Irons Books

Neutron spooning diplomacy dance black hole.


4 out of 5

This book comes as a very welcome surprise. For most of the 1980s and 1990s, Western anthropologists and archaeologists have been in upheveal or which -ism (functionalism, Marxism, structuralism, etc.) provides the best insights into explaining human behavior. As indicated in the sub-title of this book, this book manages to combine several of these -isms, and the result is a fairly interesting and thought-provoking study. The book opens with an overview on how Western scholars viewed sub-Saharan African ironworking up through the 1970s. The review stops in the 1970s, since it was then that serious archaeological and historical research began on sub-Saharan metallurgy. Some general readers will probably find parts of chapters 2, 3, and 4, boring or difficult. Having said this, this doesn't mean Schmidt is a bad writer-he is not. Its in these chapters that Schmidt reviews a variety of the -isms current in anthropology and archaeology and states how and why he wants to use them in his study. He then deals with the archaeological and ethnohistoric material in light of the theories he has discussed. Chapters 5 through 8 contain the science and archaeology. Schmidt presents the results of his ethnographic and experimental iron smelts and applies them to the archaeological record. The evidenc epoints to the Haya and other East African groups as having a fairly complex iron smelting technology. The furnace design incorporated pre-heating, and furnace temperatures could easily reach over 1200 degrees centigrade. One can debate whether this was intentional or accidental, but Schmidt demonstrates the Haya and other East African groups could do it consistently. The most controversial chapters of the book are the last two. In these, Schmidt takes the present day symbolic and ritual world of Haya iron smelters and projects it onto to the archaeological remains. While a strong case is made linking iron production and fertility rituals, one has to seriously question the assumption that the meaning of symbols remained unchanged for over 2000 years. Overall, this book is a welcome addition to the archaeological and anthropological literature. Schmidt tries to merge and apply a variety of disparate theories, and has suceeded in writing a very thought-provoking book.

"The Iron Thorn's" subtitle "Defeat of the British" overstates the event, but the 150-year struggle of the escaped slaves called the Maroons against the colonial government of Jamaica illuminates many aspects of both slavery and of British colonial administration.

The Maroons -- Carey Robinson sometimes calls them Coromantees, but it is not clear that all of them derived from that tribe -- did not revolt against Spanish slavery but objected to the British and took to the mountains.

The Maroons were never numerous, so the colonial government vacillated between hunting them and buying them off. The Maroons themselves hired out to capture other runaway slaves, as a protective device to make themselves useful to the British.

The "defeat" of the British amounted to ambushes of some half-hearted expeditions by armed slaves (Black Shots), poorly trained local militia and unenthusiastic (mostly Irish) regulars. In the 1740s, a peace was declared and the Maroons were given a little land in exchange for a promise not to harbor runaway slaves.

The colonial government chipped away at the rights of these free Africans until they revolted again. By this time, black revolutionaries inspired by the French Revolution were a much more serious threat to white Jamaica, not to mention the possibility that the French would use them as they had the Irish to attack the English. Thus, for the first time the British mounted a serious military campaign against the Maroons. Robinson is weakest in not placing the second Maroon war into this context.

As we have seen many times since (in Afghanistan now, for example), it is very expensive to put down guerrillas. However, the British were not defeated the second time, and the most active of the Maroons were (in violation of an armistice) transported, first to Nova Scotia, later to Sierra Leone. Four small settlements of pacified Maroons survive until today, with some minor local privileges. Robinson says they still make the best jerk pork and "the strength and spirit of the Maroons are no longer the exclusive property of the mountain strongholds; they belong to all Jamaica."

Considering the violence of Jamaican politics, that is not obviously a wholly good thing; and considering the recent history of Sierra Leone, the descendants of the Maroons may well wish that their ancestors had attained their ardent desire to return to Jamaica.

Although fully sympathetic to the Maroons, Carey Robinson's history is judiciously fair to all sides, although neglectful of the bigger context of the English and Africans in the Caribbean.

