More Discussion on Benedict Arnold, Hulk Sings and a Wolverine Graphic Novel

Hi all in "The Land of Blog,"

Tis I, The Sith with the mostest, Darth Bill. First off I feel I need to counterpoint some comments, with all due respect to the commenters, from the last post about Benedict Arnold.

First Dan commented:

"Thanks for the review. I want to look for this one and share it with my kids. Benedict Arnold is a chance to study character in the face of discouragement and frustration and injustice. He could have been a hero. In the end, he failed, not because his courage failed, but because his character failed, and embittered, he tossed his right to be a hero away. In spite of his abilities and amazing courage, he loses the character war. Character does count."



<------ Artist Rendition of Benedict Arnold




Carl also commented:

"Didn't mean to get on a soapbox, but it's true, guys. Hey, while you read the Benedict Arnold book, you ought to check out Washington at Valley Forge by Russell Freedman. (I reviewed it on the February 16 post titled "What a Book! What a Man!" It would be a good companion to the Benedict Arnold book because it shows how Washington, facing a lot of similar frustrations and discouragements, managed to overcome them."

<------ Artist Rendition of George Washington




While I do not disagree with either of them that character counts quite allot and it is a bit disappointing about some of the things Benedict Arnold did when he changed sides in The Revolutionary War, I would not go as far as to say Benedict Arnold was completely lacking in character nor that George Washington was far his superior in the department of character. One must look not through the eyes of history knowing what we know now, but look at the people and events that where happening at the time. If you read the book (and I plan on reading the one about George Washington), you will see that Arnold looked at what was happening with the Revolution at the time and from what he saw and experienced made a very difficult decision based on that. Anyway no one is perfect and hindsight is always 20/20, that's my take on it and my opinion of Arnold's "Character." Nuff Said!!!!!!


And now for something a bit on the lighter side:




Hulk The Lounge Lizard Singing "Hulk Got You Under Hulk Skin"



Wolverine First Class: Wolverine-By-Night by Fred Lente, Mark Sumerak, Francis Portela, Hugo Petrus and Scott Koblish - If you love Wolverine, you will love this Graphic Novel. The Graphic Novel collects issues "Wolverine: First Class" issues 9 - 12 and "Wolverine and Power Pack" #2. The first story included has Wolverine visiting martial art expert Shang-Chi in order to seek aid in taking on his number one nemesis Sabretooth. The second story is a two parter in which Wolverine and Kitty Pryde take on Werewolves. Things go from bad to worse when Wolverine is bitten by one of the Werewolves and becomes one of them. Luckily Kitty finds a friend in Jack Russel, a somewhat "friendly" Werewolf, to help out. The story after this one has Cyclops returning to the X-Men after a long leave of absence. Along with fighting an ancient monster trapped within a temple and keeping Wolverine and Cyclops from killing one another, Kitty must choose which one should be her mentor. The last story has Wolve inviting Power Pack to the Xavier Institute where they learn the sad truth about bigotry towards mutants when Sentinels attack. I have been very impressed with this Graphic Novel Series and highly recommend it.

Well until next time me amigos,

Peace,

Bill

What A Book! What A Man!

Hey, dudes, you guys voted on the What Do GUYS Love? poll and the results were overwhelming--guys love video games! No surprise, huh? It did my librarian heart good to see that "books with lots of adventure and action" came in second.

Speaking of books with lots of adventure, I just finished a book that has a true-life adventure that beats most fiction. Washington at Valley Forge by Russell Freedman is the name and it's one that you won't easily forget! What a story!! Imagine camping in the snow with no shoes on your feet. In a thin, useless tent. With nothing to eat. That's how George Washington and his army found themselves in December 1777. Things had been going badly for the Patriots, losing battle after battle against the disciplined fighting machine that was the British army. Some people didn't think General Washington was competent and spread rumors about him. Congress didn't trust him and wouldn't give him money to feed or equip his troops. Imagine how you'd feel if you were Washington! Would you feel like giving up? I know I would! But George Washington decided to stick it out. Not only that, he said he "would share in the hardship and partake of every inconvenience" of his men. Now that's a TRUE MAN for you! No wonder we celebrate his birthday 239 years later! This is an incredible book and Russell Freedman is a fantastic writer, making you feel the tension and suspense that Washington felt. You really wonder if Washington and his army are going to make it!! Get it, guys! You'll love it!

Carl

I Knew It!

Yep, I knew Darth Bill wold give all the Jedi an in-your-face taunting. Oh, well, don't let that stop you. The big thing is to keep on reading. Maybe we could all create a galaxy in which Sith and Jedi sit down and read together in peace.

Or maybe not.

Anyway, last weekend I went to this totally cool place, Colonial Williamsburg, and got to see some fascinating sights. One of them was the Public Goal (Jail). Here's a picture:These two cells are from the original jail, built over 300 years ago! Their big claim to fame is that they once held 15 of Blackbeard's pirates!

Speaking of colonial times, here are two really great books about the American Revolution. The first is George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen From Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer. This book tells the story of the Revolutionary War by giving us biographies of George Washington and King George III. Each man believed firmly that he was right and had an iron determination to fight it out to the end. We know who won, of course, but it was a long and bitter struggle and it looked like the war might have gone to King George instead of George Washington. What a great story! Read it and see if I'm right when I say that history is exciting and not boring! (PS--This book has a drawing of King George and his wife Charlotte in it. Our city of Charlotte is named after her.)

The other one is King's Mountain by G. Clifton Wisler. 14-year-old Francis Livingstone is an ordinary boy living in the Watauga Settlements of North Carolina. The Revolutionary War has been going badly for the Patriots, those fighting for independence from England, but it has not affected the lives of the families in this remote settlement. Then he and his sister have to go to Camden, South Carolina to help their grandmother run her tavern. They arrive just in time to see the English army occupy the town. It's a dangerous time for Patriots like Francis and his sister. Can they escape and get back home? And will the English army make good its threat to burn all the Patriot homes in North and South Carolina? You've got to read this terrific book. I was holding my breath the whole time, wondering what would happen to young Francis.

This book is especially interesting to those in the Charlotte area because the battle of King's Mountain took place only 40 miles from here! If you want to see the battlefield, click on the King's Mountain National Park site here. Since the battle happened on October 7, 1780, they're going to hold special events the weekend of October 6 and 7. Click here to find out what they will be. I'd like to go--maybe I'll see you there!

AND-----since Bill's challenge went uncompleted, wait until October 1, when I will issue my own challenge to all you readers! I will raise the stakes on his challenge. Are you up to it?

Carl