Ask the Author: Jim MacLachlan
Answered Questions (14)
Jim MacLachlan
Yes & I really liked the first one. I have the second, but haven't been reading much.
Jim MacLachlan
I love meeting another Modesitt fan, but I don't have a good reading order for them or even remember which titles fit together & some seem to. Lee's Wikipedia page has some helpful lists.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._E._M...
The first 4 Ecolitan novels feature 2 different main characters & I think the 2 omnibus editions put them in proper order. I can't recall if that's published order or not, though. There's a more recent 5th book that goes with the Secession MC, Jimjoy, I believe.
There are 2 Archform & 2 Parafaith books plus 3 Silent Warrior books which are all SF. Several of his standalone SF novels seem to fit into that universe pretty well. There's enough similarities that I thought some went together. You might try asking him on his web site.
https://www.lemodesittjr.com/
He's always been pretty fast to answer & very helpful. Good luck & if you do get a better answer, please let me know.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._E._M...
The first 4 Ecolitan novels feature 2 different main characters & I think the 2 omnibus editions put them in proper order. I can't recall if that's published order or not, though. There's a more recent 5th book that goes with the Secession MC, Jimjoy, I believe.
There are 2 Archform & 2 Parafaith books plus 3 Silent Warrior books which are all SF. Several of his standalone SF novels seem to fit into that universe pretty well. There's enough similarities that I thought some went together. You might try asking him on his web site.
https://www.lemodesittjr.com/
He's always been pretty fast to answer & very helpful. Good luck & if you do get a better answer, please let me know.
Jim MacLachlan
I haven't read it & none of my libraries have it at this time, but I did recommend they buy a copy since it looks interesting. I'm not sure how much I buy into the inadequacies of mass manufacturing, though. It's made so much so affordable for so many that I find it hard to knock it generally.
I don't understand "Can't make the elision between "a & e"."
IMO, "craft" has always straddled the lines between utility & art while remaining something of a special skill. It's one of those areas where the tyro can often make a utilitarian item, but a master can raise it to an art form. Showing the difference can often be difficult since it's a matter of degree & taste along with a big dash of style. Quite often, only someone who has actually done the work can appreciate the difference in quality, too.
I don't understand "Can't make the elision between "a & e"."
IMO, "craft" has always straddled the lines between utility & art while remaining something of a special skill. It's one of those areas where the tyro can often make a utilitarian item, but a master can raise it to an art form. Showing the difference can often be difficult since it's a matter of degree & taste along with a big dash of style. Quite often, only someone who has actually done the work can appreciate the difference in quality, too.
Jim MacLachlan
Thanks! Not well, but not nearly as bad as earlier this year.
Jim MacLachlan
My email address is listed at the end of the book. Alternatively, you can PM me here on GR to get it. Then just email me a copy of your receipt for the book or something that shows you bought it & I'll email you the PDF version. It's available natively on Smashwords.com, but you'd have to buy it again there & that wouldn't be fair.
Jim MacLachlan
Since this is about the Evolution of Science Fiction group read, I'll answer you in a PM.
Jim MacLachlan
If you look on the left side of the page, there is a 'Voting Schedule'. Looks like they closed 10Dec. I think a book has to be nominated before 5Nov when the first round of voting starts, but I'm not sure. I've never paid much attention to it, but it all seems awfully early to me. I'd rather start nominating & voting in Jan of the following year when I've actually read all the books for this year.
Jim MacLachlan
You credit my memory too much. I had to google it! It's "The Black Box".
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Jim MacLachlan
I started working on a book for rabbit toys, but it's not really clicking. It's difficult to design toys that are safe & inexpensive since the box stores are often selling "white wood" rather than pine & that can mean spruce which is toxic to rabbits.
Jim MacLachlan
I don't have a reading list. I see all the books available & pick what suits me at the moment. Sometimes it's a reread of something trashy like "Planet of the Gawfs", but lately I've been reading a lot of nonfiction on genetics. I have no idea why, but I find it interesting.
Jim MacLachlan
There's an obvious way to learn more about horses. ;) It's amazing how much the world has changed, isn't it? Congrats on the fiber. I'm in a dead zone & have a choice between very under-provisioned satellite or wireless. The latter is far cheaper & more stable, but 512kb is the best we can get. Ugh.
Jim MacLachlan
Chip was an Appaloosa with big, bulky hind quarters. Very much like a draft. I don't know anything about mustangs. I agree that rural living is the way to go. It's sometimes frustrating not having decent Internet or cell service, but watching the wildlife more than makes up for it.
Jim MacLachlan
I've got to answer this about the same as the last - none. I'm not well read in the period, especially at that level. You might want to read some diaries of the period & I'm sure they're available since various western authors mention reading them. Check Gutenberg.org for some books of the time or historical societies. Even the fiction might shed some light, but they all tend to leave out the ugly parts like dysentery & rotting teeth. I'd guess you'd have to come at it from the sides.
For instance, I'd guess there was a fair amount of difference between the early 1800s & the latter half. In between, germ theory was developed & the idea of clean water caught on which made a huge difference. It's a long slog, but "The Ghost Map" by Steven Johnson does describe conditions well in London around the 1840s & how people thought about disease. They'd literally scoop water out of the sewer & let it settle then drink the clear top water. It took decades for the idea of germs to reach everyone & conditions on the frontier were far different from a crowded city like London for the most part. Gold camps & such could resemble it closely in terms of hygiene, though.
For instance, I'd guess there was a fair amount of difference between the early 1800s & the latter half. In between, germ theory was developed & the idea of clean water caught on which made a huge difference. It's a long slog, but "The Ghost Map" by Steven Johnson does describe conditions well in London around the 1840s & how people thought about disease. They'd literally scoop water out of the sewer & let it settle then drink the clear top water. It took decades for the idea of germs to reach everyone & conditions on the frontier were far different from a crowded city like London for the most part. Gold camps & such could resemble it closely in terms of hygiene, though.
Jim MacLachlan
I can't think of any that focus on the subject. A lot of the histories will mention them, but often it's what isn't mentioned that is most revealing. While a few animals were treated & thought of as we would today, most were thought of as a resource. They weren't thought to have 'souls' or to be able to feel as we do, so were often treated in ways we'd consider criminally harsh today. Of course, their lives were also very harsh, so they didn't have much sympathy to spare. I've noticed a tremendous change in just my lifetime, so it's pretty hard for people today, especially city folks, to imagine. You might try asking Janny Wurts. She's active on GR & very knowledgeable about such things.
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