There’s a point near the end of the book when talking to a grandson of the great man that the author summarises Churchill’s achievements.
More publishThere’s a point near the end of the book when talking to a grandson of the great man that the author summarises Churchill’s achievements.
More published words than Shakespeare and Dickens combined, wins the Nobel Prize for Literature, kills umpteen people in armed combat on four continents, serves in every great office of state including Prime Minister (twice), is indispensable to victory in two world wars and then posthumously sells his paintings for a million dollars.
Not bad!
There’s quite a bit of hero worship in this book – Boris is clearly awe struck by the man – but it’s very hard not to come away thinking how much Churchill packed into his lifetime. Was he the greatest Britain of all time? Well, maybe, certainly a poll taken in 2002 concluded he was. But anyway you look at it he was definitely the right man for the right time. I hadn’t realised just how much Churchill was swimming against the tide in opposing Hitler. It seems that there were an awful lot of appeasers about at the time and its absolutely conceivable that, had it not been for the Homburg wearing statesman, we could well have entered into some sort of agreement with Hitler. Who knows what the world would look like now, had that been the case!
This is a very personal portrait, painted by Boris. He has a quirky style that worked for me. For instance, in one section he talks about Churchill’s cock-ups and introduces a scoring system to explain how much of a disaster each of the actions truly were (or weren’t) and to what degree Winston was actually responsible. As I found in the rest of the book, he tends to err on the side of his hero, but it was a great way of providing a fresh perspective on these events. For information, the list includes:
- The disastrous Gallipoli campaign - His opposition to increased home rule in India - Returning Sterling to the Gold Standard - His resistance to the abdication of Edward VIII
There were lots of personal facts about Churchill, of which I was hitherto unaware. For instance, by all accounts, he had an enormous vocabulary, he showed tremendous personal bravery as both a war correspondent and a soldier and was the standing Prime Minister at the age of 80. The list goes on.
There’s also an interesting comparison between author and subject in that Churchill achieved all he did without a ‘classic’ education; he never attended university. Contrast this with Boris, who lists Eton and Oxford University amongst the outstanding centres of education he’s attended. But the similarities between the two are, perhaps, more striking. Like his hero, Boris served time as a journalist before entering politics, where he is also seen as something of a one-off, a maverick. Both were born into money, and it’s perfectly conceivable that Boris could emulate ‘the man’ by becoming leader of the Conservative Party (and thereby quite probably Prime Minister) in the not too distant future.
Overall, I found this to be a fascinating – if rather one-sided – account of the life and achievements of one of the great figures of recent history. If you feel you want to know more about Churchill and want to be entertained at the same time, look no further....more
Nobody who has witnessed the television scenes of atrocities in Paris or has listened to the rantings of Donald Trump can fail to appreciate that IslaNobody who has witnessed the television scenes of atrocities in Paris or has listened to the rantings of Donald Trump can fail to appreciate that Islamism and, in particular, the murderous terrorists it has spawned, is probably now the hottest global discussion topic.
To be clear, this is not a book about the ancient religion itself – the meaning of being a Muslim – it’s about the groups that have taken this faith and how they have formed factions which have developed and evolved through the centuries. It brings the story bang up to date with reflections on some recent global events and their geopolitical ramifications.
In his introduction, the author explains that there are largely two schools at play. The most widely held historic view was (and is still held by some to be) that being a Muslim is a holistic framework which covers their spiritual and material lives. Accepting all parameters is paramount – it’s not possible to accept some and reject others. More recently a secular school has chosen to distinguish between the fundamental tenets of faith and its application in life, thus limiting the scope of Islamism (though this group rarely, if ever, uses this terminology). The recent Arab uprisings have created conditions which has allowed hard line, militant Islamism to gain a foothold. The history of these movements and the ebb and flow of power and influence is covered in great detail in this book. Another theme is the struggle between the large communities of Sunnis and Shiites. The West’s role in using Islamist forces to further its own aims is also discussed.
The dynamics concerning the growth of militant Islamism are multifaceted and complex. The book explores how West’s views on Islamism are evolving – and vice versa. And in it’s final section Osman gives his view on how he sees current trends impacting the future of the religion itself.
The focus in this book is on the Middle East. It’s dense and full of names and dates. It’s not a particularly easy read – for me it had a school text book feel to it. But it’s a serious subject and it demands a serious book, and that’s exactly what you get here. If you’re looking for a voyeuristic commentary on recent violent events driven by Islamic terrorists then look elsewhere, but if you're seeking something that discusses Islamism thoroughly and offers a view not only on how we've reached the current position but also how it might develop from here then this might just be the book for you.