Carey Robinson's "The Iron Thorn" is a well-written, well-researched history of the Maroons of Jamaica. Robinson starts with the Spanish Colonization of the island in 1509 and discusses the relatively light bondage of the African slaves during Spanish colonial rule. He then describes the English invasion in 1655 and the desperate struggle for the island by the united forces of the Spanish and their now freed African slaves.

The author brings to life the development of the escaped Spanish slaves into the fighting Maroons. We see these men and women warriors hiding out in the cockpit jungle, establishing and defending their towns against the British Army. As Robinson describes it, we cannot help but admire these men and women fighting for their freedom and often winning against a superior force.

Robinson recounts the struggle of the British governors in dealing with the Maroon problem, while hampered by a demoralized army, runaway slaves, discontent, unreliable indentured servants, and deserting soldiers.

The author introduces us to the great Maroon chiefs: the commanding Cudjoe, Quao the mighty hunter, the magnificent Smith, and the mysterious Nanny, Queen and motivator of the Maroons. Robinson takes us into the settlements and towns of these freedom fighters and allows us to witness the battles to keep them. Robinson explains the decisions of each chief and illustrates how each plan led to defeat or victory.

Although, the focus of this book is the Maroons, the author also presents us with a history of Jamaica from the fifteen hundreds until the late eighteen hundreds. He explores the motives and fears of the British governors and planters as they strove to create a society free of rebellious slaves and frequent Maroon attacks. In the Epilogue, Robinson also takes a brief look at the modern Maroons and the legacy they have given Jamaica.

I found this book very interesting. The narrative did become dry at times, especially when the author felt compelled to describe in detail the arms, ammunition, and provisions it took to fight various battles. However, other parts of the book, such as the descriptions of the actual battles, the myths and legends surrounding these warriors, I found fascinating.

This book will hold the attention of both people interested in Jamaican or Caribbean history and those interested in the birth of a culture. The Maroons of Jamaica still exist although in lesser numbers than they once did. They dwell in peace in their historical towns and as part of the regular population of the country. Their undefeatable spirit and quest for freedom still exists in all Jamaicans.

The race to build the first railroad in Alaska at the turn of the twentieth century and reach the vast untapped mineral wealth of the interior was a daring, high risk adventure played out between rugged visionaries and some unscrupulous promoters. The hardships, perseverance and the actual engineering achievement of the people who finally succeded in building the railroad in this forbidding territory have long been ignored. If you have ever viewed the swift unpredictable rivers, huge mountains and glacier activity along the Southeastern coast of Alaska, or traveled the remaining original railroad bed to McCarthy and Kennicott the very thought of attempting a railroad line extending over 200 miles from the coast to the interior through this terrain is just plain incredible. The "Iron Trail" is written in a turn of the century style which is perhaps a bit flowery but entertaining just the same. Most of real people and places have been renamed for the book but are identified in the forward. Throughout reading this book I couldn't help thinking what a marvelous movie setting and adventure story is behind this truly spectacular engineering achievement.

"Iron Chef" on the food network has become a cult classic TV show. This odd, cooking competition show, imported from Japan and set within a small stadium setting complete with an audience and expert judges, has spawned an American version called "Iron Chef America". Shinji Saijyo's Iron Wok Jan is kind of a Manga version of the TV show, at least this current issue as 32 great chefs are competing in a Chinese cooking competition. The first competition is a battle with Tofu dishes and as volume 17 opens Jan Akiyama, the arrogant yet renowned chef has stunned the audience by scoring a low 15 out of 100 points with his dish. But the judges rule that it wasn't truly a tofu dish, much to the delight of food critic Nichido Otani who hates Jan and wants him out of the cooking industry.

