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(Beware of spoilers!)
When it first came out, in 1948 as I recall, the whole story was a flashback, narrated by Jim drunk in a bar. In that version, he ends up killing Bob. In a later revision, which I understand is the version mostly available now, he ends up sort of raping him, instead.
I read the first version as a paperback in the early 60's, then later found out about the second. The novel made a big splash in its original release; now it's more regarded as a sort of period piece. Like "The Boys in the Band," the sensationalism of its subject matter has dwindled over time, so that what was daring then is more of a stereotype now. (Of course that cultural shift derived in large part from such works coming out, as t'were.)
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Posted: |
Jun 23, 2005 - 8:28 AM
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By: |
Robyn Hood
(Member)
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The Stichin is not fiction, but rather an extensive argument that our civilization, going back to its origins in Sumeria, is alien-inspired.
In other words, Stichin is the new Erich von Daniken. Like we needed either. I don't buy the whole "alien-inspired" thing; the argument that primitive people couldn't've built the pyramids or constructed the Easter Island icons, so aliens must have?
What nonsense. "Primative" doesn't equate to "stupid", and never has. These "ancient wonders" were obviously built be human beings...Stonehenge is a calendar, for heaven's sake, which could've been built with the materials at hand. Obviously, it would have been a difficult undertaking, but not impossible. The idea that aliens "helped out" is not only a ludicrous idea, it's an insult to human intelligence and ingenuity.
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I take it you haven't read any of these books, then. A case of, as they say in AA, "contempt prior to investigation."
Stichin is a Sumerian scholar, fluent in cuneiform. His idea of people from another planet is not only extensively documented in his work, it even borders on the obsessive.
I'm not all that sure I agree with him. I will opine that the two most ancient civilizations on our planet, the Sumerian and the Egyptian, seemed to begin at the height of their expertise, and to decay from there. Almost as if the first automobile were to be the Rolls Royce, followed in later years by the gradual development of the Model T.
This is part of a movement of awareness abroad in the world, pointing out that there was certainly some intelligence behind multivarious stone structures still standing, the construction of which continues to remain a total mystery to modern science. Whether it was by alien hands I don't know, but there was certainly some kind of civilization long years before recorded history. How it came to degenerate is a moot point; the current hypothesis is that what is referred to as the Deluge may have caused enough damage to it that knowledge simply died out, along with memory, surviving only in the form of myth.
Imagine, if you will, how quickly memory of what we fancifully call "civilization" would disappear, in only a generation or two, if there were to be some similar cataclysm, or, perhaps, a war. The tissue of our existence is more fragile than you think.
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I've read von Daniken's CHARIOTS OF THE GODS. Both he and his crackpot theories have been throughly debunked. As has the idea of "ancient astronauts".
"Debunked" by who? The not-so- Amazzing Randi or some other know-nothing who nevertheless issues proclamations of certainty.
Yeah, and the Downing St. memo has also been debunked; and the Jim Garrison investigation....
and UFO's, blah blah blah
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Posted: |
Jun 28, 2005 - 1:15 PM
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By: |
Greg Bryant
(Member)
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Assassin by David Hagberg.
I know, I know, I should know better. Regardless of my political leanings, I do love these spy novels. But I read so much heavy serious stuff (research journals, dissertations, etc.) that I need some brainless reading to wind down.
Hagberg's character is Kirk McGarvey, world-weary ex-CIA agent. McGarvey (this is his sixth novel) used to do all sort of "wet jobs" for the CIA, but got disillusioned by the plotting, games and politics played by the leaders that would put him, his family and his friends in harms way.
In this one, a Russian ultra-nationalist is vying for power. He has the support of the Russian populace. But if he succeeds becoming president of Russia, he will plunge the country back into communism and Stalinism. McGarvey is secretly approached by Russian moderates to assassinate the guy before he can gain power.
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