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Freedom Book of the Month
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Free-Market.Net's F r e e d o m B o o k o f t h e M o n t h
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Edited by Sunni Maravillosa. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this and
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* June, 2002: "Net Assets," by Carl Bussjaeger * New and notable *
>From the Way Back Machine: India, Pakistan, and freedom * Tell me
what you want: I might just be able to do it!
----- Freedom Book of the Month for June, 2002: "Net Assets" by
Carl Bussjaeger, self-published online, 29 chapters plus epilogue
Much of science fiction just isn't what it used to be. Instead of
offering sound science in new worlds or exploring endless, exciting
technological or philosophical possibilities, many stories contain
little science in them. Others blur the line between sci-fi and
fantasy, with magic of various sorts providing the gee-whiz. Some
hard core sci-fi authors have noted a lack of new talent, speculating
that the mass-market-driven publishing houses are rejecting much of
the good stuff from unknowns. Add a libertarian tone to the story
and it's almost guaranteed the work will end up in their slush
piles. That probably explains why "Net Assets" is self-published
online. The story is a solid first novel from Carl Bussjaeger,
an up-and-coming sci-fi writer.
Set in the near future, "Net Assets" is the tale of one man's
drive to get into space without the shackles and "help" of
government. Hank Hanners, a midlevel engineer with a go-nowhere job,
pre-teen daughter, and alcoholic wife, runs a space discussion forum
online. When he challenges the participants who say that private
efforts can succeed to actually do something toward making that
happen, he's semi-reluctantly swept along for a transforming ride
as one effort begins to challenge the American powers-that-be.
While the story is essentially Hanners', other characters provide
more than support. Bill Neville is the man who funds Hanners'
dream, and in return gets some of his zest for life back. Hanners'
daughter Erin unfolds before our eyes, dealing with her own personal
challenges in the process. While Bussjaeger is sometimes a bit
heavy-handed, as in one chapter where Hanners' wife is well-described
in a scene, and then we're told that she's frumpy, the major
characters are well drawn and given plenty of room to grow. And
they do, something I wish more science fiction authors would do well.
The action is decently paced -- enough to be engaging but not a
nonstop L. Neil Smith type "space opera" -- and Bussjaeger's dry wit
bursts through in several scenes. Although Hanners is described as a
libertarian at the outset of "Net Assets," Bussjaeger's touch there
is light. As the novel proceeds, and the characters are visited
by various busybodies from NASA, the FAA, and other agencies, the
action shows how their bureaucratic bungling interferes with private
efforts. The growth of various characters toward more pro-freedom
positions is realistically portrayed as well. Some of the novel
borders a bit on the unbelievable, but no more so than in books by
better-known authors.
So, here we have a good, solid science fiction story, with
libertarian themes that won't send non-libertarians away screaming,
published online by a man who refuses to let the left-leaning
publishing houses thwart him. You gotta like a thoroughly pro-freedom
package like that!
Buy "Net Assets" from
http://members.surfbest.net/samizdat@surfbest.net/netassets/ in html,
plain text, or zipped file formats, $5.
-----
New and Notable
o "Flight from Eden" by Kathryn A. Graham
A gripping novel of flight from an iron-fisted theocracy to ... the
origins of man? Ms. Graham's first novel is complex, fast-paced,
and prescient in some of the things it addresses. Solid story line,
interesting characters, good writing -- more, please, Ms. Graham!
To buy "Flight from Eden", go to
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0595199402/freemarketnetthe
o "Boston's Gun Bible", 2nd edition by Boston T. Party
You want to know about guns? This is the book for you! Boston does
his research, and tells you all the results. This second edition
has several new chapters (over 200 new pages), with updated gun
law information, more on tactics and training, and lots more --
all at the same price as the first edition.
To buy "Boston's Gun Bible", go to
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1888766069/freemarketnetthe
-----
From the Way Back Machine: India, Pakistan, and freedom
With India and Pakistan poised for war, the Way Back Machine
takes you back to a time before Pakistan existed ... when Indian
independence was a dream catching fire, sparked by a small, intense
man named Mohandas Gandhi. If you aren't familiar with the history
of the area, "Freedom at Midnight" provides a fast-paced look inside
the drive for independence, which ultimately led to India's bloody
partition. Despite the separation of Muslim Pakistan from India, the
unrest in the area continues, with the fighting in Kashmir an ugly
legacy from those days. An historical tale that reads like a novel,
"Freedom at Midnight" helps make sense of the turmoil in India from
the 1940s to today.
To buy "Freedom at Midnight", go to
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0380006936/freemarketnetthe
(only used copies available, as the book is no longer in print)
-----
Tell me what you want: I might just be able to do it!
I don't know which I like better, reading books or talking about
and sharing them with others who enjoy books too. Finding a great
story, or a book that sets me to thinking, gives me a rush like some
people get from skydiving. But it's equally exciting to introduce
someone to those books -- especially when it also introduces him
or her to the freedom philosophy -- or to discuss ideas and issues
(we libertarians don't do that enough ;-) . I've been thinking of
ways to bring more information about freedom-related books to you,
and decided that the best way to find out what you want is to ask.
Please take a few moments to answer the questions I've asked
below. Send your responses to bookworm@free-market.net, along
with any general comments you wish to share with me. I'll use the
information I get to provide you more and better service from the
Book Nook here at Free-Market.Net. All information will be kept
strictly confidential.
1. Do you like the other book information included in this email?
__ a. I like the "new and notable" section __ b. I like the "way
back machine" section __ c. I like both __ d. I don't like either
2. Are you interested in other features besides a review of the
Freedom Book of the Month?
__ a. yes __ b. no
3. If yes, what features would interest you? (Please check all
that apply.)
__ a. summaries of new books __ b. mentions of older books that
relate to current events __ c. voting on books for a "hall of fame"
for libertarian classics __ d. reviews of libertarian classics __
e. other (please type in your idea):
4. If you're interested in other features, how would you like to
get that information?
__ a. in this same email __ b. in a separate email (two, possibly
three emails a month instead of one) __ c. by subscribing to a
different email list __ d. by visiting the Free-Market.Net web site
__ e. special delivery from Chris Whitten's dog Hambone
5. Do you visit the Freedom Book of the Month section on the
Free-Market.Net web site?
__ a. yes __ b. no __ c. this stuff is on the web site?
6. Are you interested in a "Book Nook" chat room on Free-Market.Net?
__ a. yes __ b. no
7. If yes, what would interest you in the chat sessions? (please
check all that apply)
__ a. talking to libertarian authors __ b. discussing a specific
book or author __ c. general discussions with other book-loving
libertarians __ d. "insider looks" at writing and publishing __
e. other (please type your idea here):
8. Do you have a preference regarding libertarian books?
__ a. yes, I prefer reading fiction __ b. yes, I prefer reading
nonfiction __ c. no, I don't have a preference
9. Would you be interested in helping spread freedom by shipping
new or used books to foreign libraries or FMN partners who have
expressed a need for such items?
__ a. very interested __ b. somewhat interested __ c. unsure/need
more information __ d. somewhat uninterested __ e. very uninterested
10. If you have other suggestions or comments, please include
them here.
Thanks for your time!
Keep doing freedom,
Sunni Maravillosa
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