquo;\u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882\u0026amp;q=Saturnine+book\u0026amp;bbid=3650818680256554123\u0026amp;bpid=5766035112842194605\"\u003eSaturnine\u003c/a\u003e\u0026rdquo;.\nThe novella is part of this larger universe, and it\u0026rsquo;s clear that McNeill\nhas put a lot of thought into completing this narrative arc.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A Gripping Conclusion to One of the Shattered Legions Story Arcs"},{"content":" Cain at Gettysburg by Ralph Peters steps onto well-traveled ground and, to its credit, finds a fresh path across it.\nAnyone who has spent time with Civil War literature approaches another Gettysburg novel with hesitation. The battle has been retold in countless books and films, most famously in Michael Shaara’s \u0026ldquo;The Killer Angels\u0026rdquo;, and it’s easy to worry that a new entry will simply reshuffle familiar scenes.\nCain at Gettysburg doesn’t.\nThis first installment of The Battle Hymn Cycle succeeds not by reinventing the battle, but by reframing it. Peters shifts the focus away from the most well-known moments and toward figures who often stand at the edge of the better-known narratives. I especially enjoyed the attention given to General George Meade — a commander central to the Union victory, yet frequently overshadowed in popular memory. Seeing Gettysburg through Meade’s perspective adds both tension and dimension and serves as a reminder that triumph is often remembered more narrowly than it was earned.\nPeters also writes with a grounded realism. The prose feels rooted in the period, not only in movement and maneuver, but in the emotional weather of the men themselves. The result is a Gettysburg story that resists spectacle and stays human.\nEven with the ending already written in stone, the book feels new. The suspense comes less from battlefield surprise and more from personal stakes, and that shift makes the familiar terrain worth walking again.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/cain-at-gettysburg/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"81VJQmiQgRL._SL1500_.jpg\" alt=\"Cain at Gettysburg\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCain at Gettysburg by Ralph Peters steps onto well-traveled ground and,\nto its credit, finds a fresh path across it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnyone who has spent time with Civil War literature approaches another\nGettysburg novel with hesitation. The battle has been retold in\ncountless books and films, most famously in Michael Shaara’s \u0026ldquo;The Killer\nAngels\u0026rdquo;, and it’s easy to worry that a new entry will simply reshuffle\nfamiliar scenes.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cain at Gettysburg"},{"content":" I’ve always found William Tecumseh Sherman to be one of the most interesting figures of the American Civil War not just because of his marches and battles, but because he changed the way people thought about war itself. First off, this isn’t a modern book. It was written in 1929, that older lens gives the narrative a very different feel compared to contemporary histories. The audiobook narration does a great job of letting that voice come through without feeling dated or dull.\nWhat struck me most about the book is its treatment of Sherman not just as a soldier, but as a realist someone who looked at the nature of conflict with clear eyes and wasn’t afraid to draw the logical conclusions of what war meant in the modern era. Liddell Hart’s premise is that Sherman’s campaigns, particularly the march through Georgia and the Carolinas, were a kind of precursor to the way total war would be fought in the 20th century focusing on mobility, disruption of infrastructure, and psychological impact as much as traditional battlefield engagements.\nIf I have one minor quibble, it’s that the book doesn’t delve as deeply into Sherman’s post-war life as some listeners might like. The focus stays tightly on the soldier and strategist, which is fine by me, but worth noting if you’re hoping for a full life story rather than primarily a military one.\nAll told, Sherman: Soldier, Realist, American was a thoroughly engaging listen. If you’re intrigued by Sherman’s role in the Civil War — especially as a pioneer of modern military thinking — and you enjoy audiobooks that make you think as much as they inform, this one’s well worth your time.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/sherman-soldier-realist-american/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"81NU6BfhEcL._SX342_.jpg\" alt=\"Sherman: Soldier, Realist, American\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’ve always found William Tecumseh Sherman to be one of the most\ninteresting figures of the American Civil War not just because of his\nmarches and battles, but because he changed the way people thought about\nwar itself. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst off, this isn’t a modern book. It was written in 1929, that older\nlens gives the narrative a very different feel compared to contemporary\nhistories.  The audiobook narration does a great job of letting that\nvoice come through without feeling dated or dull.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Sherman: Soldier, Realist, American"},{"content":" I recently revisited two books from my past: Dragons of Winter Night and Dragons of Spring Dawning, and this time around I chose to experience them differently as audiobooks. The narrator, Paul Boehmer, delivered a great performance, and I very much enjoyed the chance to revisit both stories.\nI read both books a long time ago, so a lot of the details had slipped my mind. Listening allowed me to pick up things I had forgotten — small scenes, character beats, world-building details that faded with time.\nDragons of Winter Night felt like stepping back into a landscape that’s both familiar and slightly changed. The stakes were high, the tone darker, and a lot of what I remembered from my youth—heroic camaraderie, epic battle scenes, the sense of turning tides—was still there. Dragons of Spring Dawning, meanwhile, wrapped up the trilogy and brought things to a head. Re-listening, I realized how much of the story I had forgotten. Some plot points felt more rushed than I remembered. But the revisiting also brought a sense of nostalgia, of reconnecting with old characters and their journeys.\nIf you’re like me — someone who read these long ago and carries vague impressions of them — revisiting them via audiobook might be worth it. The narrator’s performance, in this case, brought fresh life to the story. And getting reacquainted with these characters after so long felt almost like visiting old friends.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/dragon-lance-novels/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"81MeSjL6cLL._SL1500_.jpg\" alt=\"Dragon Lance Novels\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"81AaB3raunL._SL1500_.jpg\" alt=\"Dragon Lance Novels\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI recently revisited two books from my past: Dragons of Winter Night and\nDragons of Spring Dawning, and this time around I chose to experience\nthem differently as audiobooks. The narrator, Paul Boehmer, delivered a\ngreat performance, and I very much enjoyed the chance to revisit both\nstories.