Dave Thompson - Smoke on the water (The Deep Purple Story)

Dave Thompson - Smoke on the water (The Deep Purple Story)

(2004, 432pg, en)

From their grandiose inception in 1968 to the release of their latest album in 2003, this comprehensive look at Deep Purple's career paints a vivid portrait of the music scene that influenced the band and their effect on a generation of new musicians. Candid interviews with band members, friends, and fans trace the turbulent history of the band, including the acrimonious departures of legendary members Ian Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore and the death of guitarist Tommy Bolin. For die-hard fans and rock aficionados, this musical biography discloses insights into the staying power of this classic band.

Frank Herbert - Pandora, Incidentul Iisus

Frank Herbert & Bill Ransom - Pandora, Incidentul Iisus

(725pg, ro, 1979)

Pandora. Incidentul Iisus este prima parte din Trilogia Pandora.

Raja Flattery, un preot-psihiatru a contribuit decisiv la dezvoltarea unei vaste constiinte artificiale – nava – menite sa conduca omenirea catre stele. Dar nava isi faureste propriul ei destin demiurgic. Astfel, Raja va fi trezit din somnul criogenic pentru a-si asuma rolul mantuitorului si pentru a participa la ultimul si etern repetatul act al evolutiei umane: adorarea navei, adorarea unui creator...

(Nemira, nemira.ro, 20 ron)

Frankie Boyle - My Shit Life So Far

Frankie Boyle - My Shit Life So Far

(2009, 442pg, en)

Ever since being brought up by The Beatles, Frankie Boyle has been a tremendous liar. Join him on his adventures with his chum Clangy The Brass Boy and laugh as he doesn't accidentally kill a student nurse when a party gets out of hand. I don't think anyone can have written an autobiography without at some point thinking "Why would anyone want to know this shit?" I've always read them thinking "I don't want to know where Steve Tyler grew up, just tell me how many groupies he f**ked!"' So begins Frankie's outrageous, laugh-out loud, cynical rant on life as he knows it. From growing up in Pollockshaws, Glasgow ('it was an aching cement void, a slap in the face to Childhood, and for the family it was a step up'), to his rampant teenage sex drive ('in those days if you glimpsed a nipple on T.V. it was like porn Christmas'), and first job working in a mental hospital ('where most evenings were spent persuading an old man in his pants not to eat a family sized block of cheese'), nothing is out of bounds.

(15.99 £ play.com)

Philip K Dick - Vânătorul de recompense

Philip K Dick - Vânătorul de recompense

(visează androizii oi electrice?)

(377pg, ro, 1968)

Pentru Philip K. Dick viitorul nu suna bine! Ne aflam la ani buni dupa sfarsitul unui Razboi Mondial a carui efecte ulterioare, au silit majoritatea locuitorilor sa emigreze pe alte planete.

Pe un Pamant cu o populatie de animale aflata in pragul extinctiei, cu o atmosfera poluata de un praf radioactiv nociv, foarte putini sunt cei care nu au vrut sa-l parasesca. Pentru a se usura munca, marile corporatii au recurs la producerea de androizi, ce au devenit din ce in ce mai performanti, ajungandu-se ca ultimul model produs, Nexus-6, sa constituie o replica fidela a omului, destul de greu de depistat, insa nu imposibil.

Umanizarea acestor entitatii organice de sine statatoare este si subiectul, pe care ni-l propune autorul si care-l “macina” (poate nu prea mult timp, daca luam in considerare sfarsitul cartii) si pe Rick Deckard, vanator de recompense in cadrul politiei San Francisco. De cand i-a murit oaia adevarata, spera ca va reusi sa stranga suficienti bani din recompense pentru a-si cumpara alta sau orice alt animal adevarat, renuntand la inlocuitorul electronic.

Nancy Kress - Spaţiul probabilistic

Nancy Kress - Spaţiul probabilistic

(2002, ro, 389 pg)

Avand Artefactul Protector drept scut pentru intregul sistem solar, omenirea pare in siguranta - cel putin in ceea ce priveste un eventual atac din partea fallerilor. Dar razboiul este departe de a se fi incheiat; dimpotriva, s-a ajuns la un impas. Exista voci tot mai numeroase care afirma ca generalul Stefanak nu initiaza actiuni militare suficient de dure impotriva dusmanilor extraterestri. In urma unei lovituri de stat, puterea ajunge in mainile amiralului Pierce, pe care multi il considera nebun. Lipsit de intelepciune si de realism, Pierce urmareste victoria cu orice pret in razboiul cu fallerii, ignorand complet posibilitatea de a distruge spatiul-timpul si, prin aceasta, toate formele de viata existente in Univers. Intoarcerea pe planeta Lumea a doi fosti membri ai expeditiei care a adus omenirii Artefactul se transforma intr-o misiune de-a dreptul nebuneasca de salvare a Universului.

