Tom Brady, with his six Super Bowl rings, is moving to Tampa, Florida. Buffalo Bills fans are celebrating Brady’s departure from the AFC East. For the past 20 years, Brady tormented the Bills by winning 32 games against them (the Bills only beat Brady and the Patriots 3 times in 20 years). Against the Bills, Brady completed 738 of 1154 passes (64%) for 8669 yards and 70 touchdowns with a QB rating of 98%.

Will the New England Patriots be as good a team without Tom Brady? Doubtful. Even though Brady is at the end of his career, obviously Tampa thinks Brady can still win games in the National Football League. What do you think of Tom Brady? What is your favorite NFL team doing during this Free Agency period? Are you going into Sports Withdrawal because of the coronavirus?

I’ve had a copy of Swords & Dark Magic on my shelf since it was published in 2010. Finally, I got around to reading it. Most of these themed collections tend to be uneven. I enjoyed Michael Shea’s “Hew the Tint Master.” It’s another Cugel the Clever pastiche based on Jack Vance’s character from The Dying Earth series. I enjoyed Tanith Lee’s snarky story, “Two Lions, a Witch, and the War-Robe.” Two heroes are sent on a quest with unsettling results. But my favorite story in this anthology is “In the Stacks” by Scott Lynch. Four students of magic face a test in returning books to a living Library of grimoires. Exciting and fun! If you’re in the mood for some sword and sorcery stories, Swords & Dark Magic delivers solid entertainment. GRADE: B
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
“Introduction: Check Your Dark Lord at the Door” – Lou Anders & Jonathan Strahan xi
“Goats of Glory” – Steven Erikson 1
“Tides Elba: A Tale of the Black Company” – Glen Cook 41
“Bloodsport” – Gene Wolfe 79
“The Singing Spear” – James Enge 97
“A Wizard of Wiscezan” – C.J. Cherryh 111
“A Rich Full Week” – K. J. Parker 147
“A Suitable Present for a Sorcerous Puppet” – Garth Nix 179
“Red Pearls: An Elric Story” – Michael Moorcock 197
“The Deification of Dal Bamore” – Tim Lebbon 253
“Dark Times at the Midnight Market” – Robert Silverberg 279
“The Undefiled” – Greg Keyes 307
“Hew the Tint Master” – Michael Shea 323
“In the Stacks” – Scott Lynch 363
“Two Lions, A Witch, and the War-Robe” – Tanith Lee 413
“The Sea Troll’s Daughter” – Caitlin R Kiernan 449
“Thieves of Daring” – Bill Willingham 481
“The Fool Jobs” – Joe Abercrombie 491
About the Editors 519

As I shelter-in-place, I figured I’d read some of the books I’ve been putting off for some time. Richmond Lattimore’s translation of Homer’s The Iliad (1951) weighs in at 517 pages. I had the Lattimore translation on my shelves for decades and I finally decided 2020 was the year to read it and the Willcock Companion volume keyed to the Lattimore translation. What better way to spend time while the coronavirus spreads across the world? I’m also including Malcolm M. Wllcock’s useful A Companion to the Iliad (1976) with its 293 pages. Many critics consider Lattimore’s translation of The Iliad to be the best. I have read several other translations of The Iliad: Robert Fagles’s 1990 translation, Stephen Mitchell’s 2011 translation, and Alexander Pope’s Iliad (it was announced in 1713 and the final volume was published in 1720).

The point that Lattimore makes in his brilliant Introduction to The Iliad of Homer is that this is a story about Achilles (the Greeks’s best fighter), not Troy. Achilles is the star although Odysseus plays a key role in the war. Most of the action revolves around Achilles and–to a lesser extent–Hector (the Trojan’s best fighter). And, of course the Greek gods play pivotal parts in the action with their choosing sides and using their powers to manipulate the proceedings. I enjoyed Lattimore’s translation. I learned a lot about Greek and Trojan weaponry from Willcock’s companion volume. And–surprise!–the Trojan Horse is never mentioned (although it is mentioned in The Odyssey). All in all, I’m glad I finally read this classic in what might be its best translation. Have you read The Iliad? What do you think of the story? GRADE: A (FOR BOTH BOOKS)

