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Freedom Book of the Month
Email List Archive
Free-Market.Net's Freedom Book of the Month
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Edited by Sunni Maravillosa. To join or leave this and other
lists, click to: http://www.free-market.net/features/lists/
* February, 2004: "Prometheus Rebounds," by Bill Danks
* New and notable
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Freedom Book of the Month for February, 2004:
"Prometheus Rebounds"
by Bill Danks
Borders 2003, paper, 191 pp.
ISBN: 1-413-43832-6
GUEST REVIEW by Don L. Tiggre
"Prometheus Rebounds" is a silly, absolutely wonderful, little book.
It's written as a fable -- easy reading for young adults -- but the
subject matter is nonetheless worthy of serious thought.
The title says the book is a fable of hope, and it is, but it's also
a basic introduction to the freedom philosophy. That introduction is
accomplished in a warm and entertaining style that is a joy to read.
Completely absent from this book are the self-righteous posturing and
moralizing lectures that mar so many would-be efforts to produce the
"great libertarian novel" of the decade.
In fact, the philosophy is so skillfully woven into the story (the
only overtly political discussion is a brief exchange, in which the
hero isn't even accepting his mentor's libertarian ideas), I believe
many people could read "Prometheus Rebounds" and not even realize
that it's a libertarian book. And that's all to the good, if you ask
me: not having aroused the reader's antagonism by trying to ram an
ideology down his or her throat, Danks has a better chance of sinking
a few important ideas.
Oh, yes, have I mentioned that the story revolves around a young man
who wants to become a great basketball player? His name is
Prometheus, and the fire it is his task to share with mankind is that
of grace, beauty, and goodness. His little sister Athena helps him.
There's Gaia, Zeus, Apollo, and Eris, among other interestingly-named
characters. These mythological references would be over the top in a
thriller, or serious drama, but "Prometheus Rebounds" is a comedy.
The Greek and other names, and the things their bearers do, make it
all the more amusing for people who get the jokes, without
distracting explanations for readers who don't.
The book isn't perfect, but its flaws are few and far between, and
mostly of a mechanical sort. They don't get in the way of a good, fun
read. For a first novel, "Prometheus Rebounds" is really a stellar
accomplishment. Its warm good humor confers some of the very grace it
is Prometheus' task to spread -- I sure hope that he and Bill Danks
spread it far and wide!
Order "Prometheus Rebounds" from Amazon.com:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/373144777.html, $15.99
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New and notable
o "Cracking the Code," by Peter Eric Hendrickson
Tax season is upon us again (groan), but this year we have
Hendrickson's book to help guide us through what the code really
says -- and doesn't say. Not an easy read, but illuminating all the
same.
Order "Cracking the Code" from Lost Horizons:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/677245954.html, $19.95 (volume
discounts available).
o "A History of Force," by James L Payne
Could it be true that the use of force has actually been declining
over the years? A provocative idea -- but Payne's deep, detailed
analysis may provide some hope for even the most cynical
libertarian.
Order "A History of Force" from Lytton Publishers:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/419272377.html, $23.95
Keep doing freedom,
Sunni Maravillosa
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