Philip K. Dick – Timpul dezarticulat

Philip K. Dick – Timpul dezarticulat

(1959, 390pg, ro)

1959. Ragle Gumm locuieste intr-o suburbie a unui oras din S.U.A. El este cel care, facand asocieri ce frizeaza genialul, raspunde aproape fara gres la intrebarea “Unde-l gasim maine pe omuletul verde?” in cadrul unui concurs initiat de un ziar local. Atmosfera linistita a anilor ’50, normalitatea, optimismul Americii aflate in plin boom economic, banii castigati cu usurinta, seninatatea captiveaza si distrag atentia cititorului. Bineinteles, un Philip K. Dick preocupat de natura realitatii, ce putea face decat sa intoarca totul pe dos?! Nimic nu este ceea ce pare! Ne aflam de fapt in 1998 (sic!), in plin razboi civil, iar lui Ragle Gumm i se “insceneaza” o viata perfecta.

Paul Midler - Poorly Made in China

Paul Midler - Poorly Made in China

(2009, 254pg, en)

Midler writes: Poorly Made in China is a reminiscence of my years spent in China manufacturing. The book explores a broad range of topics through a behind-the-scenes narrative set primarily in China. One of the book’s primary themes deals with a natural link that exists between business and culture. China is a different place, as most already know or imagine.

(Amazon, 25$)

Russ Kick - 50 Things you're not supposed to know

Russ Kick - 50 Things you're not supposed to know

(2003, en, 69pg)

Russ Kick has proved himself a master at uncovering facts that "they" would prefer you never hear about. The giant Disinformation Guide series edited by Kick has become the definitive place to find revelations about government cover-ups, scientific scams, corporate crimes, medical malfeasance, historical whitewashes, media manipulation, and other knock-your-socks-off secrets and lies.This CD-sized book packs the same powerful punch in a small, attractive package. Among Kick's amazing discoveries, all thoroughly documented:

The first genetically modified humans have already been born.
Hitler's blood relatives are living in the U.S.
The CIA commits over 100,000 serious crimes per year.
The U.S. planned to explode an atomic bomb on the moon.
An atomic bomb was dropped on North Carolina.
The main hero of the movie Black Hawk Down is a convicted child molester.
The discoverer of HIV no longer believes the virus is the sole cause of AIDS.
Kent State wasn't the only massacre of U.S. college students during the Vietnam era.
Lincoln didn't free any slaves.

A uniquely valuable tool to debunk modern mythology and the people and institutions serving it up, 50 Things You're Not Supposed To Know makes an amazing gift item and will prove just as essential in fashionable bathrooms as on the most well-heeled coffee tables.

Nancy Kress - Soarele probabilistic

Nancy Kress - Soarele probabilistic

(2001, ro, 580pg)

"Razboiul cu fallerii continua, nu neaparat in avantajul omenirii. Agresivii extraterestrii beneficiaza de o tehnologie spectaculoasa, care-i apara de actiunea celor mai puternice arme. Pentru a avea sanse de a invinge, oamenii trebuie sa gaseasca ori un echivalent al misteriosului scut, ori o modalitate de a-i anihila efectele.
In Soarele probabilistic, continuarea romanului Luna Probabilistica, Nancy Kress creeaza o noua aventura interstelara complexa, alerta, de neuitat."

Nancy Kress - Luna probabilistică

Nancy Kress - Luna probabilistică

(2000, 592pg, ro)

Omenirea a colonizat numeropase sisteme solare, folosind tehnologia straveche a portilor stelare, lasata mostenire de o rasa deosebit de avansata, de mult disparuta. Dar specia umana se afla in razboi intergalactic cu niste extraterestrii misteriosi si o pandeste pericolul de a fi invinsa.

