Back in 1966, I bought a copy of John Norman’s Tarnsman of Gor and was transported into a world very similar to Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom. This “Counter-Earth” is on the other side of the Sun and is ruled by the insectoid Priest-Kings, an alien race with advanced technology. “John Noman” is the pseudonym of John Lange, a college professor, who has written 30 novels in the Gor series. The early books followed the pattern set in Tarnsman of Gor, but the later books focused on S&M sex and philosophical issues (not surprising since the author teaches Philosophy). I found the later books in the Gor series a bit tedious, but the first four or five books in the series deliver all the action and adventure you could ever want!
* 1 Tarnsman of Gor (1966) ISBN 0-345-27583-7
* 2 Outlaw of Gor (1967) ISBN 0-345-27136-X
* 3 Priest-Kings of Gor (1968) ISBN 0-7592-0036-X
* 4 Nomads of Gor (1969) ISBN 0-75925-445-1
* 5 Assassin of Gor (1970) ISBN 0-75920-091-2
* 6 Raiders of Gor (1971) ISBN 0-75920-153-6
* 7 Captive of Gor (1972) ISBN 0-75920-105-6
* 8 Hunters of Gor (1974) ISBN 0-75920-130-7
* 9 Marauders of Gor (1975) ISBN 0-75920-141-2
* 10 Tribesmen of Gor (1976) ISBN 0-75925-446-X
* 11 Slave Girl of Gor (1977) ISBN 0-75920-454-3
* 12 Beasts of Gor (1978) ISBN 0-75921-125-6
* 13 Explorers of Gor (1979) ISBN 0-75921-167-1
* 14 Fighting Slave of Gor (1980) ISBN 0-75921-173-6
* 15 Rogue of Gor (1981) ISBN 0-75921-179-5
* 16 Guardsman of Gor (1981) ISBN 0-75921-368-2
* 17 Savages of Gor (1982) ISBN 0-75921-374-7
* 18 Blood Brothers of Gor (1982) ISBN 0-75921-380-1
* 19 Kajira of Gor (1983) ISBN 0-75921-926-5
* 20 Players of Gor (1984) ISBN 0-75921-932-X
* 21 Mercenaries of Gor (1985) ISBN 0-75921-944-3
* 22 Dancer of Gor (1985) ISBN 0-75921-950-8
* 23 Renegades of Gor (1986) ISBN 0-75921-956-7
* 24 Vagabonds of Gor (1987) ISBN 0-75921-980-X
* 25 Magicians of Gor (1988) ISBN 0-75921-986-9
* 26 Witness of Gor (2001) ISBN 0-7592-4235-6
* 27 Prize of Gor (2008) ISBN 0-7592-4580-0
* 28 Kur of Gor (2009) ISBN 0-7592-4580-0
* 29 Swordsmen of Gor (2010) ISBN 1-6175-6040-5
* 30 Mariners of Gor (2011) [to be published]

I’m almost done with all my grading. All that I need to do now is to input 200+ FINAL GRADES into our online grading system (and not make any mistakes!). Meanwhile, what I really want to do is to read escapist fiction. While I was proctoring my classes as they were taking their FINAL EXAMS, I read James Enge’s This Crooked Way. Yes, it has the obligatory dragon on the cover (and there are dragons in the book), but Enge’s story of Morlock, a sorcerer who is a Maker (kind of a magic engineer), and his adventures carried me through the day on wings of fantasy. This Crooked Way is the second book of a series. The first book, Blood of Ambrose isn’t very good and the third book, The Wolf Age suffers from bloat. But This Crooked Way, with its episodic format, is just right if you’re in the mood for magic and wonder. GRADE: B+

Back in the 1970s I discovered a record company that brought out instrumental “jazz” albums that I loved. I would buy any album CTI put into the record stores (remember them?). The CTI sound was the early form of “Smooth Jazz.” Many jazz artists found themselves in a losing competition with rock & roll performers. CTI smoothed out jazz, added some pop elements, and established jazz artists found this new music mix generated album sales. CTI is long gone, but SONY (who owns the CTI catalog) is reissuing these wonderful CDs, remixed and remastered, for CTI’s 4OTH Anniversary. CTI Records: The Cool Revolution is a sampler of the CDs that will be released in the months ahead. Forty years after I first listened to this great music, it’s back better than ever! GRADE: A
SET LIST:
Disc 1
1 Sugar / Stanley Turrentine 10:04
2 Moment’s Notice / Hubert Laws 6:57
3 So What / Ron Carter 11:24
4 Autumn Leaves / Chet Baker 7:05
5 Speed Ball / Stanley Turrentine 6:40
6 The Intrepid Fox / Freddie Hubbard 10:43
7 Ifrane / Randy Weston 5:16
8 Free as a Bird / Don Sebesky 8:14
9 So What / George Benson 9:11

