Tad Williams Was Late to His Own Revolution | A Spoiler-free Overview of His Fantasy & SF Works @thelibraryladder

the library ladder Early in his writing career, Tad Williams was a trendsetter who helped push the evolution of modern high fantasy beyond the Tolkien template. He set a standard that other writers have striven to match (and few have surpassed) for complex and realistic worldbuilding that incorporates politics, religions, economic systems, and the grime, grit and brutality of life in a medieval world.

He also wrote an early cyberpunk science fiction epic that seems remarkably prescient nearly 30 years later. However, his venture into science fiction sidetracked him for several years, allowing authors Robert Jordan and George R. R. Martin to claim the crown as the kings of the fantasy genre in his absence.

In total, Williams has written 26 novels and dozens of short stories over the past 40 years. In this video, I discuss some of what makes his writing distinctive, and I briefly review nearly all of his works.

0:48 Prelude
1:36 Bio
2:38 Hallmarks of his writing
5:28 Common themes
5:54 Subversive goals
9:10 Why he isn't more renowned
14:58 Tailchaser's Song
17:05 Memory, Sorrow & Thorn
22:01 Otherland
26:10 The War of the Flowers
28:09 Shadowmarch
30:24 Ordinary Farm
31:52 Bobby Dollar
35:58 Last King of Osten Ard
39:49 Shorter fiction

------------------------------

The detailed reviews of Memory, Sorrow & Thorn by Jimmy @thefantasynuttwork that I reference in the video can be found at:

youtube.com/watch?v=LJub4cdQb-Y&t=941s (Review of Book 1, The Dragonbone Chair)
youtube.com/watch?v=4kEt6ttr6cw (Review of the complete trilogy)

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

Artwork Credits:
DC Comics
DALL-E
Donato Giancola
Gellihana
Hieronymous Bosch
Kerem Beyit
Matt Rhodes
Michael Whelan
Naligal
Wayne Barlowe

#booktube #fantasybooks #fantasy #sciencefiction #scifi #booktubesff #sfalliance

updated 1 year ago

Tad Williams Was Late to His Own Revolution | A Spoiler-free Overview of His Fantasy & SF Works

the library ladder 2023-04-19 | Early in his writing career, Tad Williams was a trendsetter who helped push the evolution of modern high fantasy beyond the Tolkien template. He set a standard that other writers have striven to match (and few have surpassed) for complex and realistic worldbuilding that incorporates politics, religions, economic systems, and the grime, grit and brutality of life in a medieval world.

He also wrote an early cyberpunk science fiction epic that seems remarkably prescient nearly 30 years later. However, his venture into science fiction sidetracked him for several years, allowing authors Robert Jordan and George R. R. Martin to claim the crown as the kings of the fantasy genre in his absence.

In total, Williams has written 26 novels and dozens of short stories over the past 40 years. In this video, I discuss some of what makes his writing distinctive, and I briefly review nearly all of his works.

0:48 Prelude
1:36 Bio
2:38 Hallmarks of his writing
5:28 Common themes
5:54 Subversive goals
9:10 Why he isn't more renowned
14:58 Tailchaser's Song
17:05 Memory, Sorrow & Thorn
22:01 Otherland
26:10 The War of the Flowers
28:09 Shadowmarch
30:24 Ordinary Farm
31:52 Bobby Dollar
35:58 Last King of Osten Ard
39:49 Shorter fiction

------------------------------

The detailed reviews of Memory, Sorrow & Thorn by Jimmy @thefantasynuttwork that I reference in the video can be found at:

youtube.com/watch?v=LJub4cdQb-Y&t=941s (Review of Book 1, The Dragonbone Chair)
youtube.com/watch?v=4kEt6ttr6cw (Review of the complete trilogy)

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

Artwork Credits:
DC Comics
DALL-E
Donato Giancola
Gellihana
Hieronymous Bosch
Kerem Beyit
Matt Rhodes
Michael Whelan
Naligal
Wayne Barlowe

#booktube #fantasybooks #fantasy #sciencefiction #scifi #booktubesff #sfalliance

The Many Rogues, Rascals & Scoundrels of Jack Vance || An Overview of His Works

the library ladder 2024-09-08 | Jack Vance has been described as the greatest prose stylist in the history of speculative fiction. The creativity of his worldbuilding is legendary, and no one wrote self-absorbed, amoral rogues, rascals and scoundrels like he did.

This video is a retrospective overview of Vance, his place in literary history, and his more than 50 novels and dozens of works of short fiction spanning multiple genres. It's the longest video I've ever made and is an experimental attempt to combine multiple, somewhat conflicting, objectives in one video. I tried without success to keep it under an hour, and I apologize for its excessive length. There was too much ground to cover, and I still don't feel like I did his works justice.

0:58 Vance's Place in History
4:34 Greatest Prose Stylist in SFF History?
7:45 Settings, Themes & Other Hallmarks
14:51 Influences & Early Writing Career
19:57 Growth in Acclaim and Output
21:28 The Phantom Author?
23:30 Vance's Bibliography
25:22 His SF Short Fiction
33:34 His SF Novels
58:45 The Dying Earth
1:06:04 Lyonesse
1:08:37 Crime Thrillers & Mysteries
1:11:48 Conclusion

Links to some of my other videos about science fiction and fantasy:
Connie Willis's Novels & Short Fiction - youtu.be/IsQEWQEWqkw
Essential King Arthur Retellings - youtu.be/MD_j-8-PraE
An Overview of Lord Dunsany's Works - youtu.be/AJKfoLUN47M
Tad Williams' Novels and Short Fiction - youtu.be/UGSnOIgnwio
A History of Gnome Press - youtu.be/_HlKhLG3ZxE
A History of Science Fiction Anthologies - youtu.be/3VNt6N9m-_4
The Roots and Evolution of Steampunk - youtu.be/SFEFWl67fLA
The Best SF of Vernor Vinge - youtu.be/O_Nk8c9cZoY
Tier Ranking Neal Stephenson's Novels - youtu.be/mXhOyzjKsHo

---------------------------------

I have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

Art and image credits:
Tom Kidd
Stephen Fabian
Randy Broecker
Paul Chadwick
David Mattingly
Les Edwards
Ken Barr
David Schleinkofer
Ned Dameron
Konstantin Korobov
Kip Rasmussen
Jacek Irzkowski
Michael Whelan
Hannes Bok
Jack Vance

#fantasybooks #scifi #sfalliance #booktubesff

The Best of Connie Willis || An Overview of Her Science Fiction Works

the library ladder 2024-05-14 | SFWA Grand Master Connie Willis is one of the most decorated science fiction authors of all time, having won a combined 27 Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards over the past 40 years. Her recipe for success is equally unparalleled, using Hollywood screwball comedies from the 1930s and 40s as the structural template for many of her science fiction stories and novels.

She's one of my favorite authors, and I hope this overview of her novels and short fiction inspires you to give her works a try.

1:07 Recognition and acclaim
1:51 Settings and themes
4:08 Influences on her writing
6:03 Science fiction as romantic comedy
7:37 Character archetypes
9:32 Is it science fiction?
11:36 Her approach to writing
13:11 Oxford Time Travel series
19:51 Her other novels
25:20 Her short fiction
29:47 A few caveats

Links to some of my other videos about science fiction:
A History of Gnome Press - youtu.be/_HlKhLG3ZxE
A History of Science Fiction Anthologies - youtu.be/3VNt6N9m-_4
The Roots and Evolution of Steampunk - youtu.be/SFEFWl67fLA
The Best SF of Vernor Vinge - youtu.be/O_Nk8c9cZoY
Tier Ranking Neal Stephenson's Novels - youtu.be/mXhOyzjKsHo

---------------------------------

I have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

Art and image credits:
Niels Duinker
Mickmumpitz

#scifi #sfalliance #booktubesff

15 Essential and Rewarding King Arthur Retellings

the library ladder 2024-04-17 | Over the past couple of years, I've read dozens of novels about King Arthur. Some are traditional retellings of the story, but most are modern versions written in the past 60 years. In this video, I discuss 15 of the most memorable ones, including several I think are essential reads. Some of them might surprise you.

