Otto's Books

Otto's Book Reviews

American Psycho

This book is a mixture of fashion, fine dining, violence and pornography.Definitely not for the squeamish. It has no start or end; it is merely a sliceof one man's life. I liked it. It was unlike any other book I've read. (I've also heard that this is Paul Bernardo's favorite book. I can believe it.If you want to write to him and discuss it, his address is here.)

The otto rating: It's a good book if you can stomach it.

Rising Sun

This book is a lesson on Japanese culture and high technology diguised as amurder mystery. Well written.

The otto rating: Nutritious and delicious!

Private Parts

Howard is a rude egomaniac. He's also extrememly funny and can offer up reallyprivate details of his life. Granted, some of his humour misses the mark. Someof it made me laugh out loud.

The otto rating: You could do worse.

The Rants

Dennis Miller delivers a short intellectual speech on a wide variety oftopics, but he doesn't fall into the trap of taking himself too seriously. He makesyou think, he makes you laugh, and he makes you wonder what that reference meant.I'd love to meet anyone that can intercept every ref Dennis makes..oh, now I'm startingto rant.

The otto rating: I loved it, but I bet Newt hates it.

Prime Evil

A collection of short stories all with a supposed 'macabre' theme. Most of the stories are good, but some don't seem to be close to the horror mark.

The otto rating: A good collection of stories, if you like a horror theme.

Bio of a Space Tyrant

Someone described Piers to me as a 'cotton-candy' author. It seems like alot, but once you sink your teeth into it, there's not much left. The 'Bio' series is 5 books, following the career of a space refugee. These books are pretty sexist, and shamelessly steal 'earth' history to draw parallels in space. I found he takes these parallels to silly extreme. Not bad, but not exactly inspired.

The otto rating: If you like Piers Anthony, you'll like these.

The Eye of the World

The first book in a series with a fantasy theme. I like it; not everyone's motivesare clear, and there are more people involved than your standard good vs. evil novel. I especially like the 'flow'of the book. The author really knows how to present each character and the situations they get involved in.

The otto rating: I'm reading the rest of the series. That speaks volumes...

Being Digital

This guys believes every business will be drastically affected by internet. He makes a good case, although he lectures on the subject, so consulting on this subject is his living... This would be a good book to read along with 'The Road Ahead' by Bill Gates and 'Silicon Snake Oil' by Cliff Stoll.

The otto rating: The more you use computers, the more you should read this book.

Graves in Academe

A nice little mystery about a substitute english professor. It has many references to classical literature without being overbearing.

The otto rating: A nice book for a vacation or long trip.

The Secret Pilgrim

A great book about little incidents that happened during the career of a secret agent.

The otto rating: One of LeCarre's better books. Pretty good.

The Cardinal of the Kremlin

Fantastic spy novel starring the famous Jack Ryan. It gives an insight into the cold war and spy business during it..

The otto rating: Read this, and all the other Jack Ryan books.

Cracker: To Say I Love You

This book is based on the screenplay of the TV show that appeared on A&E. Not bad, but it seems to lack some depth. Perhaps if this original screenwriter worte this book, it would be fuller.

The otto rating: A light read. Not bad.

The Practice Effect, by David Brin

A guy travels to an alternate dimension where the laws of physics are slightly different. Kinda corny.

The otto rating: You have to really like SF or Brin to like this.

Dark Castle, White Horse, by Tanith Lee

Two short stories. The first is a damn good story about a minstel and girl trapped in a tower. The second story is a weird fable that isn't bad.

The otto rating: The first story is great, well worth it.

A Million Open Doors, by John Barnes

Hard core SF about a guy that travels to a new culture and somehow helps overthrow the government.

The otto rating: If you like SF, you'll like this. Otherwise, I doubt it.

Takedown, by Tsutomu Shimomura & John Markoff

Shimomura is a computer expert that tracked down the hacker that broke into his computer system. This book covers his life during that time. All the personal stuff about his relationship with a girlfriend seems there mostly to pad the book a little... but without it, the book would be hard core computer tech and not much else.

The otto rating: If you know what TCP/IP is, you'll like this book.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

A collection of case studies by a neurolgist. Each involves a problem with the way the brain works, and the person that has the afflection. The most disturbing thing about these stories (IMHO) is that very few of the cases were resolved successfully. Dr. Sacks also has a unique style of prose.

The otto rating: This book will make you want to wear a helmet all the time.

Phule's Company

A nice fluffy SF novel about a rich guy in the space legion. Cleanses your literary palette, a prose sorbiet.