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI read both books a long time ago, so a lot of the details had slipped\nmy mind. Listening allowed me to pick up things I had forgotten — small\nscenes, character beats, world-building details that faded with time.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Dragon Lance Novels"},{"content":" I went into Moriarty: The Devil’s Game with a fair bit of skepticism. Any time someone reimagines the Sherlock Holmes universe, it runs the risk of feeling forced or gimmicky. But once I got past the initial adjustment, I found myself surprisingly drawn into this darker, clever twist on familiar territory.\nIn this version, Sherlock Holmes is not the paragon of justice we’re used to—far from it. He’s manipulative, driven, and more than a little self-serving. Moriarty, on the other hand, still becomes the kingpin of crime, but now his actions are layered with ambiguity as he’s trying to clear his name. That simple shift in moral balance reframes everything we thought we knew about Baker Street.\nThe chemistry between Holmes, Watson, and Moriarty feels different—less like adversaries locked in eternal combat, and more like fractured reflections of one another. What intrigued me most was the implied backstory between Holmes and Watson. Publicly, they remain the famous detective duo, but beneath the surface lies tension, resentment, and the shadow of Mycroft—who, in this version, might be the true genius orchestrating everything.\nBy the end, I realized that Moriarty: The Devil\u0026rsquo;s Game, was a new fresh and thought-provoking addition to the Sherlock Holmes mythology.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/moriarty-devils-game/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"MV5BM2ZiZWU1NTgtOGIxZC00MzRjLTlkZTUtMmRkYTQ1ZmFlZDgwXkEyXkFqcGc_._V1_.jpg\" alt=\"Moriarty: The Devil’s\nGame\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e I went into Moriarty: The Devil’s Game with a fair bit of skepticism.\nAny time someone reimagines the Sherlock Holmes universe, it runs the\nrisk of feeling forced or gimmicky. But once I got past the initial\nadjustment, I found myself surprisingly drawn into this darker, clever\ntwist on familiar territory.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this version, Sherlock Holmes is not the paragon of justice we’re\nused to—far from it. He’s manipulative, driven, and more than a little\nself-serving. Moriarty, on the other hand, still becomes the kingpin of\ncrime, but now his actions are layered with ambiguity as he’s trying to\nclear his name. That simple shift in moral balance reframes everything\nwe thought we knew about Baker Street.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Moriarty: The Devil’s Game"},{"content":" I picked up The Three-Body Problem. The premise, scientific ideas, and vast scope are intriguing: from the opening I was fascinated by the blend of history, physics, and alien contact.\nYet as I moved forward, the book became harder to finish. The pacing slowed significantly. The middle section felt dense: technical exposition, shifting timelines, and multiple characters so far removed that I struggled to keep invested in their arcs. There were stretches where the scientific framing overshadowed the emotional/motivational grounding of the characters. It often felt more like reading to understand ideas than to follow a story I cared about.\nSo, do I plan to continue the series? I’m still undecided. Part of me wants to see how the later books deepen these ideas, whether they balance the science and the human more evenly. But another part hesitates: will the slog outweigh the lift? Will the next novels move faster, feel more grounded in character? Right now, I am not sure.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/three-body-problem-by-cixin-liu/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"51ohFqjH4lL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg\" alt=\"Three Body Problem by Cixin\nLiu\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI picked up The Three-Body Problem. The premise, scientific ideas, and\nvast scope are intriguing: from the opening I was fascinated by the\nblend of history, physics, and alien contact.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYet as I moved forward, the book became harder to finish. The pacing\nslowed significantly. The middle section felt dense: technical\nexposition, shifting timelines, and multiple characters so far removed\nthat I struggled to keep invested in their arcs. There were stretches\nwhere the scientific framing overshadowed the emotional/motivational\ngrounding of the characters. It often felt more like reading to\nunderstand ideas than to follow a story I cared about.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu"},{"content":" This was a return to my teenage reading years, revisiting the first book of the Dragonlance Chronicles. It had been long enough that I had forgotten many of the details, which made the story feel fresh again while still carrying that sense of familiarity. The world-building, the companions, and the unfolding quest reminded me why these books became such a staple of fantasy in the first place.\nListening to the audiobook brought a new dimension to the story. Paul Boehmer’s narration captured the tone well, giving each character a distinct voice and keeping the pace engaging. It’s not the kind of high literature that demands deep analysis, but it doesn’t need to be. At its heart, this is just a fun, classic fantasy tale—and sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/dragons-of-autumn-twilight-by-margaret/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"91mpOaCgozL._SY522_.jpg\" alt=\"Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis \u0026amp; Tracy\nHickman\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a return to my teenage reading years, revisiting the first book\nof the \u003cem\u003eDragonlance Chronicles\u003c/em\u003e. It had been long enough that I had\nforgotten many of the details, which made the story feel fresh again\nwhile still carrying that sense of familiarity. The world-building, the\ncompanions, and the unfolding quest reminded me why these books became\nsuch a staple of fantasy in the first place.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis \u0026 Tracy Hickman"},{"content":" The Civil War has always been one of my favorite subjects to read about, and Bruce Catton remains one of the best at bringing that history to life. I’ve read several of his works, and this two-volume look at Ulysses S. Grant did not disappoint.\nThe first book follows Grant’s rise in the western campaigns, from Fort Donelson through the long struggle at Vicksburg. Catton captures both the determination and the setbacks, showing how Grant’s steady leadership began to shape the course of the war. The second book picks up after Lincoln appoints him commander of all Union armies, carrying the story through the brutal campaigns from Chattanooga to the final surrender at Appomattox.\nWhat I enjoy most in Catton’s writing is how accessible he makes the history feel. The battles are vividly described, but the focus always comes back to the people—their choices, their resilience, and the human cost behind the strategy. I recommend this for anyone who shares an interest in the Civil War, this set is a rewarding and powerful read.