Archive for the ‘Comics + Graphic Novels’ Category

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The Big Book of Hoaxes – I’m Asking for More..

April 24, 2008

What can I say ?  This book speaks for itself.  A tour-de-force of human tendency to believe strange things.  In fact, it’s eerie how Hitler words ring true about this :”It’s easy to lie, just make it big.”

Factoid did a very good job by bringing this series.  You could read some serious references without diving into that scholarly encyclopedia.  In other words, this is information made enjoyable.  With honest, humorous and sometimes cheeky illustration, it’s also easier to grasp some concepts which otherwise would need a lot of pages to explain.

The book itself contains any famous ( and not-so famous ) hoaxes in history.  From Poe’s balloon hoax, the notorious Howard Hughes’ autobiography;  I actually learnt that Boxer rebellion in China was made several times worse by a hoax !

A very good work, indeed.  I found myself asking for more.

You can download the book here.  Again, I’m only sharing the link.  Have fun !

 

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From Hell – an unnecessarily complex work ?

April 10, 2008

Like I promised before, this is my first review I post here.

First of all, some data :

Author Alan Moore
Illustrator Eddie Campbell
Cover artist Eddie Campbell
Country Australia & United States
Language English
Genre(s) graphic novel, true crime
Publisher Eddie Campbell Comics & Top Shelf Productions
Publication date 1999 (collected edition)
Media type Print (paperback)
Pages 572
ISBN ISBN 0-958-57834-6

( source : wikipedia )

Initially, the book impressed me very much. Moore did a very good job by using a meticulous research as a foundation. The explorations and insinuations are also courageous, despite being a little bit far – fetched in its speculations.

Now, the idea that Jack the Ripper murders were done to cover – up the birth of an illegitimate child of England royal family is not a new one. It was brought forth by Stephen Knight. Moore borrowed this idea as an open door into in – depth exploration of more complex factor involved in that era. This led into a study of medic, psychology, culture, sociology and even occultism at some part. Which is very sound and good, to do him some justice.

However, what makes it work also cause it shortfall. If you are looking for a good read to enjoy, From Hell simply could not do it. It does not entertain you like any good old ‘whodunnits’, but provokes you and makes you question some things you hold true.

I don’t know about you, but one of the reason I read fiction is to entertain. Clever works are enlightening, – but too heavy to enjoy if there is too much of it. It almost feels like reading a textbook.

Leave a comment if you have other thoughts. For Indonesian reader, feel free to leave yours in Bahasa Indonesia.

Download links :

More info from wikipedia

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