Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 1854

ReadingManiac · 12-14-2018, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm not sure it even counts as "Alternative History". Do we consider a detective story to be "Alternative History" simply because people with the stated names don't really exist?

I think 'Alternative History' is mostly used for Steampunk or SciFi that speculates on 'what if?' Like airships in Victorian times or what if Hitler won the war. The idea is some history gets changed.

haertig · 12-14-2018, 10:54 AM

There is Historical Fiction, there is Alternate History, and there is Science Fiction. These three and other genres I can't name at the moment all take you back in time. Sometimes it's obvious which genre fits a particular book, sometimes it's a more difficult call. My personal definition of Alternate History is a story about a major (and true) event in our history that went the other way (e.g., the Germans and Japanese winning WWII) and what all the changes in our world would be because of that switch. The Man in the High Castle seems to be a good example of what I'd call Alternate History, based on the blurbs I've read about this book (I haven't read it yet, but it's on my list).

HarryT · 12-14-2018, 01:35 PM

Note:

"Alternate" means "first one, then the other".
"Alternative" means "one of a set of possibilities".

It is thus "alternative history", not "alternate history".

HarryT · 12-14-2018, 02:18 PM

I've currently got two books on the go:

"Never Go Back", by Lee Child, the 18th book in the Jack Reacher series. About half way through and very enjoyable.

"The Epic of Gilgamesh", translated by Andrew George and published by Penguin Classics. An excellent edition of the ancient epic poem.

Dngrsone · 12-14-2018, 02:35 PM

I read J. A. Konrath's Shapeshifter's Anonymous, more of a novella than anything I suppose, and over-the-top silly in premise, but a fun enough quick read. Now reading Make Me by Lee Child

Fbone · 12-14-2018, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

Moving on to a freebie A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab.

This started out good but ended poorly. The writing and overall plot were enjoyable. However, as sometimes happens in fantasies, inconsistencies are created (intentionally or not) to add tension and/or thrills to the action. A magic skill works here but not there as if the character forgot. Or smart people act dumb after page 158. Frankly, it's annoying. Rated C [3 stars].

Next, another freebie, The Long Tomorrow by Leigh Brackett.

gmw · 12-14-2018, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Note:

"Alternate" means "first one, then the other".
"Alternative" means "one of a set of possibilities".

It is thus "alternative history", not "alternate history".

OED offers (under heading "B n. [the adj. used absol.] "): One who is appointed to act in place of a delegate who is unable to be present; a substitute. U.S.

ETA Almost missed it, OED also offers under the A heading: 8 = alternative a. 3. U.S. (goes to "the other (of two)").

Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster bother offer: constituting an alternative (eg: "took the alternate route home")

So it seems that in America, at least, "alternate history" might be deemed acceptable.

haertig · 12-14-2018, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Note:

"Alternate" means "first one, then the other".

That is one meaning of it. There are other meanings too (these can be found in any dictionary, or some variation of them):

"constituting an alternative"
"one that can take the place of another"
"alternative"
"serving or used in place of another"

So indeed, alternate can serve as an alternate for alternative.

Our pronunciation of the word also supports the meaning we intend:

"al-ter-nāt history" doesn't make much sense.
But "al-ter-nĭt history" does.

HarryT · 12-15-2018, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haertig

Our pronunciation of the word also supports the meaning we intend:

"al-ter-nāt history" doesn't make much sense.
But "al-ter-nĭt history" does.

We alter the pronunciation in the same way in British English, but here (to the best of my knowledge, at least), when "alternate" is used in the latter way the meaning is "a choice from precisely two", whereas "alternative" is "a choice from many".

So this appears to be a difference between British and American English that I was previously unaware of, and I've learnt something new, which is always good

.

pdurrant · 12-15-2018, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Note:

"Alternate" means "first one, then the other".
"Alternative" means "one of a set of possibilities".

It is thus "alternative history", not "alternate history".