Other contestants come after Jan and get high scores with their dishes, including his fellow chefs from the Gobancho Restaurant, Kiriko Gobancho and Celine Yang, as well as a mysterious chef from California. Nichido embarrasses Jan, and even has him down on his knees as Jan stubbornly refuses to accept his score until the judges try his Somen noodles. Nichido tells him it will never happen but as the contest goes on, Jan's noodles begin simmering and ripening, giving off a powerful aroma that almost seduces everyone who smells it. Soon the judges are practically stampeding to try Jan's noodles as Jan explains his incredible technique and Nichido steams in anger. But can Jan reverse his score high enough to make it to the next round? And what other surprises are in store for the competitors?

Iron Wok Jan really is quite like watching the Iron Chef TV show. The chefs use very exotic ingredients that are foreign to most Americans as well as using some rather inventive cooking techniques. Saijyo certainly seems to know his way around a kitchen. The book even comes with a few recipes such as marinated cucumber & octopus, and various types of potstickers. It's a fun book...different than other types of Manga in its unique and specialized subject matter. I enjoyed it.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

I REALLY LIKE YOUR BOOK AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A REPLY TO SAY THANKYOU OR SOME INFORMATOIN

Nice assortment of patterns, but it would be helpful if a color guide or example of each was included.

The history and excitement of the circus is recaptured in this well written story. The detail of the setting and scenery is extremely accurate and detailed. You can't help but feel the sense of time and travel back to the early 1900's. Although the story revolves around the circus, you don't have to be a big fan to enjoy the story. There are many twists and plots to keep you on edge. The coming of age of Seth is one of surprises, pain, and excitement. I would highly recommend the book to anyone who enjoys being captured and taken on a journey.

The Liber Mechanika is the first guidebook released by Privateer Press for the Iron Kingdoms RPG world setting since their award-winning Character (IKCG) and World Guides (IKWG).
Unlike the World Guide, which was entirely fluff, the Liber Mechanika is full of crunchy goodness; a mix of rule and lists sprinkled through with the kind of fluff that gives the Iron Kingdoms their unique bite.

The book is divided into three large chapters (which read more like 'themes'), themselves divided into topics covering anything from steamjack construction to mechanikal limbs.

Chapter 1: Hands-On Experience begins with a completely revised arcane mechanik class description. The original arcane mechanik (AM) was a woefully underequipped wizard variant with a few abilities to aid in creating mechanikal devices. The new AM has an almost entirely new bag of tricks: his BAB stages faster, he gains spells per day faster (for example, the original AM could not cast 3rd level arcane spells at 6th level, the new AM can), and his abilities have been rearranged and added to. Of these new abilities, the fabrication score is the most useful for those characters who look forward to creating mechanikal devices. Fabrication reduces the XP amount needed to fabricate and draft mechanikal plans. Since only the arcane mechanik gains this ability the increased magic creation costs put forward in the IKCG become even more costly and dangerous for wizards and other spellcasters to create purely magical or even mechanikal devices.

The Liber Mechanika introduces four new prestige classes. Each class interacts in a specialized way with the inner workings of mechanikal devices. The field mechanik is a combat mechanik, capable of repairing mechanikal constructs during the heat of battle. The ironhead knows how to squeeze performance out of her steam armor, and is able to customize it in ways never imagined by its original builders. A preceptor of Cyriss seeks to further his knowledge of the Maiden of the Gears by following Her precepts and enigmas. Both clockwork and steam-powered servants are the domain of the mechanist.

Since no d20 book is complete without new Feats, the LM contains 15 feats, of which 6 are updated from the IKCG. Following feats a section on equipment begins with rules on building steam armor. Steam armor is heavy, expensive, customizable armor worn by adventurers and soldiers in Immoren. The design and creation rules cover both light and heavy steam armors as well as customization rules for such addons as servitor bays and cloud venting. Mechanikal limbs are also covered, from construction and maintenance to customizations such as punch pistons and secret compartments. Servitors and their care and feeding follows, including how mechanikal familiars interact with their owners, and enhancements like the porter's scabbard (my sword, Patsy). Servitors can even be taught to reload firearms for their owner, something any gun mage will be happy to hear. Tools of the Trade rounds out Chapter One and covers a range of mechanika-themed mundane equipment for purchase such as the Amblerose rivet gun, portable steam engine, and new firearm customization.

