Well, listening actually. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I haven't before now. I just got to the part where Graff explains being willing to sacrifice for the long term and all I thought was "Wow! Graff is smart!!!"
hehehe
Posted by BlueWizard (Member # 9389) on :
I loved every story in the book. I especially loved the story were Ender lands on a planet for the first time and has to pay his taxes. It includes Ender meeting Jame for the first time. Excellent short story.
Of course, the one you mention is brilliant too. The story of John Paul as a little boy in Poland; brilliant.
The next story, which I believe is 'Teachers Pest' is a brilliant story too. The best part about this book is it fills in a tremendous backstory not found in the other books. We see Ender's parent for the exceedingly brilliant people that they are, and we get a sense of what they must have sacrificed to create a good life for their children. In a sense, they were geniuses who had to deny their genius, and that couldn't have been an easy thing.
Enjoy.
Steve/BlueWizard
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
I'd love to read a book (or four, I guess) about the Shadow series from their perspective (and some more background).
Posted by Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Member # 7476) on :
I almost get the impression they had a much bigger hand in Peter's rise to power. All of John Paul's goals at the end of teachers Pet are fulfilled by Peter, the replacing of the Hegemony with something better the repealing of several laws, etc. Also isn't John Paul's able to get people to do things by saying just the right words? We know John Paul has a job in the Hegemony but what is it? It's a high enough position that he knows the ends and outs enough to effectively run the day to day operations of Peter's Government in Shadow Puppets.
As I see it this is what happened. Early on John Paul realizes he would be able to take the risks necessary to overthrow the Hegemony because of a fear of what might happen to his family. Joins Hegemony, they think to control him, but in reality it gets him on the inside. I imagine they wanted Ender for their plot but when ender was taken they went with Peter. I'd imagine at least some of Peter and Val's contacts were JP or people JP passed on to them. At the same time shielding them from being found out. Of course if Peter or Val ever found out they were getting help from their parents it would destroy them, they had to believe they did it on their on, thus the dumb parent routine. All the while praying Peter wasn't the monster they feared he could become.
Posted by EP Kaplan (Member # 10855) on :
If you want to see how clever Graff really is, buy IGMS issue one.
My friend lost my 1st Edition copy of the four story First Meetings back in 04 and I still haven't quite forgiven him for it.
Posted by CRash (Member # 7754) on :
I've always liked Graff as a character. "Polish Boy" was probably my favorite story in First Meetings.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
I lack a credit card, or I would definitely do that. If anyone wants to donate a copy *cough*.