The otto rating: A nice light book to read between heavy stuff.

Lttle Myth Marker, by Robert Asprin

Literary cotton-candy, it melts in your mind. It seems to be written for a younger audience.

The otto rating: If you like cutsy fantasy, this is for you.

M.Y.T.H Inc. Link, By Robert Asprin

Another in the series. A bit better than Little Myth Marker but similar in style.

The otto rating: More cutsy fantasy.

Cyberpunk, By Katie Hafner and John Markoff

This book has three sections devoted three different hackers. All are an interesting insite into the minds of those that live and breath computers. One of the hackers covered is Kevin Mitnick, the subject of Takedown, before he bothered other people...

The otto rating: I liked it, but then again, I'm a hacker at heart.

Rose of the Prophet: Volume One

The first book in a series about gods that battle using the mortals that worship them. I know this is part of series, but I wish the story would end a little better. Each book in a series should be able to stand without the others...

The otto rating: Good fantasy novel. If only I could find the rest of the series...

The Shockwave Rider

This book is a fav of cyperpunks (mentioned in Cyberpunk, strangely enough) so I decided to give it a try. Written in the early 70's, it's amazing. It seems to anticipate the current current computer culture to a scary extent. It also has a slighty non-standard chapter format I like...

The otto rating: Cool SF.

The Fugitive Game, By Jon Littman

This book tells the flip side of Takedown, and it covers the 'cyberpunk' Kevin Mitnick and the reporters that follow him. Interesting stuff, and it certainly adds a layer of depth to the whole situation.

The otto rating: If you read Takedown, read this.

The High Cost of High Tech

A slightly dated book about the changes computers have made it society. (it was published in 1985, so this is understandable) It reminds me of Cliff Stoll's Silicon Snake Oil, with a wider perspective.

The otto rating: Good book.

Where Wizards Stay Up Late

A very precise book about the beginnings of the internet. It tries very hard to get the names and places right. If you're interested in this level of detail, this book is for you.

The otto rating: If you really into the internet history, you might like it.

Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt

A business book like very few others. The advice is short and sweet.. and it's not just for business. The lessons in this book should be applied to life in general.

The otto rating: Very cool. Read it completely, then put it in the smallest room of your house.

Worms Eat My Garbage

The ultimate guide to vermicomposting. It gives you the knowledge you need to get worms eating your kitchen food waste.

The otto rating: Well written, and useful. Buy it and try it.

How I Turn Ordinary Complaints into Thousands of Dollars

Whenever this guy gets a bad product or service, he gets satisfaction. He even includes the letters and checks he received through his efforts.

The otto rating: Amusing, and may give you some ideas the next time you get something lousy.

The Eyes of Darkness

Dean wrote this book under another name, and he editted it and re-released it under his own name. Pretty simple story (he admits this) and a quick read.

The otto rating: Fluffy book. Good for the beach.

Everville

This books is the sequal to The Great and Secret Show and some of the people that should have died there are back, along with a few new other people. I guess will have to wait until the next book to see who really died in this one.

The otto rating: Good book.

The Catcher in the Rye

I can't believe people want to ban this book, unless severe bordom in the reason. Maybe this was stunning stuff in 1950, but these days, it's pretty tame.

The otto rating: It sucks.

My Point, and I Do Have One

The only reason this book was published was because Ellen in famous, and plenty of people will buy the damn book, lining her pockets. Most of this feels like filler, and she even writes about the minimum number of words she has to write. I guess her point was that she has no integrity.

The otto rating: What a pathetic piece of garbage.

The Runaway Jury

His best book since The Firm. Many of Grisham's book are quite predictable, but not this one.. I was in suspence until the end.

The otto rating: Fantastic

The Uplift War

Great SF makes you feel as if the events will happen in the future. This book is great SF, much better than the other Brin book I read, The Practice Effect. It covers making chimps smarter, and their struggles as a planet is invaded by aliens.

The otto rating: Brilliant book

Intensity

Koontz pumps out alot of books, and many are pretty good. This is one of the better ones, dealing with a lady that confronts a serial killer to save a girl she never met.

The otto rating: Better than average Koontz

Primary Colours

A nasty little book about a candidate for a party's presidental nomination. It's really makes you wonder about the electoral process, and those that thrive under it.

The otto rating: Wicked, especially if you're into politics.

The Watchman

The bio of Kevin Poulson, written by the same guy that wrote a book about the capture of Kevin Mitnick. It reflects the poor security of the phone company and the relentless obsession of Poulson the hacker.

