Walldren’s World

As with any poetry collection there are hits and there are misses. With “Ballistics”, I think most of these poems hit the mark. One reviewer observed that these poems tend to be a little overly self-indulgent for Billy – but I happen to think that most poetry is self-indulgent. Many of these poems are very philosophical and deeply personal with the usual dose of dry wit one comes to expect from Billy Collins.

One of the main reasons I like Billy Collins (apart from the aforementioned dry with) is his ability to say what he means. In one poem he chastises the school teacher who asks of their students, “Now, what do you think the poet was trying to say?” by replying that if such a question is asked of an Emily Dickinson poem, then obviously the great poet has failed in her poetry.

I spent an enjoyable afternoon with this book and recommend it heartily.

Despite a lot of redundant content and a cover that could peel paint off the walls, this book has been on my shelf waiting to be read for about 5 years.

One of my New Years’ resolutions was to actually sit down and read this book, cover to cover. I did just that over the last four days – and I’m glad I finally did.

Not only did I re-learn a few things about photography, I picked up a few techniques on post-editing in Photo Shop or Paint Shop Pro that I might find useful – and definitely want to try.

The book is laid out very simply:

1. The Shoot: The set up of the original image.
2. Enhance: Steps taken to enhance the image, usually broken out step by step.
3. Enjoy: How the images were later used.

Towards the end of the book, I got a little tired of the the format and wished the author was able to procure more interesting source material. However he did a great job of explaining how to use layers, masks, burn and dodge, etc. that I feel like I really learned something cool.

I saw this in the bookstore when it came out and the cover intrigued me – so I added it to my Amazon wish list and a few months later received it as a gift from my wife for Christmas.

The inventive cover and beautiful illustrations inside the book do justice to the fantastic world that Scott Westerfeld creates. Set in an alternate 1914, the “Clankers” (Germans, Austria, Hungary, Ottomans) are gearing up for war with the “Darwinists” (aka “The Allies”) whose bio-engineered “fabrications” replace artillery and transport.

The protagonists are likable enough and the pacing and storytelling was most engrossing – made even better with the illustrations. I felt like a kid again reading tis book – just waiting for the next sketch to appear on the page.

Other reviewers have written – and I agree – that this book lacks a certain bit of ’soul’ or pathos for the characters. Had the author spent a little more time exploring the characters and their relationships I think would have elevated this novel above a “young adult” read.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading its sequel “Behemoth” when it comes out.