"Andromeda's Fall by William C. Dietz is a Fantastic Read

It became abundantly clear to me why William C. Dietz is a New York Times best selling author of more than 30 novels after reading his latest release "Andromeda's Fall," netting a four star rating.

"Andromeda's Fall," publicized in December is a military science fiction complete with intergalactic travel detailing the realities of governments ruling the world via mass murder and extreme corruption. Ophelia, an empress of evil is very reminiscent of the one percent of the wealthy ruling the world or in her case the universe, who thrives on greed and the destruction of the poor and middle class.

"Andromeda's Fall," is the first of three books in a prequel to "Legion of the Damned" and eight other books continuing where "Legion of the Damned" ended.

"Andromeda's Fall" starts fast and flavorable when androids, sent by Ophelia kill her brother Alfred so she can acquire more power. Ophelia is practically her own government with the money and armies to kill all who oppose her. Ophelia is responsible for the death of Lady Catherine Carletto's parents who had the money and might to combat her.

Carletto also know as Cat has a sole quest to bring down Ophelia and anyone standing in her way. The odds are stacked against Cat, who must dodge and fight military, law enforcement and androids whose single mission in life is to kill Cat via the orders of Ophelia.

"Andromeda’s Fall" takes place 100s of years in the future. There are several planets humans now live on including Earth where Alfred was murdered in Denver. Despite Ophelia riches and enormous armies, there are many individuals and armies with the capabilities and desire to oppose her.

Cat soon joins the Legion, an army unto itself. The Legion is a large and fully functioning military complete with men, women and machines to combat those attacking them. The Legion fights for themselves, not meaningless wars for one percent of the population to get richer.

While in the Legion, Cat is no longer alone in fighting Ophelia and she learns how to use weapons and fight by hand. An intense moment occurs on the planet Drang when some of the Legion members are in ranks, too small to fend off Ophelia's army of androids. A single android is allowed to inspect the ranks looking for Cat. The android has the ability for eye and facial scanning to find a match. It's extremely clever and lucky how Cat avoids captivity and being killed by the android in this moment.

The book has its funny moments as well. Some soldiers were rocketing to another planet and upon arrival puked in their military battle helmets due to the fast motion of space travel, then the orders came; all soldiers put on your head gear.

This book is a four star read, but I do recommend reading Dietz's "Legion of the Damned" and the eight other books following it first. I wish I had done that myself. Despite some things unexplained or vaguely mentioned in Andromeda's Fall," the eloquent writing of Dietz carries this prequel into the richest realms of the imaginations, leaving the reader wanting more.

Local Boxing Program for Youths Is Primarily Aimed at Character Devopment

Character Development is the Number One Priority for the Salvation Army's Youth Boxing Program, Double Punches, yet Still Teaches Professional Boxing Skills to Young Adults.

Double Punches founder Richard Lopez said his goal is to keep kids from gang involvement, drugs and dropping out of school.

"I look at a neighborhood where there tell me it's troubled..."I see workers, leaders and potential," Lopez said. His goal is to filter out the ones with some or all of these three skills and enlighten them about Double Punches. "Any kind of sport builds character in a young student, that's why when they come here they get discipline and structure."

The program is open to all children ages 10-16 years-old. People ages 17-24 years-old may also join. Discounts for enrollment are available for low-income students or ones with good grades. For complete details you can log onto doublepunches.com.

No student is allowed to begin their work-out until they have finished their home work Lopez said. "Education comes first, the work-out is secondary, when the boxing is gone, they still have their education," he said.

While talking to Lopez it became abundantly clear how special Double Punches really is. It was discovered that one of their coaches, 29-year-old Enrique Gutierrez life may have ended when he was 16. When Gutierrez was a Double Punches student at that age, he chose not to miss a training sessions instead of going to a party with a then friend. Gutierrez's friend was shot and killed that same day in his car.

"We can give you story after story, but that one really stands out," Lopez said. "The guy (Gutierrez's friend) dropped off Gutierezz at the gym, the friend ended up getting shot in his car on ninth street that same day...because of the boxing, Gutierrez chose to train."

From possibly being shot dead to being a junior Olympic champion at 16-years-old in the 147 pound weight class is quite a turn of events indeed. In 2001 Gutierrez was on the Olympic boxing team in Puerto Rico and Denmark he said. He has competed both nationally and internationally.

“I attribute a lot of my success to Lopez, he’s my spiritual father,” Gutierrez said. “I have a lot of respect for him.”

Gutierrez lost several fights in his early youth and at the age of 12 he went in the ring against his parent’s wishes and knowledge. His parents where mad at the time, yet proud of his victory and trophy harnessed that day. 

