Author Archives: John Walters

On Rereading Martin Eden by Jack London; Part Three: The Finale

“Martin Eden” is not Jack London’s best book.  In fact, it’s not even one of his better books.  His best works are his short stories.  Not all of them, because he wrote many, but the ones in which he threw … Continue reading

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On Rereading Martin Eden by Jack London; Part Two: What It Means to Be a Writer

This books hits almost too close to home.  It’s uncanny how reading it now more than four decades after I first read it, I still have many of the same emotions.  Martin Eden decides to become a writer.  He works … Continue reading

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On Rereading Martin Eden by Jack London; Part One: Futurama, Self-Publishing, and Jack London’s Rapacity

Last night I couldn’t sleep.  Sometimes I get insomnia for a simple reason like sleeping too long during my afternoon nap, but such was not the case this time.  Three seemingly unrelated bits of input created deep despondency in me, … Continue reading

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Book Review: Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape by Barry Lopez

You couldn’t have an environment more in contrast with the landscapes that are the subject matter of this book.  I was walking along in baking hot Brooklyn, New York, on this or that errand.  The heat wave was stifling.  There … Continue reading

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Where You’re Meant to Be

No sooner had I begun to get used to Yakima than I was jerked away. But already I am getting ahead of my story. It begins…  No, there is no beginning; it only continues… We take up our story in … Continue reading

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Why I Write Book Reviews

Writing book reviews grew out of my desire to create a blog.  I wanted a web presence to accompany the publication of my books.  In the beginning I wasn’t sure exactly what I would write about, though I had a … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Best of Connie Willis: Award-Winning Stories

Connie Willis didn’t appear on the science fiction scene until the early eighties, long after I had stopped reading much in the genre.  I didn’t read any of her work, therefore, until a couple of decades later.  Right away, soon … Continue reading

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Why Reading Gets Me Off

My youngest son has recently caught on to the joy of reading.  It happened abruptly, and when it did it snowballed or avalanched into an all-consuming passion.  The catalyst was a book that sparked his interest – nothing more.  But … Continue reading

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Do You Fear Death?

I suppose that many people would say that when you reach the age of sixty it is natural to think about death sometimes.  You are closer to the end of your journey; thoughts naturally turn to your destination and what … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt

This book has won all sorts of awards, including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.  Personally I sort of steered around it because it’s not the sort of thing I am usually interested it, but I was delayed … Continue reading

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