Magda Szabo was a Hungarian writer with a unique sensibility. This is on full display in The Door (1987) where a couple hire an eccentric woman to clean for them. The narrator is a writer and her husband is a professor. The cleaning woman, Emerence, is a “peasant.” Her housekeeping skills are wondrous. But friction between the writer and Emerence increases over time. Part of this story concerns class structures and individuality. Another part deals with secrets and truths…and fictions. If you’re in the mood for a challenging novel, just open The Door. GRADE: B+

As we hunker down to wait out the coronavirus outbreak, Diane and I are battling the urge to eat, eat, eat. Fortunately, Mark Bittman (author of HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING and Dr. Katz (founder of the True Health Initiative) supply some correctives with their new book, How to Eat. Bittman and Katz review the pluses and minuses of current diets: Mediterranean, Veganism, Paleo, DASH, Keto, and others. Then, based on the latest research, Bittman and Katz recommend a sensible approach to eating in healthy ways. I especially liked the sections on inflammation, antioxidants, fake meat, and vitamins/supplements. If you’re trying to cope with eating in the Time of Coronavirus, How to Eat provides a lot of answers. What are your favorite foods? I’m dealing with my chocolate ice cream addiction. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction: Science, sense, and Mashed Banana vii
QUESTIONING THE QUESTIONS (Why do we even need to ask how to eat?) 1
How Did We Get Here? 3
ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS (All about eating and health–a multi-course Q&A) 9
What is the Best Diet? 11
On Weight Loss 20
Specific Diets: 35
The Mediterranean Diet 35
Veganism and Part-Time Veganism 40
Intermittent Fasting 48
Paleo Diets 52
The DASH Diet 58
Anti-inflammatory Diets 61
The Low-FODMAP Diet 63
The Keto Diet 66
The Whole30 70
Diet Patterns and Lifestyle 71
When Should I Eat? 71
On Variety 74
Snacking 77
Eating Local 79
Foods and Ingredients: 82
Fruits and Vegetables 85
Whole Grains 90
Beans 96
Dairy 101
Meat 111
Fake Meat 119
Fish 120
Cooking Oils 123
Superfoods 138
Drinks 140
Nutrition 101: Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Body Responses: 150
Protein 151
Carbohydrates 155
Fat 160
Cholesterol 164
Inflammation 168
Sugar 171
Salt 179
Antioxidants 182
Vitamins and Supplements 184
The Microbiome 189
QUESTIONING THE ANSWERS (On science and sense, or, how we know what we know) 195
On Research 197
The Forest versus the Trees 201
Research Methods: On Site Does Not Fit All 208
Conclusion 221
Select Source Material 223
Index 231

Today, Diane and I planned to drive into Buffalo to watch the performance of Hello Dolly! at the Shea’s Performing Arts Center. But Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York State has banned all events with 500 people which effectively cancelled Hello Dolly! because of the coronavirus. Both of us have seen the movie version of Hello Dolly. But, this musical version had been garnering good reviews so we’re missing a good performance by Broadway veteran Carolee Carmello. Many of our friends have retreated into “self-quarantine” mode until the coronavirus outbreak gets resolved. How are you dealing with the coronavirus? What do you think of Hello Dolly!?

