No comments about The Angel of Darkness Part 1.

No comments about The Devil Soldier.

No comments about The Angel of Darkness Part 2.

No comments about The Caleb Carr Box Set Boxed Set.

No comments about The Alienist.

No comments about The Lessons of Terror : The History of Warfare Against Civilians: Why it has Always Failed and Why It Will Fail Again.

5 comments about The ANGEL OF DARKNESS CASSETTE.

1. Spell-bounding and heart-wrenching. I was swept back into a time of discovery that has shaped the contempary psychological hero's such Grisham on CSI. Their true predaccesor was Lazlo Kreizler, The turn of the century philanthopic psychologist who tests the bounds of society's precepts.( Can women be serial killers and still not have the right to vote?)



2. The team from the Alienist is out to stop a serial killer before she kills the young child who has been kidnapped in New York City. The team proves to their satisfaction that Libby Hatch did it by (among more legitimate methods) breaking into her home two times, and arranging to have her coat stolen so they can check it out for fingerprints and hair samples. Then, when the baby is in immenent danger, they check out Libby's psychological background in upstate NY and leave the primary investigation hang for several weeks. They initiate a court case against Libby in Saratoga county, where they indulge in grave robbing for the purpose of plainting evidence to prove Libby killed her 2 children. Then they have the gall to criticize Clarence Darrow for ruining the future of the legal profession? Why did they bother having a trial at all? Since they decided she was guilty, why didn't they just kill her in New York City?- which they kind of did at the end!
   I gave this book 3 stars because I did enjoy the evocation of old New York, and I am familiar with Saratoga and Renssalaer counties. It didn't even bother me that Stevie was the narrator. But when I looked back on the whole story, it gave me a chill from the actions of all sides.



3. I was pleasantly surprised how much I anticipated reading this book after reading his Alienist....He does an excellent job of identifying characters and situations. I am only sorry he has not done any other books in this style, besides Alienist. I have had a difficult time finding an author with similar writings. Will just keep hoping he does another book in this time frame, and in this fashion.



4. I am approaching this review with the viewpoint of reading this book and I have not read the alienist yet, and this book is basically the sequel. I did like this book enough to go back and read Carr's previous volume. Although this book stands reasonably alone, I think that I would have enjoyed and understood the first part of the book by reading the first. Once you "get into" this book, it runs along as a nice mystery until two thirds through, then morphs into a courtroom drama. It does a good job of both. In addition, Carr does a nice job of setting the story in late 19th century NYC. Worth reading.



5. With the action this time focused on Stevie Tagart the young ward/coach driver of "The Alienist" we are given a follow-up to the original novel that is strong in some area and weak in others. The case revolves around the missing daughter of a Spanish ambassador and after the initial 150 or so pages and it is determined who took the baby the story gets into a very interesting commentary on what people thought of the role of women at the turn of the century it's a question that people asked themselves then and ask themselves now "how can a women kill her own child."
   
   The doctor and his gang don't have an answer to that one anymore then we do in the present day but interesting attempts are made to find an answer which culminates in an appearance by Clarence Darow of all people. After the trial section of the book gets started Carr is true to form and you'll be glad you have been so patient.
   
   I think the main problem of the book deals with the differences in the cases between book 1 and 2 and all attempts by Carr to play up all the angles aside the Angle of Darkness just doesn't have the shock value that the other book had.

2 comments about The Lessons of Terror: The History of Warfare Against Civilians: Why it has Always Failed and Why It Will Fail Again.

1. Despite some unfair negative press, this book is yet another example of Carr's masterful writing style and unparalleled ability to create strong, lasting images. Some readers expecting historical fiction might not appreciate Carr's subject matter, but it is important to remember that military history is Carr's field of expertise. Knowing this going in, I was able to immerse myself and enjoy from beginning to end.

   After September 11, it is important to have a reasonable, intelligent response that avoids sensationalism and fear-mongering. Carr's approach (and use of history) not only describes the ultimate futility of terrorist actions, but attempts something few people in the media dare to do -- provide context and comparative understanding. Our plight might seem unique and unprecedented to those in the full arrogance of their Americanism, but Carr rightfully dashes such nonsense, demonstrating that terror, far from a "Middle East problem," is (and has been) world-wide in scope, taking various shapes and employing wide-ranging tactics.

   Above all, however, Carr is simply a wonderful writer. His prose is clear and direct, yet always intellectually sound. This is far from the simplistic rants one comes to expect in this area; Carr always takes his book in the right direction and (thankfully!) expects his audience to bring more than a working knowledge of the subjects at hand. He is a challenging, provocative author, always avoiding self-righteousness and easy targets.

   Buy -- and read -- with confidence. Carr is, as always, the man to seek in such matters. I only wish he gave us more non-fiction for his love (and knowledge) of the subjet is quite apparent.




2. This book is elequent and occasionally hits a nerve. But basically it's message is simply: Terrorism (or war against civilians to achieve a political effect) is a self-destructive method of warfare, because the reaction to terror is more often than not outrage rather than capitulation.

   Carr goes beyond this to suggest that there are no exceptions to this rule, when some obvious exceptions come to mind (eg., Hiroshima, the extermination of the American Indians, and the frequent mass killings of any inconvenient population by various nations throughout history). So even the central message of the book is muddied by inconsistencies.

