Last Light

Discussion of books relating to oil, sustainability and everything else talked about here.

Moderator: Peak Moderation

Post Reply
Eternal Sunshine
Posts: 776
Joined: 08 Aug 2007, 13:52
Location: Preston, Lancashire
Contact:

Post by Eternal Sunshine »

alexscarrow wrote:....would you be prepared to lend it to a friend?
Yes I've already suggested it to someone at work. Also my OH has introduced the PO idea to a few of his friends at the w/e. As it's actually his book I should give him the opportunity to lend it to some of them 1st. :)
Last edited by Eternal Sunshine on 23 Jan 2008, 17:52, edited 1 time in total.
Set The Fire To The Third Bar

http://www.srtt.co.uk/
User avatar
Kentucky Fried Panda
Posts: 1743
Joined: 06 Apr 2007, 13:50
Location: NW Engerland

Post by Kentucky Fried Panda »

I started this thread, but still haven't read the book.
If somebody thinks of me as a friend plz PM me and we'll swop books...
User avatar
Erik
Posts: 1544
Joined: 21 Sep 2006, 17:17
Location: Spain

Post by Erik »

Alex - Any chance of getting the book published in Spanish?
"If we don't change our direction, we are likely to wind up where we are headed" (Chinese Proverb)
alexscarrow
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 May 2007, 07:59

Post by alexscarrow »

There's a Spanish publisher interested in buying the rights, so hopefully soon it'll be available in Spanish.
User avatar
Erik
Posts: 1544
Joined: 21 Sep 2006, 17:17
Location: Spain

Post by Erik »

alexscarrow wrote:There's a Spanish publisher interested in buying the rights, so hopefully soon it'll be available in Spanish.
Great. I've just sent you a PM by the way.
"If we don't change our direction, we are likely to wind up where we are headed" (Chinese Proverb)
User avatar
Kentucky Fried Panda
Posts: 1743
Joined: 06 Apr 2007, 13:50
Location: NW Engerland

Post by Kentucky Fried Panda »

I just finished it.

I hate to say this, but I didn't like it at all.

That is all.
alexscarrow
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 May 2007, 07:59

Post by alexscarrow »

Hi Haggis,

That's fair enough...I'd be a naieve writer if I thought I could float everyone's boat.

I am interested though, in hearing what it was that really didn't work for you - you know, out of professional curiosity.
User avatar
Mean Mr Mustard
Posts: 1555
Joined: 31 Dec 2006, 12:14
Location: Cambridgeshire

Post by Mean Mr Mustard »

Alex,

You convinced my friend... :shock:

http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/forum/vie ... php?t=6503

Haggis,

Can I buy your copy? :D
1855 Advertisement for Kier's Rock Oil -
"Hurry, before this wonderful product is depleted from Nature’s laboratory."

The Future's so Bright, I gotta wear Night Vision Goggles...
alexscarrow
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 May 2007, 07:59

Post by alexscarrow »

I imagine your friend looking somewhat haunted as he discussed PO and Last Light. The book was designed to really scare the crap out of you (particularly PO newbies).

I know some PO hardcore types think that's the wrong approach, that it scare-tactics diminish PO credibility....but I think we're running out of time to use reasoned debate; the uneducated herd now need to be spooked into addressing energy security.

Anyway...will you thank your friend for giving it some word-of-mouth?
User avatar
Kentucky Fried Panda
Posts: 1743
Joined: 06 Apr 2007, 13:50
Location: NW Engerland

Post by Kentucky Fried Panda »

Mean Mr Mustard wrote: Haggis,

Can I buy your copy? :D
I got it from Sally in a book swap, whatcha got in way of trade?
User avatar
Kentucky Fried Panda
Posts: 1743
Joined: 06 Apr 2007, 13:50
Location: NW Engerland

Post by Kentucky Fried Panda »

alexscarrow wrote:Hi Haggis,

That's fair enough...I'd be a naieve writer if I thought I could float everyone's boat.

I am interested though, in hearing what it was that really didn't work for you - you know, out of professional curiosity.
Alex, it was mostly parts with the military and firearms, I wasn't convinced. The main characters I just couldn't sympathise with, I was hoping they'd have all been killed before I was half way through. Sadly, this wasn't the case.

I should point out that I once threw a book across the room for suggesting that a Glock had a safety catch...
User avatar
Mean Mr Mustard
Posts: 1555
Joined: 31 Dec 2006, 12:14
Location: Cambridgeshire

Post by Mean Mr Mustard »

Haggis wrote:
Mean Mr Mustard wrote: Haggis,

Can I buy your copy? :D
I got it from Sally in a book swap, whatcha got in way of trade?
Er, how about some rapidly devaluing ? fiat currency? :?
1855 Advertisement for Kier's Rock Oil -
"Hurry, before this wonderful product is depleted from Nature’s laboratory."

The Future's so Bright, I gotta wear Night Vision Goggles...
User avatar
Mean Mr Mustard
Posts: 1555
Joined: 31 Dec 2006, 12:14
Location: Cambridgeshire

Post by Mean Mr Mustard »

Well, I used my devaluing fiat currency based credit card to buy my very own copy at DODGY TAX AVOIDERS, while the postal network was still intact.

Read it from start to finish today.

A couple of typos in the text, and a few minor military niggles like 'Hercules C-130' (other way round), and a Lance Corporal doesn't have stripes plural. Just a single stripe for the 'umble Lancejack!

Especially liked the more plausible descriptions, like the sudden collapse supermarket panic, and the idea of a peak oiler drifting apart from his family.

But the cool hitman, well, I'm not so sure. Maybe there would have been more mileage in dealing with the scary collapse without introducing a weird conspiracy on top.

In all, I enjoyed it, think it would make a good two or three episode late night TV drama.
1855 Advertisement for Kier's Rock Oil -
"Hurry, before this wonderful product is depleted from Nature’s laboratory."

The Future's so Bright, I gotta wear Night Vision Goggles...
alexscarrow
Posts: 50
Joined: 21 May 2007, 07:59

Post by alexscarrow »

Hello there Mr Mustard,

glad you enjoyed it.

Yes...the thriller-esque conspiracy thread was something I umm-ed and ahhh-ed about. Without it, the novel would probably have appealed less to the market outside of a specific interest in PO. So...it was the sugared pill to bring them into the tale.

I'm working on a sequel right now....there's really no need for traditional thriller plot devices in this one. There's more than enough going on :-)
User avatar
Mean Mr Mustard
Posts: 1555
Joined: 31 Dec 2006, 12:14
Location: Cambridgeshire

Post by Mean Mr Mustard »

Would the sequel be more like Jim Kunstler's World Made By Hand? Everyday story of simplified living? Reading that at the moment - it reads more like a Western with some wry observations thrown in.

I liked your notion of the re-enactment societies (Sealed Knot etc) being a source of post-oil living expertise.
1855 Advertisement for Kier's Rock Oil -
"Hurry, before this wonderful product is depleted from Nature’s laboratory."

The Future's so Bright, I gotta wear Night Vision Goggles...
Post Reply