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/u-s-grant-civil-war-years-by-bruce/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"51UDJ9kR2bL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg\" alt=\"U. S. Grant: The Civil War Years by Bruce\nCatton\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e The Civil War has always been one of my favorite subjects to read\nabout, and Bruce Catton remains one of the best at bringing that history\nto life. I’ve read several of his works, and this two-volume look at\nUlysses S. Grant did not disappoint.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first book follows Grant’s rise in the western campaigns, from Fort\nDonelson through the long struggle at Vicksburg. Catton captures both\nthe determination and the setbacks, showing how Grant’s steady\nleadership began to shape the course of the war. The second book picks\nup after Lincoln appoints him commander of all Union armies, carrying\nthe story through the brutal campaigns from Chattanooga to the final\nsurrender at Appomattox.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"U. S. Grant: The Civil War Years by Bruce Catton"},{"content":" This book took its time, unfolding slowly as the groundwork was laid for sending an agent behind the lines in East Germany. At first, I found myself waiting for the story to really get going, but in hindsight, that slow build was part of the point. It reflected the tedious preparation, the quiet politics, and the weight of expectation that hung over every decision in the Cold War.\nWhen the mission finally began, it was not the slick, glamorous spy work we often imagine. Instead, it was messy, uncertain, and deeply human. Mistakes were made, opportunities missed, and the cost of those choices became painfully clear. The ending was stark—no victory, no catharsis, no neat resolution. Just the brutal reality of how unforgiving this world could be when things didn’t go as planned.\nWhat struck me most was how unromantic the portrayal of espionage was. There were no heroes walking away unscathed, only ordinary men caught up in a machine that offered them little chance of success. It left me with that lingering sense of wow—not from excitement, but from the weight of what I’d just read. A sobering reminder that in the Cold War, the shadows rarely delivered happy endings.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/the-looking-glass-war-by-john-le-carre/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"51xT0Z1pGcL._SY445_SX342_ControlCacheEqualizer_.jpg\" alt=\"The Looking Glass War by John le\nCarré\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book took its time, unfolding slowly as the groundwork was laid for\nsending an agent behind the lines in East Germany. At first, I found\nmyself waiting for the story to really get going, but in hindsight, that\nslow build was part of the point. It reflected the tedious preparation,\nthe quiet politics, and the weight of expectation that hung over every\ndecision in the Cold War.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Looking Glass War by John le Carré"},{"content":" I recently finished Blood of Asaheim by Chris Wraight and overall, I’d say it was a solid read, though not outstanding—it’s enjoyable but doesn’t quite break new ground.\nThe story follows Ingvar, a Space Wolf returning to his old pack after decades with the Deathwatch. That setup—homecoming meets culture clashes is the book’s strongest point. Wraight does a good job depicting the tension: Ingvar has changed, and his battle brothers aren’t sure what to make of him. It’s one of those character-centric arcs that hold your attention, even when the broader plot falters.\nThe action is well-paced and vivid, and you get those moments of grimdark glory interspersed with gallows humor. If you like atmospheric, character-first military sci‑fi, this hits the mark. And fans of the Wolves characterization will find plenty to enjoy.\nIn short: Blood of Asaheim is a dependable Warhammer 40k novel—entertaining, well‑written, but not revolutionary. Enough for fans of the Wolves and grimdark epics, less so for those seeking something truly memorable.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/blood-of-ashaheim/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"21152201.jpg\" alt=\"Blood of Ashaheim\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI recently finished \u003cem\u003eBlood of Asaheim\u003c/em\u003e by Chris Wraight and overall, I’d\nsay it was a solid read, though not outstanding—it’s enjoyable but\ndoesn’t quite break new ground.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story follows Ingvar, a Space Wolf returning to his old pack after\ndecades with the Deathwatch. That setup—homecoming meets culture clashes\nis the book’s strongest point. Wraight does a good job depicting the\ntension: Ingvar has changed, and his battle brothers aren’t sure what to\nmake of him. It’s one of those character-centric arcs that hold your\nattention, even when the broader plot falters.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Blood of Ashaheim"},{"content":" Fulgrim is the next haunting and operatic tale in the Horus Heresy series. In this installment, Graham McNeill takes us deep into the psyche of the primarch Fulgrim and his III Legion, the Emperor’s Children, as they descend from noble warriors in pursuit of perfection to corrupted champions of excess under the sway of Chaos. The book vividly captures this transformation, weaving a narrative that spans stunning victories, eerie discoveries, and the fateful events at Isstvan V.\nThis audiobook is narrated by David Timson, who brings gravitas and elegance to the story—perfectly suited to Fulgrim’s tragic arc. His performance enhances the theatrical tone of the novel, breathing life into both the grandeur and the madness that overtakes the Emperor’s Children. Fulgrim stands out as one of the more disturbing and memorable entries in the series—an essential chapter that shows just how far a primarch can fall when perfection turns to obsession.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/fulgrim/","summary":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"51HHVXEq9LL.jpg\" alt=\"Fulgrim\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFulgrim is the next haunting and operatic tale in the Horus Heresy\nseries. In this installment, Graham McNeill takes us deep into the\npsyche of the primarch Fulgrim and his III Legion, the Emperor’s\nChildren, as they descend from noble warriors in pursuit of perfection\nto corrupted champions of excess under the sway of Chaos. The book\nvividly captures this transformation, weaving a narrative that spans\nstunning victories, eerie discoveries, and the fateful events at Isstvan\nV.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Fulgrim"},{"content":" Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Max Tegmark is an ambitious exploration of the future of artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity. While the book offers a broad and thought-provoking perspective on AI\u0026rsquo;s potential trajectories, it may not satisfy readers seeking a technical understanding of how AI systems function.