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Some Early Readers’ Reviews Of “The Geography Lesson”

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on June 1, 2013 by johnbuckley100

Looking for something to read this weekend?  Check out my novel, The Geography Lesson.  But don’t just take my word for how enjoyable it is, check out what readers have said about it in their reviews on sites selling it.

Here’s one, from the Amazon page: “Love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and adventure. Told with great humor against a backdrop created by an author with a flawless eye for Washington and points beyond. With painstakingly rendered detail, Buckley brings several different distinct worlds to life: The old-school, Mad Men world of adventure journalists; the last days of when the institutions of the nation’s capital were ruled largely by New England blue bloods; the modern-day, rarified milieu of America’s privileged classes; and the exotic human and physical landscapes of the American West. Here’s something that sneaks up on you: It’s a Washington novel that’s outside the mold of any ever written because it never claims to be one. It paints pictures of political lessons rather than preaches them. Most important, we care about the lovingly drawn characters because we’re allowed to join them in truly honest journeys of self-discovery. A pitch-perfect triumph!”

And another: “The Geography Lesson is a fun, fast trip through time to the world of late 1960’s Washington and the Western U.S and back again, with a side of Peruvian adventure. As a fan of Edward Abbey, I loved the excursion through the Canyonlands. As a fan of National Geographic, I loved the Society as the backdrop. Now if only I could get myself to Peru!”

And yet another: “The cover art points to the story line of this entertaining novel, which follows the adventures of National Geographic explorer journalists. The plot was gripping, making me want to read quickly, to find out what happens in the end to the appealing narrator. But I made myself slow down. It’s worth taking your time over this one. Buckley is a Washington insider, with an amazing eye for detail, and if you’re at all interested in Washington media of the last 40 years or so you’ll want to take your time and enjoy every page.”

You can buy it via Amazon, Nook, or Booktango!

Still need convincing?  Well, check out this sample chapter.  And have a nice weekend.

They’ll Learn

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on May 31, 2013 by johnbuckley100

Let’s hope not the hard way… Leica M (Typ-240), 35mm Summilux FLE.

They'll Learn

Memorial Day In The Nation’s Capital

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on May 27, 2013 by johnbuckley100

Memorial Day 4

 

Leica M9, 50mm Noctilux

Going down to the Vietnam Memorial on Memorial Day stirs up emotions for many, though for others it takes on the feeling of a reunion, or a street fair.

Memorial Day1

 

Leica M9, 50mm APO-Summicron-Asph

Old friends gather, while others view the assemblage as an opportunity to sell goods or services.

Memorial Day 3

Leica M9, 50mm APO-Summicron-Asph

But the principal reason for being there is to commemorate the lives of those who sacrificed for their family and their country.

Memorial Day 5

 

Leica M9, 50mm Noctilux

There are still unhealed wounds and bitterness, arguments unfinished after 40 years.

Memorial Day 6

 

Leica M9, 50mm APO-Summicron-Asph

Happily, for many this is a holiday to celebrate the nation, and the beginning of summer.

Stars and Stripes

 

Leica M9, 50mm APO-Summicron-Asph

Mind Meld

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on May 26, 2013 by johnbuckley100

Pssst, here’s the plan… Leica M9, 50mm APO-Summicron-Asph.

Mind Meld

‘Sixers Fan At The Big Lacrosse Game

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on May 26, 2013 by johnbuckley100

Leica M9, 50mm APO-Summicron-Asph.

Sixers Fan

We Have Captured A Basilisk

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on May 18, 2013 by johnbuckley100

If looks could kill… Leica Monochrom, 35mm Summilux FLE.  At The Bishop’s Garden, where apparently finding a photographer around the corner wasn’t what the Russian woman expected.

Unposed

This Guy Knows How Blessed We Are To Have Both Camper And Cracker

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on May 17, 2013 by johnbuckley100

Leica M8, 35mm Summilux.  Bhutan, March 2007.

Monk Drummer

The New Mikal Cronin Album, “MCII,” Has More Hooks Than A Boat Full Of Fishermen

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on May 15, 2013 by johnbuckley100

Just a week ago, we raved about the new Mikal Cronin album, MCII.  So why do we feel the need to post on it again?

Because it is torturing us.  We wake up in the middle of the night with “Am I Right?” blaring on our subconscious jukebox.  We take a shower in the morning and “See It My Way” spontaneously jumps out from under the soapdish.

We can’t get enough of that psychedelic cello interlude in “Change.”  We start saying to ourselves, well, the last few songs aren’t as good as the first four.  And then start humming along to “Turn Away” like its Mikal’s next hit single!

We try playing other music — hey, the new White Fence is a change of sound, right? — but our ear buds threaten to be our ear former-friends, unless we play Mikal Cronin.

Look, we said it was a good album.  Did we know it could grow on us like kudzu, like Necrotizing fasciitis, like a runaway metaphor?

We told you we thought he was great.  Did we tell you that this album has entered our consciousness on an equal footing with Ty Segall’s Twins?  We need relief! You need to buy MCII.  But only if you sleep soundly and don’t listen to songs hiding under your soapdish.

Just Getting From Point A To Point B

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on May 14, 2013 by johnbuckley100

No distractions. Leica M9, 28mm Summicron.

Point A To B

Okay, This Goes Way Further Than The Plot Of “The Geography Lesson”

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on May 14, 2013 by johnbuckley100

My new novel, The Geography Lesson, is a comedy based on the repercussions stemming from the National Geographic Society failing to protect an Anasazi ruin discovered in Utah in 1968.  (Want to know more?  Go here, and check it out.)

But the sacking of that fictional Anasazi site was positively low-key compared to this Mayan ruin bulldozed to get road fill for a highway under construction in Belize…