My thanks to Yale University Press and NetGalley for supplying an early copy of this book....more
Lee Child’s latest Reacher novel is Make Me (Jack Reacher 20). It was released in September and I enjoyed it – maybe not as much as I had some in theLee Child’s latest Reacher novel is Make Me (Jack Reacher 20). It was released in September and I enjoyed it – maybe not as much as I had some in the series, but I’ve always admired the way these stories flow and I love the idiosyncratic hero. As a long-term fan of the series I’m on it like a dog on a turkey dinner as soon as each new episode is released. So the opportunity to retrospectively observe the author writing the book – of being a fly on the wall - was something I was not going to miss!
Andy Martin is an academic and an author: he lectures in French at Cambridge University and has written a number of books on such heavyweight subjects as the lives and writings of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. He too is a long time fan of the Jack Reacher books and so having convinced Child of the merits of recording the metadata of the book’s creation he sets off to New York, where Child is based.
It seems that Child commences the writing of each new book on 1st September, the same date he started writing the first book in the series, Killing Floor. It’s fascinating to see how he lays down a sentence or two and gradually develops the story. At commencement, he has no idea what will happen in the rest of the tale – it will develop organically in the coming days, weeks and months. It’s hard to believe that there’s no starting structure, no sketched out plot, but it seems this is how he always does it.
Like Reacher, the author drinks a lot of coffee (up to twenty or so cups a day) and he smokes a good deal too – something Reacher gave up because he didn’t like carrying things around. There’s quite a bit of banter between author and shadow author, they seem to get on well. There’s also a good deal of discussion between the two on writing craft and grammar. In fact, I was surprised how technical the whole process was and just how much thought and care went into the detailed construction of the text. As an example of the level of discourse, the following is a response supplied by Martin to Child after the latter read out a short sentence he was particularly pleased with:
Nice parataxis, no subordination and the simile, of course. Oh yeah, and the sibilance… it was plain and simple yet it had an onomatopoeic feel to it.
And there’s lots of discussion like this.
Child himself has a phenomenal memory and he seems to store information, mostly trivia, that Reacher may or may not regurgitate at some point. He comes across as an open and charming guy, and the process of writing the book is as surprising and interesting as I hoped it’d be.
Whether you’re a Reacher fan or just interested in the craft of writing, there’s loads here to float your boat. I can’t wait for the next Reacher book and now I have knowledge of its rough path to completion I'm sure I’ll appreciate all the more!...more
This is very much a book of three parts. In the first section, King provides a series of anecdotes that seem somewhat fractured and random. They looseThis is very much a book of three parts. In the first section, King provides a series of anecdotes that seem somewhat fractured and random. They loosely cover his early years, the time before he became a successful writer. Some of the tales are a little spooky, to be honest. Others clearly portray what it was like for him, his wife and his children when he was spending long hours writing whilst also holding down a day job. He had a number of jobs, some pretty menial, but he eventually settled into the role of teaching students how to write. His wife, it is evident, was a huge supporting influence: not only did she allow him the uninterrupted time to ‘do his stuff’, she also served (and still does) as the primary reader of his second drafts - nobody reads his first drafts, except him.
The second section is where he talks about – or maybe lectures on – the art of writing. He first covers the basics of vocabulary, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction. He doesn’t linger over the fine detail, but he makes valid points regarding the importance of getting these elements right. He then takes the reader (and maybe prospective writer) through dialogue, character development and the need to focus on situation rather than plot. I found this last bit really interesting. He provides useful examples to illustrate his points and even an exercise for the reader with a prompt to ‘let him know’ how it went! This was the meatiest part of the book and his mantra seemed to be: read a lot and write a lot. He’s a big believer in putting in the effort and the hours – you can’t beat hard work and perseverance (that’s my paraphrasing of what seemed to be one of his key messages). He closes this section down with quite a lengthy piece on why it’s important for writers to find an agent and how to set about achieving this.
The final part of the book is back to memoir, but is focused entirely on a serious road accident that almost took his life. It’s pretty harrowing and told in some detail. It’s clear that though he was seriously injured, he was actually very lucky to survive. I’m not quite sure why this was told as a stand-alone piece at the end. Maybe because the first section was all about early events that helped make him the writer he became and the accident just didn’t fit the chronology? Either way, it highlights the fact that the book does feel like a collection of bits and pieces.
