Book Bombardment 4

---Comet--- Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan

First off, a confession. I had not read anything by Sagan until last year, when I got a used copy of the large-format illustrated Cosmos. I now count that book among the best I have ever read. I honestly believe every living person should read it. Now, with that said, I just recently got a used copy (same large-format, illustrated) of Comet, also by Sagan and co-authored by his wife Ann Druyan. Comet is a very interesting book. I didn't think I'd like it at first, and thought 'Is there even enough to write about comets to fill a book this size?'. The answer is yes! We start in early history, and learn about the long traditon of viewing comets as 'bad omens', especially for those in power. Later of course, it is determined that comets are really more like 'dirty snowballs' than any kind of magical or divine item. Anyway, definately recommended, although I think Cosmos is better. If you loved Cosmos, check this one out as well. If you didn't love Cosmos, go away.

Book Bombardment 3

---The E-Bomb--- Doug Beason

Directed Energy Weapons. DEW. Yup. Lasers and all that. Doug Beason is a 'Director of Threat Reduction' at Los Alamos National Lab. He is a strong supporter of many of the projects discussed in the book. Including the AirBorne Laser and the Active Denial System . I am not a laser scientist, but I can't see how any chemical laser like the ABL or the MTHEL could possibly be made 'battle hardened'. They just seem a really inefficient and huge. I know they are still in development, but still. Cycle time and laser fuel is a serious issue too. Who knows. I hope they are never used, and hope they are never needed. Keep the beam weapons in Gundam.

Book Bombardment 2

---Gearheads--- Brad Stone
So, what we have here is a history of robot combat. He details a bit about Survival Research Labs and teh early guys doing independent robot battles, as well as various events at colleges and SF conventions. Later of course we have the Robot Wars and Battlebots 'official' events. There were UK versions as well. Anyhow, a good look at how the robotic combat scene (at least as a televised/promoted event) came and went, due largely to personal conflicts and pettiness. Sad.

Inaugural 'Mechatastrophe Book Bombardment'

Hello folks, and welcome to the first of (hopefully) many Mechatastrophe Book Bombardments. In these entries, I will display and comment on books I have either read recnetly, or personal favorites from the past. So, without any further delay. Let us begin...

---Breaking Ships--- Ronald Buerk
This is a fairly brief book, with many black and white photos throughout. It details the intentianl beaching and dismantling of the tanker 'Asian Tiger' in Bangladesh. The work of tearing apart a huge ship like a supertanker, to reuse the materials that make it up, is done almost entirely with hand tools. It is dirty, very dangerous and the pay is minuscule. Workers mostly come from teh counrtyside, where work is scarce and any income is more than they would likely get in thier village. It is a pretty interesting book, as well as a quick read.

Land Train Follow-up

Well folks, due to some input from my fellow #mahq user, Lalahsghost, I've been clued in to some info on the Land Train. For examnple, it was designed and built by the LeTourneau company. They are still in business, by the way. But the land train was only in use for 7 years, from 1955 to 1962. Anyway, just a short post, but here are informative links!

Info

More info

Request for information

Hello folks. I would like to request any information, the more specific the better, about the 'land train' that was used during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. I don't know anything about it except what it looks like. I have only managed to find two pictures of it on the net. One of which I remember also seeing in a book many years ago. Anyhow, any help would be appreciated. Please contact me via email:

deadtech1 [AT] yahoo [DOT] com