\nTegmark, a physicist and co-founder of the Future of Life Institute, categorizes life into three stages: Life 1.0 (biological evolution), Life 2.0 (cultural evolution), and Life 3.0 (technological evolution). He envisions a future where AI surpasses human intelligence, leading to scenarios ranging from utopian to dystopian. The book delves into topics like consciousness, ethics, and the long-term fate of intelligent life in the universe.\nLife 3.0 is a compelling read for those interested in the philosophical and ethical implications of AI. It challenges readers to consider the long-term consequences of AI advancement and our role in shaping its trajectory. However, for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of AI\u0026rsquo;s technical aspects, like me, this book may not meet their expectations.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/life-30-being-human-in-age-of/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"Picture1.jpg\" alt=\" Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial\nIntelligence\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Max\nTegmark is an ambitious exploration of the future of artificial\nintelligence and its implications for humanity. While the book offers a\nbroad and thought-provoking perspective on AI\u0026rsquo;s potential trajectories,\nit may not satisfy readers seeking a technical understanding of how AI\nsystems function.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTegmark, a physicist and co-founder of the Future of Life Institute,\ncategorizes life into three stages: Life 1.0 (biological evolution),\nLife 2.0 (cultural evolution), and Life 3.0 (technological evolution).\nHe envisions a future where AI surpasses human intelligence, leading to\nscenarios ranging from utopian to dystopian. The book delves into topics\nlike consciousness, ethics, and the long-term fate of intelligent life\nin the universe.\u003c/p\u003e","title":" Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence"},{"content":" After finishing The Screaming Staircase, I dove straight into The Whispering Skull. This book lines up with episodes 4–8 from the Netflix adaptation, so if you’ve seen the show, you’ll recognize some of the major moments — but the book still holds plenty of surprises. I picked up the second installment with high expectations, and it absolutely delivered. If anything, it felt darker, sharper, and even funnier in places.\nIn this sequel, we’re back with Lucy, Lockwood, and George as they take on an even more dangerous case involving a mysterious relic and a powerful ghost: the titular Whispering Skull. The stakes are higher, and the ongoing rivalry with the Fittes agency adds to the overall tension. What really stood out for me was how we get deeper insight into George’s quirks, Lockwood’s secrets, and Lucy’s evolving connection with the Skull itself. Jonathan Stroud continues to nail that perfect blend of chilling ghost story and witty banter, all wrapped in a richly imagined world.\nNow, several months after finishing the book, I finally completed the audiobook version. This time it’s narrated by Katie Lyons, who does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. Her performance adds a new layer of energy, especially with the Skull’s sarcastic commentary. The Whispering Skull is the kind of sequel that builds beautifully on what came before, while setting up even bigger mysteries ahead. If you loved the first book (or the show), don’t miss this one. It’s spooky, smart, and so much fun.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/lockwood-and-co-whispering-skull/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"912INYb4RZL._SL1500_.jpg\" alt=\"Lockwood and Co -The Whispering Skull \" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter finishing \u003cem\u003eThe Screaming Staircase\u003c/em\u003e, I dove straight into \u003cem\u003eThe\nWhispering Skull\u003c/em\u003e. This book lines up with episodes 4–8 from the Netflix\nadaptation, so if you’ve seen the show, you’ll recognize some of the\nmajor moments — but the book still holds plenty of surprises. I picked\nup the second installment with high expectations, and it absolutely\ndelivered. If anything, it felt darker, sharper, and even funnier in\nplaces.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Lockwood and Co -The Whispering Skull "},{"content":" I first came across this series through the Netflix adaptation of the first two books of Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood \u0026amp; Co. — and it was pure chance that I even turned it on. I was immediately hooked by the first episode. When Jen came by while I was watching the third or fourth episode, she asked, \u0026ldquo;What is that? It looks cool.\u0026rdquo; I told her all about it, and both she and Sergio were intrigued. So, we went back and started from episode one together. They both loved it, and like me, were really disappointed when Netflix canceled it — especially since it was the #1 show worldwide at the time. Honestly, I was so mad, I canceled my Netflix subscription and haven’t been back since.\nThat’s how obsessed I got. After finishing the show, I dove into the books — all six of them — and now I’m working through the audiobooks as well. This review is for both the print and audio versions of Book 1, The Screaming Staircase. The audiobook is narrated by British actress Miranda Raison, who does a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Her performance captures Lucy Carlyle’s sharpness and heart, while also giving each character a distinct voice. The book itself is a gripping and atmospheric supernatural thriller set in an alternate London plagued by ghosts. Lucy, a young psychic investigator, joins the small but fearless Lockwood \u0026amp; Co., led by the charming Anthony Lockwood and his meticulous partner George. They investigate hauntings all across the city, leading up to the terrifying Combe Carey Hall — home of the Screaming Staircase. Stroud blends eerie suspense with clever dialogue and detailed world-building that’s both spooky and surprisingly warm. It’s a must-read (and listen) for fans of the paranormal, detective stories, or just good storytelling in general.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/lockwood-and-co-screaming-staircase/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"51OdFf8pAPL._SY445_SX342_.jpg\" alt=\"Lockwood and Co - The Screaming\nStaircase\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI first came across this series through the Netflix adaptation of the\nfirst two books of Jonathan Stroud’s \u003cem\u003eLockwood \u0026amp; Co.\u003c/em\u003e — and it was pure\nchance that I even turned it on. I was immediately hooked by the first\nepisode. When Jen came by while I was watching the third or fourth\nepisode, she asked, \u0026ldquo;What is that? It looks cool.\u0026rdquo; I told her all about\nit, and both she and Sergio were intrigued. So, we went back and started\nfrom episode one together. They both loved it, and like me, were really\ndisappointed when Netflix canceled it — especially since it was the #1\nshow worldwide at the time. Honestly, I was so mad, I canceled my\nNetflix subscription and haven’t been back since.