The otto rating: One of the best hacker bios I've every read.

The Rainmaker

Grisham's on a roll with his last couple of books. I love the way this book was written, completely in first person; it adds another dimension, and makes you feel as if you in the his shoes.

The otto rating: Pretty damn good.

Overdrive

Touted as as the 'race to control cyberspace', the internet is only one of the topics covered in this sequal to 'Hard Drive'. I found alot of the information about Microsoft's FTC and Justice Dept. battles a little dry, but some other portions are more interesting. This book covers his wedding, the rise of Netscape, and the battle for market share in the business suite.

The otto rating: Internet geeks and Bill fans will be interested.

The Stainless Steel Rat for President

A harmless book about a heavy drinking con-man that's actual one of the good guys. His mission is to save a planet from a dictator, by winning the election.

The otto rating: Nice if you like your SF light and quick.

Shame of Man

This book started a bit more substantial than the usual Piers Anthony book. The same characters jump forward in time every chapter. Interesting concept, and it sortof works. The last two chapters seemed to go off on an eco-friendly tangent that didn't seem reflected in the rest of the book.

The otto rating: Not bad.

The Lost World, by Micheal Crichton

The sequal to Jurassic Park, even though JP didn't seem to be written for a sequal. This book is just a knockoff of the original. Not bad writing, but not exactly an inspired project.

The otto rating: Don't set your sights too high.

Slaughterhouse Five

Nifty little story about a man deeply disturbed by the events he has witnessed.

The otto rating: Great.

Hocus Pocus

Vonnegut's style of jumping around and joining links makes his writing a treat. Everything neatly falls into place by the last line.

The otto rating: Wonderful.

The Thin Man

Yup, this is the same book as the movie. I had a lot of trouble buying into the plot. Perhaps that's the draw; it's more style than substance.

The otto rating: Maybe this was more exciting in 1961.

On the Beach

Yet another movie book. This is just plain spooky, with one of the most depressing endings ever. I have trouble beieving anyone would want to see this movie today.

The otto rating: Good book, but it will depress the hell outta ya.

Starship Troopers

I read most of Heinlein's books when I was younger, and I realize now how much of the political undertones I missed then. I doubt the movie shares anything apart from the bugmonsters they fight in this book.

The otto rating: Good.

Black Sunday

Harris is one of my all time fav authors, despite only having 3 novels to his credit. This book was his first, and it's pretty darn good. I hope he is still writing.

The otto rating: Loved it.

The Keep

An epic battle between good and evil, kinda. The baddest, evilest creature is trapped in this castle..er..'keep', and is trying to escape.

The otto rating: Cheesy, but fun.

Neuromancer

Heavy ultramodern computer SF. It's the kinda reading that you have to devote 100% to, or you get lost real quick.

The otto rating: Different, and good.

The Spear

Pesky nazis plot to use the Spear's power to start a new reign of terror.

The otto rating: Better than it sounds.

Ninety Trillion Fausts

Chalker has written some great books, and some crap. Maybe I would have liked this book more if I read the others in the series, but on it's own...

The otto rating: It leans towards crap.

A Canticle for Leibowitz

Utterly strange book about the future where much has been destroyed, and that which remains is usually misunderstood.

The otto rating: Strange, but it a good way.

How to Sell Anything to Anybody

This guy sells more cars that anyone else, and he's willing to show anyone how to do it. He's got a good system.

The otto rating: Makes you wanna go sell cars. ;-)

The HP Way

This books reads like it was written by grampa Simpson. It's disjointed passages of memories that lightly skims over many topics, but fails to go into any depth.

The otto rating: Quite dissappointing.

The Clan of the Cave Bear

This is the story of a group of cave people that adopt a child from a more advanced strain of humans. The author takes many liberties with this pseudo-historical tale. Some of these embellishments work better than others.

The otto rating: An interesting book.

Sphere

A group of scientists go underwater to examine an unidentified object. A great deal of this book feels like padded action, instead of an effort to move the plot along.

The otto rating: Not bad, but not great either.

Carioca Fletch

Strange book about Fletch in Brazil, where Fletch is believed to be a spirit of a dead man. I don't think much of the plot works, but it's more style than anything else.

The otto rating: Ok

Ghost Story

A group of men the committed murder and it's coming abck to haunt them. This book plods along, hardly as excitied as you'd think.

The otto rating: Blah.

The Terminal Man

One of Crichton's first books, and it doesn't seem dated at all. It's chocked full of medical jargon, but it doesn't get bogged down in it.

