Gallantry! - Favorite Books and Authors

Welcome to Gallantry!

Here I have listed a couple of my favorite books and written up a short opinion of each. If any of these books sound intriguing to you, click on the cover of the book to buy them from Amazon.com at a special discount price.

Below this Favorite Books section is a Favorite Authors Web Site listing where you can visit the author's own web page.

Favorite Books

	My idol. P.J. O'Rourke, journalist from Rolling Stone, who describes his transformation from drug dependent hippy activist to alcohol dependent cynical reporter, takes on economics. Seeking the answer to the question "Why are some places rich and prosperous while others just suck?" he travels the world, talks to prominent experts in the field, and outlines the basic economic philosophies which purport to dictate how the world spends its wealth. Insightful, witty, and at times scathing in his observations, Mr. O'Rourke explains one of the world's most important and least understood forces in a way that the common man can grasp. After reading "Eat the Rich" you will no longer shake you head in bewilderment at the concept of economics. You will shake it in disbelief. If you like "Eat the Rich", the following are also available. The titles should give you an accurate idea of the tone and content. Give War a Chance : Eyewitness Accounts of Mankind's Struggle Against Tyranny, Injustice and Alcohol-Free Beer All the Trouble in the World : The Lighter Side of Overpopulation, Famine, Ecological Disaster, Ethnic Hatred, Plague, and Poverty Age and Guile Beat Youth, Innocence, and a Bad Haircut
	Steven Brust's tale of Vlad Taltos, an ethnic minority-a human- who overcomes prejudice and hardship by studying witchcraft, becoming an assassin, and working his way up the underworld ladder of organized crime. He's really a nice guy, though. This is one of the most unique and interesting series available in print today.
	Steven Brust does Dumas in this witty and hilarious homage to the author of The Three Musketeers. Brust again rejects stereotype by experimenting in a radically different style of literature, and putting a fantasy spin on it. He stands head and shoulders above the crowd of current fantasy writers.
	The Black Company by Glen Cook Review forthcoming.
	The Amber series, in my opinion, is Roger Zelazny's master work. It is one huge exciting adventure. Big things happen to big characters. He created a hero, Corwin, who does not whine, who uses strength, intelligence, and guile to navigate treacherous situations. A tough and resourceful man, he also has unexpected depth. There is compassion and altruism where least expected. The novels skillfully weave our world into a vast number of parallel worlds. The power struggles would make a Machiavelli gasp in wonder. The only bad thing about the Amber novels is that Zelazny had the bad grace to die; he won't write any more of them.
	Roger Zelazny's A Night in the Lonesome October is a great epic tale told through the eyes of the faithful animal familiars of Jack the Ripper, Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein and other classic horror and mystery characters. Light hearted, fun, humorous. Written with the age old plot about the forces of good against the forces of evil - and the loyal animals who love them.
	This great re-released book features all three novels in an epic trilogy, Deed of Parksenarrion, appear in an omnibus edition that includes Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance, and Oath of Gold. A true hero that's not afraid to get her feet wet, break a nail or a few heads! Vivid descriptions of boot camp that brought back memories. Great battle scenes coupled with myth, magic, tragedy and triumph!
	The Steel Bonnets by George MacDonald Fraser Review forthcoming.
	Flashman at the Charge by George MacDonald Fraser Review forthcoming.

Favorite Authors's Web Sites

Steven Brust Author of several books including the Taltos series.
Roger Zelazny Author of the Amber series.
George MacDonald Fraser Here's a great site discussing the finer points of the Flashman series.
Glen Cook Author of the Black Company fantasy series and Garrett the hard-boiled-detective/fantasy series.
P. J. O'Rourke Once a hippy, now deeply cynical. There's a special place for P.J. and me in Hell.