All Hell Let Loose by Max Hastings - a complete history of WW2.
Though I know the broad sweep of that war I have never studied it in any detail, and this book deals with all the important elements and is critical of much of the tactics and decision making on the British side. Abut 1/4 through, and enkoying it, though wishing the font was a bit bigger!
I've been meaning to read some of his stuff, I've read Berlin and Stalingrad by Antony Beevor who does a brilliant job of blending historical facts, dates etc with first hand accounts.
Before I Go To Sleep - SJ Watson. Took me a while to finish purely for the fact that it wasn't an exciting read and a bit flabby with the story but I can't stop a book halfway through.
It's not what you think - Chris Evans' first autobiography.
Really enjoyed this, thought it was really funny and loved the Top 10s at the beginning of each chapter. The second book is also worth reading.
Got that lined up next. Having just read Dawn French's Dear Fatty, which is written as a series of letters to friends and family, the top 10 thing grated for a while as yet another way to write a "quirky" autobiography, just wanted to hear the story thanks guys... However, now I have got used to it, it is quite good, and I am intrigued as to the stories behind some of the number 2 to 10 choices that we don't get to read about.
Incredible book about the 102 minutes from the moment the first world trade centre was hit by a plane until they both collapsed ... eye-witness accounts of those in the towers who escaped, and communications from those who didn't.
Some incredible acts of bravery by the general public and some damning reports regarding NY emergency services.
It's not what you think - Chris Evans' first autobiography.
Really enjoyed this, thought it was really funny and loved the Top 10s at the beginning of each chapter. The second book is also worth reading.
Now reading the second book, Memoirs of a Fruitcake, surprisingly gripping even though we know what happens its fascinating reading Chris' very honest take on what went on.
The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language. I first heard it when it was book of the week on R4 and thought it was so good I had to read it. For those that like that sort of thing there's loads in interesting facts: - Avocados are named after testicles (because of their shape) - Botox gets its name from botulinum toxin which literally means sausage poison. - The oil company Shell gets its name because it originally started out as a shop in Houndsditch selling sea shells. - The phrase to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps is a physical impossibility but originates from the notorious liar Baron Von Munchausen. This gave us the phrase to boot up, as in computers. - The longest known grammatically correct sentence in the English language containing just one word is, "Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo". Although it is grammatically correct, it doesn't make sense unless explained.
Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson ... absolutely fascinating ... not by any means a 'homage' to Jobs ... says it all, warts and all ... almost a history of technology over the last 30 years and includes tons of interviews with all the main players including Gates, Ellison, Wozniak etc etc
Core of the book comes out as open vs closed systems (e.g. Microsoft vs. Apple) ... I've always been a supporter of open tech but the book does help you understand why Jobs went for the integrated approach.
Covers everything from Apple to Pixar. Best biography I've read for ages.
Currently reading Pictures at an Exhibition, by Camilla MacPherson. My friend's first published novel, I'm enjoying it so far. May be a bit to 'girly' for you lot!
"The Man Who Sold The World - David Bowie and the 70's" - Peter Doggett's in depth song-by-song reappraisal of Bowie's 70's work. A great read if you are/were a Bowie fan. Follows the same format as Ian MacDonald's Beatles classic "Revolution in the Head" In fact MacDonald was slated to write the book, the publisher turned to Doggett after MacDonald topped himself.
I bought a book called 'Eating Animals' simply because it was by Jonathan Safran Foer. The descriptions of factory farming in the US are horrific. It's not quite enough to turn me to vegetarianism though.
Read this a few years ago, thought it was intelligent, imaginative, unusual and very enjoyable indeed. Black Swan Green by the same author is totally different but also excellent.
Core of the book comes out as open vs closed systems (e.g. Microsoft vs. Apple) ... I've always been a supporter of open tech but the book does help you understand why Jobs went for the integrated approach
Any chance of a translation for those of us that only speak English D? ;-)
Back to Rebus now, Strip Jack, riveting. Reading the books in order you just see Rankine developing as a writer, which is interesting in itself.
Read Headhunters by Jo Nesbo but didn't enjoy it very much. Missed the harry Hole character. A bit like Stig Larsson without Salander. Le Carre's 'Absolute Friends' was excellent, especially the revolutionary bit in the '60's. Keith Richards Life was surprisingly good. Mandelson's 'The Third Man' gives wondrous insight into New Labout. They put so much effort into turning old Labour into a soft Tory party that they didn't have many policies for government. Just started 'The Journey' by Tony Blair. Okay so far.
Reading "The Far Corner: A mazy dribble through North-East Football", by Harry Pearson (WSC contributor). Had to hold my nose to stop myself laughing out loud whilst my other half was asleep. Do yourself a favour and read it.
Read Headhunters by Jo Nesbo but didn't enjoy it very much. Missed the harry Hole character. A bit like Stig Larsson without Salander. Le Carre's 'Absolute Friends' was excellent, especially the revolutionary bit in the '60's. Keith Richards Life was surprisingly good. Mandelson's 'The Third Man' gives wondrous insight into New Labout. They put so much effort into turning old Labour into a soft Tory party that they didn't have many policies for government. Just started 'The Journey' by Tony Blair. Okay so far.