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Lockwood and Co - The Screaming Staircase"},{"content":" “Flight of the Eisenstein” by James Swallow\nCatching up on some reviews\u0026hellip; I mentioned this one back in January, and just saw, that I haven\u0026rsquo;t posted about it yet, so here it is. I’ve been working my way through the Horus Heresy series on audiobook lately and after wrapping up Galaxy in Flames, I jumped straight into Flight of the Eisenstein by James Swallow.\nFirst off, new narrator for this book, Jonathan Keeble who was also very good, and brings that weight and gravity to the story that makes you feel like you\u0026rsquo;re right there in the chaos.\nThis book follows Garro—Nathaniel Garro of the Death Guard— precedes some of the story happening in Galaxy in Flames, before intersecting at a key moment, and then continuing on the Eisenstein’s flight from Isstavan III, back to earth, through the warp. I won\u0026rsquo;t go into too much detail, just say that the book is one of my early favorites, from the first group of novels.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/flight-of-eisenstein/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"Flight-eisenstein.jpg\" alt=\"Flight of the Eisenstein\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Flight of the Eisenstein” by James Swallow\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCatching up on some reviews\u0026hellip;   I mentioned this one back in January,\nand just saw, that I haven\u0026rsquo;t posted about it yet, so here it is.   I’ve\nbeen working my way through the \u003cem\u003eHorus Heresy\u003c/em\u003e series on audiobook\nlately and after wrapping up \u003cem\u003eGalaxy in Flames\u003c/em\u003e, I jumped straight into\n\u003cem\u003eFlight of the Eisenstein\u003c/em\u003e by James Swallow.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst off, new narrator for this book, Jonathan Keeble who was also very\ngood, and brings that weight and gravity to the story that makes you\nfeel like you\u0026rsquo;re right there in the chaos.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Flight of the Eisenstein"},{"content":" A couple of weeks ago, I came across a number of video posts from the HBO, docudrama for Chernobyl, I had forgotten how good it was overall, and so Sergio and I, sat down to watch again. After watching, I was interested in more, and this book \u0026ldquo;Midnight in Chernobyl\u0026rdquo; was one I had long considered getting on Audible. Funny thing, a couple of days later, I am looking at Spotify and notice that we now have access to a number of free audiobooks, and this was one of them. Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham is a masterfully researched and gripping account of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. With a journalist’s precision and a storyteller’s flair, Higginbotham brings to life the human drama behind the catastrophe, painting a vivid picture of the individuals who lived through it.\nBeyond the disaster itself, Midnight in Chernobyl explores the broader implications of Soviet secrecy, bureaucratic dysfunction, and the human cost of political ideology. Midnight in Chernobyl is not just a book about a nuclear meltdown it’s an illuminating and deeply human account of one of history’s most haunting events. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of Chernobyl. Back to Spotify, I was originally going to sing the praises of Spotify, they not only had this book, but a large number of books that I am extremely interested in, again all free. Seems too good to be true, and in a way, it is, due to their licensing agreement, they limit an account to 15 hours of listening per month. Which is extremely annoying, here it is 6 days till the end of the month, and I have already used all my time for the month. I finished this book just before I hit my limit for the month. Still a good deal, but now that I know the limits (about 1 book per month), rather than multiple like I was doing. Guess I can\u0026rsquo;t get ride of Audible like I thought I might have been able to.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/midnight-at-chernobyl/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"40538681.jpg\" alt=\"Midnight at Chernobyl\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA couple of weeks ago, I came across a number of video posts from the\nHBO, docudrama for Chernobyl, I had forgotten how good it was overall,\nand so Sergio and I, sat down to watch again.   After watching, I was\ninterested in more, and this book \u0026ldquo;Midnight in Chernobyl\u0026rdquo; was one I had\nlong considered getting on Audible. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunny thing, a couple of days later, I am looking at Spotify and notice\nthat we now have access to a number of free audiobooks, and this was one\nof them.  \u003c/p\u003e","title":"Midnight at Chernobyl"},{"content":" Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans by Melanie Mitchell is an accessible and thought-provoking exploration of AI, its history, capabilities, and limitations. I started listening to this book on Audible, but the book references a number of images and figures from the book, and while there is an accompanying pdf, containing those images, I ended up purchasing the print version as well. Mitchell is a computer scientist, and she demystifies AI by explaining key concepts like machine learning, neural networks, and common misconceptions while addressing the challenges of achieving true intelligence. She examines AI\u0026rsquo;s successes and failures, highlighting the gap between human and machine cognition. Through engaging examples and a balanced perspective, the book provides a nuanced understanding of AI’s current state and future potential, making it an essential read for anyone curious about the field.\nWhile the book is somewhat dated—for instance, it doesn’t cover Generative AI, which is currently making headlines—it still provides a compelling overview of key AI concepts, explaining them in a thorough and accessible manner. I found the book extremely fascinating and well worth the time invested.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/artificial-intelligence-guide-for/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"9781250758040_p0_v2_s1200x630.jpg\" alt=\"Artificial Intelligence - A Guide for Thinking\nHumans\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eArtificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans\u003c/em\u003e by Melanie\nMitchell is an accessible and thought-provoking exploration of AI, its\nhistory, capabilities, and limitations. I started listening to this book\non Audible, but the book references a number of images and figures from\nthe book, and while there is an accompanying pdf, containing those\nimages, I ended up purchasing the print version as well.   Mitchell is a\ncomputer scientist, and she demystifies AI by explaining key concepts\nlike machine learning, neural networks, and common misconceptions while\naddressing the challenges of achieving true intelligence. She examines\nAI\u0026rsquo;s successes and failures, highlighting the gap between human and\nmachine cognition. Through engaging examples and a balanced perspective,\nthe book provides a nuanced understanding of AI’s current state and\nfuture potential, making it an essential read for anyone curious about\nthe field.