I listened to the audio version, read by King. He’s not the most engaging reader in the world, but there is something compelling about hearing the material read by the man himself. I enjoyed this book in audio format.
In summary, it’s a book that’ll be of interest to fans of the author, who just want to know more about him, his life and his influences. It’s also something that will interest people who write or plan to write. I’ve read a few books from or about writers where some insight into their working methodology was discussed – Lawrence Block, Lee Child and Haruki Murakami amongst them – and this one stands up pretty well against the rest....more
I was aware of Mary Louise Parker, as an actress. I knew she’d appeared on television and in films, though I can’t say I’ve ever knowingly seen seen aI was aware of Mary Louise Parker, as an actress. I knew she’d appeared on television and in films, though I can’t say I’ve ever knowingly seen seen anything she’s appeared in. I didn’t know she’d also wrote and in fact had been published in various magazines. So I approached this, her first book, with an open mind, egged on by a couple of strong recommendations from Goodreads friends.
And what a delight it’s been to work my way through this powerful, funny, shocking and tear inducing memoir. It takes the form of imagined letters to men (well, that’s applied fairly loosely in at least one case) who have impacted her life in some way. Some have inspired her, a few have pissed her off and others have influenced her and helped make her who she is. There’s all of life here: religion, love, sex, birth and death. The letters vary in style, tone and length. One is a short, sad reflections on a man she met and quickly lost and another (one of my favourites) is long, ranting, angry denunciation of partner she’s left behind.
Parker is, I believe, ruthlessly honest in her self portrayal here. She is, at times, self critical and apologetic. We see her growing up, developing and making misjudgements. We are invited to spectate during key moments in her life: sometimes we see her explode with reckless joy and abandon and other times we witness her meltdown. There is no barrier, no filter to hide or disguise the good the bad and the ugly in her life.
A few of the letters didn’t do it for me, I just didn’t pick up where they were coming from and they didn’t elicit an emotion in me. But by the far the majority I found hugely impactful. There are two letters to and about her dad: one early on where she tells him how much she misses him and one at the end when she addresses a nameless man who picked oysters for a meal her father had requested. They are both heartbreakingly sad but so beautifully written. Then there’s Dear Cerberus, which she addressed to a former partner she describes as having had three heads, like the monstrous multi-headed dog from Greek mythology – so clever and so damming! And the letter to the man who will love her daughter is just so funny and spot on. I could go on but best you just buy the book and read ‘em for yourself. There are too many gems here to do justice to.
The finest accolade I can give the author is that her words stirred my own thoughts; they made me think about things I hadn’t thought about before. The feelings her words created are not all comfortable but they are in my head now and I’m glad they are. I’ll work through them and they will help me address and maybe resolve things that have been long buried. Powerful stuff.
Thank you so much to Esil and Elyse for prompting me to seek out this book and to Scribner Publishing and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review....more
I’ve been hearing about Theroux for years and yet had never read one of the books. The idea of reading about a man journeying alone was something I coI’ve been hearing about Theroux for years and yet had never read one of the books. The idea of reading about a man journeying alone was something I couldn’t quite settle to. Would it be tedious and repetitious? Perhaps it’d be like delving into one of those dry guidebooks we’ve all taken with us to a foreign city – lots of information but very little pleasure? In the end, curiosity got the better of me, and I grabbed an audio copy of perhaps his best-known book.
Set in 1973 (but released in 1975), it tells the story of his travels to and across Asia. It’s really a collection of episodes, the focus of which is on the trains, the passengers - many of whom he engages in discourse – and the railway stations. We actually learn precious little of the cities he visits.
It had been my intention to stay on the train without bothering about arriving anywhere; sightseeing
There is a secondary purpose to the travel as he eludes to a number of lectures he delivers in various cities along the way, though no background to or coverage of these events is included.
The train journeys are mostly long affairs, and he has booked sleeping cars, which he’s usually required to share with a mixed bag of companions. The accounts of these encounters and those with others he meets along the way are often hilarious, with Theroux recounting whole conversations (though I wonder how accurately) with a dry humour that had me laughing out loud. He paints vivid pictures of some memorable characters he met along the way.