Not in North American English, where alternate as an adjective can have the same meaning as alternative.

Alternate History is the usual term.

(US English also uses alternate as a noun, meaning someone who acts as a substitute.)

HarryT · 12-15-2018, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Not in North American English, where alternate as an adjective can have the same meaning as alternative.

So I now learn

.

haertig · 12-15-2018, 11:51 AM

Differences in British and American word usage can get you into trouble. I have a friend named "Randall". He goes by the shortened version usually associated with this name ... "Randy". Here in the US, he would think nothing of walking up to a lady and saying, "Hi, I'm randy!" However, in the UK he would probably be slapped for saying that.

(Alternately, he might just get lucky and end up smiling in the end!)

issybird · 12-15-2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haertig

Differences in British and American word usage can get you into trouble. I have a friend named "Randall". He goes by the shortened version usually associated with this name ... "Randy". Here in the US, he would think nothing of walking up to a lady and saying, "Hi, I'm randy!" However, in the UK he would probably be slapped for saying that.

One of the great lines in a great episode:

Quote:

" 'Randy Giles?' Why not just call me 'Horny Giles,' or 'Desperate for a Shag Giles'?

pdurrant · 12-15-2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. My most recent purchase.

Which was an excellent fantasy. Most enjoyable.

And now for something completely different: Hide and Seek by Ian Rankin. The second of his Inspector Rebus novels.

MickeyC · 12-15-2018, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Which was an excellent fantasy. Most enjoyable.

And now for something completely different: Hide and Seek by Ian Rankin. The second of his Inspector Rebus novels.

I just finished Tooth and Nail by Rankin and, if you truly liked Hide and Seek, you’ll really like this one.

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12-14-2018, 10:54 AM	#27797
haertig Wizard Posts: 1,738 Karma: 26006874 Join Date: Sep 2017 Device: PW3, Fire HD8 Gen7, Moto G7, Sansa Clip v2, Ruizu X26	There is Historical Fiction, there is Alternate History, and there is Science Fiction. These three and other genres I can't name at the moment all take you back in time. Sometimes it's obvious which genre fits a particular book, sometimes it's a more difficult call. My personal definition of Alternate History is a story about a major (and true) event in our history that went the other way (e.g., the Germans and Japanese winning WWII) and what all the changes in our world would be because of that switch. The Man in the High Castle seems to be a good example of what I'd call Alternate History, based on the blurbs I've read about this book (I haven't read it yet, but it's on my list).

12-14-2018, 01:35 PM	#27798
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Note: "Alternate" means "first one, then the other". "Alternative" means "one of a set of possibilities". It is thus "alternative history", not "alternate history".

12-14-2018, 02:18 PM	#27799
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I've currently got two books on the go: "Never Go Back", by Lee Child, the 18th book in the Jack Reacher series. About half way through and very enjoyable. "The Epic of Gilgamesh", translated by Andrew George and published by Penguin Classics. An excellent edition of the ancient epic poem.

12-14-2018, 02:35 PM	#27800
Dngrsone Almost legible Posts: 1,457 Karma: 4611110 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: In a high desert, CA Device: Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Tab A (2017), Likebook P78	I read J. A. Konrath's Shapeshifter's Anonymous, more of a novella than anything I suppose, and over-the-top silly in premise, but a fun enough quick read. Now reading Make Me by Lee Child

12-15-2018, 11:51 AM	#27807
haertig Wizard Posts: 1,738 Karma: 26006874 Join Date: Sep 2017 Device: PW3, Fire HD8 Gen7, Moto G7, Sansa Clip v2, Ruizu X26	Differences in British and American word usage can get you into trouble. I have a friend named "Randall". He goes by the shortened version usually associated with this name ... "Randy". Here in the US, he would think nothing of walking up to a lady and saying, "Hi, I'm randy!" However, in the UK he would probably be slapped for saying that. (Alternately, he might just get lucky and end up smiling in the end!)

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