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Stupid White Men

Stupid White Men by Michael Moore

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This was a second-hand impulse buy based on enjoying the author's documentaries. I found it a little too US-centric even with this being the international edition. Then again, we all suffer similar problems with our politicians and political parties. It is of course very dated now with another election imminent but the humour carries on ok, would I recommend it? Probably not, a little too bitter for a humour book, and likely far too one-sided for a political book.


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Kluge

Kluge by Gary Marcus

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well, that was an interesting read. My first foray into this subject and I wasn't disappointed.

The flyleaf tells me the book is controversial, which I guess means it differs from the majority of current thinking. But to me the content made all too much sense, it is very interesting to have your lapses described in so much detail and reasons behind them given.

I wasn't sure at the end whether to be saddened by my oddly evolved brain or amused. I chose amused; yes, I screw up but I get along.

It's not a heavy read, I recommend to all.


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84 Charing Cross Road

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
A two book volume, a two part review.



84 Charing Cross Road

Well, it was quite a route to get to this book. Having read Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945 I research the author, Leo Marks, and find that he wrote the screenplay for a movie about his fathers bookshop 84 Charing Cross Road. I am interested, the shop is mentioned in Leo's book. I rent the movie and find it to be a charming story, the DVD reveals that the movie is based on a book. Ok, I research the book... Wow, this is a true story. I had no idea, good grief, I must read the book.

So, I approach this book knowing the story, knowing the ending, knowing it is a true story (ok, others knew this and are suprised I hadn't twigged it). Well, it now less of a charming story for me but very captivating, happy and sad all at the same time. I loved the clash of cultures, the meeting of minds, the growing friendships. Helene was truly a special person, her thirst for knowledge, selfless charitable acts (I'm sure she didn't see it as charity), the ability to create friendships (not just with Frank, but all at 84). I wanted a fairytale ending but it wasn't to be, this is real life, and how could it have been a perfect ending? Far too many complications would have arisen from any alternative ending.

A superb book; I have read nothing like it before, I recommend to all, but maybe American anglophiles especially.



The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street

It just gets better doesn't it. Helene makes it to England and we are treated to a very personal view of London and its people in the early 70s. It is a treat to discover locations old and new and have them described in Helene's forthright American way.

For me, and of course Helene, any ghosts from 84 Charing Cross Road are laid to rest very nicely. Although, there was a tear in my eye when she first arrives. Books that can do that to me just have to go in to my top-ten, so in it goes.



Oh, dear Helene is taking me to New York the next time we get together, Apple of My Eye.


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The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead by Gerald Seymour

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A very topical storyline, with an interesting insight into both sides of the picture.

Not the best Seymour I have read though; at times I wondered if it had not been proofread, it may have been me but I found myself having to re-read some paragraphs that didn't seem to make grammatical sense. It has been a long time since I've puzzled over writing like this.

Good characterisation though, as always, and the typical headlong rush into the dramatic ending didn't disappoint.


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Blood, Sweat & Tea: Real-Life Adventures in an Inner-City Ambulance

Blood, Sweat & Tea: Real-Life Adventures in an Inner-City Ambulance by Tom Reynolds

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
As others have said, blogs don't seem to transfer well to books, but for me it makes a different sort of read. 1001 mini-stories that make for a book that can be dipped into at any time for any amount of time.

The overall content of this book is fairly depressing but it is real life, warts and all. I'm glad I read it, I have learned a lot, recommended.

[ You can follow the author at Twitter, http://twitter.com/Reynolds ]


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At Close Quarters

At Close Quarters by Gerald Seymour

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another good Gerald Seymour, standard fare, but nail biting all the way. Loved the ending, seemed a bit rushed at first, but on reflection it was just right.


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The Heart of Danger

The Heart of Danger by Gerald Seymour

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, just wow. An amazing tale of human tragedy, it goes straight into my top ten all time books list.


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Expedition to Earth

Expedition to Earth by Arthur C. Clarke

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Excellent. Very early Arthur C Clark and absolutely timeless.


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Generation Kill

Generation Kill by Evan Wright

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very good. A quite enthralling first hand account of an embedded reporter in Gulf War 2. Hard to put down, a very easy to stick with writing style.


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Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945

Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945 by Leo Marks

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Good grief, what an excellent read. I'd settled down for what I assumed would be a dry but interesting read. Not at all, it was all about the characters, brought to life in a superb way. I was enthralled from start to finish, and only realised at the end that I had also been learning code breaking. Wow, will read again.


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