Ghost of the White Nights (Ghost trilogy)

Book Description

L. E. Modesitt has gained a legion of devoted fans for his science fiction as well as for his epic fantasy novels, and Ghost of the White Nights is one of the best displays yet of his ability to blend dramatic, imaginative stories with rigorous social and scientific extrapolation. This is the concluding novel of the alternate-history adventure trilogy that Modesitt began with Of Tangible Ghosts and The Ghost of the Revelator. Doktor Johan Eschbach, Professor of Environmental Science and semi-retired secret agent, and his lovely wife the world-renowned singer Llysette, return for another adventure, this time in Russia. Their world is an intriguing alternate present in which many things are changed. What we know as the eastern United States is the nation of Columbia, and Russia is still ruled by the Romanovs. Johan had hoped for a quiet life of teaching. Llysette, a refugee from the burning remains of France, has put her time in the prison camps of the Hapsburg Empire behind her and successfully resumed her singing career. But the Columbian government cannot afford to waste their particular talents and calls upon them again. Llysette is being sent on a cultural exchange mission to St. Petersburg, where she will sing for the Tsar. Johan will, of course, accompany her, allowing him to work behind the scenes on the oil concession in Russian Alaska that Columbia so desperately needs. But even the oil shortage will fade to insignificance when Johan discovers what new weapons technology the Russians are developing, a threat even more fearsome than the atomic bombs of Austro-Hungary. AUTHORBIO: L. E. Modesitt, Jr., carries on the science fiction tradition of Gordon R. Dickson and Poul Anderson, hard-edged adventures with sophisticated social and political dimensions. Ghost of the White Nights is a powerfully imaginative addition to this tradition L. E. Mosesitt, Jr,. lives in Cedar City, Utah.

Customer Reviews:

ghost of the White Nights.......2005-12-30

A different book from the author. It was on the same level as his other books. It jumped around and followed several story lines until the end when it came together. Very good book if you are looking for something differnt from this author.

Who cares about the soup? The book's not bad at all........2005-10-11

If you start by reading the Publisher's Weekly review, you might prefer a poke in the eye with a sharp stick to reading Ghost of the White Nights, and that would be a mistake!

The concluding volume of the Columbia-Ghost trilogy is Modesitt's best volume in the series. It is well-paced, start to finish, it has some interesting plot twists, and the hero, Johan Eschbach, is at his finest.

Fans of the series will already understand the basic premise. Columbia, an alternate-world semi-USA faces the twin threats of chronic oil shortages and Austrian Emperor Ferdinand's plots to dominate the world. Eschbach, spy, professor, war hero, and good guy who wipes the dishes and makes a fair salad, must handle both issues.

This time, Eschbach must broker a deal with a creaky Romanov regime, trading technology for oil. There is plenty of intrigue, and Modesitt really has the Russian character-- proud, paranoid, but ultimately somehow likeable--down pat.

It is a shame that Eschbach's ahem--itchy-ahem French wife is still along for the ride, fussing about every bowl of soup, but if you can get past that, White Nights isn't bad at all. Some odd plot twists like having Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel appear in the alternate universe as an insidiously smarmy US Ambassador to Russia, are a lot of fun, too.

White Nights is a significant uptick on the previous volume, Ghost of the Revelator, which had almost nothing in it but the French wife crabbing about the chow!

Superior alt-hist political thriller. 4.5 stars.......2004-01-01

_________________________________________
Johan Eschbach, retired from an eventful career as a
naval aviator, Spazi agent, and cabinet minister, now
teaches environmental economics at Vanderbraak State
University in New Bruges (New Hampshire in OTL). He's married
to lyric soprano Llysette Du Boise, whose performance at Deseret's
Salt Palace (in Ghost of the Revelator), and the best-selling CD
recorded then, has made her reputation worldwide. Lysette is
invited to perform for the tzar in Moscow -- oh, and would Johan
undertake a bit of quiet diplomacy for Columbia with the Imperial
government, while he's there?

Not surprisingly, this 'quiet' diplomacy ends in violence, but does
lead, as hoped, to an oil concession for Columbian Dutch Petro in
Russian Alaska. The thriller part is well-done & fun, but the real
strength of the book is the continued development of Modesitt's
alternate world, and the closely-observed details of daily life in
Columbia, which shares North America with Quebec, Deseret and
New France -- and the world with Emperor Ferdinand's cruel and
aggressive Austrian (Hapsburg) empire.

