Two freebies at Baen

[banjomike]

Baen are giving away two more books:
http://www.baen.com/library/new.asp

They are:
http://www.webscription.net/p-748-caliphate.aspx
"Slavery is a part of Islam . . . Slavery is part of jihad, and jihad will remain as long there is Islam." —Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan, author of the religious textbook At-Tawhid ("Monotheism") and senior Saudi cleric.

and
http://www.webscription.net/p-614-a-...led-peace.aspx
Five centuries from now, on a remarkably Earthlike planet that is mankind's sole colony in space, religious fanatics called the "Salafi Ikhwan" have murdered the uncle of former colonel Patrick Hennessey. That was their first mistake, because uncle was rich and Hennessey was rather a good colonel. But they also murdered Hennessey's wife, Linda, and their three small children, and that was their worst mistake for she was the only restraint Hennessey had ever accepted.

Interesting choices.

[Apache]

Thanks. I have read both and have one already as an ebook. I will be getting the other.
Apache

[luqmaninbmore]

If someone had written a novel based on a future where Jews ruled the world and treated non-Jews as second class citizens and used out of context selections from the Tanakh and the Talmud, combined with the pronouncements rabid right wing Rabbis, to provide the novel a veneer of seaming verisimilitude, would we see fit to promote it? Criticism of the tenets of a religion is all well and good. History is of benefit. But this seems to be a smear in the guise of a novel. Would we all be curious to find out about the latest ebook edition of the Turner Diaries, for example? I'm rather disappointed in BAEN.

[C.S.]

Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore

If someone had written a novel based on a future where Jews ruled the world and treated non-Jews as second class citizens and used out of context selections from the Tanakh and the Talmud, combined with the pronouncements rabid right wing Rabbis, to provide the novel a veneer of seaming verisimilitude, would we see fit to promote it? Criticism of the tenets of a religion is all well and good. History is of benefit. But this seems to be a smear in the guise of a novel. Would we all be curious to find out about the latest ebook edition of the Turner Diaries, for example? I'm rather disappointed in BAEN.

I agree. The full description is even more shocking. How did something like this ever get published? It reeks of Islamiphobia running wild in the worst way.

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by C.S.

I agree. The full description is even more shocking. How did something like this ever get published? It reeks of Islamiphobia running wild in the worst way.

It got published because Col. Kratman has a fairly dedicated audience who are willing to pay Baen for the privilege of reading what he writes.

I've read "A Desert Called Peace," and it wasn't a bad read. I couldn't stomach more than a few pages of "Caliphate."

[jgaiser]

Unfortunately, Baen has got a reputation of publishing very right wing authors (see John Ringo). I love most of what they publish, but I've become very picky about what I purchase.

[Iphinome]

Baen beating a political horse? Must be a day that ends in y.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by C.S.

I agree. The full description is even more shocking. How did something like this ever get published? It reeks of Islamiphobia running wild in the worst way.

Because Baen have some extremely unpleasant right-wing xenophobes writing for them, and unfortunately there does seem to be an audience for this garbage.

[C.S.]

I had no idea Baen was so political.

What should I avoid from them?

I don't mind "right wing" philosophies if they're incorporated in a respectful manner. Everyone is entitled to their own worldview. But when someone's beliefs infringe on the rights of others, that's where I have a problem. The Caliphate, unfortunately, just sounds like xenophobic trash.

[HarryT]

The main authors to avoid are Messrs. Ringo and Kratman; you're pretty safe with everyone else. I should add that John Ringo's early stuff is excellent; it's only in recent years that his books have become ultra-right-wing political diatribes.

[Ravensknight]

Nothing wrong with a ultra-right-wing political diatribe now and then...

[Apache]

So you only read books that follow your personal political ideology? That seems boring.
I have no problem reading John Ringo's books, even the ultra right wing political diatribes. it doesn't mean I agree with them. I take what I like, want and need from books without having to believe in their messages.
Apache

[HarryT]

I choose not to read books which appear to have been written for no purpose other than to foment hatred and paranoia against certain religious or ethnic groups. Perhaps that does, as you say, seem boring, but that is my choice.

[AlexBell]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I choose not to read books which appear to have been written for no purpose other than to foment hatred and paranoia against certain religious or ethnic groups. Perhaps that does, as you say, seem boring, but that is my choice.

And mine, Harry, and mine. Bless you.

[C.S.]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I choose not to read books which appear to have been written for no purpose other than to foment hatred and paranoia against certain religious or ethnic groups. Perhaps that does, as you say, seem boring, but that is my choice.

If there was a "like" button on this board, I'd press it. I agree 100%.

I have no problems with a "right wing" viewpoint - or any other viewpoint different from my own - but if that's just going to be used as a vehicle to promote bigotry, no thank you.