Empires of Sand

Rating:
Summary: Promising, But Ultimately Disappointing
Review: It was with great anitcipation I picked up David Ball's "Empires Of Sand." Having just finished Toni Morrison's multilayered, complex work "Beloved," I needed something relatively light and fun to round out that experience. "Empires Of Sand" promised just that--a sweeping, panoramic adventure with exotic locales like Parisian courts and dessert vistas. Even a balloon flight, which in many ways was the book's highlight. However, there is a problem. This is David Ball's first novel, and while his grasp on detail is skillful, he suffers from an inability to pace his narrative. His account of the boys' childhoods, culminating in the balloon flight, is as exciting as the book gets, but once the boys move into adulthood the pace slows, only to pick up again at the story's climax. Thus from midsection on, "Empires Of Sand" is rather rough going. This is extremely frustrating, in light of all having gone before. And because of such the reader keeps reading, because he eventually wants to find out what does happen. In terms of plot resolution and wrap up, Ball satisfies on all counts. His mid way slump is not to detract from his abilities; some judicious editorial advice would have helped here. "Empires Of Sand" is disappointing in not being the novel it could have been. However, David Ball should be encouraged to try again, for there is enough talent here to improve and build upon.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: I loved the characters, the setting(s), the whole great adventure. It starts with a bang and never stops....A very good book that I know I will read several more times in my life. I look forward to Mr. Ball's next book.

Rating:
Summary: Bad but great
Review: Everything you read in the other reviews about cliches, stereotypes, and a hoaky storyline is true. Believe me. The first three chapters are horrible. I only kept reading because I kept hoping it would get better. And amazingly enough, it did! Not that the characters got more three-dimensional, no, I just got completely absorbed in the story. Once Ball's caught you, it's getting harder to notice the shortcomings of this book. Maybe it's because it's so simple: You've got your three or four evil characters, you're rooting for Moussa to win and for Paul to come to his senses again, and everything is set in faraway lands... you could easily make this book a successful Hollywood motion picture. The formula is there. All in all, if you look for a book with deep moral struggles or an excellent, believable plot, look elsewhere. But if you have a few hours left and want to fill your mind with pictures of exotic places and people, read the book. It reminded me of the wonderful adventure stories of my childhood and left me wishing for more.

Rating:
Summary: What a storyteller
Review: I loved this book and just happened to pick it up upon the advice of my brilliant librarian. It was the kind of book I couldn't put down, yet hated to finish.The highlights have been discussed in previous reviews but Ball's storytelling skills are phenomenal. And, the history is fascinating; I'd never heard of the Flatters Expedition despite my M.A. in History. I've discovered Ball has a website at empiresofsand.com. Check out the web site and book. What a find.

Rating:
Summary: Truly loved this book
Review: It was a personal tragedy for me when this book ended -- I loved it. It is so international in scope, and the history is all new to me. The characters remain with me as if I know them. Can't wait for Ball's next book.

Rating:
Summary: The best book I've read in years!
Review: Hearfelt as well as adventurous, I couldn't put it down!

Rating:
Summary: Caravan to Oblivion
Review: Too much turgid prose; stale, flat characters & cliches mar this book -- if Ball's style had a bit of Hemingway's terseness, this might be worth reading. Try British explorer Wilfred Thesiger's account of his journeys, "Arabian Sands," for something 10 times as vivid and memorable as this novel. For a fix of the French Foreign Legion (and genuinely enjoyable pulp prose), grab Ouidah's 'Under Two Flags" -- it's almost a century old, but hasn't dated a bit, and is The Book That Started It All.

Rating:
Summary: a good story teller and sharply drawn characters
Review: the author takes you to France and the Sarhara and introduces you to some interesting and unforgettable characters. one of the better reads of this year.

Rating:
Summary: About half as long as I wanted it to be.....
Review: When I got near the end of the story, I started reading slower, because I didn't want it to be over. The Flatters expedition was incredible, and I felt the heat and tasted the grit of the sandstorm. This is storytelling at its very best.

Rating:
Summary: If the balloons don't snag you, the sahara will.
Review: A great read that leaves lasting impressions. I finished a few days ago, and at night when I'm going to sleep I see images from the book in my mind. I love it when that happens. The rats in the tunnels, the bishop and his club, the nun, the balloons, the desert march. I can't wait for the next one from this writer.