Book Review - Rumors of Glory (Systems States Rebellion Series)

Rumors of Glory by Dietmar Wehr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve come back to write a review on Rumors of Glory now that I’ve finished the Systems State Rebellion series. The series is a military / political space opera that takes place over a period of 20 odd years and involves three major political entities. The story telling is mainly high level which works well considering the time span of the conflict and the engagements that are covered. There are plenty of battles and conflicts seen from those leading the fight and the author does a good job balancing the need to explain the tactics and decisions going through the major character’s thoughts and the dialog.

There isn’t a lot of character development, but enough so that at the end of the series you are very familiar with the main characters. I also like that there isn’t much time spent in books 2 and 3 explaining events from the previous books. I wish more authors took this tact. Additionally, I really liked the idea of the first book being a novella. It gives one an opportunity to decide if the series is worth pursuing with a minimum of commitment….. as long as the next book is available too.

Overall, this series starts out good and builds up from there. It was one of those series that you dread reading the last page knowing the ride was going to be over and you wanted it to keep going. I’d say it’s second to the Synchronicity series only because that one started out great and stayed there.


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It's time to flip the world over like an etch-a-sketch, shake hard, and start over.

*tap tap....* Is this mic on? Might be time to dust this blog off and start posting again..... maybe

X-47B Operations from the USS H. W. Bush (CVN-77)

Wow! It's really been since last October that I posted? Tempus Fugit. On to the post... This month the US Navy successfully launched the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator from the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the first carrier to successfully catapult launch an unmanned aircraft from its flight deck. This was followed up by touch and go trials. This is both a great technological feat and a potentially foreboding one for the future of manned aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Horton/Released) (U.S. Navy photo by Alan Radecki courtesy Northrop Grumman/Released)

The First Men on the Moon: The Apollo 11 Lunar Landing

Great presentation of the Apollo 11 landing.

The First Men on the Moon: The Apollo 11 Lunar Landing

Ballistic Missile Defense System Successfully Conducts Largest Missile Defense Flight Test in History

Ballistic Missile Defense System Successfully Conducts Largest Missile Defense Flight Test in History

Boeing Non-kinetic Missile Records 1st Operational Test Flight

Boeing Non-kinetic Missile Records 1st Operational Test Flight

Acrylic Rod Hybrid Rocket Motor demo

Interesting design. It would be interesting to put this on a thrust stand to see impulse it works out to.

USS Enterprise to Inactivate After 51 Years of Service

1 December 2012 is going to be one sad day.

USS Enterprise to Inactivate After 51 Years of Service

9/11 - Eleven Years Later....

Like everyone else I spent at least part of the day reflecting on 9/11/01. Where I was when I heard the news and what I felt. It would be weeks, months, years before the extraordinary actions of many on that day would be uncovered. That's what I think of most on the anniversary now and ask myself, would I have the same courage if faced with the same circumstances....

"Heroes are the people who do what has to be done regardless of the consequences"

Onboard Rocket Videos - NARAM 54

Here are the three onboard videos I shot from NARAM 54 July 28, 29 2012. The camera is a small HD "keyfob" found on ebay for roughly $40 minus micro SD card. One of these and some electrical tape adn you can shoot high res HD video from practically any rocket.

Honest Hohn on a CTI G107 dual thrust

Blue Bird Zero upscale on a Loki I210

Super Stiletto on a C6-0/B4-4

VF-151 Vigilantes & VF-161 Chargers

Recent ebay purchases.

Rain?

No, we really aren't seeing much around the house still, I was greeted to some Mammatus clouds on the way to work Wednesday.

On the Flight Deck

My old stomping grounds. Good times

On the Flight Deck

Level 3 Project - Update

Here are some photos of the ebay sled build. Two sheets of G10 with brass tubes JB welded to one. The other sheet is mounted with 5x10-32 screws. Mounting hardware is in place for the ARTS 1 and PerfectFlite MAWD altimeters. Next up is the battery mounts on the other G10 sheet. I have some aluminum to cut for that.

Captain John Paul Jones

Often referred to as the Father of the United States Navy, John Paul Jones was born this day, July 6, 1747. He helped put in place many of the traditions still adhered to by today's Navy. He was also known to instill professionalism and training throughout his career.

One of his famous quotes include, "I have not yet begun to fight", a reply to the Captain of the British ship Serapis when asked if he would strike his colors (surrender). There is much controversy over whether Jones actually used those exact words, but none can argue his tenacity to battle on as long as the faintest chance of success existed. My favorite quote of Captain Jones however is, "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way." That is the spirit I remember while in attack squadron VA-115 Eagles and I know it continues on to this day.

Missed opportunity

Still no rain for us though a lot fell elsewhere in SE Michigan.

F/A-18D Crash Due to Dual Engine Failure

The Hornet that crashed into a Virginia Beach apartment complex last April was caused by two unrelated and nearly simultaneous engine failures during takeoff. The starboard engine had a compressor stall first and the port engine afterburner failed to relight to compensate.

"....Without enough power, the plane couldn’t climb out of its dive. The two crewmen ejected when the jet was about 50 feet above the ground...."

VF-111 Sundowner F-8D Crusader - USS Midway 8-24-65

Twilight time to dream awhile

In veils of deepening blue.... More practicing with the new camera