[ARCHIVED THREAD] - JOHN RINGO (Page 1 of 8)
Posted: 3/25/2011 2:30:37 AM EDT
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Just finished the LAST CENTURION in about three days and I gotta say it's one of my favorites now.
In the second decade of the 21st century the world is struck by two catastrophes : a new mini-ice-age and nearly simultaneously , a plague to dwarf any in recorded history. Rising out of the disaster is the character known to history as " Bandit Six " , an American Army officer caught up in the struggle to rebuild the world and prevent the fall of his homeland- despite the best efforts of poloticians both elected and military. First few chapters are pretty much 'Bandit-Six' describing the disasters leading up to his predicament in Iran : being stuck guarding a supply depot after the US rapidly pulls its forces back to the US . His command of a few leftover US troops and some random others including a group of Gurkhas , and their efforts to fortify 'Fort Lonesome' against Iranian warlords . The book is written 'blog-style' and certainly is a page turner . Ringo's injection of conservative opinions are great , I'd almost bet he was a member here . READ THIS BOOK......you'll love it 
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I read it about a year ago, I think it only took me a few days as well. None of Ringos books last me long for some reason. And after getting one I find I really drag ass the next day, must be from staying up all night to read it 
I lent my dad my copy and never got it back, may have to see if he is done with it. |
| Might have to see if it's available in .epub format somewhere for cheap. I like the post-apocalyptic stories, but have never read one in a book. I used to DEVOUR books when I was in highschool, but sadly I don't read much these days. I do have a Nook Color that I really need to put to use... |
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Anything published by BAEN is, from what I've seen, cheapest through them directly:
WebScription $6 is not a bad deal. BAEN also has a lot of their e-books available for free, but if you like it please purchase it and help support the author. They have bills to pay just like everyone else. BAEN Free Library EDT for spelling. |
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Quoted:
Anything published by BAEN is, from what I've seen, cheapest through them directly: WebScription $6 is not a bad deal. BAEN also has a lot of their e-books available for free, but if you like it please purchase it and help support the author. They have bills to pay just like everyone else. BAEN Free Library EDT for spelling. Bought it there. I'm planning on not doing much this weekend, so I'll try to start in on it. ETA: Just finished the first chapter. I like the writing style, as someone mentioned, blog-style. It really has you listening to someone telling a story. I do hope it doesn't fall into the pitfall of one of my pet peeves: A post apocalyptic story that gives very little back story or detail about the particular apocalypse that sets the story. (The Road [the movie] was one that was particularly annoying in this area) |
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Quoted:
Anything published by BAEN is, from what I've seen, cheapest through them directly: WebScription $6 is not a bad deal. BAEN also has a lot of their e-books available for free, but if you like it please purchase it and help support the author. They have bills to pay just like everyone else. BAEN Free Library EDT for spelling. Thanks for the links, I've read a couple of Ringo novels and enjoyed them...I didn't know I could buy them online and read immediately! I've bought The Last Centurion and have just transferred it to my iphone, this will be my first experience with reading a full book on it, who knows if I'll like it or not...maybe it will push me to finally buying a real ebook reader? :D |
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Quoted: Quoted: Anything published by BAEN is, from what I've seen, cheapest through them directly: WebScription $6 is not a bad deal. BAEN also has a lot of their e-books available for free, but if you like it please purchase it and help support the author. They have bills to pay just like everyone else. BAEN Free Library EDT for spelling. Thanks for the links, I've read a couple of Ringo novels and enjoyed them...I didn't know I could buy them online and read immediately! I've bought The Last Centurion and have just transferred it to my iphone, this will be my first experience with reading a full book on it, who knows if I'll like it or not...maybe it will push me to finally buying a real ebook reader? :D As good as the free library is. You can find most of the best series, free from the CD's the regularly put in back of their hardcovers. they are gathered up and hosted on a site, this is supported by Baen. http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com/ Can download the iso of the cd, or as a zip. |
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Anything published by BAEN is, from what I've seen, cheapest through them directly: WebScription $6 is not a bad deal. BAEN also has a lot of their e-books available for free, but if you like it please purchase it and help support the author. They have bills to pay just like everyone else. BAEN Free Library EDT for spelling. Bought it there. I'm planning on not doing much this weekend, so I'll try to start in on it. ETA: Just finished the first chapter. I like the writing style, as someone mentioned, blog-style. It really has you listening to someone telling a story. I do hope it doesn't fall into the pitfall of one of my pet peeves: A post apocalyptic story that gives very little back story or detail about the particular apocalypse that sets the story. (The Road [the movie] was one that was particularly annoying in this area) Definitely NOT an issue with this book. He gets detailed as hell with how this little apocalypse occurs. Scary part is, it seems so plausible that you really start to wonder... |
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Anything published by BAEN is, from what I've seen, cheapest through them directly: WebScription $6 is not a bad deal. BAEN also has a lot of their e-books available for free, but if you like it please purchase it and help support the author. They have bills to pay just like everyone else. BAEN Free Library EDT for spelling. Bought it there. I'm planning on not doing much this weekend, so I'll try to start in on it. ETA: Just finished the first chapter. I like the writing style, as someone mentioned, blog-style. It really has you listening to someone telling a story. I do hope it doesn't fall into the pitfall of one of my pet peeves: A post apocalyptic story that gives very little back story or detail about the particular apocalypse that sets the story. (The Road [the movie] was one that was particularly annoying in this area) Definitely NOT an issue with this book. He gets detailed as hell with how this little apocalypse occurs. Scary part is, it seems so plausible that you really start to wonder... Yes , it certainly does ........and yes he goes into GREAT detail as to how all the bullshit socialism lead to the problems in the story , and mimic our own paths . I really enjoyed how he re-vamped the depot into a camp / into a fort and his <ahem> recruiting of the locals to < ahem> assist in the camp 'chores' . His character's wife's interjections throughout his blog are quite funny too . Quoted:
Read it and enjoyed it. The bits about farming towards the end were pretty scary, as I admit to having little understanding of the food supply. I did my homework and was terrified to discover that he was spot on about the science behind it. I would bet that Mr Ringo grew up on a farm . 
