Eventually I started to think of this as “Book without end” as it has occupied many of my weeks.
Follett delivers though, with an absorbing storyline Eventually I started to think of this as “Book without end” as it has occupied many of my weeks.
Follett delivers though, with an absorbing storyline and a huge ensemble of characters.
As I neared the end, we also began watching Tony Robinson’s TV series on Great Cathedrals of England and this added to my understanding of how Kingsbridge was constructed and evolved.
Can I face the next (and final) book in the quartet? ...more
That's book #1 (now book #2) of the Kingsbridge series completed and, as always, Follett provides a ripping yarn that isn't overly taxing on the intelThat's book #1 (now book #2) of the Kingsbridge series completed and, as always, Follett provides a ripping yarn that isn't overly taxing on the intellect - really good holiday reading over the Christmas and New Year break and my first completion of 2021. Having ploughed my way through 1,000 pages, I'm somewhat overwhelmed by the prospect of 1,200 pages of World without End - here goes......more
My constant companion through a dramatic and challenging year, The Daily Stoic has kept me grounded and calm and could not have arrived in my life at My constant companion through a dramatic and challenging year, The Daily Stoic has kept me grounded and calm and could not have arrived in my life at a better moment....more
I begin what is now the Kingsbridge quartet, although this prequel to Pillars of the earth has recently been published. Very much a holiday read - not I begin what is now the Kingsbridge quartet, although this prequel to Pillars of the earth has recently been published. Very much a holiday read - not too taxing on the intellect but a good page-turner in which the goodies are truly good and the baddies are rotters. An insight into the simplicity of life as the Dark Ages ended and the Middle Ages began, perhaps reflected in the simplicity of the plot and characters. I hope for more from "Pillars"....more
Not so much a book - rather a set of 200+ blog posts.
My advice is that you don't do as I did and try to sit down and read this as a complete work. ItNot so much a book - rather a set of 200+ blog posts.
My advice is that you don't do as I did and try to sit down and read this as a complete work. It will benefit you more if you decide on a passage a day. Like The Daily Stoic - a series of meditations on creativity.
As always, the wisdom is insightful and contemporary. Godin makes us think....more
A cracker from Ian McGuire, set in the grimy Manchester & Salford of 1867 and telling a fast-moving story of corrupt police and politicians versus IriA cracker from Ian McGuire, set in the grimy Manchester & Salford of 1867 and telling a fast-moving story of corrupt police and politicians versus Irish nationalists.
Starting with the true story of the "Manchester Martyrs" but then McGuire's imagination takes the consequences of the executions to a dark conclusion.
I shall look forward to the author's future work....more
One of my fastest reads of the year, simply because I was engrossed from start to finish. A warning, however, that this is also the most brutally violOne of my fastest reads of the year, simply because I was engrossed from start to finish. A warning, however, that this is also the most brutally violent book I’ve read in as long as I can remember.
Not gratuitous as I’m sure that McGuire has captured the reality of life in the mid-1800’s lower classes and especially aboard a whaler.
Henry Drax is Bill Sykes on speed and the reluctant hero Sumner is a complex and dark character.
This is a novel that will stay in my memory and may have accounted for some troubled nights of sleep this week.
I’m going straight to McGuire’s new novel The Abstainer....more
The history of Earthsea is expanded here through a series of short stories set before and during the events of the first 4 books, providing a bridge tThe history of Earthsea is expanded here through a series of short stories set before and during the events of the first 4 books, providing a bridge to the 6th and final volume....more
The story explores the world of Earthsea to even greater depths and the characters become darker - an excellent continuation of the saga. The books haThe story explores the world of Earthsea to even greater depths and the characters become darker - an excellent continuation of the saga. The books have surpassed my expectations....more
My journey continues as the second great character of Tenar is introduced. I'm slowly being drawn in to the narrative.My journey continues as the second great character of Tenar is introduced. I'm slowly being drawn in to the narrative....more
This isn't a book about alcoholism, even though that was the reason Seabrook allowed himself to be incarcerated in an institution for over 6 months inThis isn't a book about alcoholism, even though that was the reason Seabrook allowed himself to be incarcerated in an institution for over 6 months in 1933. Rather, it is a book about his fellow inmates, suffering from a variety of mental health disorders and displaying equally varied symptoms. Also, a history of the development of "modern" techniques to deal with mental health, which took the patients beyond the traditional route of simply locking them up, to experimenting with behavioural modification. It's ironic that, as I'm reading this, I'm also watching the TV series "Ratched", a wildly fictional and fantastical account of the earlier life of the famous "Nurse Ratched" from "One flew over the cuckoo's nest". There are similarities, although Seabrook's account is from an earlier decade and more grounded. ...more
Very much a beginner's guide to self-help, written primarily for the very young.
Vex King does a good job of collecting and collating some classic mateVery much a beginner's guide to self-help, written primarily for the very young.