0:54 Where to Start?
3:20 What Makes Modern Retellings Different?
6:39 Arthur in Children's Literature
7:49 Arthur-Adjacent Retellings
9:51 Arthur-Focused Retellings
10:32 Recommended Traditional Retellings
22:45 Recommended Modern Retellings
23:40 Modern Fantasies
36:38 Modern Historical Fiction
51:28 Other Favorites

Links to some of my other videos about SFF history:
A History of Gnome Press - youtu.be/_HlKhLG3ZxE
A History of Arkham House - youtu.be/5k_iug7rWmE
The Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series - youtu.be/Yqr1wsiYhQw
A Tribute to Lord Dunsany - youtu.be/AJKfoLUN47M
A History of Science Fiction Anthologies - youtu.be/3VNt6N9m-_4
Who Put the "Punk" in Steampunk? - youtu.be/SFEFWl67fLA
King Arthur's Journey from Myth to History and Back Again - youtu.be/W70tXW0Vtyc

------------------------------

I have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

Art Credits:
N.C. Wyeth
Howard Pyle
Frank Schoonover
Gustaf Tenggren
H.J. Ford
Willy Pogany
Harry G. Theaker
Gustave Dore
Dan Beard
Alan Lee
Ted Naismith
Arthur Rackham
Frank Dicksee
Herbert James Draper
Thomas Jones
Angus McBride
Ulafish

#fantasy #literature #booktubesff #booktube

King Arthurs Journey from Myth to History and Back Again

the library ladder 2024-03-27 | Stories about King Arthur have been used as tools of political, religious and cultural propaganda for more than a thousand years. In this video, I discuss how Arthurian literature has been used for centuries to shape both public opinion and history. And in a companion video to follow this one, I’ll discuss what I think are some of the most memorable and essential retellings of the Arthurian Saga.

0:51 Was Arthur Real?
1:43 Early Mythmaking
2:24 Myth as Propaganda
4:01 From Myth to History
5:05 Arthur as Cultural Catalyst
9:02 The Matter of Britain Goes Abroad
11:21 Arthur as Religious Parable
12:25 Arthur Loses His Luster
13:02 Romantic Backlash
14:58 Arthur as Allegory
15:55 Arthur as Realistic Fiction

Links to some of my other videos about SFF history:
A History of Gnome Press - youtu.be/_HlKhLG3ZxE
A History of Arkham House - youtu.be/5k_iug7rWmE
The Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series - youtu.be/Yqr1wsiYhQw
A Tribute to Lord Dunsany - youtu.be/AJKfoLUN47M
A History of Science Fiction Anthologies - youtu.be/3VNt6N9m-_4
Who Put the "Punk" in Steampunk? - youtu.be/SFEFWl67fLA

------------------------------

I have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

Art Credits:
N.C. Wyeth
Howard Pyle
Frank Schoonover
Gustaf Tenggren
Aubrey Beardsley
Stanley Arthurs
William James Aylward
H.J. Ford
Harry G. Theaker
Maria Kirk
Gustave Dore
Florence Mary Anderson
Gertrude Hammond
W. Rainey
Rowland Wheelwright
Alan Lee
Julek Heller
Mariusz Cozic

Music Credtis:
Hero's Theme by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

#fantasy #literature #booktubesff #booktube

Who Put the Punk in Steampunk? The Roots and Evolution of Steampunk

the library ladder 2023-11-28 | Has steampunk lost its edge? What began as a kind of protest against the constraints and conventions of Victorian and Golden Age science fiction has evolved into a wide-ranging category that's difficult to define. Is it a discrete literary genre? Is it an ideology? Is it a counterculture movement? Or is it simply an aesthetic or style?

In this video, I discuss the origins of steampunk and how it has morphed and adapted throughout its history.

1:11 What Is Steampunk?
3:21 Steampunk as a Protest Movement
7:45 Cautionary SF Becomes the Exception
10:35 Early Steampunk Rebels
12:20 Mervyn Peake
13:24 Keith Laumer
14:46 Keith Roberts
17:24 Ronald Clark
19:06 Jack Finney
20:06 Michael Moorcock
26:07 Japan's Steampunk Tradition
28:40 Cyberpunk Influences
31:48 Has Steampunk Lost Its Edge?
34:12 Or Is Steampunk Inherently Transgressive?

Links to some of my other videos about SFF history:
A History of Gnome Press - youtu.be/_HlKhLG3ZxE
A History of Arkham House - youtu.be/5k_iug7rWmE
The Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series - youtu.be/Yqr1wsiYhQw
A Tribute to Lord Dunsany - youtu.be/AJKfoLUN47M
A History of Science Fiction Anthologies - youtu.be/3VNt6N9m-_4

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

Art Credits:
Giovani
Didier Graffet
Rodney Matthews
Mike Savad
Sheer Madness
Varvara Snegiriov
Stijn Windig

#steampunk #scifi #sfalliance #fantasy #booktubesff #booktube

The 20th Century Renaissance Man Who Pioneered Much of the Modern Fantasy Genre

the library ladder 2023-08-31 | 100 years ago, an iconoclastic British author pushed the boundaries of fantasy fiction and inspired a Who's Who of writers from different corners of the genre: from Tolkien to Lovecraft; from Robert E. Howard to Jack Vance; from Michael Moorcock to Neil Gaiman, just to name a few.

This video explores the works of Lord Dunsany and discusses what made him so influential and why he deserves to be read today.

0:01 Overview
3:14 Who was Lord Dunsany?
3:56 An unlikely writer
6:37 Literary reputation
7:42 Dunsany's style
10:05 Dunsany's themes
11:48 Early short fiction
19:24 Early novels
25:32 Jorkens tales
27:57 Later works
29:33 Dunsany's impact
31:37 Why forgotten today?
33:11 Where to find his works

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I've recorded an audiobook of Lord Dunsany's The Book of Wonder short story collection (14 stories), which is available for download at:
thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com/listing/the-book-of-wonder-by-dunsany

Two of the short stories from the audiobook can be listened to at:
youtu.be/1eLtmuoBCuI
youtu.be/BuQRlohB7NA

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

Artwork credits:
Arthur Rackham
Hidehisa Miyagawa
Sidney Sime
Tano Bonfanti

#booktube #fantasybooks #fantasy #bookcollection #booktubesff

The Best Science Fiction Short Story Anthologies

the library ladder 2023-08-10 | Short stories are a great entry point to reading science fiction, but the enormous variety of SF anthologies can be daunting for readers wanting to know where to start and how to prioritize them. In this video, I recommend a handful of anthologies that are some of the very best, in my opinion.

0:42 Selection criteria
3:12 Most influential anthologies
7:36 Broad, historical survey anthologies
11:03 Vintage SF anthologies
15:33 Modern SF anthologies

My previous video discussing the history and wide range of SF short stories and anthologies can be found at: youtu.be/3VNt6N9m-_4

Links to some of my other videos about SF history and anthologies:
A History of Gnome Press - youtu.be/_HlKhLG3ZxE
A History of Arkham House - youtu.be/5k_iug7rWmE
Entry Points for Classic SF - youtu.be/YaLQVvQ2SgI

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

#booktube #scifi #sfalliance #bookcollection #booktubesff

Why Short Story Anthologies Are the Best Introduction to Science Fiction

the library ladder 2023-07-31 | Short stories have been incubators of experimental and speculative ideas since the emergence of the science fiction genre more than a century ago. They're also my favorite form of SF, as they distill and concentrate what makes much of the genre so appealing to me.

In this video, I provide a brief overview of the evolution of SF short fiction and its impact on the genre, with an emphasis on the anthologies that have collected and popularized the stories and authors that defined its early years.

0:36 Short stories as SF laboratories
2:54 Early SF readers
5:23 SF in the pulps
6:32 Tracing the history of SF short stories
10:29 The pulps get competition
11:55 Emergence of SF anthologies
13:08 Impact of SF anthologies
15:21 Wide range of anthologies
16:11 1940s & 50s anthologies
22:29 1960s & New Wave influence
28:14 Themed anthologies
28:55 1970s & 80s anthologies
29:32 1990s to present day

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Links to some of my other videos about SF history and anthologies:
A History of Gnome Press - youtu.be/_HlKhLG3ZxE
A History of Arkham House - youtu.be/5k_iug7rWmE
Entry Points for Classic SF - youtu.be/YaLQVvQ2SgI

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

#booktube #scifi #sfalliance #bookcollection #booktubesff

The Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series Is a Fantasy Genre History Lesson

the library ladder 2023-06-01 | Paperback publisher Ballantine Books played a pivotal role in the development and popularization of the fantasy genre. Its Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series of 83 old and new fantasy titles published between 1965 and 1974 introduced many mainstream readers to the genre and set the stage for the genre's rapid growth over the past 50 years.

