Books

[Torry Tosser]

Just read "Nail in the Bannister"

By R Stornoway.

[shut up meg]

Oh dear, that joke must have come free with your 1970's profile picture.

[Ramandu]

Anyone read the Patrick O'Brian books (Master & Commander etc)? I had the first one as a holiday read, and really enjoyed it, a great insight into life at sea in the Napoleonic era. But there are 21 of them, and I'm wondering if it holds up across the series.

[For Fecks Sake]

33 minutes ago, Ramandu said:

Anyone read the Patrick O'Brian books (Master & Commander etc)? I had the first one as a holiday read, and really enjoyed it, a great insight into life at sea in the Napoleonic era. But there are 21 of them, and I'm wondering if it holds up across the series.

Not read any of this series but will give it a go. Generally any series with that amount of book will be of a good standard (Sharpe, Rebus, Bernie Gunther, Bosch etc).

Can recommend the Bernie Gunter series - outstanding.

[Henry]

Currently reading Pat Nevin's autobiography. 

[Clydeside_Sheep]

On 4/24/2021 at 12:42 AM, G31DON said:

Have been meaning to read this for a while. Just started tonight.

I have that in my "to read" pile.

Currently I am working through Max Hasting's "Vietnam", which is excellent.

[For Fecks Sake]

9 minutes ago, Clydeside_Sheep said:

I have that in my "to read" pile.

Currently I am working through Max Hasting's "Vietnam", which is excellent.

Not read a bad book by Max Hastings - Overlord / Das Reich / All Hell Let Loose etc. all brilliant.

[Ke1t]

On 8/12/2021 at 9:24 AM, For Fecks Sake said:

Not read a bad book by Max Hastings - Overlord / Das Reich / All Hell Let Loose etc. all brilliant.

Hastings is a good read, though I think he has a bad rep among other military historians. 

I'm geeing myself up to read Sand and Steel and Snow and Steel... but before that I want to read some dumb shit by Tom Clancy. 

Probably The Bear and the Dragon, because thinking is hard. 

[maryhilldon]

You hard of thinking Kelt? 

[Poodler]

 

starting this now 

[Bluto10]

read a book a week

[BrianFaePerth]

2 hours ago, Poodler said:

 

starting this now 

Might have to acquire that. Are there Robin Cook and John Smith sequels?

[Peachandblack]

Just started reading What Ever Happened to Baby Jane by Henry Farrell. Jings it's a twisted book! ?

[For Fecks Sake]

Just finished the 3rd Ambrose Parry book (pseudonym for Christopher Brookmyer and his wife) which was excellent.

Now onto "There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century" by Fiona Hill which is proving to be every bit as depressing (but excellent) as the title would suggest.

[Peachandblack]

1 hour ago, For Fecks Sake said:

Just finished the 3rd Ambrose Parry book (pseudonym for Christopher Brookmyer and his wife) which was excellent.

Now onto "There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century" by Fiona Hill which is proving to be every bit as depressing (but excellent) as the title would suggest.

Ha ha ha. Just looked up the Fiona Hill book - looks interesting. Bob Woodward's book on Trump was great.

[For Fecks Sake]

2 minutes ago, Peachandblack said:

Ha ha ha. Just looked up the Fiona Hill book - looks interesting. Bob Woodward's book on Trump was great.

Thats the thing though, while Trump launched his usual tirade towards her when she announced that she was doing a book, it isn't about Trump at all and more about the people, and why, they vote for the likes of Trump, Brexit etc.

[alscotoz]

Just read Brian Cox autobiography. Interesting guy.

[alscotoz]

14 hours ago, Bad_Mobby said:

Jute actor or boy fae D:Ream

Jute actor

[Poodler]

 

 

about 50 pages into this. Always amusing when people try to pin the great man down, as if anyone can understand him 

[Guest milne_afc]

Funding the war machine, I see.

[Poodler]

Fit yi on aboot? 
 

 

[Guest milne_afc]

The fucking Jews 

[Poodler]

A crackhead gave it to me, I never paid for it 

[alscotoz]

Just reread subtle art of not giving a fuck and everything is fucked. Preferred the latter.

[Ke1t]

Just finished Project Hail Mary... surprisingly liked it even more than The Martian.

Ryan fucking Gosling chosen for the part of the Astronaut in the movie, though, which is a bit shite. Might as well have Borat in the lead role. 

 

[Ramandu]

On 1/15/2022 at 2:35 PM, Poodler said:

 

 

about 50 pages into this. Always amusing when people try to pin the great man down, as if anyone can understand him 

Dylanology* is almost always a waste of time. People see what they want to see.

 

* Actual term for it

[Bluto10]

read a book a week

[Clydeside_Sheep]

Currently reading "Sons of the Reich: II SS Panzer Corps" by Michael Reynolds.

(Following on from "Men of Steel: I SS Panzer Corps" but the same author).

Great stuff for military history fans.

Though the Waffen-SS is controversial, as an arm of the repugnant Nazi regime, Reynolds is dispassionate and fair and does acknowledge they were extraordinarily good quality troops.

The black legend states that this was because they all nazi zealots, hugely brainwashed and politicised with racial theories of their own germanic superiority. 

In fact this is not wholly true and that stuff ended fairly early on:  from 1943 (if not earlier) their replacements were increasingly foreign volunteers, conscripted ethnic germans from conquered or allied territories, or ground crews / dock workers from the air force or navy (who had nothing to do, as those services declined).  Anything they could get really, as the war turned and Germany became increasingly desperate.

What amazes me is their ability to take this rag tag assortment of men - who typically were not nazis, or even Germans - who had no infantry training, and within a very short time successfully integrate them into formidable combat units, often in the field.  I guess it shows the central role of the quality of leadership and of creating a sense of 'esprit de corps' in military service.

[The Boofon]

This much is true by Miriam Margolyes.

 

Decent enough read. She makes me laugh on the telly. Strange old hag. I'd probably pump it.

[maryhilldon]

14 hours ago, Sooper-hanz said:

Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov on the go just now 

Aye?