Chapter 2: The Foundry expands on the rules for creating purely mechanikal equipment found in the IKCG including new power sources like the Stormchamber, and new mechanikal components including elemental emitters. Creation of arcantrix wondrous items includes glyphweave garments - essentially cloth woven with metal threads which can be used as rune plates along with several other new components. Warcaster armor is reworked in the LM, replacing and expanding the design rules contained in the IKCG.

Building mechanikal and arcantrix items has always involved a fair bit of number-crunching. Components must be socketed together and run through a power source such as a Stormchamber or arcane accumulator. The process is involved, but players and DMs alike who enjoy working with the meat of the rules will enjoy the steps set forth in the LM. But, for players or DMs who do not have the time or patience to work through the design rules Rob Baxter has also included a streamlined mechanikal creation system. This allows the player and DM to build items with a minimal amount of time investment. Mechanikal devices can be damaged or destroyed in the course of adventuring, so the LM is nice enough to provide rules for when that Thrall Lieutenant sunders a player's mechanikal sword. Several new spells, such as arcane insulator's ability to block dispel magic attacks against magical power sources make life easier for arcane mechaniks, while lash cortex is just about enough to ruin a servitor's - and its controller's - day. The foundry explores some of the mysteries of Cyriss and her enigmatic Cyriss-tech. Cyriss-tech functions better, requires less power, and often defies fundamental mechanikal principles. Creation of Cyriss-tech as well as the inhuman Vessels of Cyriss template are also included.

Chapter 3: Minds of Metal, Hearts of Fire is the owner's manual for steamjacks. These rules replace those found for steamjack creation in the IKCG. Steamjack (and warjack) creation is a process similar to creating steam armor. Chassis design, cortex selection, and attribute increases are covered, as well as a sidebar on converting WARMACHINE miniatures game warjacks to the d20 setting.

The Good

The Liber Mechanika is a great resource tool for designing and using mechanikal items in the Iron Kingdoms. Since magic has its own perils in the IK, mechanikal design replaces on many levels the traditional magic item design found in the DMG. The revised arcane mechanik is a useful core class now, and will find utility in more parties than it used to. The rules are well-written, if a bit convoluted (see The Bad), and although scarce, the artwork throughout the book is top-notch. What background and fluff the LM contains is scattered through the relevant sections and takes into account the ongoing war in Immoren, providing information on how to work specific situations into your campaign (for example, how the party might be treated if it wanders into Khador with a steamjack and no mercenary charter). The information on Cyriss raises even more questions about the newest god in the IK pantheon, but puts some to rest as well. This book is a must for any DM or arcane mechanik player, as well as fans of the IK setting.

The Bad

I had to read through The Foundry twice and create a few items as samples to fully grasp the mechanika/arcantrix construction rules. They are complex, but diligent reading and the much appreciated inclusion of the streamlined creation process will help players and DMs. There are a few typos in the book, things like the ironhead's Mechanikal Aptitude ability being listed as Mechanik in the level table, but nothing that can't be overlooked. I had also hoped to see more pre-generated mechanika/arcantrix items in the book, but the rules for creation take up any room they might have needed. In addition, the conversion rules for WARMACHINE warjacks cover the basic statistic conversions, but leave the rules for weapons and special abilities up to the DM (luckily, Privateer Press' No Quarter magazine has begun converting warjacks over, giving DMs a better starting point for their own conversions). And on the subject of steamjack/warjack weapons only a couple weapons are listed in the equipment section in chapter one, there is no list of weapons (ranged or otherwise) for purchase and installation under the 'jack creation rules.

Excellent collection of iron-on transfers. Do it yourself and save big