Disc 2
1 Red Clay / Freddie Hubbard 12:09
2 It’s Too Late / Johnny Hammond 10:58
3 Home Is Where the Hatred Is / Esther Phillips 3:25
4 We Got a Good Thing Going / Hank Crawford 5:59
5 White Rabbit / George Benson 6:57
6 Fire and Rain / Hubert Laws 7:56
7 What a Difference a Day Makes / Esther Phillips 4:31
8 Follow Your Heart / Joe Farrell 6:52
9 Also Sprach Zarathustra / Deodato 2001 9:02
10 Mister Magic / Grover Washington Jr. 8:59

Disc 3
1 Stone Flower / Antonio Carlos Jobim 3:19
2 Ponteio / Astrud Gilberto 3:41
3 First Light / Freddie Hubbard 11:05
4 Salt Song / Stanley Turrentine 7:15
5 Pensativa / Hubert Laws 3:54
6 Tombo in 7/4 / Airto 6:24
7 Sunflower / Milt Jackson 8:48
8 Return to Forever / Airto 10:15
9 Wave / Paul Desmond 6:17
10 Carly & Carole / Deodato 3:40
11 Brazil / Antonio Carlos Jobim Alternate Take 5:25

Disc 4
1 My Funny Valentine / Gerry Mulligan 8:46
2 All Blues / Ron Carter 9:32
3 Song to a Seagull / Don Sebesky 5:49
4 Pavane / Hubert Laws 7:41
5 What’ll I Do / Chet Baker 3:58
6 Westchester Lady / Bob James 7:25
7 A Child Is Born / Kenny Burrell 8:39
8 Take Five / George Benson 7:09
9 Concierto de Aranjuez / Jim Hall 19:19

I realize this is the Holiday Season, but we mustn’t forget that global strategy never takes a holiday. Robert D. Kaplan’s eye-opening study of geo-political changes, Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power is a sobering look at a region that’s under most people’s radar. Yet, 90% of global commerce and 66% of all oil supplies travel by sea and much of it travels the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Part historical survey, part political analysis, part future forecast Monsoon makes sense out of a region that will grow in importance as China’s energy needs continue to grow. If you want to understand the power shifts fast approaching, you’ll find enlightenment in reading Monsoon. GRADE: A

Maybe it’s the stress of dealing with research papers, FINAL EXAMS, and the hideous end-of-semester stack of paperwork that caused me to retreat into the Marvel Universe to watch these 26 episodes of action adventures. For less than $20, this package provides 3 DVDs with over 10 hours of content including commentaries by the show’s creators. If you’re a fan of Wolverine and the rest of the X-Men (and women), you’ll find plenty to enjoy with this set. GRADE: A

The first half hour of The Tourist resembles a travelogue of Paris and Venice. Finally, after all the scenery, there’s some action and the plot lurches forward in fits and starts. The team who put this movie together seem more intent on making Angelina Jolie look a lot like Sophia Loren. Johnny Depp plays an understated role as a math teacher from Madison, Wisconsin who’s on vacation. There are holes in the plot you could drive an 18-wheeler through. Jolie and Depp have some good chemistry, but they aren’t given much to do. Wait to see this on cable or Netflix. GRADE: C+

When I heard Duffy’s Rockferry back in 2008, it became one of my favorite CDs of the year. Duffy’s amazing voice and the quality of the songs made me impatient for the next Duffy CD. Now, two years later, we have Endlessly. Given my high expectations, Endlessly comes off as a good, but not great, album. Sure, the songs are listenable. But none of them reach out and grab you like the songs on Rockferry. Fans of doo wop will enjoy “Too Hurt To Dance.” I was expecting more from Duffy. GRADE: B
SET LIST:
1 My Boy 3:27
2 Too Hurt to Dance 3:15
3 Keeping My Baby 2:49
4 Well Well Well 2:43
5 Don’t Forsake Me 4:01
6 Endlessly 2:58
7 Breath Away 4:12
8 Lovestruck 2:52
9 Girl 2:26
10 Hard for the Heart 4:58
11 Endlessly Bonus Track / Acoustic Version / Version 3:18