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A place for discussions about the writings of David Sherman and Dan Cragg, including fiction and non-fiction, as well as non-Starfist areas of interest.  Participating in these forums requires registration.
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 Best of the Bunch
 
mclark
178 posts
5th
Joined
1/27/2006
Best of the Bunch
Posted: 01 Apr 06 6:45 PM
Perhaps my enjoyment and appreciation of Starfist keeps increasing, or perhaps these books are getting better and better (and perhaps both), but I really really liked Flashfire.  I know I know, it was released two months ago, so what's my big hurry, but I only just finished reading it day before yesterday.

There is so much to like about this book: subplots galore, and you just have to wonder why Sergeant Charletta and her husband are doing on the same coast that Gen. Cazombi and Brigidier Sturgeon identified as the best place to put in an assault in order to draw off the rebel armies from Bataan (but got were overruled).  Maybe the assault will take place anyway?

Also of interest was the first extended space battle sequence in Starfist.  I was really intrigued to see how our esteemed authors imagined space combat between warships would take place, and I think they did an excellent job of it.  One place in the tactics department had me a little wondering, and that was the depiction of magnesium flares used to draw off heat-seeking missiles.  Of course, magnesium metal burns in the presence of oxygen, as in the atmosphere, but how would it burn in the vacuum of space, where there is no air, let alone oxygen?  Well, duh, I guess I figured it out soon enough --- of course the flares aren't using magnesium alone, oxygen has to be being supplied chemically, just like in fireworks or rocket engines, oxygen to burn iswith is supplied either directly by means of liquid oxygen or indirectly using some other chemical oxydizer.  And that's a pretty clever way to do it, too.  Cheap, so you can put out a lot of flares.  Also, the use of chaff for confusing radar guidance is heavily used in the battle.  It points out that today's methods would very likely be used in the future, too.

Good job, guys!
Finucane
1932 posts
2nd
Joined
1/25/2006
Re: Best of the Bunch
Posted: 02 Apr 06 1:48 PM
It's very simple, you like our books because they are works of literary genius and you are a reader of the highest caliber with impeccable taste and a fine appreciation of true art.  Your share of David's next royalty check is now assured.

Dan
Deadshot
415 posts
5th
Joined
2/10/2006
Re: Best of the Bunch
Posted: 03 Apr 06 6:14 AM
Someone check Dan's cigars!
Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli
Finucane
1932 posts
2nd
Joined
1/25/2006
Re: Best of the Bunch
Posted: 03 Apr 06 6:27 AM
Better still, you all go out and paper your walls with Starfist novels so I can use the royalties to buy some more Davidoffs!
Teufel Panzer MK4
1037 posts
3rd
Joined
7/1/2006
Re: Best of the Bunch
Posted: 02 Jul 06 12:00 AM

Look, I just be glad I wanted to read the last three books so bad that I didn't wait for them to come out in paperback, alright? I mean, I already have all of the available paperbacks, and several extras of them by accident.. As well as one of the Original Hardbacks of First To Fight...

Call it brand loyalty, but I absoluty love these books... so there!
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