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Artificial Intelligence - A Guide for Thinking Humans"},{"content":" History book about Lionel Morris by Jill Bush.\nThis book is about Lionel Morris, a young British pilot in World War I, who joined the Royal Flying Corps and served on the Western Front. In September 1916, during a battle over Bapaume, Morris\u0026rsquo;s squadron was attacked by a German unit that included Manfred von Richthofen, later known as the Red Baron. Morris was shot down and killed, becoming Richthofen\u0026rsquo;s first confirmed aerial victory. Morris\u0026rsquo;s story is a reminder of the many unsung heroes of World War I and the human cost of war.\nThe book is based on previously unpublished archive material (including excerpts from Morris\u0026rsquo; diary), the words of contemporaries, and official records. It traces Morris\u0026rsquo;s short but extraordinary life and reveals how his role in history was rediscovered one hundred years after his death.\nOverall, the book received positive reviews, and I found the book to be an easy read.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/lionel-morris-and-red-barron/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"91yYd4U4ckL-1000x1492.jpg\" alt=\"Lionel Morris and the Red Barron\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory book about Lionel Morris by Jill Bush.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is about Lionel Morris, a young British pilot in World War I,\nwho joined the Royal Flying Corps and served on the Western Front. In\nSeptember 1916, during a battle over Bapaume, Morris\u0026rsquo;s squadron was\nattacked by a German unit that included Manfred von Richthofen, later\nknown as the Red Baron. Morris was shot down and killed, becoming\nRichthofen\u0026rsquo;s first confirmed aerial victory. Morris\u0026rsquo;s story is a\nreminder of the many unsung heroes of World War I and the human cost of\nwar.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Lionel Morris and the Red Barron"},{"content":" I was getting ready to post about several books and audio books, I finished in the last week, one being The Flight of the Eisenstein, when I realized that I had not posted anything about the preceding book, Galaxy in Flames.\nGalaxy in Flames is the third book in the Horus Heresy series by Ben Counter. The book opens with Horus, Warmaster of the Imperium\u0026rsquo;s forces, seemingly leading an expedition to punish the rebellious Governor of Isstvan III. Four Legions of Space Marines are sent: the Sons of Horus (Horus\u0026rsquo;s own Legion), the World Eaters, the Emperor\u0026rsquo;s Children, and the Death Guard. These Legions, unbeknownst to the loyalist elements within them, have already been corrupted by Chaos and secretly pledged themselves to Horus\u0026rsquo;s rebellion.\nThe loyalist elements from these 4 legions are sent to Isstvan III, where Horus orders the planet bombed with planet killing Virus bombs. Again, this book is read by the English Actor Toby Longworth, and as I have said before his performance is excellent. Again overall, recommened.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/was-getting-ready-to-post-about-several/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"81TI0mXGtQL._SY522_.jpg\" alt=\"Galaxy in Flames\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e I was getting ready to post about several books and audio books, I\nfinished in the last week, one being The Flight of the Eisenstein, when\nI realized that I had not posted anything about the preceding book,\nGalaxy in Flames.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGalaxy in Flames is the third book in the Horus Heresy series by Ben\nCounter.  The book opens with Horus, Warmaster of the Imperium\u0026rsquo;s forces,\nseemingly leading an expedition to punish the rebellious Governor of\nIsstvan III. Four Legions of Space Marines are sent: the Sons of Horus\n(Horus\u0026rsquo;s own Legion), the World Eaters, the Emperor\u0026rsquo;s Children, and the\nDeath Guard. These Legions, unbeknownst to the loyalist elements within\nthem, have already been corrupted by Chaos and secretly pledged\nthemselves to Horus\u0026rsquo;s rebellion.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Galaxy in Flames"},{"content":" Finished reading the Warhammer 40k book, Treacheries of the Space Marines. The book is a collection of short stories, by a number of authors writing about the Chaos Space marines. Those marines that turned traitors, in the Horus Heresy. Now 10k in the future from those times, these traitor marines continue their fight against the imperium of man.\nOverall, a good collection of stories, with obviously some better than others. My two favorites are:\nWe Are One by John French Vox Dominus by Anthony Reynold I like both for different reasons. In \u0026ldquo;We Are One\u0026rdquo;, the story is from the point of view of an Imperial Inquisitor, and his pursuit of a traitor, across a century. In the end, his plans come to naught when the Alpha Legion turns the tables at the very end.\nThe other story \u0026ldquo;Vox Dominus\u0026rdquo;, Chaos shows its true colors, the battleship Vox Dominus disappears in the warp, when it returns it looks like it has been gone for centuries. When the Word Bearers board the ship, it is infested by spawns of Nurgle.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/reading-warhammer-40k-book-treacheries/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"51DYxFxovkL.jpg\" alt=\"Treacheries of the Space Marines\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Finished reading the Warhammer 40k book, Treacheries of the Space\nMarines.  The book is a collection of short stories, by a number of\nauthors writing about the Chaos Space marines.   Those marines that\nturned traitors, in the Horus Heresy.    Now 10k in the future from\nthose times, these traitor marines continue their fight against the\nimperium of man.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, a good collection of stories, with obviously some better than\nothers.   My two favorites are:\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Treacheries of the Space Marines"},{"content":" Non-book related post here. Earned my AZ-104 Azure Administrator Associate certification exam today. Happy to say I passed. I wanted to pass some of what I used for studying. First, for a while now I have been watching videos by John Savill on YouTube. The following video gives a good high-level overview of all the topics covered in the exam (AZ-104 Administrator Associate Study Cram v2). The second thing I used, is the following training material by Ravikiran Srinivasulu (AZ-104 PRACTICE TEST w/ Labs | Microsoft Azure Administrator | Udemy). Ravi, goes over 150 exam type questions, explaining the answers in detail, and doing live demonstrations. Finally, I used additional YouTube videos by Jaspal Singh (Azure Administrator Weekend Exam Cram | 75 New Questions with explanation #az104 #azureadministrator). He has numerous exam cram videos where he goes over real exam questions, in detail. I watched 3, videos with over 200 questions, there were several questions I recognized on the exam. He is constantly updating and adding new questions. All were very helpful, and like I said helped me pass the exam.