State of the Blog Address, Quarter 2

      With the first quarter blog and The Green Glass Sea out of the way, we now can look to the future, with The Ship Breaker. Before we move on though I can't right out and say that the blog was fine, I personally felt that while much effort went into certain areas, some other places were lacking. For example, certain blog entries had been overlooked in favor for others. My goal for this blog is to learn about the subject matter, of blogging, and provide an interesting and opinionated view on what I am reviewing. So for this quarter in blogging I plan to spend more time developing my blog.

     Now while blogging still feels a tad bit like work, I have begun to take a liking to it, I for one tire of all the analytical reviews of the past.

    So with all the cheesy guff out of the way lets move on to my new book for this quarter, Ship Breaker. Now I've only managed to get a quick peak at the book, but it looks rather interesting, as far as I can tell it's the story of a boy living in a dystopian society that happens to be on an island. Now no offense to Ellen Klages, but the book I read last quarter isn't something I'd read over summer, personally I feel books should hold ones attention via good plot interspersed with action and suspense with down to earth and interesting characters. I felt that The Green Glass Sea was lacking in the action and suspense departments, while Ship Breaker looks to be very dependant on those.

Peer Review

1.) Around the World in 20 pictures.. get it? HaHa
Heya Brandon, twas checking out your blog and this instantly caught my eye. The obvious humor is obvious as are the many memes. Now I've never read 'Around the World in 80 Days' and before this point never cared to, yet your clever choice of pictures has really got me intrigued. I also like how you provided a nice little plot synopsis via the pictures, and I dare say that I'd much rather read the book as depicted by your pictures and captions. Bravo man, consider me hooked.

Animoto- Green Glass Sea

This is my second time of uploading this, and I have noticed that a few pictures were cut off. The end result still carries the point across, but I can't help but wish for a better media editor.

Classical Connections

Link to 'Big Elegy to John Cage'



Whilst listening to this piece, the emotions conveyed by the music hit me instantly. The song attempts to be light hearted but is held back by a longing sadness. These are the same emotions I imagined Dewey Kerrigan to be experiencing in quite a few portions of the book. Now many people can relate to some of the problems Dewey goes through, such as bullying and loneliness, then things take a turn for the worst with her father's death. Thankfully, by her side is her new friend Suze. While the future for Dewey is uncertain with no family to take her in, yet hope always remains.

A picture is a thousand words, this blog post contains over 20,000 words

The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages

The book's title has a literal meaning to it.

WWII, the bloodiest conflict mankind has ever known.

 

Advertisements like these were everywhere, and played a large role in getting public support.

Most of these characters should be recognizable.

Comics like these were very common at the time.

The threat of war lingered everywhere.

Propaganda existed on both sides.

Los Alamos, the main center of the Manhattan Project

The project was rather secretive.

The inventors of the atomic bomb included men just like these.

Production of the 'Gadget', the first nuclear bomb developed.

Project Trinity, the test of the Gadget

What the effects of an atomic bomb look like from the atmosphere, this bomb being the one dropped on Hiroshima.

The sight of something this powerful inspired both awe and apprehension.

The nuclear bomb, the symbol of doom and destruction.

 

Vlog to the Blog

    In this episode Nick talks about the 'Green Glass Sea', and how it reminds him of other books set in the same time period.

Understanding 'The Green Glass Sea'

Official Website

This page is a good place to start if you are interested in reading 'The Green Glass Sea'. It is maintained by Ellen Klages, the book's author. On the site you can find a brief book description and a variety of links pertaining to the book.


Daily Life during WW2

The website features plenty of pictures and advertisements to help explain what went on in the lives of those not directly involved in the war. It also provides plenty of links to relevant topics. This site is very handy when wanting to learn about WWII.


Music during WW2

You want to learn about the kind of music that was popular during the time, well here you go. Apparently to keep national spirits up, jazz became very popular for its uplifting tunes.




Childhood during WW2

If life during WW2 wasn't tough enough, childhood during the time certainly took the cake. This site describes how difficult life was for children in other countries.


Propaganda during WW2

When you're in war your best bet to win it is to make sure everyone is on your side. In a democratic society like ours this is especially important, both soldiers and civilians should be focused on winning the war. To achieve this, fear and anger towards the enemy was created via propaganda- featured in posters and comics. To get a full comprehension, take a look at the site.


Life during WW2

For the many who weren't openly involved with the fighting, life went on. In the America that was just recently stricken with a Great Depression, there was a great sense of national pride, created by the propaganda. For once one didn't do good things just to be a good smaritan, but because everyone expected you to.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

He was president at a vunerable time in our nation's history, with the country still dealing with the affects of the depression and war at hand.

Roosevelt's Death in Office

Roosevelt was loved, and his death hit many. With the end of the war in sight, his death was an unexpected turn for the worse.

Holocaust

WW2 had the most deaths of every war mankind has experienced, unlike many wars before it, most deaths were civilian. To fully understand why, and how WW2 is regarded as the bloodiest conflict of all time just take a look.

Manhattan Project

This is the site to see if you want to learn more about the Manhattan Project. The site is short and sweet, detailing main points, providing links to related sites, and explains some of the controversy behind dropping the bombs in Japan.

Different Designs of the Atomic Bomb

The atomic bomb was the solution to the war, whoever built it first won the war. It was a very important if secretive topic during the time. As well the base where Dewey resides happens to be the one to create it.


Just about everything about the Atomic Bomb

If you want more information about the atomic bomb, this is the place to go. With plenty of links, and modern info on who currently has access to them. Here is the ultimate guide to the bomb.


Project Trinity

This site describes some of the backstory and the process involved in project Trinity, the first test of a nuclear bomb. Also provided are plenty of pictures of the construction and later detonation of the bomb.

The First Atomic Bomb Blast

This site also describes Project Trinity, yet in a more professional format. There is a lot of detail on the people involved in the project, and some rather famous quotes.

Trinitite, the result of Project Trinity

This is just a flavor site pertaining to the odder side of Project Trinity. The effects of the detonation melted all the sand in the area it was tested in, and created an odd greenish glass.

What is Nuclear Fission?

I've told you about the bombs, and how powerful they are. Now this site explains the science behind how a nuclear bomb works.