We follow his journey from London and across Europe and then through much of Asia. The section of the journey I enjoyed most was his travel through India, which takes up the central part of the book. The whole thing takes on a slight Wicker’s World feel as each place seems wilder and each character wackier than the last. There’s a bit of historical information thrown in, but it’s really about the conversations he has and of him recording his instant impression of the places he visits. Of the northern city of Simla, he reflects:
It is the Empire with a dark complexion
Somehow, Theroux manages to make each stage of the journey feel fresh and different, despite the obvious self-limitations. He writes with erudition and humour, and I can’t help thinking he’d be a great guy to share a meal and a few drinks with. I’ll certainly be back to sample more of his work.
A quick note on the audio version I listened to. Frank Muller is superb as narrator of this book, with his pacing and phrasing seeming to draw the best out of Theroux’s words. My only niggle is the very strange Indian accent he deployed though, in truth, it didn’t impinge on my enjoyment.
Finally, I owe thanks to Elyse for helping me to identify that this was a book I should read (or, in fact, listen to)....more
This is an atypical book for me me to read/review. For years I’ve suffered from lower back pain, on and off. Normally it resolves itself within a few This is an atypical book for me me to read/review. For years I’ve suffered from lower back pain, on and off. Normally it resolves itself within a few weeks, but it has lingered this time. So after trips to the physiotherapist (diagnosis: tight hamstrings), doctor (diagnosis: ‘it’ll probably sort itself out, take some of these…) and a second physio (diagnosis: general wear and tear) I was struggling to find a view I liked the sound of. That is, until I bumped into my octogenarian neighbour who told me he’d resolved his own long standing back issues by way of advice gleaned from this book. Five minutes later I was immersed in a well fingered copy of this self-help manual.
Key’s espoused view is that the usual origin of back pain is:
The stiffening of a disc-vertebra union at the front of the spine. As the disc dries and gets harder and the vertebra on the top loses mobility, the segment becomes sluggish, like a stiff link in a bicycle chain.
In her opinion, these stiff links are present for most of us and that they can eventually become so stiff it becomes painful, prompting common or garden backache. She goes on to explain how there are various stages to this problem and goes into a great deal of technical detail with regard to the sequential phases of the breakdown. In effect, she says, if it’s not addressed early it could get a lot worse.
The good news is that some simple exercises (sometimes aided by pain killing medication and/or professional physical intervention) can nip the problem in the bud and actually reverse the degenerative process. The exercises are typically gentle rocking and stretching motions which should be used in combination, as part of an ongoing regime.
There is a good deal of technical information in this book – certainly too much for some. That said, it does give some credence to the logic behind her general observations and recommendations. The exercises are explained in detail, together with instructions which help the reader to assess which groupings are most appropriate for their personal situation.
It’s early days for me so I cannot yet vouch for the veracity of the text, but I do believe my neighbour’s story. So here goes, wish me luck. I’ll come back to report progress at some future point… that is unless it’s a load of hokum and it accelerates my problem to the point I can no longer use my fingers to type! ...more
I've bought a few of these ‘top ten’ guide books over the years. This time I was off to Berlin with the dual aim of taking in the city with my wife anI've bought a few of these ‘top ten’ guide books over the years. This time I was off to Berlin with the dual aim of taking in the city with my wife and friends and also of completing the Berlin Marathon, part way through my five day stay. I wasn't looking for an in-depth insight into the history of the city or a comprehensive account of the contents of the numerous museums, it wasn't going to be that kind of trip. What I needed was a few tips on where to go and what to see, enough pictorial references to allow me to recognise what it was when I was seeing it, and a pretty good set of maps to help me navigate my way around.
I wasn't sure what to expect of Berlin. I've been to a few European cities (Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Venice etc) but I knew relatively little about this old (it dates back to the 13th Century) but re-built city. Like most people, I knew a good deal of its history but I was intrigued to see what redevelopment since the war and transformation back to a reunified whole had produced.
I was wary of the transport system and particularly its ease of use for a a group of foreigners with no grasp of the language. Could we, painlessly, transport ourselves from the outlying airport to the city centre hotel? Would the underground rail network be as user-friendly as its London counterpart? And would the maps and guidance notes provided in this book make the whole process feel seamless? Well the answers and outcomes were largely positive. Access to the train system is almost wholly automated, with few opportunities to ask for assistance (apart from interrogating fellow travellers), but it was easy to access and use. The ticket dispensing machines communicated in many languages and the stations displayed enough information to ensure we found ourselves on the right platforms and headed in the desired direction. Trains (both overground [S-Bahn] and underground [U-Bahn]) were quiet, clean and relatively cheap – an excellent system. The information provided in the guide was high level and sufficient to give an overview of the infrastructure only. I'd advise visitors to go on-line where much more detailed help is available. A slight quibble with the guide is that the size and scale of the route map provided made it difficult to distinguish the identity of the various train lines – I just couldn't read the tiny font. Luckily the maps were reproduced at all stations, much magnified.
