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Topic: Ahhh, gotta love that Hariet

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misfit avatar
Subject: Ahhh, gotta love that Hariet
Date Posted: 9/24/2010 7:45 PM ET
Member Since: 7/15/2008
Posts: 4,035
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Four stars for an OK read. Ok.....

4.0 out of 5 starsAn Okay read, September 24, 2010
This review is from: Stars and Gods (Hardcover)

The intent apparently is to enable the reader to have a smorgasbord of the works and ideas of award winning Larry Niven over the past six years. Parts of the tome are refreshing; ironically the nonfiction articles especially in Part Three and somewhat in Part Nine are the best inclusions. The extracts highlighting the worlds of the novels (solo or in collaboration) are also well written, but needed more insight as to what led Mr. Niven and partners to come up with concepts like Ringworld. The short stories are also fun to read especially the two from Draco Tavern. However, extracting one or two chapters from ten novels makes no sense even to introduce new readers to one of the greats of science fiction made even less appealing at hardcover prices.

Harriet Klausner

bkydbirder avatar
Limited Member medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 9/24/2010 9:05 PM ET
Member Since: 5/3/2008
Posts: 13,735
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Did she actually say something here, Cathy?

hannamatt52 avatar
Friend of PBS-Gold medal
Date Posted: 9/24/2010 9:12 PM ET
Member Since: 3/23/2008
Posts: 2,708
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Huh?!

misfit avatar
Date Posted: 9/24/2010 9:31 PM ET
Member Since: 7/15/2008
Posts: 4,035
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Do you ever wonder if people glaze starry-eyed at the #1 reviewer badge and believe it must be good because Harriet said so?

I-F-Letty avatar
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Date Posted: 9/24/2010 10:16 PM ET
Member Since: 3/14/2009
Posts: 9,182
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I am going to finish my bottle of wine and come back to this.  Then I am sure it will make perfect sense.  Oh wait I don't drink any more never mind!

gaslight avatar
Date Posted: 9/25/2010 6:05 AM ET
Member Since: 6/16/2008
Posts: 772
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On the second read, it made perfect sense. The first, however.....

She/he/it/they/Klausner Borg has a good point (in the middle of all the word salad): Why would a publisher want to put out an anthology of excerpted chapters of previously released books? It's like dumping you into a strange world with no road map. * scratches head*

But.....4 stars! :D

misfit avatar
Date Posted: 9/25/2010 9:02 AM ET
Member Since: 7/15/2008
Posts: 4,035
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Last I looked, the consensus of the regular Harriet watchers is that this is probably a new employee. Not like her usual format of three paragraphs finishing off telling us its fast-paced and thrilling cheeky

BTW, I can't recall if I've shared it here. There is a way to tell how many two and threes she's given out of those 23K (or for any reviewer for that matter). So here goes,

 

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196 used & new from $0.01

Seduction Of Ellen ~ Nan Ryan
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0Had the makings of a good story but it fizzled, March 23, 2001
Reviewer:  Harriet Klausner
(#1 REVIEWER)  (REAL NAME)
...1899, divorcee Ellen Cornelius accompanies her octogenarian Aunt Augusta to London. The wealthy, crusty senior citizen seeks an elixir that will allow her to live forever. In England, the two Americans meet medicine salesman Steve Cory and his associate Padjan, allegedly an Anazasi. Steve and Padjan agree to escort Augusta to the latter's... Read more
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2.
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46 used & new from $0.01

The Hard Detective ~ H. R. F. Keating
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0too harsh a protagonist, feels stereotypical, April 25, 2000
Reviewer:  Harriet Klausner
(#1 REVIEWER)  (REAL NAME)
Her loathing of criminals is so intense that the criminalelement calls her THE HARD DETECTIVE. Deputy Chief Inspector HarrietMartenns is in charge of the "Stop the Rot" campaigndesigned to get all criminals, even those committing petty crimes off the streets. She carries out her assignment with a zeal that at times can be frightening... Read more
 

 

3.
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buy new: $6.50

45 used & new from $0.01

The Guardian (Sonnet Books) ~ Barbara Miller
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0So-so, July 31, 2001
Reviewer:  Harriet Klausner
(#1 REVIEWER)  (REAL NAME)
He spent the last decade dedicated to his nation's efforts to defeat Napoleon. Now Trent Severn returns home to take charge of his personal responsibilities including a ward he has not seen since her father's funeral too many years ago. Amy Conde runs a horse-breeding farm that needs a new stallion. She asks her absentee guardian for ... Read more

You can count the threes for yourself, but it won't take you very far http://www.amazon.com/gp/community-content-search/results/ref=cm_srch_q_srt_rtr?query=customer%3A+AFVQZQ8PW0L&search-alias=community-reviews&idx.all=0&sort=rating

Blueiris avatar
Date Posted: 9/26/2010 4:46 PM ET
Member Since: 4/2/2007
Posts: 81
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New employee?  Could be the boss' daughter or mother-in-law or other dependent relative.  Giving her a "job" is one way of keeping her occupied.

mickmckeown avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 10/7/2010 11:13 AM ET
Member Since: 9/20/2008
Posts: 402
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Due to this thread I have lost ten minutes of my life that I will never get back. I had no idea about Harriet and must admit none of her recent reviews make any sense. Can you imagine liking every book you have read for the last 6 years? That is crazy.

mickmckeown avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 11/1/2010 2:50 PM ET
Member Since: 9/20/2008
Posts: 402
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I was looking for  a book and came across a review from Harriet. I had to laugh and share with you all. I am now offcially checking out all her reviews. It is crazy that she can do 300 or so books a month.