Al Birnbaum is a fading political talk host, watching his career death-spiral and dreaming of the great days. Then he meets a stranger who offers him the key to returning to the top of the ratings and more influence than he had even at his previous highest success.

The problem here, which Al doesn't sufficiently appreciate, is that he has no idea who the stranger works for, or what his ultimate goal is.

Episode Four of The Human Division is set on Earth, where conspiracy theories are thriving, the Conclave has diplomatic representation, and would-be recruits to the Colonial Defense Forces are coming to terms with the fact that that option is no longer there for them when they turn 75.

Scalzi's episodic novel continues to unfold, and this is another strong episode.

Recommended.

I bought this story from Audible.com ( )

A talk-radio show host.

I loved it so much I immediately pre-ordered the remaining nine episodes. And yes, I want them now. I'm really looking forward to seeing how all these threads and characters come together.

I bought it. ( )

Nice collection of stories set in the OLD MANƒ??S WAR universe. It continues the plot, so you donƒ??t want to miss it. I listened to the audio version which was very good. You can each episode separately or all together.

We've got a review of the full series here:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/fantasy-author/scalzijohn/ ( )

This is my favorite installment so far. Birnbaum accepts an offer to reboot his flagging political info-tainment show & has a more pivotal role in the outcome than he expected. No spoilers but I do look forward to the next & wonder if Michael Washington is an alias & who he works for really. ( )

The fourth entry in Scalzi's The Human Division provides a vision of what is happening on Earth now that they are aware of the the Colonial Union and the forces arrayed against them spread across the galaxy. The dialogue is tight and quick, the wit is well written and the secret and mysterious deal that talk show host (and main character) Birnbaum accepts is intriguing and enticing all at the same time.

Of special note is the back and forth between Birnbaum and his assistant. The rapid fire barbs and friendly insults are very well written and just as believable. This is the best dialogue in the series thus far, and is well worth the price of admission.

I'm very much enjoying this serialized novel and hope that other authors will think about using this format in the future. It gives me something to look forward to each Tuesday, and I'm happy to read the entire episode on my afternoon lunch break. It's fun and reminds me of my love of comic books in my teens...the waiting for the next issue and wondering where my favorite authors and artists would take the story. Scalzi is tapping into that nostalgia, and I appreciate it. ( )