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Quoted: Might have to see if it's available in .epub format somewhere for cheap. I like the post-apocalyptic stories, but have never read one in a book. I used to DEVOUR books when I was in highschool, but sadly I don't read much these days. I do have a Nook Color that I really need to put to use... Available on the John Ringo Wiki for free. Saved you the trouble of finding it: http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com/16-ClawsThatCatchCD/ClawsThatCatchCD/The%20Last%20Centurion/index.htm This is not a pirate copy! |
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Quoted: Read it and enjoyed it. The bits about farming towards the end were pretty scary, as I admit to having little understanding of the food supply. I did my homework and was terrified to discover that he was spot on about the science behind it. As someone with a degree in Agronomy, I appreciated it. Real farming sucks, it's difficult, expensive and it takes a lot of skill to do it well. That's why I went in the direction of turf maintenance, real farming is not for the faint of heart. I admire farmers. I also really liked the book. |
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I just finished the "Empire of Man" series (4 books). Talk about staying up too late most nights reading "just one more chapter"... I've read that series perhaps 6 times. Ringo is my favorite author. Really enjoyed Legacy of the Aldenata series. Getting interesting since Callie is free to go for the Darhel. Paladin of Shadows I've also read several times. What could be better? its got hot girls, sex, kinky sex, best beer in the world, lots of bad guys getting fragged, sometimes poetically. Ringo rocks. On topic, I also really enjoyed Centurion. Wasn't sure about the blog style before I got into it, but found that it was an easy and quick read like all of his work. |
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Quoted: Quoted: I just finished the "Empire of Man" series (4 books). Talk about staying up too late most nights reading "just one more chapter"... I've read that series perhaps 6 times. Ringo is my favorite author. Really enjoyed Legacy of the Aldenata series. Getting interesting since Callie is free to go for the Darhel. Paladin of Shadows I've also read several times. What could be better? its got hot girls, sex, kinky sex, best beer in the world, lots of bad guys getting fragged, sometimes poetically. Ringo rocks. On topic, I also really enjoyed Centurion. Wasn't sure about the blog style before I got into it, but found that it was an easy and quick read like all of his work. The council wars series is pretty good as well. Give them a try. |
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Anything published by BAEN is, from what I've seen, cheapest through them directly: WebScription $6 is not a bad deal. BAEN also has a lot of their e-books available for free, but if you like it please purchase it and help support the author. They have bills to pay just like everyone else. BAEN Free Library EDT for spelling. Bought it there. I'm planning on not doing much this weekend, so I'll try to start in on it. ETA: Just finished the first chapter. I like the writing style, as someone mentioned, blog-style. It really has you listening to someone telling a story. I do hope it doesn't fall into the pitfall of one of my pet peeves: A post apocalyptic story that gives very little back story or detail about the particular apocalypse that sets the story. (The Road [the movie] was one that was particularly annoying in this area) no worries there. he does a very good job of explaining why it all went to hell. excellent book, i've read it through twice now. |
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I just finished the "Empire of Man" series (4 books). Talk about staying up too late most nights reading "just one more chapter"... I loved those books. And knowing how you like to cook, here's a recipe for you: Roast Suckling Damnbeast Bon Apetit 
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I have it on my ipod but never got to the good part. A buddy of his posts here, I can never remember his name but he's helped Ringo out with some technical info on sniping. LoneWolf545 is the screen name. We exchanged IM's after one of the previous Ringo threads. |
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Quoted: Thanks, he seems like a good guyQuoted: I have it on my ipod but never got to the good part. A buddy of his posts here, I can never remember his name but he's helped Ringo out with some technical info on sniping. LoneWolf545 is the screen name. We exchanged IM's after one of the previous Ringo threads.  |
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I just finished the "Empire of Man" series (4 books). Talk about staying up too late most nights reading "just one more chapter"... Rereading that now. I'm pretty sure I'll re-read Centurion . I need to hit the book store up tonight and find the "Empire of Man" , Im almost through Heinlein's Moon is a Harsh Mistress ( no where near as interesting as Ringo ) Quoted:
ETA: Did we sack Constantinople? Of course we F!@#&!@^ sacked Constantinople! 