Before this year is over, Double Punches will begin its 25th year of benefiting students and the community. "It ((Double Punches) keeps me off the streets and teaches me discipline and life skills," 12-year-old Jonathan Rubio said.

Judith Garcia, 13-years-old and Katelyn Wilkinson, a 15-years-old both said they like learning how to defend themselves through the program. "I'm learning self confidence and I have a new family," Wilkinson said.

Aside from building character, instilling morals, principles and a priority in life, Double Punches also enables determined boxers with the skills and potential to turn pro. Double Punches is licensed with USA Boxing. Double Punches has two main events every year as well as having regional and national competitions. As long as a student keeps winning, they can go to the next level of competition Lopez said.

"When I'm 18, I might turn pro," Rubio said. "Right now I'm ranked second in northern California with a record of 15-5 in my age and weight class." (85 pounds.)

Rubio's dad, coach Jovanni Rubio said Double Punches will be hosting big matches in May known as the Box Off. Winners at the Box Off have a chance to compete in the nationals and may even qualify for the Olympics.

If you’re a parent concerned about the dangers boxing can impose, i.e., blows to the head, safety is the number one concern for Lopez. No student in the Double Punches program is required to complete, in fact many kids simply enjoy the work-out.

"I'm learning good defensive skills and want to get buff," Wilkinson said.

Everyone who spares must wear all the required protective gear. Aside from the mandatory head gear, females are also required to wear chest protectors when sparing.

"We watch out for hard blows, after a hard blow we might sit a student out for a week," Lopez said. "We separate the guys who want to compete from the ones who don't, so they can be more aggressive in the ring."

Watching the children working out in the gym, talking with them and some of the coaches illustrated the extreme value and importance of Double Punches.

“Double Punches is the greatest program I’ve ever done, it represents something that’s going to give you a future,” Gutierrez said.

Another Book Review by Mark (Izzy) Schurr

"Just Win, Baby, the Al Davis Story," by Murray Olderman released in August, 2012 is a fun read if your a die-hard Oakland Raider fan, but if your not a Raider enthusiast this book is a one star read.

Olderman, an award winning journalist has co-written one other book, "My Life in Football," with Bart Starr, the hearled quarter-back of the Green Bay Packers from the 60s about his life in football.

"The History of the American Football League, Featuring the Oakland Raiders," would have been a much better title for "Just Win Baby..." Olderman only talked to Davis for a few hours and noboby else, including past and present players and coaches who actually knew Davis personally.

Dispite Olderman's inept research and misleading title, as a Raider aficionado I found it fasicnating that Gene Upshaw, a hall of fame offensive lineman for the Raiders claims the Raiders would have appeared in three more Super Bowls had the NFL had instant replay in the 60s and 70s. "Just Win Baby...," states bad calls kept the Raiders from beating the New York Jets in the 1969 AFL title game, the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC champion ship game in 1975 and the Denver Bronco's in the AFC title game in 1977. Factor in the imaculate reception by Franco Harris in 1972 and the bogus tuck rule made up in the 2001 AFC title game giving the New England Patriots and not the Raiders the win, the Raiders should have appeared in ten Super Bowls as opposed to five.

Olderman's novel, aside from its maladroit reseach occasionally strikes a cerebal cord of interest and revancely to Davis's life. Former player and coach for the Raiders Tom Flores gave Davis the book, "The Art of War," a 2000 year-old book written by Sun Tzu. Davis used this book amoung others, epecially novels about WWII for statagies in football which ultatimately ammassed three Super Bowl wins for the silver and black attact.

Anyone interested in detailed facts about the begining and end of the AFL and many of its star players, Olderman's novel is and four star read. For those who want an indepth look into the life and times of Davis, it's a one star read.

Olderman inteviewed Davis when he was 80-years-old for only two days to write the mans life story. If Davis had been an intriquing 15-year-old, this little bit or research would have been sufficient. For Davis who lived to the age of 82 and was an iconic figure who coached and was a General Manger in professional football for more than 45 years, the lack of reaseach was reflected in "Just Win Baby..."

If Olderman is indeed a a renowned journalist why didn't he inview Mark Davis, Al's only child? Why didn't he talk with hall of fame Raider running back Marcus Allen who never resolved his feud with Davis? Olderman should have inteviewed seveal players and coaches who both loved and loathed Davis for true story of Davis's life.

The book is mostly about the Raiders, its players and the history of the now defunct AFL. The few times the novel mentions Davis, it's mostly things that could be found on the internet. If you want detailed facts about Davis, just don't read this book, if you like or love the Raiders it's a must read.