In contextul acestei situatii extrem de instabile este descoperita o noua planeta, locuita de o rasa umanoida pasnica, aflata la nicelul preindustrial de civilizatie si cu o particularitate stranie: realitatea este mereu aceeasi pentru toti. O echipa de savanti este trimisa sa studieze aceasta rasa, fara a sti ca misiunea sa constituie o acoperire pentru operatiunea militara ce vizeaza un presupus satelit natural al planetei – dar care nu este luna, ci un artefact incredibil de vechi, aparat de o tehnologie extrem de avansata.

In explorarea planetei, oamenii de stiinta se confrunta cu humanoizii care incearca sa stabileasca daca intrusii pamanteni trebuie ucisi sau nu. In scurt timp, misteriosii extraterestrii sosesc in in sistemul solar, aducand cu ei razboiul, si situatia devine de-a dreptul exploziva.

Gerard Klein - Sceptrul hazardului

Gerard Klein - Sceptrul hazardului

(1992, ro, 252pg)

Bilele Mașinii Hazardului formează un nume, cel al noului conducător suprem al omenirii, stocasticul. Lui Ingmar London, căruia îi plac cărțile și liniștea, nu îi vine să își creadă ochilor când află că este vorba despre numele său.

Deși nu are niciun mijloc pentru a-și exercita puterea, nu are de ales. Dar London află află că stocasticul anterior a fost ucis. Și, când aude rafalele trecându-i pe lângă urechi, începe să se teamă cu adevărat.

Situația este foarte încurcată. În spațiu, omenirea a întâlnit nave străine, în timp ce, pe Pământ, paria, indigenii, se agită. Iar pe culoarele Palatului comploturile se desfășoară în voie, sub ochiul impasibil al Mașinii.

Singura șansă de a scăpa pare a fi fuga, dar cum să facă acest lucru, când toată lumea îi cunoaște chipul și când cineva vrea să facă din el un trofeu?

Bee Wilson - Swindled: The Dark History of Food Fraud, from poisoned candy to counterfeit coffee

Bee Wilson - Swindled: The Dark History of Food Fraud, from poisoned candy to counterfeit coffee

(en, 381 pg, 2008)

The title of this book makes it sounds like it some type of novelty caper, an unmasking of food jiggery-pokery. Happily,Swindled is much better and more serious than that. Bee Wilson is perhaps more historian than food writer, or that's what came through in the text. She writes in a nicely nuanced style that draws you into her subject. Wilson has obviously thought deeply about the nature of food adulteration and what it means for the culture and public health. This comes through in her splendid writing.

Swindled tracks the history of food adulteration and those who exposed these food frauds, starting in the nineteenth century. Essentially, food frauds flourished (if I can use that expression) the longer the chain between food producer and eater became. The less we have to do with our food growing, processing and cooking, the more we are prone to food swindles. The rise of industrialisation has also meant a rise in dubious foods. (Interestingly, industrialising China is plagued with food scandals.)

Vlad&Alex Lepădatu - Cobai

Vlad&Alex Lepădatu - Cobai

(162pg, ro)

Bill Bryson - Neither here nor there

Bill Bryson - Neither here nor there

(1991, en, 546pg)

"Bill Bryson's Neither Here Nor There takes up where A Walk In The Woods leaves off. Althought the setting changes from the American wilderness to the great cities of Western Europe, the reader will find themself caught up in his hillarious travel misadventures. In midlife Mr. Bryson attempts to recreate the travel itenerary of his youth some twenty plus years earlier when he backpacked across Europe with highschool buddy Stephen Katz.

The descriptions of historic sights and people encountered along his journey are laced with witty observations and laugh out loud situations. Some of Bill Brysons miscues are self-inflicted due to his pursuit of cozy bars and good draft beer. With the great cities of Europe as the backdrop for this journey to revisit his past the book moves along at a quick pace.

The author finds humor in the most awkward of situations while handling adversity with a stoic British sense of decorum. A skill he has learned over a twenty year period living in Britain with his wife and children. This trip is taken just prior to returning with his family back to America."

(Amazon, 12$)

Lem Stanislaw - Solaris

Lem Stanislaw - Solaris

(ro, 1961, 180pg)

Solaris chronicles the ultimate futility of attempted communications with the extraterrestrial (alien) life on a far-distant planet. Solaris, with whom Terran scientists are attempting communication, is almost completely covered with an ocean that is revealed to be a single, planet-encompassing organism. What appears to be waves on its surface is later revealed to be the equivalent of muscle contractions.

