The life and death of Robert Maxwell. A lot of detail about the final years, when his publishing empire was collapsing (New York Daily News, UK Daily The life and death of Robert Maxwell. A lot of detail about the final years, when his publishing empire was collapsing (New York Daily News, UK Daily Mirror, etc.). Had little idea about much of this going on in the background, even though I was working there for some of that time. Very good book. Humorous at times, and overall quite gripping, right up to the mystery of his death. ...more
I was disappointed that Hooke’s life had successes but he never seemed to really enjoy it, and was always bitter towards rivals like Newton. He workedI was disappointed that Hooke’s life had successes but he never seemed to really enjoy it, and was always bitter towards rivals like Newton. He worked a lot with Christopher Wren on London post-1666-fire, but as with his sciences and Newton etc., his architecture strengths were overshadowed by Wren. He seemed to be highly intelligent and creative in his work, yet absolutely naive about dealing with others. Died with wealth, but living like a pauper. A bit sad and depressing, and not one I'd read again. That's why only 3 stars....more
Enjoyed his mix of country matters, and his riding escapades, with his diatribes against parliament in the 1820s, regarding the ruination of rural worEnjoyed his mix of country matters, and his riding escapades, with his diatribes against parliament in the 1820s, regarding the ruination of rural workers and farmers. He has no time for universities: "those dens of dunces called Colleges and Universities". He bemoans the bankrupting of the country in fighting the French, eg. building the Martello towers on the coast. Seems similar to what happened to Britain’s finances from WW1 and WW2, and more recently the fortune spent on beating Covid-19. In each case it was done with borrowed money. Another bit of similarity to our times, when he points out the large number of churches that now have few attendees for services. As others have said, a bit repetitive, but there were still gems in the later pages....more
This marvelous book gives the family background prior to the Pepys diary, and then follows the events of the diary, and finally goes in detail over thThis marvelous book gives the family background prior to the Pepys diary, and then follows the events of the diary, and finally goes in detail over the events in his life, following the diary years. Quite gripping in itself, with him one minute in prison, the next in conversation with the king!...more
Spends too much time at the start describing the SMERSH killer and his background. Overall plot is more or less the same as the film. Most of action isSpends too much time at the start describing the SMERSH killer and his background. Overall plot is more or less the same as the film. Most of action is in Turkey and then the Orient Express. At end, Bond is stabbed with Rosa Klebb’s poison shoe knife, and we don’t know if it is fatal!!! (Except of course that the reader at that time (1957) knows darned well that there's another book on the way!) ...more
Absolutely brilliant! 1000 pages, and a page turner. Events in the 1660's around the English king and parliament (Restoration of Charles 2), war with Absolutely brilliant! 1000 pages, and a page turner. Events in the 1660's around the English king and parliament (Restoration of Charles 2), war with the Dutch, the great plague, the great fire of London 1666, and also LOTS of his personal life, esp the women he fancies and has affairs with. He recorded everything....more
Interesting biography of the (retired) Director of British MI5. But I was hoping for a bit more detail about the security services in the cold war, anInteresting biography of the (retired) Director of British MI5. But I was hoping for a bit more detail about the security services in the cold war, and perhaps less of her early life. Got a bit dull at the end where she moans about unfairness of treatment of public sector workers compared to those in business. (conveniently forgetting their better job security and gold-plated pensions!)...more
Diamonds are being smuggled in large quantities from Africa via London to USA. Bond takes the place of a courier to take a batch from London to NY. ThDiamonds are being smuggled in large quantities from Africa via London to USA. Bond takes the place of a courier to take a batch from London to NY. The baddies this time are organised crime in USA. Maybe most readers like detailed descriptions of people, places, etc. but at times it felt like padding. Preferred the movie, which has a totally different plot....more
I got this for Christmas, and I love it. It's a great reference book of course, but I love the dry humour when he advises against certain usage. For eI got this for Christmas, and I love it. It's a great reference book of course, but I love the dry humour when he advises against certain usage. For example where people pronounce Chorizo as 'choritso', as if it's an Italian word, he says: "If you wish to make an impression ... it is wise to make sure you choose the right language."...more
Sold a million in US and worldwide. Very short book. Life of a seagull, that aspires to better things, and its move to ‘heaven’. I liked it. It was a Sold a million in US and worldwide. Very short book. Life of a seagull, that aspires to better things, and its move to ‘heaven’. I liked it. It was a nice story. ...more