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/non-book-related-post-here/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"images.png\" alt=\"Non Book Related Post Here\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNon-book related post here.   Earned my AZ-104 Azure Administrator\nAssociate certification exam today.   Happy to say I passed.   I wanted\nto pass some of what I used for studying.   First, for a while now I\nhave been watching videos by John Savill on YouTube.    The following\nvideo gives a good high-level overview of all the topics covered in the\nexam (\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Knf9nub4-k\"\u003eAZ-104 Administrator Associate Study Cram\nv2\u003c/a\u003e).   The second thing I\nused, is the following training material by Ravikiran Srinivasulu\n(\u003ca href=\"https://www.udemy.com/course/az-104-microsoft-azure-administrator-practice-test-questions/?srsltid=AfmBOoo_NGasv4F8CeRPfxOktBJ_TxQAOVYxAR6eQ_hInkjZnRs4ErJ2\u0026amp;couponCode=ST21MT121624\"\u003eAZ-104 PRACTICE TEST w/ Labs | Microsoft Azure Administrator |\nUdemy\u003c/a\u003e). \nRavi, goes over 150 exam type questions, explaining the answers in\ndetail, and doing live demonstrations.    Finally, I used additional\nYouTube videos by Jaspal Singh (\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpn-T9fgLaY\u0026amp;t=11191s\"\u003eAzure Administrator Weekend Exam Cram |\n75 New Questions with explanation #az104\n#azureadministrator\u003c/a\u003e).  \n He has numerous exam cram videos where he goes over real exam\nquestions, in detail.   I watched 3, videos with over 200 questions,\nthere were several questions I recognized on the exam.   He is\nconstantly updating and adding new questions.   All were very helpful,\nand like I said helped me pass the exam.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Non Book Related Post Here"},{"content":" Continuing to listen to the Horus Heresy series. This time with the second book in the series \u0026ldquo;False Gods\u0026rdquo;. Again, this book is read by the English Actor Toby Longworth. Toby\u0026rsquo;s performance is top notch and bringing to life the characters and the grim future. The novel continues the saga of Warmaster Horus and his legion, the Sons of Horus, as they navigate the complexities of loyalty, power, and the corrupting influence of Chaos. The story picks up a few months after the events of \u0026ldquo;Horus Rising,\u0026rdquo; with Horus battling both external enemies and his own inner demons\nOverall, \u0026ldquo;False Gods\u0026rdquo; is a compelling continuation of the series, fast-paced, with lots of exciting moments. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed, the audible performance and highly recommend it.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/continuing-to-listen-to-horus-heresy/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"51o2CVcdw3L._SY445_SX342_.jpg\" alt=\"False Gods\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinuing to listen to the Horus Heresy series.  This time with the\nsecond book in the series \u0026ldquo;False Gods\u0026rdquo;.   Again, this book is read by\nthe English Actor Toby Longworth.  Toby\u0026rsquo;s performance is top notch and\nbringing to life the characters and the grim future.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe novel continues the saga of Warmaster Horus and his legion, the Sons\nof Horus, as they navigate the complexities of loyalty, power, and the\ncorrupting influence of Chaos.  The story picks up a few months after\nthe events of \u0026ldquo;Horus Rising,\u0026rdquo; with Horus battling both external enemies\nand his own inner demons\u003c/p\u003e","title":"False Gods"},{"content":" Finished reading Ground Zero, the third book based in the X-File universe. It is a novel written by Kevin J. Anderson, based on the popular TV series \u0026ldquo;The X-Files.\u0026rdquo; The story follows FBI agents Mulder and Scully as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths involving radioactivity.\nMy Father and I started watching the X-Files, back in the early 90\u0026rsquo;s (1993 to be exact). It became our Friday night entertainment, until moving to Sunday night in 1996. I have now introduced my own son to the X-Files all these years later. The book itself is all-right. It\u0026rsquo;s not the best book I have ever read, but it was fun to revisit the X-Files universe. The book does a good job of capturing the eerie atmosphere of the X-Files. Anderson\u0026rsquo;s writing is solid, and he does a good job of developing the characters and the plot. However, the book is somewhat predictable, and the ending is a bit rushed.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/finished-reading-ground-zero-third-book/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"71R95I2Gh9L._SY522_.jpg\" alt=\"Ground Zero\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinished reading Ground Zero, the third book based in the X-File\nuniverse.   It is a novel written by Kevin J. Anderson, based on the\npopular TV series \u0026ldquo;The X-Files.\u0026rdquo; The story follows FBI agents Mulder and\nScully as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths involving\nradioactivity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy Father and I started watching the X-Files, back in the early 90\u0026rsquo;s\n(1993 to be exact).    It became our Friday night entertainment, until\nmoving to Sunday night in 1996.   I have now introduced my own son to\nthe X-Files all these years later.   \u003c/p\u003e","title":"Ground Zero"},{"content":" I was introduced to the world of Warhammer 40k (from Games Workshop), as a freshman in college. I played the tabletop game and collected figurines. Many years later I stumbled upon the fiction published by Games Workshop, Black Library division. Their immersive fiction spanned the Warhammer universe which takes place 40k in the far future. Then in 2016, they started publishing some of the historical events that shaped that universe. The seminal event in this universe is the Horus Heresy which occurred 10k earlier. This is where the Warmaster Horus, one of the emperor\u0026rsquo;s sons, betrays him, leading to a brutal civil war between the loyalist and traitor factions\nThis is the first book of the series (at the time of this posting there are 54 in total). I read originally read this book back at the time of publishing, this time though, and the reason I am posting a review is that I got the audio book and just finished listening to it. The book is read by Toby Longworth, an English actor, and he is amazing. I throughly enjoyed his performance and highly recommend it. One note, though, the Warhammer 40k universe is a grim, bleak and brutal.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/i-was-introduced-to-world-of-warhammer/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"horus-rising-9781849707442_hr.jpg\" alt=\"Horus Rising\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was introduced to the world of Warhammer 40k (from Games Workshop), as\na freshman in college.   I played the tabletop game and collected\nfigurines.   