Overall I found the guide book to be pretty useful. I did use the maps a good deal and the information therein was good enough to fulfil my basic requirements. It's set out in a way that gave me information on the part of the city I happened to be in at any given time, with a few lines on what to see and why. The pictorial references were also ideal for my needs.
There’s a useful phrase book section that I experimented with from time to time – with mixed results! One tricky moment wasn't averted due, in part, to an element missing from this section. Though the phrases (and words) detailed in the guide would have allowed me to call the fire brigade, should I have had the need, they didn't explain the difference between ‘damen’ and ‘herren’ labelled on the toilet doors. I was faced with the dilemma of choosing one or the other on our first night, in a delightful restaurant. I chose the word that had ‘men’ in its construction rather than the word ‘her’ as its first three letters. Wrong! Oops..
As for the marathon… brilliantly organised, rather hotter than I'd have liked but a totally brilliant experience. The route took about forty thousand of us in a grand tour around the city’s suburbs and past most of its major landmarks. At its end we ran through the Brandenburg Gate to a finish cheered on by thousands of watchers, where I sneaked in at just under 4 hours.
My overall view of the city, for anyone thinking about a visit, is that it’s clean, friendly, easy to get around and there's plenty to see.The food and beer are superb. Put it on the list – you won't regret it. ...more
I was twelve or thirteen when Star Trek was first shown on the BBC. I formed an instant and enduring attachment to this world outside of our world. I I was twelve or thirteen when Star Trek was first shown on the BBC. I formed an instant and enduring attachment to this world outside of our world. I loved it; all my friends loved it. And I had found a hero, a man that I truly admired and wished to emulate: James T. Kirk. The series seemed to be on permanent repeat through the 70’s and 80’s, so it’s fair to say I grew up with Kirk as a constant in my life. In consequence, I’ve always struggled a bit to accept William Shatner in any other role. Indeed, I’ve often shirked the notion that Shatner’s personality could be any different to the suave and serious (but with a soupcon of wry humour) Captain of the Starship Enterprise. Well, having read this book that’s one childhood misjudgement exposed!
In fact, having laid bare the truth that Shatner is very different indeed to Kirk, it also opened my eyes to what an engaging, funny, and interesting man he really is. I listened to the audio version of this autobiography, read by the author himself. This was a mixed blessing. I always enjoy listening to people tell their own story, and he’s got the actor’s gift of perfect timing when it comes to delivering the, often hilarious, anecdotes. But he has a tendency to drift into a mumble at the end of some sentences, and I found I had to listen carefully so as not to miss anything. My finger was constantly tweaking the volume control.
I hadn’t realised that Star Trek ran for only three series (seventy-nine episodes) – having watched it for about 20 years, I thought there were hundreds of episodes. Moreover, I hadn’t even considered the fact that the series was considered, at the time of it’s cancellation, a bit of a flop. Shatner states quite clearly that he was keen to move on and forget the series. To him, it was just another in a continuous line of stage, film, and television roles he’d enacted in a career that was already into its second decade. The reality is that Star Trek only became a success when broadcast syndication brought it to a much wider audience some years after its initial demise. Of course, in time, Kirk became the role that defined Shatner and – as he willingly points out – carved the way for many of the opportunities that followed.
The book touches on his early life in Canada, where he was born in 1931. All of his grandparents were Jewish immigrants, and he was raised in Conservative Judaism. His father hoped he would one day run the family Clothing Manufacture business, but Shatner always wanted to act. Following graduation, he commenced a career as an administrator in a theatre company but quickly dropped the admin (he kept losing tickets and mixing up bookings) to focus on acting.
