In preparation for writing this, I had to ask myself, “Can you do a book review for a player’s handbook?” The answer is, yes, especially when said player’s handbook is Dungeons and Dragons© 4^th Edition Player’s Handbook. I know what you’re thinking, “I didn’t even know they made a second edition.” Well, they did…and a 3^rd, so there. Continue Reading

There are glorious trash cookies to be found in nearly every realm of the arts. All one needs to do is look in the dark alleys and dirty corners, all the places your mother insisted you should stay away from… But what fun have you ever had by listening to your mother? When it comes to the written world it is doubtless that an excellent example lies in the pulp novel. At the time of their publishing the bulk of these novels were considered to be trashy, poorly written works constructed with the lowly intent of mere titillation. As time progressed however readers and scholars alike began to recognize the literary merit of these throwaway, read em and toss em books. It is hard to deny the fact that there had to have been something of substance to these novels when some of their writers moved on to be successful leaders in their chosen field. Such easily recognizable authors as Upton Sinclair, Isaac Asimov and Mark Twain all spent time toiling in fields of the pulp novel. Each of these men certainly made significant contributions to literature and without a doubt received the recognition for such achievement. Some of their colleagues unfortunately did not receive praise as they were being published or even later in their lives. For some writers it was not until well past the time of their deaths that they slowly began to garner the attention that they so rightfully deserved… I am of the opinion that Jim Thompson was one such writer.

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