Quartered safe out here.........George Macdonald Fraser A very well written and not very politically correct account of 19 and 20 year old northern boys fighting the Japanese in Burma. A good read.
Auschwitz : The Nazis & The 'Final Solution' by Laurence Rees - History book of the year.
How on earth did this happen? This remains a major question in my head and this book sets out to uncover the mentality and motivations of Nazis and the German people. The author was puzzled because in examining other mass atrocities, the people questioned overwhelmingly used the 'I was obeying orders' argument' to attempt an explanation of their actions. Germany was, in general, different, in that the perpetrators remained convinced, many years later, that what they had done was right. Laurence Rees explores this crucial difference and he has managed to deliver many new insights. The book remains calm, factual, accessible, challenging and endlessly harrowing.
I have just started to read Anna Karenina which is a leap for me as I am usually a pulp fiction reader, albeit I would like to think decently written pulp fiction, and I am enjoying it hugely. I try to read a "classic" now and then as I neglected it when I was at school and latterly when I was studying just couldn't face reading for pleasure.
I have just started to read Anna Karenina which is a leap for me as I am usually a pulp fiction reader, albeit I would like to think decently written pulp fiction, and I am enjoying it hugely. I try to read a "classic" now and then as I neglected it when I was at school and latterly when I was studying just couldn't face reading for pleasure.
I have just started to read Anna Karenina which is a leap for me as I am usually a pulp fiction reader, albeit I would like to think decently written pulp fiction, and I am enjoying it hugely. I try to read a "classic" now and then as I neglected it when I was at school and latterly when I was studying just couldn't face reading for pleasure.
Anna Karenina is the greatest novel ever written in my humble opinion. I am currently reading Bleak House, arguably the greatest novel in the English language.
Charlton Athletic Miscellany by Matthew Eastley. I hadn't realised how many club records tumbled last season. Colin Cameron (RIP) came up with 30 club or individual records that were either beaten ot equalled during the 2011/2012 campaign. A must have 'dipping in' book.
Just finished "What I talk about when I talk about running" by Murakami
any good ?
What I talk about when I talk about running is a decent read. I would recommend it too runners or anyone with an interest in running. But, people who do not run (or have an interest in running) may also enjoy the book and / or find it relevant to their lifes.
Have followed Murakami for many years and do get the impression that his recent work is not quite up to the standards of the earlier books (The Hardboiled Wonderland is my favourite). Haven't read the IQ novels yet but will get round to them soon I hope.
Currently on Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway which is great fun. Seriously good writer and definately worth checking out if you like Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman and the like.
Currently on Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway which is great fun. Seriously good writer and definately worth checking out if you like Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman and the like.
I really liked Restless, Any Human Heart and Brazzaville Beach but thought that Ordinary Thunderstorms was terrible, put me off him but I should get round to reading the rest of the back catalogue.
Auschwitz : The Nazis & The 'Final Solution' by Laurence Rees - History book of the year.
How on earth did this happen? This remains a major question in my head and this book sets out to uncover the mentality and motivations of Nazis and the German people. The author was puzzled because in examining other mass atrocities, the people questioned overwhelmingly used the 'I was obeying orders' argument' to attempt an explanation of their actions. Germany was, in general, different, in that the perpetrators remained convinced, many years later, that what they had done was right. Laurence Rees explores this crucial difference and he has managed to deliver many new insights. The book remains calm, factual, accessible, challenging and endlessly harrowing.
"Hitlers Willing Executioners" by Daniel Goldhagen is another book that deals with this that is a fascinating and at time incredibly disturbing read.
Comments
A very well written and not very politically correct account of 19 and 20 year old northern boys fighting the Japanese in Burma.
A good read.
His twitter feed is very funny too
How on earth did this happen? This remains a major question in my head and this book sets out to uncover the mentality and motivations of Nazis and the German people. The author was puzzled because in examining other mass atrocities, the people questioned overwhelmingly used the 'I was obeying orders' argument' to attempt an explanation of their actions. Germany was, in general, different, in that the perpetrators remained convinced, many years later, that what they had done was right. Laurence Rees explores this crucial difference and he has managed to deliver many new insights. The book remains calm, factual, accessible, challenging and endlessly harrowing.
Now going to start Chris Brookmyre's latest - When the Devil Drives.
Fascinating
Currently on Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway which is great fun. Seriously good writer and definately worth checking out if you like Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman and the like.