Kris Kelvin arrives aboard the scientific research station hovering (via anti-gravity generators) near the oceanic surface of the planet Solaris. The scientists there have studied the planet and its ocean for many decades, a scientific discipline known as Solaristics, which over the years has degenerated to simply observe and record the complex phenomena that occur upon the surface of the ocean. They've thus far achieved only the formal classification of the phenomena with an elaborate nomenclature — yet do not understand what such activities really mean in a strictly scientific sense. Shortly before psychologist Kelvin's arrival, the crew has exposed the ocean to a more aggressive experimentation with a high-energy X-ray bombardment. Their experimentation give unexpected results and becomes psychologically traumatic for them as individually flawed humans.

Johnny Ryan: A history of the internet and the Digital Future

Johnny Ryan: A history of the internet and the Digital Future

(2010, en, 246pg)

A History of the Internet and the Digital Future tells the story of the development of the Internet from the 1950s to the present, and examines how the balance of power has shifted between the individual and the state in the areas of censorship, copyright infringement, intellectual freedom and terrorism and warfare. Johnny Ryan explains how the Internet has revolutionized political campaigns; how the development of the World Wide Web enfranchised a new online population of assertive, niche consumers; and how the dot-com bust taught smarter firms to capitalize on the power of digital artisans.

(27$,http://www.press.uchicago.edu)

Frank Kafka - Verdictul și alte povestiri

Franz Kafka - Verdictul și alte povestiri

(1969, ro, 132pg)

Drew Carey - Dirty Jokes and Beer

Drew Carey - Dirty Jokes and Beer

(1997, en, 290pg)

Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined is a 1997 book written by Drew Carey.

In a preface to the novel, Carey claims that he wrote every word of the book himself - he didn't use a ghost writer (although as he says, "it probably would have been easier").

The book was mentioned briefly in an episode of the US version of the improv comedy TV series Whose Line is it Anyway? (a show which Drew himself hosted from 1998-2003). During a game of "Scenes From a Hat," Drew pulled out the subject "books least likely to be checked out at the library" and friend Ryan Stiles acted as if he was picking a book and read the title "Dirty Jokes and Beer."

(Amazon, 7$)

Luis Sepulveda - Jurnalul unui killer sentimental

Luis Sepulveda - Jurnalul unui killer sentimental

(ro, 70pg, 1996)

Cu Jurnalul... Luis Sepulveda valorifica din plin resursele romanului politist, de care s-a simtit intotdeauna atras. Daca in aceasta carte asasinul incalca, din pricina faptului ca este indragostit, toate regulile impuse de profesia sa implacabila, in Yacare detectivul unei firme de asigurari nu poate sa nu depaseasca limitele misiunii, lasandu-se calauzit de flerul sau de fost politist. In timp ce asasinul platit isi conduce cititorul de la Paris la Madrid, si de la Istanbul la Mexic, detectivul firmei de asigurari isi paraseste pentru o vreme biroul din Zurich pentru a patrunde in lumea necunoscuta a indienilor anare, misteriosi locuitori din sudul Braziliei.

(Amazon,11$)

Stanislaw Lem - Eden

Stanislaw Lem - Eden

(1959, ro, 229pg)

Lem’s Eden, written in 1958, but only translated to English in 1989, is the first of Lems mature works. In this piece, as in other works by Lem, an exploration of an alien species and it’s world is hampered by failure to communicate, or even understand what is found there.

The story begins with the crash landing of a craft on a planet of which little is known. The occupants of the craft are referred to only by their professions…“the doctor”, “the captain”, “the cyberneticist” etc.. etc. After their crash landing, and eventually managing to extricate themselves from their space craft, they proceed to explore the planet. First on foot, and later with the aid of a jeep, and even eventually a tank, they discover that there is an advanced civilization on the planet. Unfortunately is it precisely because of this level of advancement that nothing can be fathomed of it at all.

Their travels reveal fantastic structures…..huge animal/plants which resemble trees but move like animals, giant towers filled with glass eggs, each containing a bizarre skeleton…gigantic factories which seem to produce objects which resemble living tissue, only then to reabsorb and recycle them again. Try as they might, even after making direct contact with the symbiotes who seem to run everything, they cannot understand the whys and wherefores of Eden. Why is the planet littered with seemingly useless factories and images of death? What purpose is served by such things? These and other questions await revelation in the pages of “Eden”