This video is an overview of the paperback book series and its impact. In future videos, I'll explore in more depth individual authors and books included in the series. Note also that I've defined the book series broadly to include titles that are closely associated with the series even though, officially, they weren't part of it.

0:01 Fantasy's mid-century stigma
2:10 Ballantine's opportunity
5:24 Overview of the books
6:14 Tolkien books
7:53 Authors who influenced Tolkien
9:15 Tolkien's contemporaries
10:38 Early fantasy precursors
12:15 Exotic cultures & adventures
16:11 Weird & uncanny fiction
17:48 New authors and works
19:20 Anthologies
21:05 What happened to BAFS?
22:15 Aftermath
24:24 Ballantine's impact
26:04 Collectability

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Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

#booktube #fantasybooks #fantasy #bookcollection #booktubesff

The Sparrow Duology Asks Bold Questions For Readers to Answer | Literary Science Fiction

the library ladder 2023-04-27 | Mary Doria Russell's award-winning novel The Sparrow and its sequel, Children of God, are challenging and emotionally perilous reads that straddle both the science fiction and literary fiction genres. The books explore the intersection of science, faith and free will, among other themes, in the context of an alien first contact story.

0:01 Influences & questions raised
0:57 Plot overview
3:15 Biblical allegory
5:40 Themes
6:33 Caveats & criticisms
8:38 Recommendation
10:11 Other perspectives (see below for SFA links)

------------------------------
Links to Amazon pages for the two books:

The Sparrow - amzn.to/3nc0E2c
Children of God - amzn.to/3n9KNB6

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

------------------------------
Artwork and Media Credits:
chealzacat
DALL-E
DCVERTONGEN
Maryann Held
Professor Dave Explains
Zlotnikov Andrey

#sciencefiction #scifi #sfalliance #booktubesff #booktube

Ten Tips to Build the Book Collection Youve Always Wanted

the library ladder 2023-03-20 | Lessons of experience from 40+ years of book collecting. Build it on a budget. Find hidden treasures. Avoid overpaying. Beat the professionals at their own game. And have fun while doing it.

Tip 1 1:00
Tip 2 2:03
Tip 3 2:48
Tip 4 4:07
Tip 5 4:30
Tip 6 8:14
Tip 7 9:22
Tip 8 11:44
Tip 9 13:50
Tip 10 14:58

Brodart Just-a-Fold III archival dust jacket covers can be purchased here:

http://www.shopbrodart.com/Library-Supplies/Book-Jacket-Covers/Archival-Covers/Just-A-Fold-III/Just-A-Fold-III-Sheets/_/Brodart-Just-A-Fold-III-Archival-Book-Jacket-Cover-Sheets

(I have no connection to the company. I just really like its product.)

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Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

#booktube #bookcollection #bookcollecting #rarebooks #childrensbooks #fantasybooks #fantasy #sciencefiction #scifi #classicbooks #horror #literature #thriller #suspense #booktubesff

Nine Great Fantasy Books for Middle Grade Readers; February 2023

the library ladder 2023-02-27 | Nine classic fantasy fiction books I recommend for children. These are some of the books that shaped and inspired the popularity of the fantasy genre today. Amazon links to the books are provided below.

This is part of an ongoing series of videos providing recommendations for young readers. Other videos in this series include:
Science Fiction for Kids - youtu.be/EwPIRaeFK-M
Mystery Fiction for Kids - youtu.be/8y-EQKGGA4w

0:38 Roots of fantasy books for kids
2:11 T. H. White, book 1
3:31 T. H. White, book 2
4:50 Elizabeth Goudge
6:01 Alan Garner
7:49 Lloyd Alexander

----------------------------
Links to Amazon pages for the recommended books:

T. H. White:
amzn.to/3ksQ0CS
amzn.to/3xWnXi9

Elizabeth Goudge:
amzn.to/3IzNanw

Alan Garner:
amzn.to/3YdWZ0k

Lloyd Alexander:
amzn.to/3Y7ol8j

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

------------------------------
Artwork credits:
Aubrey Beardsley
dws4me
Gloom
Julek Heller
Justin Kunz & Jared Crossley
Tim Probert
saeriellyn [@deviantart]

#childrensbooks #middlegradebooks #fantasybooks #fantasy #booktube #booktubesff

Six Roald Dahl 1st Editions #childrensbooks #roalddahl #rarebooks

the library ladder 2023-02-25 | Penguin recently announced changes to the original text of many of Roald Dahl's children's books. Here are six of his books in their original form.

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Library ladder merchandise is available in my channel's Store tab and at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

------------------------------
#bookcollection #classicbooks #bookhistory #booktube #shorts

Tier Ranking Every Dan Simmons Novel - Thrillers, Historical, Literary & Short Fiction SPOILER-FREE

the library ladder 2023-02-17 | Dan Simmons is best known for his award-winning science fiction and horror novels, but they represent only half of his literary output. In this video, I briefly review and tier rank his 14 books in the crime thriller, historical fiction and mainstream literary fiction genres, as well as his collected and uncollected short fiction.

The first two parts of my Dan Simmons overview:
Part 1: Why he's essential reading - youtu.be/fp8SPQ-d4fc
Part 2: Tier ranking his horror and science fiction - youtu.be/SO-DYjZ6Vjc

0:34 Organization & criteria
1:02 Literary fiction / Phases of Gravity
4:45 Crime thrillers / Darwin's Blade
8:56 Joe Kurtz trilogy
11:46 Historical fiction / The Crook Factory
14:32 The Terror
18:09 Drood
24:01 Black Hills
25:56 The Abominable
29:38 The Fifth Heart
33:38 Short fiction / Prayers to Broken Stones
36:24 Lovedeath
37:42 Worlds Enough and Time
38:28 Other noteworthy short fiction

-----------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

------------------------------
Artwork credits:
Alexsander Obradovic, Bob Englehart, DALL-E, Dan Simmons, Darwyn Cooke, mindtricks, Nathan Spotts

#scifi #horror #literature #thriller #suspense #booktube #sciencefiction #booktubesff

The Moonstone, 2nd edition 1874 #shorts #rarebooks #mystery

the library ladder 2023-02-10 | In anticipation of the final part of my Dan Simmons overview in which I'll discuss his novel Drood, here's a US second edition of The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins, published by Harper & Brothers in 1874.

------------------------------
Library ladder merchandise is available in my channel's Store tab and at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

------------------------------
#bookcollection #classicbooks #bookhistory #booktube #short

Tier Ranking Every Dan Simmons Novel - Horror & Science Fiction | SPOILER-FREE

the library ladder 2023-02-02 | Dan Simmons has published 25 novels and three collections of short fiction over the past 40 years. In this video, I briefly review and tier rank 14 of his novels that are typically categorized as horror or science fiction from the best to the worst. In an upcoming video, I'll cover the rest of his novels and short fiction.

