I have got back into reading physical books this year, I read a lot many years ago, but seemed to drift away from them with technical work I was doing and reading on PC screens. This didn’t stop me from buying physical books and gradually my ‘tower’ of unread book increased in size. Until I was given a particular book that suddenly relit my interest in physical.
So, here is an overview of some that I have read this year, more a record for myself.
I was in the Far-East area, serving in the Royal Navy during the Vietnam War period, running into USA servicemen on Rest & Recreation (R & R) visits in Bangkok and visiting Subic Bay – a large US Navy/Air Force base – as part of our deployment. I also subscribed to Time Magazine at the time, so I was aware of much of what was going on around the Vietnam War.
Sharing the same surname as the early years of the war, USA Secretary of Defence Robert S. McNamara and subsequent author of this book also added extra interest to read more about his involvement and his subsequent changes of opinion.
It’s a very interesting book, full of – up till its publication – previously unpublished ‘intel’ that certainly throws a different light on his involvement/decision-making and the fall-out from the war. It’s very much a must-read for anyone who had/has an interest in the Vietnam War years.
As an interesting footnote, my copy has turned out to be a pirated copy, produced on a photocopier/scanner, but that’s a story for another post.
A detailed book that shines the light on exactly where Vladimir Putin came from and how he has continued to stay in place throughout tthe massive chnages that have happen to the former Soviet Union (USSR).
Great use of pictures through out showing his various connections with the Russian Mafia, KGB, Stasi as he rose to power.
As with any book of this nature, there are 90 pages worth of comprehensive end notes and a 27-page index.
A very good read.
The Mirror & the Light is the final instalment of the Wolf Hall trilogy (Wolf Hall, Bring up the Bodies being the previous parts) by Hilary Mantel.
Be prepared for a long read, this one is some 870 pages long! However, as with the previous books, it’s another masterpiece of story telling, albeit sometimes a bit confusing that requires some rereading. But that is outweighed by a great tale that brings an obvious conclusion to the Thomas Cromwell story. Took some effort to read, but well worth it.
Just announced, the TV adaptation of this final book will be on BBC ONE November 10th.
Beasley's Place 