The otto rating: Pretty good.

The Andromeda Strain

A organism that kils everything is examined by a crack team of scientists in a new research center. Despite the books age, most of it still works.

The otto rating: Good

West of Eden

One of a zillion books that examine Apple Computers. This one focuses on the era between the introduction of the Mac and Steve Jobs departure. Rose likes to interject passages of flowery prose in his writing... I found it a bit distracting in a bio-type book, but his research was pretty good.

The otto rating: You don't have to be a computer geek to like this book.

Shakespear's Planet

A traveller ends up on a backward planet with a strange alien, his robot and a jump gate that only works one way. If you suspend all disbelief (and if you can't, why read SF?) it works.

The otto rating: I liked it.

The Valley Where Time Stood Still

A prospector saves a martian, and they go to a lost valley on Mars. Standard SF fare, and a bit predictable.

The otto rating: Harmless.

Apple: The Inside Story

One of the more vicious bios of Apple computer. This covers the very beginnings to July 1997, and include plenty of 20/20 hindsight. I find that aspect kinda annoying, after all, anyone can be a genious after the fact.

The otto rating: Good, despite it's attitude.

The Little Kingdom

Another book about the early days of Apple, from the beginning to the development of Lisa. This book covers alot of ground, but doesn't have the depth that some the items should have. Instead of being about Apple, it more about Woz and Jobs at Apple.

The otto rating: Still a classic book, written when Apple was still King.

Vertical Run

A man is attacked by trained agents and he can't figure out why. It's a darn good thing he's got all sorts of military and intelligence training... It's well written, and a real page turner.

The otto rating: You won't want to put it down.

Rascal Money

A book about an attempted corporate takeover, written in extremely well honed prose.

The otto rating: Loved it.

A Case of Need

A scalpel-sharp medical mystery story. It's so chock-full of medical lingo, you'd suspect the author was showing off. Still, a good story and an interesting insight into the world of doctors and hospitals.

The otto rating: Good

Age and Guile Beat Youth, Innocence and a Bad Haircut

An interesting collection of PJ's writing, and and since most don't have a political bent, I enjoyed them.

The otto rating: Mostly good, if you like PJ's writing style.

The Bone Collector

Vicious little book about killer that collects... well, anyway, if you ignore some of the (minor) cliques, it's quite a good book, chocked with authentic details.

The otto rating: Loved it, although not for the squeamish.

I sing the Body Electronic

A book about the development of a mulltimedia product by Microsoft. If all products take a similiar path, it a miracle the company is still around. The infighting and stupid decisions made don't seem congruent with the public image of MS. I suspect Moody has really played up the problems to make his book seem more exciting.

The otto rating: Only interesting if you're into MS or computer product development.

To the Stars

The highly melodramtic autobiography of "Mr. Sulu" is interesting, although it's long on the past and (really) short on the Star Trek. Let's face it, that's the reason we're reading it. (sorry George...) It's worth reading as the story of an actor, but not a Star Trek actor.

The otto rating: Don't read with any preconceived ideas.

The Joy Luck Club

A collection of stories that involve a group of Chinses woman and their daughters. Each story is related in a roundabout way. It's kinda neat.

The otto rating: Better than I thought it would be.

Disclosure, by Micheal Crichton

Sex and high tech, how can you go wrong? This isn't Crichton's best book, (although it's better than The Lost World) but it's not horrible. At least he gets all his technical details right, which more than can be said for more than most popular novelists.

The otto rating: Crichton is like sex. When it's bad, it's still pretty good.

Casino

The movie was based on this book, but the book reads like a collection of interviews. Don't expect to see the storyline echoed here; this book is unique (in a good way).

The otto rating: Pretty freakin' cool.

The Rum Diary

Writer goes to the islands to work for a paper, gets drunk, gets laid, gets in fights, newspaper closes, reporter leaves. It's much better than it sounds. Hunter's prose is perfect.

The otto rating: I liked it.

Eyes of a Child

You can't help but feel manipulated through this whole book. Some characters are so over-written negatively the overkill disrupts the rest of the book.

The otto rating: It's alright, nothing special.

Guilty as Sin

The guy you think is guilty is guilty, and it takes the whole book for this to pan out. Hardly any surprises here. Maybe the journey is the reward... maybe not.

The otto rating: Good.

The Partner

I didn't like some a John's earlier books, but his latest books have been great, and this is no exception. I liked the twist at the end.

The otto rating: Great.

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