The Editors of Rotten Tomatoes, the movie review web site, published this compendium of reviews of “Rotten Movies” (movies with a 59% or less rating) to spark further analysis and debate. I haven’t seen all these movies (my best guess is I’ve see maybe 25%) but some of the ratings (in percentages) of the movies I have seen seem a bit low. For example, I liked Buffy the Vampire Slayer better than the critics. The same with Die Hard: With a Vengeance. These were not great movies, but I found them fun and entertaining. How many of these “Rotten Movies” have you seen? Do you think any of them should be rated higher? Rotten Movies We All Love is a browser’s delight! GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Forward by Paul Feig — x
INTRODUCTION by Joel Meares, Editor-In-Chief, ROTTEN TOMATOES — xiii
People’s choice : box office slayers and household names — 1
Every Which Way But Loose (1978) 37% — 2
Problem Child (1990) 0% — 4
Book Club (2018) 54% — 5
Cocktail (1988) 5% — 6
Hocus Pocus (1993) 33% — 8
The Holiday (2006) 48% — 10
Bad Boys (1995) 42% — 12
Stepmom (1998) 45% — 13
Space Jam (1996) 43% –14
I, Robot (2004) 56% — 16
Hello, Dolly! (1969) 43% — 18
CRITIC ESSAY by Monica Castillo: Maleficent 92014) 54% — 21
The First Wives Club (1996) 49% — 24
The ‘Burbs (1989) 53% — 26
Teen Wolf (1985) 44% — 28
Twins (1988) 44% — 29
Young Guns (1988) 41% — 30
San Andreas (2015) 51% — 32
CRITIC ESSAY by Kristen Lopez: The Greatest Showman (2017) 55% — 35
So bad they’re good : incomparably weird sci-fi and fantasy — 39
Cherry 2000 (1987) 40% — 40
I Come in Peace (Dark Angel) (1990) 31% — 42
Zardoz (1974) 50% — 44
The Lord of the Rings (1978) 50% — 46
Robot Monster 36% — 47
Masters of the Universe (1987) 17% — 50
CRITIC ESSAY by Leonard Martin: Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla (1952) 29% — 53
INFORGRAPHIC: 1994: The Rottenest Year Ever — 56
Not their best work (or so they said) : rare rottens from big-name fresh directors — 59
The Wiz (1978) 44% — 60
A Chorus Line 40% — 62
Hook (1991) 26% — 64
CRITIC ESSAY by Jessica Kiang: The Portrait of a Lady (1996) 45% — 67
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) (2004) 56% — 70
Willow (1988) 50% — 72
Marie Antoinette (2006) 56% — 74
Legend (1985) 36% — 75
CRITIC ESSAY by K. Austin Collins: Miami Vice (2006) 46% — 77
Cult leaders : hard to love for many, loved very hard by some — 81
Wet Hot American Summer (2001) 36% — 82
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) 39% — 84
CRITIC ESSAY by Nathan Rabin: MacGruber (2010) 48% — 87
Valley of the Dolls (1967) 33% — 90
Death Becomes Her (1992) 52% — 92
Xanadu (1980) 24% — 93
CRITIC ESSAY by Eric Kohn: Gummo (1997) 35% — 95
The Last Dragon (1985) 59% — 98
Empire Records (1995) 29% –99
Burlesque (2010) 36% — 100
CRITIC ESSAY by Terri White: The Craft (1996) 57% — 103
Mars Attacks! (1996) 53% — 106
The Cell (2000) 45% — 108
Mommie Dearest (3981) 50% — 110
INFOGRAPHIC: ROTTEN HALL OF FAME — 112
Ahead of their time : oh, now we get it — 115
The Strangers (2008) 48% — 116
The Trip (1967) 36% — 118
CRITIC ESSAY by Bilge Eribi: Event Horizon (2007) 53% — 121
Jennifer’s Body (2009) 44% — 124
The Frisco Kid (1979) 50% — 125
The Cable Guy (1996) 53% — 126
Ishtar (1987) 38% –128
CRITIC ESSAY by David Stratton: Across the Universe (2007) 53% — 131
The Watcher in the Woods (1980) 48% — 134
In the Cut (2003) 33% — 136
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) 35% — 137
Harlem Nights (1989) 21% –138
CRITIC ESSAY by David Fear: The Way of the Gun (2000) 45% — 141
Practical Magic (1998) 21% — 144
American Dreams (2006) 38% — 145
Blade (1998) 54% — 146
Sequels worth a second look : follow-ups that recaptured the magic–or made strange magic of their own — 149
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) 32% — 150
Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) 35% — 152
CRITIC ESSAY by Amy Nicholson: Rocky IV (1985) 40% — 155
Dracula’s Daughter (1936) 55% — 158
Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) 52% — 159
Grease 2 (1982) 38% — 160
Scream 3 (2000) 39% — 161
Return to Oz (1985) 52% — 162
CRITIC ESSAY by Candice Frederick: Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) 29% — 165
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) 38% — 168
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) 38% — 170
Jurassic Park III (2001) 49% — 172
INFOGRAPHIC: SPLAT STATS — 174
Basic instincts : just because they make us laugh, scream, and pump our fists — 177
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) 40% — 178
Faster (2010) 42% — 180
Bloodsport (1988) 39% — 181
CRITIC ESSAY by Joshua Rothkopf: Step Brothers (2008) 55% — 183
See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) 28% — 186
Hot Rod (2007) 39% –187
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) 31% — 188
Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964) 43% — 189
Orca–The Killer Whale (1977) 7% — 190
Tango & Cash (1989) 31% — 191
CRITIC ESSAY by April Wolfe: Dr. Giggles (1992) 17% — 193
The Amityville Horror (1979) 29% — 196
Police Academy (1984) 54% — 198
Three Amigos! (1986) 46% — 199
Reign of Fire (2002) 42% — 200
Clash of the Titans (2010) 27% — 201
CRITIC ESSAY by Jen Yamato: Road House (1989) 38% — 203
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) 42% — 206
Zombi 2 (1980) 42% — 206
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) 42% — 209
Over the Top (1987) 27% — 210
Billy Madison (1995) 40% — 212
Clifford (1994) 10% — 213
GLOSSARY — 214
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS — 215
INDEX — 216
ABOUT ROTTEN TOMATOES — 224
CONTRIBUTORS — 224