Vex King does a good job of collecting and collating some classic material from the personal development archive and adding a contemporary note to reflect the challenges faced by those growing up in the Millennial landscape....more
An excellent example of the genre, which I suppose it should be but praise indeed for Daniel Kraus, who has taken just two chapters and around 100 pagAn excellent example of the genre, which I suppose it should be but praise indeed for Daniel Kraus, who has taken just two chapters and around 100 pages written by Romero and a lifetime of research to complete this definitive story....more
Discovering Follett has been a highlight of my summer and to complete the Century trilogy feels like finishing a marathon - tired but hPhew - made it.
Discovering Follett has been a highlight of my summer and to complete the Century trilogy feels like finishing a marathon - tired but happy.
As I’ve said, a window on history and a ripping yarn. Great fun to read and also reminisce on many events through which I lived as a child and a young man....more
Once more, Ken Follett delivers a great holiday read - a ringside seat on 20th Century history - a ripping yarn. I've become engrossed in the story ofOnce more, Ken Follett delivers a great holiday read - a ringside seat on 20th Century history - a ripping yarn. I've become engrossed in the story of the 5 families around whom the saga is woven....more
Reading Ulysses as a novel is like visiting one of the great art galleries of the world without a guide.
Imagine hundreds of paintings, sculptures, othReading Ulysses as a novel is like visiting one of the great art galleries of the world without a guide.
Imagine hundreds of paintings, sculptures, other works of both antiquity and contemporary design - but no signage, no explanation.
Every now and then a particular object captures your attention but, after a while, the experience just morphs into overwhelm - yeah right, another painting.
As the day wears on, you decide to miss whole galleries and exhibits, just so that you can get to the exit and return home to the comfort of your own home and a night of more familiar entertainment.
When I reached the end of Ada Palmer's "Too like the lightning" (until now, the "hardest" book I have read) I was so curious as to what had just happened that I went right back to page 1, started again and completed her astonishing trilogy.
Having read around 750 pages of Ulysses and skimmed the rest, I have no intention of investing any more time in attempting to understand what Joyce wrote.
Later in my life, when I have the time and inclination, I may return - with a guide - and retrace my steps through Dublin in 1904.
Until then, thank God that is over with.
p.s. I bought my copy in Sweny's - and some lemon soap. ...more
Started with much expectation after enjoying the first book so much. Children of Ruin doesn’t disappoint and makes the reader work for a living.
It reqStarted with much expectation after enjoying the first book so much. Children of Ruin doesn’t disappoint and makes the reader work for a living.
It requires focus and concentration to follow Tchaikovsky’s slow build and realise what’s going on. Once that basic level of cognition is reached (and that’s after some time), the rest of the story flows....more
Although historical fact, the story of Otto Wachter’s life and death is a page-turner that had me gripped throughout.
The book is a combination of threAlthough historical fact, the story of Otto Wachter’s life and death is a page-turner that had me gripped throughout.
The book is a combination of three stories. First the rise of Otto to a position of prominence in the Nazi high command. Second, the love of Otto and Charlotte through tumultuous decades and, finally, the author’s search for the truth about Otto’s complicity in war crimes and his ultimate demise.
Another excellent short read, explaining the "secrets" of longevity from the Japanese "Blue Zone" area of Okinawa:
1. Stay active, don't retire; 2. TakeAnother excellent short read, explaining the "secrets" of longevity from the Japanese "Blue Zone" area of Okinawa:
1. Stay active, don't retire; 2. Take it slow; 3. Don't fill your stomach; 4. Surround yourself with good friends; 5. Get in shape for your next birthday; 6. Smile; 7. Reconnect with nature; 8. Give thanks; 9. Live in the moment; 10. Follow you ikigai
I particularly enjoyed the chapter on "antifragility" - that which becomes stronger when harmed....more
I found this by accident in an Altrincham market artisan store and could not be more pleased with the purchase. Swinton's history of the science is faI found this by accident in an Altrincham market artisan store and could not be more pleased with the purchase. Swinton's history of the science is fascinating and his insights into Turing's character entice the reader to learn more. It's his description of pre and post-war scientists and academics taking up residence in my home post code that fascinated me the most. I'm very tempted to embark on a hunt for the properties mentioned in my locale....more
This is a lovely little stocking filler (Xmas 2019) and full of gems on personal development. Even the chapter headings are a good reminder of how to This is a lovely little stocking filler (Xmas 2019) and full of gems on personal development. Even the chapter headings are a good reminder of how to show up in the world....more
The history of the Aztecs before, during and after the Spanish conquest has always fascinated me.
This telling of the story from the perspective of theThe history of the Aztecs before, during and after the Spanish conquest has always fascinated me.
This telling of the story from the perspective of the indigenous people gives depth and breadth to the superficial portrayal of Aztec brutality in modern media....more
Another triumph from Barry Lopez, whose descriptions of his environment, of the wildlife around him, of indigenous people and of history are spellbindAnother triumph from Barry Lopez, whose descriptions of his environment, of the wildlife around him, of indigenous people and of history are spellbinding.
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