The other two parts of my Dan Simmons overview:
Part 1: Why he's essential reading - youtu.be/fp8SPQ-d4fc
Part 3: Tier ranking his literary fiction, crime thrillers, historical fiction & short fiction - youtu.be/eEPw4qFFu3w

0:30 Overview
2:22 Roadmap to rankings
3:03 Horror genre / Song of Kali
6:55 Carrion Comfort
10:59 Summer of Night
13:37 Seasons of Horror
15:04 Children of the Night
16:06 Fires of Eden
17:42 A Winter Haunting
20:04 Science fiction / Hyperion Cantos & Ilium duology
23:26 The Hollow Man
25:39 Flashback

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Links to @WordsinTime videos on the Hyperion Cantos and Ilium duology:
Hyperion Cantos playlist - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ1VUUH6rQdwlieUZFDQDvuxqr__ORT89
Ilium review - youtube.com/watch?v=LkkknbjNi40

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

------------------------------
Artwork and music credits:
admedium, Alex Ries, DALL-E, Dan Simmons, Ivo Hristov, Jasper Sandner, microcosmicecology, Orest Terremoto, rukkits, Sabin Boykinov, Taro Yamasaki, Viorel Simionescu

Dark Walk by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100468
Artist: http://incompetech.com

Classic Horror 3 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100469
Artist: http://incompetech.com

Day of Chaos by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300040
Artist: http://incompetech.com

#scifi #horror #booktube #sciencefiction #booktubesff

Why Dan Simmons Is Essential Reading, Part 1 of 3: Overview

the library ladder 2023-01-16 | Dan Simmons is perhaps best known for his science fiction Hyperion Cantos, horror novels Summer of Night and Carrion Comfort, and historical fiction The Terror. But what about the other 18 novels and three short fiction collections he's published in various genres over the past four decades? How do they stack up against his better-known works?

This is the first of three videos I'm making about Simmons. In this one, I provide an overview of his works, his influences, some of the recurring themes that appear in his books, why I think he's essential reading for fans of almost any genre, and why at times he can be frustrating to read.

The other two videos in which I review and tier rank his works:
Part 2: Tier ranking his horror and science fiction - youtu.be/SO-DYjZ6Vjc
Part 3: Tier ranking his literary fiction, crime thrillers, historical fiction & short fiction - youtu.be/eEPw4qFFu3w

1:42 Diverse literary output and awards
2:30 Writing influences and hallmarks
5:59 Themes
7:30 Why I think he's essential reading
10:29 Occasional frustrations

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

#scifi #horror #literature #thriller #suspense #booktube #sciencefiction #booktubesff

Artwork credits:
Cyberpunk 2077
DALL-E
Ivo Hristov
J.C. Little
Crazy Horse Memorial
Stathis Orphanos

Michael Moorcocks Eternal Champion, Part 3: Hawkmoon & the Runestaff || Spoiler-free review

the library ladder 2022-12-31 | Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion saga spanning dozens of novels and multiple incarnations of the Champion is one of the most influential science fiction and fantasy creations of all time. This is the third in a series of videos I'm producing focused on Moorcock's 15-volume Eternal Champion omnibus edition published by White Wolf Publishing in the 1990s.

The first two videos in the series can be found here:
Overview of the Eternal Champion - youtu.be/F5TTtSWPxQs
Volumes 1 & 2: John Daker and Von Bek - youtu.be/MJBqWj2kv1E

0:01 The History of the Runestaff tetralogy
5:40 Plot overview
7:09 Stylistic influences
8:05 Frustrations with it
10:00 Conclusions

------------------------------

Library ladder merchandise is available at thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

I also have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

#booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi #fantasy #multiverse #booktube

Artwork credits:
Rodney Matthews
Dalmazio Frau
Salwowski

Where to Start Reading Classic Science Fiction; Three Great Choices for Skeptics & Newbies

the library ladder 2022-12-22 | Classic science fiction stories sometimes get knocked for being impenetrable, impersonal or impossible, turning potential readers away from the genre. In some cases, that negative reputation is deserved, but there's also a lot of really terrific older SF that's able to overcome those stereotypes and others.

Here I'm presenting three great entry points to classic science fiction that have sufficient variety to appeal to readers of all types and tastes.

0:20 General Recommendation
3:06 Book Recommendation 1
6:31 Book Recommendation 2
8:20 Book Recommendation 3

-----------------------------
Links to Amazon pages for the recommended books:

Recommendation 1:
amzn.to/3YITGiX
amzn.to/3v7mlki

Recommendation 2:
amzn.to/3HRZil7
amzn.to/3VkyRr4

Recommendation 3:
amzn.to/3hJkTBp
amzn.to/3hIz3mv
amzn.to/3VgjUGD

------------------------------

I have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

#sciencefiction #scifi #booktube #booktubesff #raybradbury

Science Fiction Recommendations for Middle Grade Readers; December 2022

the library ladder 2022-12-15 | A few gift suggestions for young readers with an interest in science fiction. I highlight nine classic science fiction titles suitable for children ages 8-12 (older readers are likely to enjoy most of them too). I also briefly identify three modern SF books for kids. Amazon links to the books are provided below.

This is the first in a planned series of videos providing recommendations for parents (and grandparents) of young readers.

0:39 Roots of science fiction for kids
2:01 Robert Silverberg
5:23 H.G. Wells
6:07 John Christopher
8:08 Arthur C. Clarke

----------------------------
Links to Amazon pages for the recommended books:

Robert Silverberg:
amzn.to/3FQWN10
amzn.to/3PuuDMr
amzn.to/3Wh1cQe

H.G. Wells:
amzn.to/3W9zkgO

John Christopher:
amzn.to/3j7ect9

Arthur C. Clarke:
amzn.to/3BBxld7

Stuart Gibbs:
amzn.to/3BAWjJI

Jasmine Warga:
amzn.to/3YoruSp

Jennifer L. Holm:
amzn.to/3WmnBLI

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.

------------------------------

I have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

#sciencefiction #sfalliance #childrensbooks #scifi #middlegradebooks #booktube #booktubesff

The James Bond Books Compared to Their Film Adaptations: Tier Ranking the Books and Films

the library ladder 2022-12-10 | The James Bond films have had an enormous cultural impact over the past 60 years, but what about the books that inspired them?

In their own way, Ian Fleming's James Bond novels were similarly groundbreaking, giving the emerging spy fiction genre a sense of style and panache while also bringing its brutality out of the shadows.

Bond became an archetype and role model despite his many character flaws. But Fleming didn't create Bond just to entertain readers. He had other objectives in mind, too.

In this video, I discuss some of Bond's origins and influences in the books Fleming wrote between 1952 and 1964. I also evaluate the books and compare them to their film versions.

0:18 Ian Fleming background
2:32 Bringing Bond to the page
5:11 A new kind of literary spy
6:14 Bond as propaganda
8:50 Bond's snob appeal
10:11 Evaluating the books
10:45 The evolution of the Bond novels
15:01 Bond films differ from the books
18:03 Book/film comparisons
20:01 Casino Royale
21:33 Live and Let Die
22:46 Moonraker
24:09 Diamonds Are Forever
25:28 From Russia with Love
26:35 Dr. No
27:34 Goldfinger
28:29 For Your Eyes Only
30:04 Thunderball
31:11 The Spy Who Loved Me
32:34 On Her Majesty's Secret Service
33:27 You Only Live Twice
34:35 The Man with the Golden Gun
36:06 Octopussy & The Living Daylights
37:26 Patterns

In another video (youtu.be/bEnGtJymd-Q), I discuss the early history of the spy genre leading up to James Bond.

------------------------

I have a Ko-Fi.com page if you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me a cup of coffee: ko-fi.com/thelibraryladder

#booktube #jamesbond #007 #thrillers #vintagebooks #rarebooks #bookcollection

Modern Spy Fictions Debt to Poe, Arsene Lupin & the Crime Pulps; An Early History of the Genre

the library ladder 2022-11-17 | Adventure stories and tales of political intrigue have been around for hundreds of years. Spies have been around for millennia. But the spy novel is a distinctly 20th century innovation. What took it so long?

This video examines the cultural stigmas and propaganda pressures that impeded (and promoted) the development of the spy genre. It's not an exhaustive overview of the early history of the genre, but it provides a flavor of the literary milestones that led to Ian Fleming's James Bond and the seismic cultural shift Bond ushered in.

Some of the authors discussed include Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, R. Austin Freeman, E.W. Hornung, Maurice Leblanc, Leslie Charteris, Anthony Hope, Rudyard Kipling, Erskine Childers, Baroness Orczy, John Buchan, E. Phillips Oppenheim, Francis Beeding, G.K. Chesterton, W. Somerset Maugham, John P. Marquand, Eric Ambler, Graham Greene, Dashiell Hammett, James M. Cain, Ian Fleming, John le Carre, Len Deighton, Alistair MacLean, Richard Condon, James Grady, Robert Ludlum, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Gilman, Patrick O'Brian, Harry Harrison, Keith Laumer and Michael Moorcock.