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This is some advice to those of you trying to download this on your Droid via Kindle.......
When you get your order....at the bottom of all the down loads, click on the link; at the top of the next page, there is an option to email it to your "kindle" device for .15 per M. Do this, then your phone will recognize it. I just spent way too much time trying all of the damn downloads, only to have my phone tell me it didn't recognize any of the apps. I'm a bit frazzled at the moment, but I can now read it on my Droid X |
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I have read that blog earlier and think it is awesome! |
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I just finished the "Empire of Man" series (4 books). Talk about staying up too late most nights reading "just one more chapter"... Rereading that now. I'm pretty sure I'll re-read Centurion . I need to hit the book store up tonight and find the "Empire of Man" , Im almost through Heinlein's Moon is a Harsh Mistress ( no where near as interesting as Ringo ) Quoted:
ETA: Did we sack Constantinople? Of course we F!@#&!@^ sacked Constantinople! Empire of Man: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars, We Few. I rather like his writing style, and it seems that he leaves a few open for sequels (Empire of Man, Princess of Wands, etc.)..... 
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I just finished the "Empire of Man" series (4 books). Talk about staying up too late most nights reading "just one more chapter"... Rereading that now. I'm pretty sure I'll re-read Centurion . I need to hit the book store up tonight and find the "Empire of Man" , Im almost through Heinlein's Moon is a Harsh Mistress ( no where near as interesting as Ringo ) Quoted: ETA: Did we sack Constantinople? Of course we F!@#&!@^ sacked Constantinople! Empire of Man: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars, We Few. I rather like his writing style, and it seems that he leaves a few open for sequels (Empire of Man, Princess of Wands, etc.)..... There has been a lot of talk about sequels but usually shot down by John. 1. Roger now emporer and so can't go adventuring. 2. Co-author David Weber is not interested. 3. He does series in batches and he is not real iterested in taking this farther, now working on Citadel/Troy/ universe, and others on publisher's shelf unreleased. He drops a lot of communication on his facebook page. Queen of Wands has been talked about being released for a while. still hoping it comes through. |
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From his Facebook page :
Biography Ringo's childhood was spent largely in transit; by the time he graduated from high school, he and his family had spent time in 23 foreign countries, with Ringo alone attending classes at fourteen different schools. Among the countries he spent the most amount of time in were Greece, Iran and Switzerland before settling with his parents and six siblings in Alabama. This amount of travel led to what he refers to as a "wonderful appreciation of the oneness of humanity and a permanent aversion to foreign food." After graduation, Ringo joined the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of Specialist Four as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. During his four years of active duty, he was assigned to both the 1st Battalion 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment which was reflagged into 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment when the 82nd regimentally organized its 3rd Brigade on 3 October 1986, plus two years of reserve duty with the Florida National Guard. Among his awards are the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Grenada), and the National Defense Service Medal. I see no mention of farming .......he's just a great researcher
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Empire of Man: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars, We Few. I rather like his writing style, and it seems that he leaves a few open for sequels (Empire of Man, Princess of Wands, etc.)..... I have 'March Upcountry' somewhere , I need to find it when I get home . |
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His Troy Rising series is superb, as well,
Anything I've read by him (which is everything he's written), is excellent. In the Troy Rising series, his afterwords are tributes to his mom, and offer some interesting insight into his upbringing. He is also former Airborne, so has some credibility to his military writing. |
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From his Facebook page : Biography Ringo's childhood was spent largely in transit; by the time he graduated from high school, he and his family had spent time in 23 foreign countries, with Ringo alone attending classes at fourteen different schools. Among the countries he spent the most amount of time in were Greece, Iran and Switzerland before settling with his parents and six siblings in Alabama. This amount of travel led to what he refers to as a "wonderful appreciation of the oneness of humanity and a permanent aversion to foreign food." After graduation, Ringo joined the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of Specialist Four as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. During his four years of active duty, he was assigned to both the 1st Battalion 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment which was reflagged into 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment when the 82nd regimentally organized its 3rd Brigade on 3 October 1986, plus two years of reserve duty with the Florida National Guard. Among his awards are the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Grenada), and the National Defense Service Medal. I see no mention of farming .......he's just a great researcher
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Empire of Man: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars, We Few. I rather like his writing style, and it seems that he leaves a few open for sequels (Empire of Man, Princess of Wands, etc.)..... I have 'March Upcountry' somewhere , I need to find it when I get home . you can get the whole series for free at the baen links posted above iirc. |