TBH, wolfboy, it was a tad disappointing IMHO. Much preferred " The Snowman" which was the last to be published before Phantom.
LOVED Harry Hole like yourself - make sure you have a box of tissues at the ready for his latest though....
Haven't read " Headhunters" but would like to catch the film at some point.
Have you read the Wallender books ? My son introduced me to them before the Scandinavian authors took off. Unsure at first but the more I read, the more I enjoy them.
I like historical novels. I got really hooked on Simon Scarrow's Roman army books. Read them all. I am now finding it hard to get a book to enjoy that has the same page turning, cant put down quality.
Any suggestions please??
I would thoroughly recommend C. J. Sansom's "Shardlake" series: (Dissolution, Dark Fire, Sovereign, Revelation and Heartstone. [In that order!])
All set during the reign of Henry VIII. The main character is a hunchbacked lawyer called Matthew Shardlake. Sansom shows real knowledge and expertise on the period in question (to a layman like me, at least.) The plots are interesting and well thought out and in the main he succeeds in conveying a flavour of the time.
I see this one's finally about to be published in England: Jonas Jonasson's The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.
It has been an outstanding success in Sweden - 1m copies represents more than 10% of the entire population. But there's nothing specifically Swedish about it except that that's where the action happens to take place.
I've read it both in Swedish and in Danish and I found it absolutely hilarious - a kind of old-fashioned farce with some elements of Forrest Gump thrown in. Assuming the transaltion is ok it would make an excellent holiday read
Comments
Do you mean like faction bo I've been meaning to read some of his stuff, I've read Berlin and Stalingrad by Antony Beevor who does a brilliant job of blending historical facts, dates etc with first hand accounts.
Incredible book about the 102 minutes from the moment the first world trade centre was hit by a plane until they both collapsed ... eye-witness accounts of those in the towers who escaped, and communications from those who didn't.
Some incredible acts of bravery by the general public and some damning reports regarding NY emergency services.
- Avocados are named after testicles (because of their shape)
- Botox gets its name from botulinum toxin which literally means sausage poison.
- The oil company Shell gets its name because it originally started out as a shop in Houndsditch selling sea shells.
- The phrase to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps is a physical impossibility but originates from the notorious liar Baron Von Munchausen. This gave us the phrase to boot up, as in computers.
- The longest known grammatically correct sentence in the English language containing just one word is, "Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo". Although it is grammatically correct, it doesn't make sense unless explained.
http://blog.inkyfool.com/
A manic funny story about ensuring a stag weekend is held in Amsterdam ... Very funny ... A bunch of football fans let loose in the 'Dam
Core of the book comes out as open vs closed systems (e.g. Microsoft vs. Apple) ... I've always been a supporter of open tech but the book does help you understand why Jobs went for the integrated approach.
Covers everything from Apple to Pixar. Best biography I've read for ages.
Follows the same format as Ian MacDonald's Beatles classic "Revolution in the Head"
In fact MacDonald was slated to write the book, the publisher turned to Doggett after MacDonald topped himself.
Black Swan Green by the same author is totally different but also excellent.
Back to Rebus now, Strip Jack, riveting. Reading the books in order you just see Rankine developing as a writer, which is interesting in itself.
Read Headhunters by Jo Nesbo but didn't enjoy it very much. Missed the harry Hole character. A bit like Stig Larsson without Salander.
Le Carre's 'Absolute Friends' was excellent, especially the revolutionary bit in the '60's.
Keith Richards Life was surprisingly good.
Mandelson's 'The Third Man' gives wondrous insight into New Labout. They put so much effort into turning old Labour into a soft Tory party that they didn't have many policies for government.
Just started 'The Journey' by Tony Blair. Okay so far.
LOVED Harry Hole like yourself - make sure you have a box of tissues at the ready for his latest though....
Haven't read " Headhunters" but would like to catch the film at some point.
Have you read the Wallender books ? My son introduced me to them before the Scandinavian authors took off. Unsure at first but the more I read, the more I enjoy them.
(Dissolution, Dark Fire, Sovereign, Revelation and Heartstone. [In that order!])
All set during the reign of Henry VIII. The main character is a hunchbacked lawyer called Matthew Shardlake. Sansom shows real knowledge and expertise on the period in question (to a layman like me, at least.) The plots are interesting and well thought out and in the main he succeeds in conveying a flavour of the time.
It has been an outstanding success in Sweden - 1m copies represents more than 10% of the entire population. But there's nothing specifically Swedish about it except that that's where the action happens to take place.
I've read it both in Swedish and in Danish and I found it absolutely hilarious - a kind of old-fashioned farce with some elements of Forrest Gump thrown in. Assuming the transaltion is ok it would make an excellent holiday read
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/mar/04/swedish-bestseller-has-last-laugh
If you like The Pogues then you will enjoy this book ... very well written ... and lots of good memories ... how Shane is still alive is a mystery
Best music book for a long time.