​Star Wars: Cloak of Deception
by James Luceno
Published in May 2001
342 Pages
Thibault’s Score: 4/5


Cloak of Deception is a novel that takes place roughly a year before the Phantom Menace (Star Wars Episode 1). The novel covers the behind-the-scene political machinations that threatened the Galactic Republic, and eventually culminated in the Trade Federation siege of Naboo.


Roughly half of the book covers the political intrigue over taxation and trade policy. As a professional in the real world SEZ industry, I found it very entertaining to real about these issues as they pertained to the Star Wars universe. I will definitely read James Luceno’s other books in the Star Wars universe.


As a teenager, I read a lot of Star Wars fan fiction, and greatly enjoyed a lot of it. In the last year, I picked up two books, only to be disappointed. This book has restored my faith in the genre. It is a must read for any neckbeards out there.

Charlemagne: from the Hammer to the Cross
by Richard Winston
Published in 1960
418 Pages
Thibault’s Score: 3/5


Another kinda dull biography of Charlemagne. This is the 3rd or 4th I’ve read, I can’t keep track of them. Charlemagne’s reign is very… dull. Far from my favorite period in history.


I don’t know why, but for some reason I always have trouble keeping track of who is who and what is what when studying Charlemagne.


This book focuses especially on one interesting aspect of Charlemagne’s reign: how he slowly went from a warrior into a Christian figure.


The book highlights several key tragic events which, Winston argues, lead Charlemagne to become a pious Christian.


First, the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, where Roland and all of Roland’s knights died fighting the Arabs. Later, the death of his wife and children sent Charlemagne into a deep depression. When he emerged, he had become a die hard Christian. He took the religious institutions which he had built up to bolster his reign, and became a die hard believer.


I can’t say I recommend this book, but it’s not bad by any means.