Espionage before World War 1. Written in 1903. Nice style, but of course language is old-fashioned. Lots of tension and mystery when it gets going. If Espionage before World War 1. Written in 1903. Nice style, but of course language is old-fashioned. Lots of tension and mystery when it gets going. If you've ever been sailing, it captures the atmosphere of lonely tidal anchorages perfectly. Prefer the book to the film,
Sets the scene well, with upper-class young people on Long Island. Lot on their character as well as physical description. It was fairly slow up to haSets the scene well, with upper-class young people on Long Island. Lot on their character as well as physical description. It was fairly slow up to half-way, then things happened faster....more
His jottings through life, from 1892 to 1949. Lots of amusing anecdotes. eg. · Unselfish parents have selfish children. · Fools don’t become less foolisHis jottings through life, from 1892 to 1949. Lots of amusing anecdotes. eg. · Unselfish parents have selfish children. · Fools don’t become less foolish when they grow old, and an old fool is infinitely more tiresome than a young one. ...more
First of the ‘Barsetshire’ novels. The intrigues of a vicar and clergy. I found it slow going, albeit amusing at times, and didn’t finish. Some wry huFirst of the ‘Barsetshire’ novels. The intrigues of a vicar and clergy. I found it slow going, albeit amusing at times, and didn’t finish. Some wry humour at the expense of the established church....more
The usual good quality read from Grisham. At the start, it isn't clear who the lead character is, as Patrick is seemingly the villain. Then reader graThe usual good quality read from Grisham. At the start, it isn't clear who the lead character is, as Patrick is seemingly the villain. Then reader gradually gets to identify with him, so we want him to succeed whatever, as he seems a lot better than the opposition. First half of book is a bit complicated/slow, but then pace picks up fast for rest of the book....more
Opening pages are a bit dull, but he puts a taster at front of the book, an extract from page 83. (seems a bit of a cheat to me) Maybe publisher suggeOpening pages are a bit dull, but he puts a taster at front of the book, an extract from page 83. (seems a bit of a cheat to me) Maybe publisher suggested this? Chap 3 annoyed me, as it was a boring digression about him running. Chap 4 equally annoying with too much description of his Yorkshire village upbringing. Who cares? But then the pace picks up, and plenty of hooks, cliffhangers etc. So in the end worth persevering. ...more
His first novel. Bestseller in US. Financial thriller. Start is slow (only the promise of the blurb kept me going). Too many names, introduced one aftHis first novel. Bestseller in US. Financial thriller. Start is slow (only the promise of the blurb kept me going). Too many names, introduced one after the other. I forget which is which. Some padding in places (eg. 12 pages devoted to explaining fishing). But, half way through book it hots up and becomes a page turner, and there's a good ending....more
Good opening line. "Saturday, the last day of August, I started work before dawn." Good plot, with lots of grisly details of the dead bodies. The invoGood opening line. "Saturday, the last day of August, I started work before dawn." Good plot, with lots of grisly details of the dead bodies. The involvement of a psychic seems a bit far fetched! A very good read overall, but the end of book was too abrupt for me. We are in a load of tension, and then only a few pages later it is the end of book....more
The start is weird enough, and it then gets more and more sinister, and reader assumes the worst. Lots of action and tension. The novel switches regulaThe start is weird enough, and it then gets more and more sinister, and reader assumes the worst. Lots of action and tension. The novel switches regularly between scenes and leaves something hanging that reader wants to know. A page turner! ...more
Good start with plenty of tension. But later on, too many flashbacks for me. A lot of alternating between present and 1940’s – annoying. At half way pGood start with plenty of tension. But later on, too many flashbacks for me. A lot of alternating between present and 1940’s – annoying. At half way point I gave up, as not enjoying it. The 1940’s flashbacks had eased off, and the plot was drifting along, but still another 80,000 words to go. I’ve got more interesting things to read....more
I wasn’t that impressed with much of this book. Over-complicated, padding, and, without giving too much away, there's an escape which is ridiculous.I wasn’t that impressed with much of this book. Over-complicated, padding, and, without giving too much away, there's an escape which is ridiculous....more
It was his first bestseller. The start is not Particularly gripping, but it soon gets going with mystery man cutting himself with dagger and talking iIt was his first bestseller. The start is not Particularly gripping, but it soon gets going with mystery man cutting himself with dagger and talking in Latin!...more
Starts very slow and descriptive for maybe a quarter of the book, eg. Description of all members of the old man’s family, and even a chart; descriptioStarts very slow and descriptive for maybe a quarter of the book, eg. Description of all members of the old man’s family, and even a chart; description in detail of the food that was eaten. Many short dull sentences. But then at about chapter 10 it gets going, with sex, incest and violence, and becomes a page-turner. ...more
Very good at giving you a feeling for Paris in the 1930's and the artistic/literary community.Very good at giving you a feeling for Paris in the 1930's and the artistic/literary community....more
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