Robert G. Pielke’s A New Birth of Freedom
My love of reading came from my mother. My love of history–and my tolerance for science fiction–came from my
Click here for an excerpt from the book
father. These passions–and that said tolerance!–collided for me when I read Robert G. Pielke’s book A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor.
I LOVED this book! And that is unusual for me. OK, so it’s not unusual that I would love a book. It is just unusual that I would love a book that doesn’t have a romance in it. In fact, now that I think of it, I am not sure there were any female characters in the book. Not that it’s a bad thing. This book was just about perfect, even without a woman’s touch.
The problem that I am having is giving you a description of the plot without giving anything away. The best that I can do is say that the book revolves around a visitor from America’s distant future trying to save humanity by traveling to 1860’s Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.
What I liked about the book was the attention to detail. Historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee are described just as history books portray them. And I don’t just mean in their looks. Pielke brings the men to life with their mannerisms and personality quirks. It was done in such a way that it both men seemed very real. It was wonderful.
Another great thing about the book is that while reading it I didn’t often feel like I was reading. It was more like watching a movie. I felt like I was transported to the scene, watching everything unfold as the story was told.
The one thing I didn’t like was the ending. AARRUUGGHH!!! Talk about a cliff-hanger! It did set up for the next book in the series. I can hardly wait to have that book in my hands.
Read the author's blog here
Robert G. Pielke’s Bio:
Robert G. Pielke, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, now lives in Claremont, California. He earned a B.A. in History at the University of Maryland, an M. Div. in Systematic Theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the Claremont Graduate School.
He taught on ground and online for countless years at George Mason University in Virginia, El Camino College in California and online for the University of Phoenix. Now happily retired from “the job,” he is doing what he always wanted to do since he wrote his first novel at ten in elementary school. It was one paragraph, three pages long and, although he didn’t know it at the time, it was alternate history.
His academic writings have been in the area of ethics, including a boring academic treatise called Critiquing Moral Arguments, logic, and popular culture. Included in the latter is an analysis of rock music entitled You Say You Want a Revolution: Rock Music in American Culture. He has also published short stories, feature articles, film and restaurant reviews. His novels include a savagely satirical novel on America and its foibles, proclivities and propensities, Hitler the Cat Goes West, and an alternate history, science fiction novel, The Mission.
Most recently, he has updated and revised his book on rock music, which is being republished by McFarland & Co.
He swims daily, skis occasionally, cooks as an avocation, watches innumerable movies, collects rock and roll concert films, is an avid devotee of Maryland crabs and maintains a rarely visited blog filled with his social and political ravings. His favorite film is the original Hairspray; his favorite song is “A Day in the Life”; his favorite pizza is from the original Ledo Restaurant in College Park, MD; and he is a firm believer in the efficacy of “sex, drugs and rock and roll.” Somehow his family and friends put up with him.
Other helpful links—-
Paperback buy links:
Amazon
Barnes&Noble.com
eBook buy links:
Altered Dimensions Press
Kindle
Robert G. Pielke’s web site:
http://www.robertgpielke.com/
Robert G. Pielke’s blog:
http://www.bobpielke.com/
Robert G. Pielke’s Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/robert.pielke
Altered Dimensions Press web site:
http://www.sciencefictionpaperbackbooks.com/a-birth-of-new-freedom
Posted on February 8, 2011, in Authors, Books, Reviews and tagged Abraham Lincoln, blog tour, book tours, bookreview, Robert E. Lee, Robert G. Pielke, Roger Pielke, Tribute Books, United States, Washington D.C. Bookmark the permalink. 7 Comments.
Aww thanks, Lynn, for such a great review. You have such a talent for sharing your thoughts about a book via your writing.
For all those who would like to follow along on the book’s blog tour throughout the month of February, please visit http://anewbirthoffreedom-thevisitor.blogspot.com/
Thanks Lynn…and I **LOVED LOVED LOVED** the way you refer to “tolerating” science fiction!
I feel the same way — most of it is a ‘waste of ink’…but then again, one of my credo is that “writing is writing.”
Nevertheless — I tend to “tolerate” it too…and often it’s not easy.
Bob
My Dad is a HUGE Star Trek fan. In fact, I’ve been told that he would refuse to go out or even talk to Mom on the phone when Star Trek was on–so perhaps it is really a miracle that I am here at all!!! I grew up watching every Star Trek series ever made and saw the original 3 Star Wars films so often that I can quote them verbatim when they are on now. I don’t have that love all things sci-fi that Daddy has, but I can tolerate the stuff. Daddy doesn’t like to read, though. I have tried to convince him to read your book. I think he would enjoy it. But he said the same thing about it that he says about my novels–”I’ll wait for the movie.”
Lynn
I meant to say “one tenet of my credo is ‘writing is writing.’”
Bob
Enjoyed reading this…I know sometimes how hard it is to review a book when the plot is so intertwined…but that’s the fun of the reading, isn’t it?
Did you read the book too, “Gabixler”?
Bob Pielke
Lynn – live long and prosper.