Sounds like the spelling errors and unusual entries in the Ace SF list at the end may have been the most interesting part of the book? Good review as always Richard!
I find Ace's unsuccessful attempts to advertise their own series of books interesting. Especially considering that the books are numbered in the series! Barton's book will ultimately fade in memory to better reads.
Very good. I just checked, there is only one short story of William Barton translated into German. And it is interesting that some books were announced but not published. There is a similar example of Herbert W. Franke. The publisher promised to print a hardcover of Zone Null first, but did this in a very small number and then switched to a pocket book edition. I also remember other books which were never printed, but announced. One of the most ridiculous things happened in Germany are soup advertisements in the books, interrupting the text. Like: … our heroes just experienced something, but why not take a break and have a good soup? (This is why Terry Pratchett gave the rights to another German publisher)
Your story about ads inserted into the text of books, wow! 😳 In the mid 1970s some paperbacks had cardstock ads, often for cigarettes or SF book club, in the novels but they were completely separate pages. Thanks for some examples from German publishing.
@@UlrichBlode-vu7vt as in all things politics. Mister Barton deals with morally ambiguous subjects and does not present facil answers. Not appealing to the owners of publishing houses. I think dark sky legion was partly an analogy of the writers or artists relationship with the editor. The editor which most of the time represents the interests of the owner of the publishing House.
This is another interesting sounding story... something I'd be interested in reading. It kind of reminds me of the Lensman series where there are mysteries that aren't reveled until near the end. Although the series has a satisfactory ending, we find that the author wanted to continue the series but was never able to. Thanks for this review, Richard.
@@vintagesf It will never happen. Take the word of an old collector! I no longer collect but I'll also never read all that I have. As I always recommend, when you do give the Lensman a try start with Galactic Patrol then continue thru the series to the end. The other two books are kind of an afterthought. You can read those later if you wish.
Ok, so most of what I got from your review is: flavor of a heavy metal story without the cool art, feels like it starts in the middle and ends with more chapters yet to come, A competent and entertaining if forgettable excursion. It's funny, I didn't know Ace did a second series let alone a third until Outlaw Bookseller pointed it out. As you dedicatedly go through series 2, I begin to understand why as a lifetime collector I never heard Jack squat about any of these books, or that they were series, or that they ever happened at all. I know it will sound like a smart-ass joke, but, I really mean it. I sincerely thank you for putting in the hard work, in this case to warn me off books that will take days away from my life that could be spent reading better books. That could actually be the whole basis of a channel. Except that it would appear negative. Glad to see the number scale back it helps on a quick check. Are they on your website?
Your summary of the review is accurate. This second series has been a big disappointment. Will finish reading the last book today. The videos and a list of videos are on my website. I do keep a spreadsheet on my reading and review scores. I think I’m at 178 books since starting the channel. I’ll have to think about whether I want to post it. Might make it easier for people to find specific reviews.
@@salty-walt Not sure what you are referring to. I hope to complete my Ace Science Fiction Special journey with series three this fall. Twelve books in that series with some good authors.
When heaven fell, the transmigration of souls, dark sky legion, when we were real, radio silence, moments of inertia, the man who counts
@@tomrobbins5242 Thank you.
Sounds like the spelling errors and unusual entries in the Ace SF list at the end may have been the most interesting part of the book? Good review as always Richard!
I find Ace's unsuccessful attempts to advertise their own series of books interesting. Especially considering that the books are numbered in the series! Barton's book will ultimately fade in memory to better reads.
Thanks, Richard. Thoughtful review. I’m not familiar at all with Barton, but I always appreciate your thoughtful reviews.😊
Thank you Pat!
Very good. I just checked, there is only one short story of William Barton translated into German.
And it is interesting that some books were announced but not published. There is a similar example of Herbert W. Franke. The publisher promised to print a hardcover of Zone Null first, but did this in a very small number and then switched to a pocket book edition.
I also remember other books which were never printed, but announced.
One of the most ridiculous things happened in Germany are soup advertisements in the books, interrupting the text. Like: … our heroes just experienced something, but why not take a break and have a good soup? (This is why Terry Pratchett gave the rights to another German publisher)
Your story about ads inserted into the text of books, wow! 😳 In the mid 1970s some paperbacks had cardstock ads, often for cigarettes or SF book club, in the novels but they were completely separate pages. Thanks for some examples from German publishing.
@@UlrichBlode-vu7vt as in all things politics. Mister Barton deals with morally ambiguous subjects and does not present facil answers. Not appealing to the owners of publishing houses. I think dark sky legion was partly an analogy of the writers or artists relationship with the editor. The editor which most of the time represents the interests of the owner of the publishing House.
William Barton is another one I am not familiar with. Doesn't sound like I missed much, from your review.
Great channel!
Thank you!
This is another interesting sounding story... something I'd be interested in reading. It kind of reminds me of the Lensman series where there are mysteries that aren't reveled until near the end. Although the series has a satisfactory ending, we find that the author wanted to continue the series but was never able to. Thanks for this review, Richard.
Want to read the Lensman series sometime. Have the books ready to go. I'm wondering when my reading will start to outpace my acquisitions.
@@vintagesf It will never happen. Take the word of an old collector! I no longer collect but I'll also never read all that I have.
As I always recommend, when you do give the Lensman a try start with Galactic Patrol then continue thru the series to the end. The other two books are kind of an afterthought. You can read those later if you wish.
Ok, so most of what I got from your review is: flavor of a heavy metal story without the cool art, feels like it starts in the middle and ends with more chapters yet to come,
A competent and entertaining if forgettable excursion.
It's funny, I didn't know Ace did a second series let alone a third until Outlaw Bookseller pointed it out. As you dedicatedly go through series 2, I begin to understand why as a lifetime collector I never heard Jack squat about any of these books, or that they were series, or that they ever happened at all.
I know it will sound like a smart-ass joke, but, I really mean it.
I sincerely thank you for putting in the hard work, in this case to warn me off books that will take days away from my life that could be spent reading better books.
That could actually be the whole basis of a channel. Except that it would appear negative. Glad to see the number scale back it helps on a quick check.
Are they on your website?
Your summary of the review is accurate. This second series has been a big disappointment. Will finish reading the last book today. The videos and a list of videos are on my website. I do keep a spreadsheet on my reading and review scores. I think I’m at 178 books since starting the channel. I’ll have to think about whether I want to post it. Might make it easier for people to find specific reviews.
@@vintagesf That's what I was thinking.
178!! Wow, it feels like a couple months not a year and a half! Good for you man!
Then on to the Bison book series?
@@salty-walt Not sure what you are referring to. I hope to complete my Ace Science Fiction Special journey with series three this fall. Twelve books in that series with some good authors.
@@vintagesf ah yes, that's true. Forgot about Series 3. Good Luck.