In an upcoming video, I'll explore all of Fleming's James Bond novels, evaluate them on their own merits, and compare them to their film versions.

0:42 Spy fiction stigma
5:46 Early propaganda motive
8:08 19th Century literary spies
9:34 Emergence of detective fiction
10:40 Criminal anti-heroes
11:54 Political adventure novels
13:39 Early 20th Century spy stories
17:17 Influence of hard-boiled crime fiction
17:57 Ian Fleming's James Bond
20:04 Genre growth in the 1960s
21:08 Influence on other genres in the 1960s
22:49 Recap

--------------------------------------------

I've opened a merchandise store: thelibraryladder.creator-spring.com

--------------------------------------------

Art and film clip credits:
John McClusky
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)
The Thirty-nine Steps (1935)
Secret Agent (1936)
The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)
Raffles (1939)
He Walked by Night (1948)
Dr. No (1962)
Waterloo (1970)
The Age of Innocence (1992)
The Three Musketeers (1993)
Hornblower (1999)
The Patriot (2000)
The Four Feathers (2002)
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Troy (2004)
Agatha Christie's Marple: At Bertram's Hotel (2007)
London Olympics (2012)
Game of Thrones (2011)

#booktube #thrillers #jamesbond #vintagebooks #rarebooks #bookcollection

When Haunted Hayrides Turn Savage

the library ladder 2022-10-23 | If you like spooky stories with supernatural scares, demonic possession, haunted houses and hand-to-hand combat with the undead, and if you enjoy the early, character-driven works of Stephen King, then Jonathan Maberry's Pine Deep Trilogy might be just what you're looking for this Halloween season.

Maberry has made a significant reputation for himself in recent years as a specialist in zombie apocalypse fiction. His Pine Deep Trilogy, comprising the books Ghost Road Blues, Dead Man's Song, and Bad Moon Rising, were his debut novels focused on a small Pennsylvania farming community and a local outbreak of zombies and other horrors, both natural and otherwise.

Although it features zombies, this isn't another knock-off of The Walking Dead. Instead, it feels much more like a classic Stephen King novel.

#horrorstories #booktube

Artwork and film clip credits:
Stephen Gammell
freakydeaky.com
It (2017)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Halloween H2O (1998)
Jaws (1975)
Kick-Ass (2010)
The Walking Dead (2010)
Dracula (1931)
Horror of Dracula (1958)
Monster Squad (1987)
Signs (2002)
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)

The Greatest Small Publisher of Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy in History

the library ladder 2022-10-07 | An historical overview of Arkham House and its influence on the horror, science fiction and dark fantasy genres over a period of 70 years (1939-2010). Authors such as H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E. Howard, Ray Bradbury, Fritz Leiber, and Robert Bloch wrote dark and strange tales that likely would have faded into obscurity without the efforts of Arkham House Publishers to bring them to a wider audience.

0:44 Arkham House & H.P. Lovecraft
6:03 1940s: Launching the company (and the legacies of great authors)
13:23 1950s: Lean times
14:01 1960s: A new generation of horror
16:48 1970s: Crossroads
18:36 1980s: New and old territories
19:49 1990s & 2000s: Too much of the new?
20:53 Other Arkham House imprints
22:45: Missed opportunities
23:53 Arkham House's impact and legacy

My related video about Gnome Press, the greatest small publisher of science fiction and fantasy, can be found here: youtu.be/_HlKhLG3ZxE

#horrorstories #lovecraft #weird #cthulhu #booktube #booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi #fantasy #sf #bookhistory #bookcollection #classicbooks

Artwork and Film Credits:
Alien (1979)
Psycho (1960)
The Thing (1982)
Jorge Jacinto
Raymond Bayless
Walter Brocca

Bookshelf Tour - 19th & Early 20th Century Childrens Classics

the library ladder 2022-09-22 | My favorite bookcase containing more than 200 rare and vintage children's books, many of which are more than 100 years old. I've been collecting them for more than 40 years.

0:19 Why I chose these shelves
2:21 Bookcase overview
2:35 Shelf #1 - Andrew Lang's fairy tales
6:47 Shelf #2 - Illustrated fairy tales
10:32 Shelf #3 - Illustrated children's stories
14:14 Shelf #4 - Illustrated gift books
17:47 Shelf #5 - Lucy Maud Montgomery
20:19 Shelf #6 - Vintage children's novels (Alcott, Burnett, Nesbit, Barrie)
23:41 Shelf #7 - More vintage children's novels (Lewis, Milne, Grahame, Carroll, Baum, etc.)
28:14 Shelf #8 - Thomas Knox's Boy Travellers series
30:06 Shelf #9 - Still more vintage children's novels (Adams, White, Wilder, etc.)
34:50 Shelf #10 - More fairy tales, picture books & Swallows and Amazons

I have more videos about illustrated books and children's books:

How to Start Reading Classic Books - youtu.be/yqEvYK7-THw
Scribner Illustrated Classics series - youtu.be/7aja1NOMQPU
The Golden Age of Book Illustration - youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c
150 Years of Classic Children's Books - youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM

#bookshelftour #childrensbooks #illustrator #booktube #anneofgreengables #winniethepooh #narnia #peterpan #vintagebooks #rarebooks #bookcollection

Vernor Vinges Best Science Fiction, 1984-2011; How to Avoid a Technological Singularity

the library ladder 2022-09-13 | This is the second part of my overview of Vernor Vinge, a modern all-time great science fiction author and one of the foremost thinkers about the future of artificial intelligence and the potential for a technological singularity to occur in the coming decades. His fiction and nonfiction writing has had a profound impact on many other highly regarded authors including: William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear, Tad Williams and Dan Simmons.

Many of Vinge's works are brilliant. Among them are some of my all-time favorites in the SF genre. And he's been recognized with numerous awards, including seven Hugo nominations and five wins, despite writing only eight novels and 24 short stories and novellas over a span of five decades.

My first video about Vinge, covering his ideas about superhuman intellligence and his early works from 1965-1981, can be found at youtu.be/VlyE6vXrv-o.

In this second video, I discuss his works spanning the period 1984-2011, when his writing reached its zenith.

0:03 Vinge overview
0:58 The Peace War
5:39 The Ungoverned
7:03 Marooned in Realtime
11:45 Zones of Thought
14:32 A Fire Upon the Deep
19:18 A Deepness in the Sky
22:24 The Children of the Sky
24:16 The Blabber
25:16 Fast Times at Fairmont High
28:22 Rainbow's End
31:04 The Cookie Monster

#sciencefictionalliance #booktube #sciencefiction #scifi #booktubesff #singularity #artificialintelligence #sf

Vernor Vinges Early Science Fiction, 1965-1983; A Quest for Superhuman Intelligence & Singularities

the library ladder 2022-09-02 | Vernor Vinge is one of the foremost thinkers about the future of artificial intelligence and the potential for a technological singularity to occur in the coming decades. He's a science fiction writer who's had a profound impact on a wide range of authors including: William Gibson, Charles Stross, Neal Stephenson and Dan Simmons.

Many of Vinge's works are brilliant. Among them are some of my all-time favorites in the SF genre. And he's been recognized with numerous awards, including seven Hugo nominations and five wins, despite writing only eight novels and 24 short stories and novellas over a span of five decades.

In this video, I discuss his early works from the 1960s to the 1980s. His later works from the 1980s onward are the subject of my next video.

0:42 What is a technological singularity?
4:51 A.I. in science fiction history
5:38 Should we be afraid?
6:59 Who is Vernor VInge?
8:50 Short stories
11:26 Tatja Grimm's World (1969, 1987)
13:47 The Witling (1976)
17:40 True Names (1981)

#booktube #booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi #singularity #artificialintelligence #sf

Scribner Illustrated Classics: Childrens Books for All Ages

the library ladder 2022-08-07 | Scribner's Illustrated Classics series was the greatest of the illustrated series of children's books produced in the first half of the 20th century. It was the largest, longest running and most influential illustrated classics series, staying in print throughout most of the last century. And, in my opinion, it also featured some of the most beautiful artwork ever to grace a book's pages, including paintings by N.C. Wyeth, Jessie Willcox Smith, Maxfield Parrish and many other notable artists from the Golden Age of book illustration.