Many years later I stumbled upon the fiction published by\nGames Workshop, Black Library division.   Their immersive fiction\nspanned the Warhammer universe which takes place 40k in the far future. \nThen in 2016, they started publishing some of the historical events that\nshaped that universe.    The seminal event in this universe is the Horus\nHeresy which occurred 10k earlier.   This is where the Warmaster Horus,\none of the emperor\u0026rsquo;s sons, betrays him, leading to a brutal civil war\nbetween the loyalist and traitor factions\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Horus Rising"},{"content":" Finished listening to the Audible Original Drama of the Three Musketeers. This was a fully dramatized audio book, with 39 actors bringing to life the characters of D\u0026rsquo;Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis. While the dramatization is not a 100% faithful retelling of the Alexander Dumas classic, it is still very well done and very entertaining.\nThis was one of those audible books, that once I started, I wanted to keep listening to, until complete.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/finished-listening-to-audible-original/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"1-three-musketeers-granger.jpg\" alt=\"The Three Musketeers\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinished listening to the Audible Original Drama of the Three\nMusketeers.   This was a fully dramatized audio book, with 39 actors\nbringing to life the characters of D\u0026rsquo;Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and\nAramis.  While the dramatization is not a 100% faithful retelling of the\nAlexander Dumas classic, it is still very well done and very\nentertaining.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was one of those audible books, that once I started, I wanted to\nkeep listening to, until complete.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Three Musketeers"},{"content":" Finished reading \u0026ldquo;The Complete Midshipman Bolitho\u0026rdquo; by Alexander Kent. This is the first book, in a series of nautical fiction novels set during the late 18th century in the Royal Navy. The central character in the series is Richard Bolitho. In researching about the book series, I discovered, that Alexander Kent was actually a pseudonym for Douglas Reeman.\nThis book is actually a compilation of the first 3 Bolitho books.\n1. Richard Bolitho: Midshipman 1772\n2. Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger 1773\n3. Band of Brothers 1774\nMy father introduced me to the Bolitho books, when I was very young. He had a number of books in the series, and I remember looking at the naval scenes depicted on covers. As a teenager, I read \u0026ldquo;The Sloop of War\u0026rdquo;, which turns out to be book 6 in the series. \u0026ldquo;The Complete Midshipman Bolitho\u0026rdquo; is a standard adventure type novel, overall, an easy read, and enjoyable. ","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/finished-reading-complete-midshipman/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"81zrmafj2zL._SL1500_.jpg\" alt=\"The Complete midshipman Bolitho\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinished reading \u0026ldquo;The Complete Midshipman Bolitho\u0026rdquo; by Alexander Kent. \n This is the first book, in a series of nautical fiction novels set\nduring the late 18th century in the Royal Navy.   The central character\nin the series is Richard Bolitho.     In researching about the book\nseries, I discovered, that Alexander Kent was actually a pseudonym for\nDouglas Reeman.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is actually a compilation of the first 3 Bolitho books.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Complete midshipman Bolitho"},{"content":" I read Nightfall and other stories by Isaac Asimov, back when I was a teenager (so 30 some years ago). This time around, I finished \u0026ldquo;reading\u0026rdquo; this book again, this time as an audio book, from Audible. Nightfall and other stories is a collection of 20 stories, compiled by Asimov himself, who prefaced each story with an introduction. The first story is “Nightfall”, the tale of a world ordinarily illuminated by sunlight at all times. Darkness only happens once every 2000 years. This is the one story I remembered from the first time I read it, and it still one of the greatest science fiction stories of all time. There were a couple of other stories, that I really enjoyed. Several of the highlights were:\nIn A Good Cause It\u0026rsquo;s Such a Beautiful Day The Machine That Won the War The narration by Jon Lindstrom was engaging and made the \u0026ldquo;re-reading\u0026rdquo; the book an enjoyable experience. The Science Fiction Writers of America voted Nightfall as the best science-fiction short story ever written.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/i-read-nightfall-and-other-stories-by/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"nightfall.jpg\" alt=\"Nightfall\" class=\"review-cover\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e I read Nightfall and other stories by Isaac Asimov, back when I was a\nteenager (so 30 some years ago).   This time around, I finished\n\u0026ldquo;reading\u0026rdquo; this book again, this time as an audio book, from Audible.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNightfall and other stories is a collection of 20 stories, compiled by\nAsimov himself, who prefaced each story with an introduction.   The\nfirst story is “Nightfall”, the tale of a world ordinarily illuminated\nby sunlight at all times.   Darkness only happens once every 2000\nyears.   This is the one story I remembered from the first time I read\nit, and it still one of the greatest science fiction stories of all\ntime. \u003c/p\u003e","title":"Nightfall"},{"content":"So apparently, I have been blogging since 2010 per my profile on this site… I know I have never posted anything on any blog site, but I guess, I must have logged into blogger once, long ago. While I have been thinking about blogging off and on for a while, I actually have never posted anything. I wanted to create a separate place to post things I didn’t want to share specifically on other social media sites, or where I can go more in depth than I normally do on those sites. I am not going to post anything from the past, just new things going forward. So finally, after 14 years of procrastination here is my first post.\n","permalink":"https://pensieve.peraleslab.com/posts/so-apparently-i-have-been-blogging/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eSo apparently, I have been blogging since 2010 per my profile on this\nsite… I know I have never posted anything on any blog site, but I guess,\nI must have logged into blogger once, long ago.   While I have been\nthinking about blogging off and on for a while, I actually have never\nposted anything.   I wanted to create a separate place to post things I\ndidn’t want to share specifically on other social media sites, or where\nI can go more in depth than I normally do on those sites.   I am not\ngoing to post anything from the past, just new things going forward.  So\nfinally, after 14 years of procrastination here is my first post.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"So Apparently I Have Been Blogging"}]