White Nights is the conclusion of the Ghosts novels, per the dust
jacket, but I rather hope Modesitt decides to continue. I've become
fond of Johan, Lysette, New Bruges, the petty academic politics at
Vanderbraak State, the Stanley steamers, and the slow pace of life in
Columbia.

OTOH, Modesitt doesn't do well with long series...

Eschbach, Johan Eschbach.......2003-05-04

The third in Mr. Modesitt's "ghost" series is, as were the first two, set in an alternate universe in which ghosts and zombies are real, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Czars have survived to the late 1990s. And the United States--err, make that Columbia--was settled by the English and the Dutch and its territory consists of much of our universe's United States and Anglophone Canada. The Mormons, however, seem to have settled in their own land called Deseret. Huh? (Alt-hist purists may be upset, more than somewhat, to discover that Mr. Modesitt provides no turning point event to account for the divergence between this time line and our own, but the rest of us won't care all that much.)

Eshbach, environmental economist and sometime spy and his diva wife, Llysette, are sent, at government expense, to St. Petersburg where she will perform before the Czar, while Eschbach himself must negotiate some sort of oil deal with the Russians so that the Austro-Hungarians don't corner the world's oil supply, and of course there are plenty of bad guys around that do not wish for Eschbach to succeed. (Naturally, like any secret agent who has to save the world, he comes equipped with a few special gadgets that tilt the odds in his favor--and usually not a moment too soon at that.)

The book is smoothly written, urbane, and just plain fun. The few hours you'll spend in Mr. Modesitt's company will surely be worth your while. Try it even if you haven't read the first two in the series.

Great characterization, intriguing alternative history.......2001-12-03

Johan Eschbach is perfectly content with his life as a college Professor of Environmental Economics and the husband of Llysette, a classical singer. When his government calls both of them into service, Johan finds himself returning to a past that he had thought was long behind him--that of a spy and assassin.

In this powerful alternative history novel, Austria-Hungary, allied with Prussia/Germany, sits astride a conquered Europe with only Russia, Sweden, and the fading Ottoman Turks remaining to face it. With both conventional weapons and the ability to create zombie armies, Austria-Hungary is content to nibble away at its enemies. In America, Columbia (representing most of what is the United States and the maritime provinces of Canada in our reality) suffers under the energy blockade that Austria-Hungary now imposes. Under the cover of an artistic exchange, Johan is sent to Russia to negotiate oil leases in Russian Alaska.

Russia, still ruled by the Tsars, is a challenge to Johan. The rocket branch of the Russian military seems intent on foiling the oil deal despite the obvious benefits to all parties. Johan comes to suspect a threat to the entire world order--one that neither Russia nor Columbia is likely to survive. Yet what can one man do against the intrenched bureaucracy of a centuries-old state?

Author L. E. Modesitt, Jr. brings his emotionally compelling writing to a fascinating alternative history--one vaguely reminisent of Jules Verne, with its steam automobiles, dirigible travel, and its still-surviving Imperial heads of state, yet with a supernatural element of ghosts making their presence felt. Despite a few loose ends (what, exactly, was that bombing about), Modesitt delivers an exciting story with fully human characters. Johan, in particular, is wonderfully sympathetic as an aging college professor forced back into a way of life that he had thought behind him, now with the need to protect his wife as well as his country.

Fans of Modesitt's pure fantasy as well as alternative history buffs will enjoy GHOST OF THE WHITE NIGHTS.