This series of books is a terrific entry point to reading "the classics," for children and adults alike. Some of my first introductions to these titles were these illustrated editions and other similar ones from different publishers.

0:01 What happened to classic childrens' books?
1:43 Charles Scribner's Sons Company
2:50 Overview and origins of Scribner's Illustrated Classics series
6:24 Adventure novels
14:38 Books for younger readers
17:00 Anthologies of Dickens and Alcott excerpts
18:18 Contemporary heartwarmers
19:15 Other related illustrated books
22:30 Influence on other publishers
23:37 Recent additions
24:39 A note for collectors

See my earlier video about what makes a book classic here: youtu.be/yqEvYK7-THw

#classicbooks #bookcollection #reading #classics #childrensbooks #childrensbook #booktube #illustration #wyeth

Film clip and image credits:
Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
Black Sails (2014)
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Braveheart (1995)

...and How to Start Reading Classic Books

the library ladder 2022-07-19 | If reading "the classics" is something you find intriguing but daunting, you might try approaching them from a different direction. And the first step involves reconsidering what it means for a book to be deemed a classic. After all, classic books aren't always old books, and old books aren't always classics. Here are a few of my thoughts and suggestions.

0:01 What defines a classic book?
1:45 High quality isn't a requirement
2:33 Not just for adults
3:25 Where to start?
3:53 Where not to start
5:11 Where to start? (redux)
5:37 Where not to start (redux)
6:27 Where to start? (redux duo)

#classicbooks #bookcollection #reading #classics #childrensbooks #childrensbook #booktube

Film clip credits:
'The Public Enemy' (1931)
'The Maltese Falcon' (1941)
'Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe' (1940)
'Star Wars' (1977)
'It! The Terror from Beyond Space' (1958)
'Alien' (1979)

This Fantasy Author Deserves More Recognition and Acclaim

the library ladder 2022-07-18 | Why are the finalists for the major, annual fantasy awards (e.g., Nebula, World Fantasy Award, Locus) sometimes populated with unremarkable authors and books, while much better writers and works go unrecognized?

This video highlights a fantasy author who, in my opinion, is the greatest English language practitioner of the art working today, but who rarely, if ever, is on the ballot for awards, despite producing consistently high quality novels for decades.

I hope to introduce this author to more readers.

[NOTE: This is a slightly modified re-upload of a video I made in January 2022. Due to complaints about the audio mix in that video, I've improved the audio in this new version and addressed a couple of visual elements that needed fixing. Otherwise, the content of this video is the same as the original's.]

A second video in which I discuss each of this author's books and rank them into tiers for your reading enjoyment is linked here: youtu.be/WoFYvjIDaCM.

#booktube #booktubesff #fantasy #ggk

Spoiler below:

Guy Gavriel Kay is the greatest living fantasy author writing in the English language today.

Michael Moorcocks Eternal Champion, Part 2: Von Bek & John Daker || Spoiler-free review

the library ladder 2022-07-03 | Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion saga spanning dozens of novels and more than 50 different incarnations of the Champion is one of the most influential science fiction and fantasy creations of all time. This is the second in a series of videos I'll be producing focused on Moorcock's 15-volume Eternal Champion omnibus edition published by White Wolf Publishing in the 1990s.

The first video, which provides an overview of Moorcock and his multiverse of Eternal Champions, can be found here: youtu.be/F5TTtSWPxQs

In this second video, I briefly review the first two volumes in the White Wolf edition featuring various Von Bek and John Daker incarnations of the Champion. Their stories represent Moorcock's recommended entry points into his sometimes confusing multiverse of Eternal Champions.

1:01 Suggested reading order
3:54 Writing style
6:27 Von Bek volume
15:51 The Eternal Champion volume

#booktube #booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi #fantasy #multiverse

Artwork credits:
Idoneth Deepkin
Ken Petts
Mark Beerdom@deviantart.com
RaventailBlacktalon@deviantart.com
Rodney Matthews
rufus-jr@deviantart.com
Steve Ellis
WETA Workshop

Guy Gavriel Kays All the Seas of the World || Spoiler-free Review

the library ladder 2022-06-22 | Guy Gavriel Kay's latest historical fantasy novel, All the Seas of the World, continues the story told in his earlier books The Lions of Al-Rassan, The Sarantine Mosaic, Children of Earth and Sky, and A Brightness Long Ago. In this video I discuss his new book and rank it in relation to his many, wonderful literary works.

0:38 Connection to other GGK novels
2:05 Plot overview
5:51 Major themes
7:10 Critique of the book
13:19 Conclusion and recommendation

#booktube #booktubesff #fantasy #bookcollection #bookreview

Artwork credits:
Ananda C. Aran
Elizabeth Leung

The Tiny Publisher That Kickstarted Modern Science Fiction & Fantasy

the library ladder 2022-06-04 | From 1948 to 1962, Gnome Press was a small press with an enormous impact on speculative fiction, introducing some of the most influential authors of science fiction and fantasy, including Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, C. L. Moore, and Robert E. Howard, to wider, mainstream audiences.

Alas, the history of Gnome is a cautionary tale. The publisher played a pivotal role in lifting speculative fiction out of the pulp magazines and into literary respectability, but it never achieved the business success its pioneering vision deserved.

0:41 Origins of Gnome Press
4:02 Gnome's first books in 1948-49
4:58 Proof of concepts
5:56 The period 1950-54
7:05 Iconic dust jacket artwork
8:34 Gnome's business challenges
13:18 The period 1955-59
14:22 Gnome's collapse, 1960-62
15:26 The legacy of Gnome Press
18:55 Related reading material

#booktube #booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi #fantasy #sf #goldenage #bookhistory #bookcollection #classicbooks

The Pulpy Roots of Perry Mason More Disreputable Than His TV Image

the library ladder 2022-05-26 | Perry Mason might be the most famous and popular fictional lawyer ever created, but he wasn't always the paragon of lawyerly skill and virtue that the public imagines him to be. Instead, Perry was a deeply flawed character who was very much a product of his pulp fiction roots in the 1920s and 1930s when author Erle Stanley Gardner began writing the best-selling mystery book series of all time.

In this video, I look at how the Perry Mason character has evolved from his earliest incarnations and across different media adaptations to become the legal icon we know today.

#booktube #mystery #mysterybooks #bookreview #thrillers #perrymason #bookcollection #goldenage #bookhistory #classicbooks

Artwork credits:

sillyjellieart@tumblr

Tier Ranking Neal Stephensons Novels / SPOILER-FREE Reviews

the library ladder 2022-05-08 | Science fiction author Neal Stephenson is a challenging writer who entertains, educates and frustrates many with his novels. His books are densely packed with fascinating ideas, deep dives into science/technical subjects, and sometimes strange diversions. That's why he's one of my favorite authors. I always learn new and interesting things when I read his novels, even when I don't enjoy the books.

In my previous video, I compared Stephenson to the king of the techno-thrillers, Michael Crichton. (Linked: youtu.be/KPB3l0spMys)

This video takes a spoiler-free look at each of Stephenson's novels and identifies which of them are essential reading and why.

0:34 Overview
1:44 Zodiac
5:30 Snow Crash
9:59 The Diamond Age
15:53 Cryptonomicon
19:14 The Baroque Cycle
23:28 Anathem
27:36 REAMDE
29:45 Fall, or Dodge in Hell
32:27 Seveneves
35:27 Termination Shock
37:53 Collaboration novels

Other videos featuring different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Review of Heroes Die, by Matthew Woodring Stover: youtu.be/-bm0HS_n94g
Martha Wells Before Murderbot: youtu.be/0sBYuxrcysU

Michael Moorcock:
Enter the Multiverse: youtu.be/F5TTtSWPxQs

Guy Gavriel Kay:
Tier Ranked: youtu.be/WoFYvjIDaCM
GGK Is the Greatest Living Fantasy Author: youtu.be/bgGYciPdEpU

Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series:
First Chronicles: youtu.be/ir9tAWHqkGg
Second Chronicles: youtu.be/IZNgahJniIU
Last Chronicles: youtu.be/Dcqs-ceM2fE

Brandon Sanderson vs. the Evil Librarians: youtu.be/tKsZKKdEzc8

Channel Overview: youtu.be/KRNfov1qH10
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure/Thriller/Historical Fiction Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

#booktube #booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi #bookreview #thrillers

Artwork credits:

izzymedrano@deviantart.com
Igor Sobolevsky

Rare 1st Printing of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1938 #shorts #rarebooks

the library ladder 2022-04-20 | A first edition, first printing of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic The Hobbit, published in the U.S. by Houghton Mifflin in 1938.

