Posts on Digital Pensieve

Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0500

I have always been fascinated by mysteries that resist an easy explanation. I’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’s Digest Mystery of the Unexplained, a book my grandmother had, to The X-Files in the 1990s.

Grant’s Grim Road to Richmond

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0500

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.

The 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.

The Menger Hotel - San Antonio - Texas

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:55:35 -0500

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.

Stagecoach Inn - Salado Texas

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:25:29 -0500

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.

A Gripping Conclusion to One of the Shattered Legions Story Arcs

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:00:44 +0000

TL;DR

This novella expertly ties up loose ends from the main books in the series.
Jonathan Keeble’s narration is top-notch and a major contributor to the story’s emotional impact.
If you’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 “Sons of Selenar” by Graham McNeill, I couldn’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 “Saturnine”. The novella is part of this larger universe, and it’s clear that McNeill has put a lot of thought into completing this narrative arc.

Cain at Gettysburg

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 21:40:00 +0000

Cain at Gettysburg by Ralph Peters steps onto well-traveled ground and, to its credit, finds a fresh path across it.

Anyone 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 “The Killer Angels”, and it’s easy to worry that a new entry will simply reshuffle familiar scenes.

Sherman: Soldier, Realist, American

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 01:40:00 +0000

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.

Dragon Lance Novels

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 03:32:00 +0000

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.

I 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.

Moriarty: The Devil’s Game

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 23:57:00 +0000

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.

In 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.

Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:13:00 +0000

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.

Yet 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.

Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 23:57:00 +0000

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.

U. S. Grant: The Civil War Years by Bruce Catton

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 23:33:00 +0000

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.

The 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.

The Looking Glass War by John le Carré

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 21:37:00 +0000

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.

Blood of Ashaheim

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 15:31:00 +0000

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.

The 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.

Fulgrim

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:58:00 +0000

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.

Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Thu, 15 May 2025 21:49:00 +0000

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’s potential trajectories, it may not satisfy readers seeking a technical understanding of how AI systems function.

Tegmark, 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.

Lockwood and Co -The Whispering Skull

Wed, 07 May 2025 21:58:00 +0000

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.

Lockwood and Co - The Screaming Staircase

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:38:00 +0000

I first came across this series through the Netflix adaptation of the first two books of Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood & 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, “What is that? It looks cool.” 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.

Flight of the Eisenstein

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:06:00 +0000

“Flight of the Eisenstein” by James Swallow

Catching up on some reviews… I mentioned this one back in January, and just saw, that I haven’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.

First 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’re right there in the chaos.

Midnight at Chernobyl

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 03:18:00 +0000

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 “Midnight in Chernobyl” 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.

Artificial Intelligence - A Guide for Thinking Humans

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 23:19:00 +0000

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’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.

Lionel Morris and the Red Barron

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 01:46:00 +0000

History book about Lionel Morris by Jill Bush.

This 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’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’s first confirmed aerial victory. Morris’s story is a reminder of the many unsung heroes of World War I and the human cost of war.

Galaxy in Flames

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 19:31:00 +0000

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.

Galaxy in Flames is the third book in the Horus Heresy series by Ben Counter. The book opens with Horus, Warmaster of the Imperium’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’s own Legion), the World Eaters, the Emperor’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’s rebellion.

Treacheries of the Space Marines

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:23:00 +0000

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.

Overall, a good collection of stories, with obviously some better than others. My two favorites are:

Non Book Related Post Here

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 02:38:00 +0000

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.

False Gods

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:11:00 +0000

Continuing to listen to the Horus Heresy series. This time with the second book in the series “False Gods”. Again, this book is read by the English Actor Toby Longworth. Toby’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 “Horus Rising,” with Horus battling both external enemies and his own inner demons

Ground Zero

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 02:51:00 +0000

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 “The X-Files.” The story follows FBI agents Mulder and Scully as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths involving radioactivity.

My Father and I started watching the X-Files, back in the early 90’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.

Horus Rising

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 01:35:00 +0000

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’s sons, betrays him, leading to a brutal civil war between the loyalist and traitor factions

The Three Musketeers

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:26:00 +0000

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’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.

This was one of those audible books, that once I started, I wanted to keep listening to, until complete.

The Complete midshipman Bolitho

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 03:12:00 +0000

Finished reading “The Complete Midshipman Bolitho” 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.

This book is actually a compilation of the first 3 Bolitho books.

Nightfall

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 03:04:00 +0000

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 “reading” 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.

So Apparently I Have Been Blogging

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 17:44:00 +0000

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.