http://duncanriley.disqus.com/enFri, 10 Apr 2009 19:00:56 -0000http://www.duncanriley.com/2008/10/27/review-without-warning-america-is-gone-john-birmingham/#comment-8066204Looks like a good book to read...Birmingham guyFri, 10 Apr 2009 19:00:56 -0000http://www.duncanriley.com/2008/10/27/review-without-warning-america-is-gone-john-birmingham/#comment-3404739Great review and I couldn't agree more with the French stream. I struggled with that one too and somehow it almost put me a little off all character in general. The balance between the big story and the fillings was just a little out of whack. He could have taken the book to a whole different level with drilling more into the effect on countries such as China but I don't want to complain. <br><br>What I loved was that I was waiting and waiting for the explanation of the thing and whether there would be some kind of alien involvement. But having looked at Birmingham's other books I doubted that to happen. At the end I was somewhat flabbergasted that it wasn't solved but then it might be better that way as it's open to everyone's own interpretation. <br><br>If you loved this you absolutely have to read Frank Schtzing's 'The Swarm' (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Swarm-Novel-Frank-Schatzing/dp/B000O17D00/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225433756&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Swarm-Novel-Frank-Schatzi...</a>). He's a German advertising guy and author and that would have to be the best thing I ever read.<br><br>Sorry for the long comment but I have to post the PR blurb:<br>Whales begin sinking ships. Toxic, eyeless crabs poison Long Island’s water supply. The North Sea shelf collapses, killing thousands in Europe. Around the world, countries are beginning to feel the effects of the ocean’s revenge as the seas and their inhabi-tants begin a violent revolution against mankind. In this riveting novel, full of twists, turns, and cliffhangers, a team of scientists discovers a strange, intelligent life force called the Yrr that takes form in marine animals, using them to wreak havoc on humanity for our ecological abuses. Soon a struggle between good and evil is in full swing, with both human and suboceanic forces battling for control of the waters. At stake is the survival of the Earth’s fragile ecology - and ultimately, the survival of the human race itself. The apocalyptic catastrophes of The Day After Tomorrow meet the watery menace of The Abyss in this gripping, scientifically realistic, and utterly imaginative thriller. With 1.5 million copies sold in Germany — where it has been on the bestseller list without fail since its debut - and the author’s skillfully executed blend of compelling story, vivid characters, and eerie locales, Frank Schatzing’s The Swarm will keep you in tense anticipation until the last suspenseful page is turned.FrankFri, 31 Oct 2008 02:19:28 -0000