#booktube #bookhistory #bookcollection #childrensbooks #classicbooks #booktubesff #short #shorts

Neal Stephenson Is Michael Crichton for Geeks

the library ladder 2022-04-17 | Why Neal Stephenson isn't (but could be) the king of modern techno-thrillers.

This is the first of two videos featuring the books of brilliant science fiction author Neal Stephenson. In this one, I compare Stephenson to the former king of the techno-thriller novel, Michael Crichton.

The second video, which I'll upload soon, takes a closer look at each of Stephenson's novels and identifies which of them are essential reading and why.

Stephenson is a challenging writer. His novels are densely packed with fascinating ideas, deep dives into science/technical subjects, and sometimes strange diversions. That's why he's one of my favorite authors. I always learn new and interesting things when I read his books.

1:00 Stephenson/Crichton - Things in common
2:40 Shared technology interests
6:00 Acclaim and popularity
6:57 Significant differences
10:55 Stephenson's hallmarks
15:16 Conclusion

Other videos featuring different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Review of Heroes Die, by Matthew Woodring Stover: youtu.be/-bm0HS_n94g
Martha Wells Before Murderbot: youtu.be/0sBYuxrcysU

Michael Moorcock:
Enter the Multiverse: youtu.be/F5TTtSWPxQs

Guy Gavriel Kay:
Tier Ranked: youtu.be/WoFYvjIDaCM
GGK Is the Greatest Living Fantasy Author: youtu.be/bgGYciPdEpU

Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series:
First Chronicles: youtu.be/ir9tAWHqkGg
Second Chronicles: youtu.be/IZNgahJniIU
Last Chronicles: youtu.be/Dcqs-ceM2fE

Brandon Sanderson vs. the Evil Librarians: youtu.be/tKsZKKdEzc8

Channel Overview: youtu.be/KRNfov1qH10
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure/Thriller/Historical Fiction Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

#booktube #booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi #bookreview #thrillers

Rare, Signed Dune 1st Editions #shorts #rarebooks

the library ladder 2022-04-15 | A rare first edition, first printing of the epic science fiction novel Dune, by Frank Herbert, published in 1965 by Chilton. It contains a bookplate signed by the author.

Also included are signed first edition, first printings of its sequels: Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune, each published by Putnam in 1969, 1976, 1981, 1984 and 1985, respectively.

#booktube #bookhistory #bookcollection #classicbooks #sciencefiction #scifi #short #shorts

Watership Down, 1st Editions Signed #shorts #rarebooks

the library ladder 2022-04-12 | UK and US first editions of Watership Down, by Richard Adams, published by Rex Collings in 1972 and Macmillan in 1974.

Also included is a UK second edition published by Rex Collings in 1973 which contains a bookplate signed by the author.

#booktube #bookhistory #bookcollection #childrensbooks #classicbooks #booktubesff #short #shorts

Four Peter Pan First Editions #shorts #rarebooks

the library ladder 2022-04-09 | First editions of the earliest appearances of Peter Pan, created by J. M. Barrie. Included are:

The Little White Bird (1902)
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (1922)
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens Retold for Little People (1930)
Peter and Wendy (1911)
Peter and Wendy (1928)

All are US editions published by Charles Scribner's Sons.

#booktube #bookhistory #bookcollection #childrensbooks #classicbooks #short #shorts

Rare Jules Verne - 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas (1873) #shorts #rarebooks

the library ladder 2022-04-06 | A beautiful 2nd edition of the classic science fiction novel Twenty-thousand Leagues Under the Seas, by Jules Verne. Published by Geo. M. Smith of Boston in 1873.

#booktube #bookhistory #bookcollection #classicbooks #sciencefiction #scifi #short #shorts

A Guilty Pleasure Thats Actually Amazing! | Review of Heroes Die, by Matthew Woodring Stover

the library ladder 2022-04-02 | Heroes Die is an epic, hybrid science fiction/fantasy novel that would rank high on my 'guilty pleasures' list for the story premise alone. It's bonkers! Can a book so over-the-top be taken seriously?

Short answer: Yes. The book is so well-written, there's no reason to feel guilty about it. It's an exhilarating pleasure to read.

Find out why authors Steven Erikson, Scott Lynch and Pierce Brown have credited this book with inspiring their respective Malazan, Gentleman Bastards and Red Rising series.

0:33 First impressions
1:01 Hypothetical pitch to publisher
2:04 As bonkers as it sounds?
7:07 Themes
8:52 Writing style
10:24 Worldbuilding
10:39 Acts of Caine series
11:06 Conclusion

Other videos featuring different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Martha Wells Before Murderbot: youtu.be/0sBYuxrcysU

Michael Moorcock:
Enter the Multiverse: youtu.be/F5TTtSWPxQs

Guy Gavriel Kay:
Tier Ranked: youtu.be/WoFYvjIDaCM
GGK Is the Greatest Living Fantasy Author: youtu.be/bgGYciPdEpU

Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series:
First Chronicles: youtu.be/ir9tAWHqkGg
Second Chronicles: youtu.be/IZNgahJniIU
Last Chronicles: youtu.be/Dcqs-ceM2fE

Brandon Sanderson vs. the Evil Librarians: youtu.be/tKsZKKdEzc8

Channel Overview: youtu.be/KRNfov1qH10
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure/Thriller/Historical Fiction Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

#booktube #booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi #bookreview

The Many Worlds of Martha Wells: 25 Years of Fantasy Novels Before Murderbot

the library ladder 2022-03-09 | Martha Wells is probably best known today for her recent Hugo and Nebula award-winning Murderbot Diaries series. However, she's been writing speculative fiction for 30 years, and her earlier fantasy novels are wonderful and deserve more attention.

Her worldbuilding skills are well-honed, and she creates radically different worlds or settings in her books, many of which are standalone (!!!) novels.

I highly recommend exploring her works!

0:20 Murderbot Diaries
1:14 Martha Wells' worldbuilding & style
2:24 The Element of Fire
3:35 City of Bones
7:50 The Death of the Necromancer
9:49 Wheel of the Infinite
12:43 Books of the Raksura

Other videos featuring different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Michael Moorcock:
Enter the Multiverse: youtu.be/F5TTtSWPxQs

Guy Gavriel Kay:
Tier Ranked: youtu.be/WoFYvjIDaCM
GGK Is the Greatest Living Fantasy Author: youtu.be/bgGYciPdEpU

Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series:
First Chronicles: youtu.be/ir9tAWHqkGg
Second Chronicles: youtu.be/IZNgahJniIU
Last Chronicles: youtu.be/Dcqs-ceM2fE

Brandon Sanderson vs. the Evil Librarians: youtu.be/tKsZKKdEzc8

Channel Overview: youtu.be/KRNfov1qH10
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc

#booktube #booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

Artwork credits:
angiemyst
Alex Prager
Arizona State University
Bruce Pennington
Evyn Fong
iviemoon@deviantart.com
Jarislav Jasnikowski
Jean Beraud
Matthew Stewart
relotixke@deviantart.com
Sidney Paget
skitalets_dazhosh@deviantart.com
tomtc@deviantart.com
Troyce@twitter.com

Michael Moorcocks Eternal Champion, Part 1: Enter the Multiverse

the library ladder 2022-02-23 | Michael Moorcock is one of the most influential science fiction and fantasy writers of all time. He's credited with inventing and popularizing grimdark, steampunk and multiverses, and he also promoted the careers of other rising authors who further shaped the genres.

Moorcock's most famous creation is his Eternal Champion saga. This is the first in a series of videos I'll be producing periodically focused on Moorcock's 15-volume Eternal Champion omnibus edition published by White Wolf Publishing in the 1990s. Future videos in this series will dive into the individual volumes in the saga, including those featuring Elric, Corum, Von Bek, Hawkmoon, Oswald Bastable, and Kane of Mars, among others.