Average customer rating:
2 HBs by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.: Ghost of the White Nights, The Elysium Commission
Jr. L. E. Modesitt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VEMNRI

Product Description

2 First Edition Hardbacks

GHOSTS AND THINGS: The Novel of the White Powder; The Night Doings at Deadman's; Running Wolf; The House; The Lovely House; The Music on the Hill; The Romance of Certain Old Clothes; Caterpillars; Markheim; The Ghost Ship; Phantas

Average customer rating:

GHOSTS AND THINGS: The Novel of the White Powder; The Night Doings at Deadman's; Running Wolf; The House; The Lovely House; The Music on the Hill; The Romance of Certain Old Clothes; Caterpillars; Markheim; The Ghost Ship; Phantas
Hal (editor) (Arthur Machen; Ambrose Bierce; Algernon Blackwood; Andre Maurois; Shirley Jackson; Saki; Henry James; E. F. Benson; Robert Louis Stevenson; Richard Middleton; Oliver Onions [George Oliver]) Cantor
Manufacturer: Berkley Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GVWEHU

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

The Angels: The Catholic Teaching on the Angels

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Another great book on Angels...
A clear understanding of Angels
Review from the Publisher
A worthwhile read

The Angels: The Catholic Teaching on the Angels
Pascal P. Parente
Manufacturer: T A N Books & Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0895555158

Book Description

The Church's traditional teaching about the Angels. From Sacred Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the Saints and official Church pronouncements - to bring together into one book just about everything that is known for sure about these blessed spirits. Fr. Parente explains the Angels' creation, their test, and the fall of Lucifer and his minions; then he explains the Angel's intelligence and fee will, their language, powers and movements; plus he explains how many there are, what they do and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Another great book on Angels..........2007-09-01

This is also a wonderful book on the Angels and how they relate to us in our lives, but more, it gives their history...their own creation, their test, their work in relation to the Church and the modern world.
I like the way Fr. Parente writes in a very easy to understand style, using Doctors of the Church (St. Thomas Aquinas, for one) to give a well-rounded and researched tome exactly what it needs to instruct the Faithful on the Angels and their work.
I highly recommend this book!

A clear understanding of Angels.......2005-11-22

This book was originally released under the title 'Beyond Space.' This book is a great textbook to learn about The Catholic Churches view on Angels. It is extremely well documented with footnotes and a bibliography. There is no new material added, but it would take you reading numerous books and articles to acquire what is presented in this book.

Father Parente covers the position of the Roman Catholic Church and quotes theologians on both sides of his position. In part 1 of the book the author covers the basic questions. Such as: what is an Angel and about their creation. How like us earthly beings, Angels have free will and went through their own probationary period at one time. The hierarchy of Angels is covered, as are their titles. I enjoyed the section on the subject of the three named Archangels that we know of.

Part two of the book covers our Guardian Angels and Angelopanies. I found this the most interesting section myself. That people are assigned a Guardian Angel at birth to be their guardian. And the role they have with leaders and nations. The three examples of documented manifestations were very interesting.

If you have any questions about Angels, just read this book.

Review from the Publisher.......2001-03-06

THE ANGELS--The Catholic Teaching on the Angels. Fr. Parente. (Formerly: Beyond Space). From Scripture, Fathers & Doctors of the Church, St.Thomas, official pronouncements, holy writers. Their creation, test, fall, nature, powers, duties, Saints who conversed with, 9 choirs, famous Angels, etc.

A worthwhile read.......2001-01-02

What first impressed me about this book was its clarity and brevity. What later impressed me was the depth of scholastic knowledge behind the positions that Fr. Parente advances.
He does not bring any new theories about angels to the table, nor does he swallow popular notions about angels whole. Simply, Fr. Parente restates the positions the Roman Catholic Church has taken on different aspects of angelic nature, while giving pertinent quotations from famous Christian thinkers.

Customer Reviews:

A Comprehensive Resource.......2004-11-01

This little book contains all of the most important prayers you will want to teach your Catholic child. Some of the classics included are Sign of the Cross, Glory Be, Grace before and after meals, Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostle's Creed, Morning and Event Prayers, Mysteries of the Rosary (lumnious not included), Stations of the Cross and much more.

The classic and beautiful illustrations that accompany the prayers are a true compliment to the message of hope, light and comfort these prayers convey. This little book is well worth the price and will be a special part of your child's Catholic library as they grow in their faith.

The New Testament (Little Angel (Regina Press))

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The New Testament (Little Angel (Regina Press))

Manufacturer: Regina Press Malhame & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Rosary (The Little Angel Series)
Karen Cavanagh
Manufacturer: Regina Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0882712039

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Sacraments (The Little Angel Series)
K. Cavanagh
Manufacturer: Regina Press Malhame & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Ritual | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0882712101

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