   And beyond that message, this book has little to offer, and is badly flawed by its single-mindedness, its rush to judgement about complex events, its deliberate ignorance of obvious counter arguments, and a tendency to patronize the audience by asserting that events be interpretted his way, even when more familiar interpretations are more convincing.

   On the plus side, I see no political bias or propaganda. Whatever biases the author has, they appear to be personal.

5 comments about The Alienist.

1. Absolutely one of the best books I've ever read, and I've read a lot. Its characters are so strong and leave one of the strongest residual traces of any novel I've picked up. Caleb Carr's New York is almost as vivid and visual as a movie, the author's researched the historical facts very well. I've recommended this to a lot of people. However, the follow up, "Angel of Darkness" was very disappointing.



2. This is my all time favorite book. If you love historical fiction and/or crime novels you must read this! The story and characters are fabulous. It is such a page turner I could not sleep for three days until I finished it! And then I was sad it was done!



3. I first read The Alienist when I was 13. Arguably a bit too young, but I did it anyway. In the 10 years since my first exposure, I've probably read it 10-15 times in whole or in part.
   
   The level of historical research and the fact that most of the characters actually existed is unmatched. Some other reviewers have called it "boring" and "sophomoric". I wonder what grade they got in American History? ;) The characters were strong and relatable. Sara is one of my favorite heroines in all of literature. Of course the plot and descriptions can be gory at times, but the 19th century slums were like that. Carr spared nothing in his descriptions of the conditions in which most people lived. As the editor for the Quarterly Journal of Military History, Carr has an even better understanding of how to properly research and present his findings in a creative way.
   
   It's an excellent crime drama. It's a veritable encyclopedia of criminology from the turn of the century. In this era of DNA and GCMS, most seem laughable. However, they were relied upon for years. Fingerprinting is briefly touched upon and it's somthing that we take for granted in the crime solving process.
   
   It's definitely a book for people with an interest in history. I would call it a "smart" book because it requires you to think. If you're looking for something fluffy and mindless, I certainly would not suggest this book. Perhaps a Dan Brown novel instead.



4. This is the second Caleb Carr book I've read and it will be the last. Carr follows Charles Dickens in the tradition of using 100 words to say what 15 could have said.
   
   The plot is slow to develop. Carr sacrifices reader interest for the sake of creating mood. He succeeds in doing both - mood is created and I nearly lost interest. I forced my self to move on, suck it up and finish and I was rewarded with a decent last 100 pages or so. But, the payoff was not early enough for all the build-up.
   
   I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this book to anyone except for the most hardcore fans of mystery and/or New York City.



5. I tend not to enjoy books, fiction, non-fiction or fiction based on non-fiction on this era in American history but this book is extraordinary. Carr does an exemplary job of portraying the darkness of NY and the tenements and despair being a very effective backdrop for this equally dark story. Carr is a master of good old fashioned mystery, using real characters and real landmarks that makes this book all the more effective.
   
   This is one of the reasons I enjoyed The Anatomy of Deception by Goldstone. The two are similar although, Carr is much more effective.
   
   While The Anatomy of Deception uses characters not as well known to the reader, a little research of those characters history will no doubt make The Anatomy of Deception a good read for those who enjoyed the Alienist.
   
   The Alienist is a very good book and I enjoyed it immensely.

5 comments about Killing Time.

1. If you like a flimsy, dim-witted plot and an imbecelic narrator, this one's for you.



2. I like the whole disinformation angle. The islamist assasination in the US becomes a pretext to send troops to Afghanistan and then the attack on the afghani terrorist leader had a truly bizare foreshadowing of the caves where "the director" and his minions actually really did fight US troops. This book is mostly whimsy and grim near future. Some plodding dialogue.
   
   This was written post Clinton admin missle strike attacks on Afghani targets, and the threat was identified. Still, the thing about Afghanistan is eery. Caleb Carr later day Nostradamus? : ) I would rather another Alienist type historical fiction novel.



3. I feel very fortunate to have borrowed this book from the library vice buying a copy. Reading this book wasted my time. The central idea, that an information society has special vulnerability to propaganda and manipulation by elites, strikes me as counter-factual and condescending. As sermon, this book failed to convince me.
   
   As an adventure story, it failed to convince me. The idea of a secret elite with a high-technology airship manipulating the fate of the world's population lacks originality. (See Verne's Robur the Conqueror at Project Gutenberg.)
   
   The book's ending relies on deus ex machina, and one that lies off-stage. It failed to convince me. In fact, the author relies on the very same mechanism for the ending that he condemns throughout the rest of the book: manipulation by an elite.
   
   I can say only one positive thing about this book. I now know to avoid this author's work.



4. I had read "The Alienist" and thought it was O.K. enough to try another of Carr's books.
   
   I will say that I finished "Killing Time" merely because I felt it MUST get better at some point. It never did.
   
   Instead of inflicting it upon others I gave it to my 2 rabbits who use it as a chew toy.
   
   They are enjoying it more than I did.



5. This is a book with many good points, but they become so mired in confusion, and at times tedium, that they are largely lost. There is a kernel of an excellent book here as Carr has a point he wants to make, but it becomes lost in several threads of plot. With a better bit of editing this might have been an excellent book, but as it is it is probably better left on the shelf for one of Carr's earlier works.