0:32 Moorcock intro
1:29 Moorcock's influences
2:49 Boundary pushing
3:47 Helped define modern fantasy genre
6:16 Eternal Champion series overview
7:11 Themes
8:35 Impact
8:45 Settings & multiverse
9:49 Why isn't the Eternal Champion better known today?
11:31 General critique of the series
13:14 Coming attractions

Other videos featuring different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Guy Gavriel Kay:
Tier Ranked: youtu.be/WoFYvjIDaCM
GGK Is the Greatest Living Fantasy Author: youtu.be/bgGYciPdEpU

Review of Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series:
First Chronicles: youtu.be/ir9tAWHqkGg
Second Chronicles: youtu.be/IZNgahJniIU
Last Chronicles: youtu.be/Dcqs-ceM2fE

Brandon Sanderson vs. the Evil Librarians: youtu.be/tKsZKKdEzc8

Channel Overview: youtu.be/KRNfov1qH10
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

Artwork credits:
adz2pipdog@reddit.com
Amano Yoshitaka
Boris Vallejo
Frank Frazetta
Michael Whelan
Rodney Matthews
scebiqu@deviantart.com

#booktube #booktubesff #sciencefiction #scifi #fantasy #multiverse

Tier Ranking Guy Gavriel Kays Fantasy Novels

the library ladder 2022-02-08 | Guy Gavriel Kay is a fantasy author who has never written a bad novel. Here I rank all 11 (or 14) of his books from those that are very good to the ones that are his masterpieces.

Although he started off writing high fantasy early in his career, most of his works are what he describes as "historical fiction with a quarter turn to the fantastic."

In my opinion, he's the greatest living fantasy author working today, which I discussed in my previous video linked here: youtu.be/bgGYciPdEpU

0:30 Overview
1:11 The Fionavar Tapestry
4:52 Ysabel
6:54 Tigana
9:02 A Song for Arbonne
11:15 The Lions of Al-Rassan
12:32 The Sarantine Mosaic
14:55 The Last Light of the Sun
16:08 Children of Earth and Sky
17:45 A Brightness Long Ago
18:45 Under Heaven
20:30 River of Stars

Other videos featuring different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Review of Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series:
First Chronicles: youtu.be/ir9tAWHqkGg
Second Chronicles: youtu.be/IZNgahJniIU
Last Chronicles: youtu.be/Dcqs-ceM2fE

Brandon Sanderson's Most Overlooked Series: youtu.be/tKsZKKdEzc8

Channel Overview: youtu.be/KRNfov1qH10
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

#booktube #booktubesff

Brandon Sandersons Most Overlooked Book Series

the library ladder 2022-01-15 | Have the information overlords conspired to hide from us a certain book series Brandon Sanderson began writing early in his career? He's still writing it, and the final book in this sometimes forgotten series is scheduled to be published later this year.

This is a video review of that series. I try to avoid spoilers, so it's light on plot details.

Other videos introducing different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Channel Overview: youtu.be/KRNfov1qH10
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

Brandon Sanderson is one of today’s best fantasy writers. His works set in the Cosmere universe, such as Elantris, Mistborn and the Stormlight Archive, are outstanding, and his efforts to complete Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series after Jordan’s untimely death really salvaged that series.

Artwork credits for this video:
the17thshard.com
Ascindi (@tumbler)
DisneyXD

Spoiler down below:

This is a review of the Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians series.

Disclaimer: This reviewer does not believe the premise of the book series. I have several librarian friends, and I can personally attest that most of them are not evil, and I don't think they're conspiring to hide these books from the Hushlands.

#booktube #booktubesff #childrensbooks #middlegrade #middlegradebooks

The Final Chronicles of Thomas Covenant Is an Epic Failure

the library ladder 2021-12-28 | This is the third of three videos discussing The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson, one of the foundational epic fantasy series of the genre (and one of the most polarizing).

In this video, I cover the Third (and Last) Chronicles, published between 2004 and 2013, consisting of The Runes of the Earth, Fatal Revenant, Against All Things Ending and The Last Dark. Please note that I've tried to keep the review spoiler-free, so there isn't much discussion of plot details.

0:21 Initial reaction
0:47 Pre-read misgivings
1:46 Undisciplined and tedious writing style
3:13 Donaldson doesn't trust his readers
3:53 Frustrating bait and switch tactics
4:36 Excessive navel gazing
5:46 'Retconning' the first two trilogies
6:36 Antagonist overkill
8:22 Deus ex machina
8:55 Predictable plot resolution
9:18 Annoying protagonists
10:35 Unmemorable supporting characters
11:36 Overarching themes?
12:27 Conclusion

Links to my reviews of the First and Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant:

First Chronicles: youtu.be/ir9tAWHqkGg
Second Chronicles: youtu.be/IZNgahJniIU

Other videos introducing different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Channel Overview: youtu.be/KRNfov1qH10
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

Artwork credits for this video:
mirk0.deviantart
lazyladyleo.deviantart
zorm.deviantart
Stephen Fabian
Seareach
Kaukomieli at gapintomirrorland.fandom.com
gapintomirrorland.wikia.com

#booktube #booktubesff

Are the Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant Essential Reads?

the library ladder 2021-12-23 | This is the second of three videos discussing The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson, one of the foundational epic fantasy series of the genre (and one of the most polarizing).

In this video, I cover the Second Chronicles, published between 1980 and 1983, consisting of The Wounded Land, The One Tree, and White Gold Wielder. Please note that I've tried to keep the review spoiler-free, so there isn't much discussion of plot details.

0:39 Plot overview
0:50 New protagonist
1:20 Similarity to the First Chronicles
1:42 Thoughts about the books
2:59 Flaws are bigger and more annoying
4:08 Would I recommend the books?

Links to my reviews of the First and Third Chronicles of Thomas Covenant:

First Chronicles: youtu.be/ir9tAWHqkGg
Third (and Last) Chronicles: youtu.be/Dcqs-ceM2fE

Other videos introducing different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Channel Overview: youtu.be/KRNfov1qH10
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

Artwork credits for this video:
mirk0.deviantart
lazyladyleo.deviantart
darthiggy.deviantart
zorm.deviantart
Fugazi1968
Seareach
Allen Morris

Are the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant Essential Reads? (Part 1 of 3)

the library ladder 2021-12-12 | The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson, is one of the foundational epic fantasy series of the genre. It’s also one of the most polarizing.

This is the first of three videos discussing the First, Second and Final Chronicles in the series. In this video I cover the First Chronicles, which were published as a trilogy in 1977 consisting of Lord Foul's Bane, The Illearth War, and The Power That Preserves. Please note that I've tried to keep the review spoiler-free, so there isn't much discussion of plot details.

0:38 My introduction to Thomas Covenant
1:35 What distinguishes the trilogy from earlier fantasy works?
2:56 What makes the trilogy great?
3:44 What's frustrating about it?
4:31 How initial expectations can shape reader enjoyment
5:01 Covenant isn't the protagonist in his own story
5:27 Conclusion

Links to my reviews of the Second and Third Chronicles of Thomas Covenant:

Second Chronicles: youtu.be/IZNgahJniIU
Third (and Last) Chronicles: youtu.be/Dcqs-ceM2fE

Other videos introducing different parts of my book collection are linked below.

Channel Overview: youtube.com/watch?v=KRNfov1qH10
Children’s Books Overview: youtu.be/G2vc15mSpHM
Science Fiction Overview: youtu.be/W2LdYtDl6Ok
Fantasy Overview: youtu.be/qGu7DZNyv1E
Mystery Overview: youtu.be/BoDyF0XF3PE
Adventure Overview: youtu.be/2Qog48AEREs
Horror and Weird Fiction Overview: youtu.be/MrDGibCAYnc
Literature Overview: youtu.be/7T_XlTnGtJE
Antiquarian Nonfiction Overview: youtu.be/MIRje1_14_E
Illustrated Books Overview: youtu.be/oPiZqPVY53c

Artwork credits for this video:
mirk0.deviantart
Allen Morris

#booktube #booktubesff