Agent Palmer

Of all things Geek. I am…

Spoiler Free Review

Make Space on your shelf for Michener’s sci-fi novel

James A Michener’s Space is such a complete work of fiction that it doesn’t just underscore the patriotic heroism of the Space Race. It also displays the media bias of the time towards pristine American heroes and the sad triumph of going to the Moon, only to turn away from science after the accomplishment.

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Spoiler Free Review

Mrs. Agent Palmer Reviews Sandi Toksvig’s Friends of Dorothy (and I helped)

I am familiar with Sandy Toksvig thanks to the popular British panel show QI (and its availability on this side of the pond thanks to YouTube). Sandy has been host of the long running show for many years, having taken over the position from actor and comedian Stephen Fry. 

I knew Sandy to be an actor and comedian herself but had not been aware she was an accomplished author as well, of both fiction and nonfiction. I found this out after my husband and I watched a cooking show interview she did in which she promoted her (then) upcoming novel, Friends of Dorothy.

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Middle American culture clash on full display in Vietnam era Friendly Fire

I don’t know if I should be amused, bemused, or depressed now that I’ve finished reading Friendly Fire by C.D.B. Byran. The death of any young person is a tragedy, in war or peace. But the story of Michael Mullen, his death and the plight and anguish of his parents, as well as that of a nation unsure of itself, is the broader stroke of the book.  As the inside dust jacket reads: “Michael was to have been the fifth…

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Despite time gap, Brand Gap still holds relevant marketing truths

Marty Neumeier attempts to bridge “The Brand Gap,” but does he succeed? Two decades on from its publishing, I think there is more in The Brand Gap that is still relevant than some of the more dated material that’s just fun to reminisce as you read.

The book attempts to explain and educate the reader on “How to bridge the distances between business strategy and design.” And if that subtitle and the book title doesn’t clue you in, he is talking about brand value and how to raise it.

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