PS Publishing has collected four of Matthew Hughes’s short novels into a nice paperback edition called Forays of a Fat Man. The fat man in question is Luff Imbry, a master thief, forger, and confidence man who resides in a faux-Dying Earth future similar to Jack Vance’s Old Earth. Each of the adventures in this book take Luff Imbry to exotic locales and sinister dangers. I own the original editions of these stories, but they are now out-of-print and very expensive. This paperback edition deserves to be enjoyed by fans of Hughes and Vance. Quartet and Triptych involves a living maze with deadly protectors. The Yellow Cabochan presents Luff Imbry with an opportunity to secure a fortune (you can read my review here.)  Check out my reviews of Of Whimsies and Noubles here, and Epiphanies here. Entertaining and fun! GRADE: B+ (for all four stories)
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction — vii
Quartet and Triptych — 3
The Yellow Cabochan — 79
Of Whimsies and Noubles — 151
Epiphanies — 221

I was standing in line at the Circulation Desk to check out some books at the Library. The woman ahead of me had an armful of Robert Parker’s Spenser novels. “I’m rereading the Spensers in order,” she confided to me. We chatted and I mentioned I’d just finished reading a Jack Reacher novel. She said, “Have you read the Peter Ash series? They’re better than Jack Reacher!” So, of course, I tracked down a copy of the first book in the Peter Ash series, The Drifter and read it in a day. Yes, there are some similarities between Peter Ash and Jack Reacher. Both have military backgrounds. Reacher was a military cop, Ash was a Marine with deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The differences between Ash and Reacher are more mental than physical. Ash has Post-Tramatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD) which causes him to react whenever he’s inside a building or any enclosure. So Ash sleeps outside (mostly in his truck) and works outside as a handy-man. When Ash’s best friend commits suicide in Milwaukee, Ash travels to the city to try to help his friend’s wife and kids. Things go to a different level when Ash finds a suitcase with $400,000 in it while he’s fixing his dead friend’s wife’s porch. The suitcase also has some plastic explosives in it, too.

Like a Jack Reacher novel, once things get rolling it’s action, violence, and mayhem that keep the pages turning. I need to read the other Peter Ash novels before I can weigh in on whether Ash is better than Reacher. But the competition–so far–is a close one! GRADE: B+
PETER ASH SERIES:
The Drifter (2016)
Burning Bright (2017)
Light It Up (2018)
Tear It Down (2019)
The Wild One (2020)