Particularly in the early days, Shatner suffered from the actor’s fear of lack of work and the consequent inability to earn a sustainable living. As a result, he grabbed pretty much every role that came his way – and even refused to take holidays for fear he’d miss a call. Even after enjoying significant success through lead roles in series such as TJ Hooker and Boston legal, it seems he was able to maintain energy levels most Olympic athletes would envy and completely reject the concept of retirement. One quirky element is that he often interrupted the flow of a story to drop in a plug for his web site which, he professed, sold pretty much anything and everything he could (even loosely) associate his name to. So, I had a look to quench my curiosity. How about:
- A two-page script revision from Boston Legal for a bargain $19.99 - Maybe a signed photo of the man himself, a snippet at $69.95 - Or best of all, what about a yellow vase once used as a Star Trek prop at an eye watering $159
There are anecdotes a plenty as he talked through his many adventures, pranks, and marriages (four of them), and I seldom had a smile off my face as I listened. He’s a funny guy. He’s also eccentric – well actually he’s probably a bit nutty! But I couldn’t help but warm to him. I’d love to spend an afternoon in his company, I just know he’d be a hoot.
A rather weird element I came across for the first time was his ‘singing’ career. I’m not sure if this was all tongue-in-cheek humour or if he seriously thought it had artistic merit - he seems to play it both ways in his book. If you’ve not come across his spoken word version of one of Elton John’s greatest hits, Rocket Man, then please search it out (I found it on YouTube).
But the humour saturating his life story is counterpointed by accounts of the sad moments, too. For instance, I didn’t know that his third wife drowned in the home swimming pool whilst under the influence of alcohol. Shatner had left her home alone for the day and discovered her body upon his return. This is harrowing stuff, and I found it enthralling but uncomfortable to listen to.
Overall it’s one of the most entertaining autobiographies I’ve picked up in a long time. A definite for all Trekkies but as most people will have come across Shatner at some point (you’d have had to have lived in a cave for the past fifty years not to) then pretty much anyone can get something from this one....more
I gave this a decent go - about 25% of it - but I just couldn't get past the fact it's just way too slow and much too boring. It's also very technicalI gave this a decent go - about 25% of it - but I just couldn't get past the fact it's just way too slow and much too boring. It's also very technical, in terms of explaining how high-frequency trading in the US equity market was rigged. And though the author takes time to try to explain it, the explanation is so protracted and woven into discussions between various brainiacs that I lost the will long before I fully understood what was going on.
Not for me I'm afraid, I gave up on this one....more
This is the third account of the Cuban Missile Crisis I’ve read; following versions published in JFK & RFK biographies I’ve ploughed through in the paThis is the third account of the Cuban Missile Crisis I’ve read; following versions published in JFK & RFK biographies I’ve ploughed through in the past year or so. It’s very, very detailed and provides a view of events from both the Cuban and Russian camps, as well as from the team managing the crisis in Washington. There is quite a bit of additional information here and though it’s historically fascinating I’d have to say it’s a pretty dry read.
Three things I learnt:
1. RFK & JFK were not quite the shrewd, perceptive leaders depicted in their respective biographies. True, JFK did avoid the decisions that would have probably (maybe inevitably) driven the crisis to nuclear war, and he did this despite the continuous prompting of the military leaders and other hawkish members of his team. The key decision was to invoke a blockade (or quarantine) rather than attack the Cuban missile sites. But events were much more chaotic than I’d previously been led to believe and less directly driven by the Kennedys.
2. The lack of controls over deployment of nuclear devices was probably the scariest element. This meant that, on both sides, individual military personnel – sometimes relatively low ranking – had the direct capability (even if not the authority) to fire a nuclear missile. Any single trigger-happy finger could therefore have set of a catastrophic and probably irreversible set of events.
3. A number of random episodes came close to creating a scenario where a conflict could have kicked off. The most interesting one was the plight of the pilot of an American U2 Spy plane who was confused by the Northern Lights on a routine mission to collect air particles. During a flight from Alaska to the North Pole he strayed way off of his scheduled flight path, deep into Russian airspace. Thinking the plane was on a mission to collect information as a precursor to a first nuclear strike, Russian MiG jets were dispatched to shoot him down but failed to make contact. If they had succeeded in tracking it down and destroying it who knows how it would have played out.
Overall it’s a very well researched piece, but really one for dedicated historians....more
I read this book in the mid 70's, as a teenager. Then I read it again. And then, a little while later, I saw the film. The three events have subsequenI read this book in the mid 70's, as a teenager. Then I read it again. And then, a little while later, I saw the film. The three events have subsequently blended into one, and I certainly now have difficulty differentiating the book from the film. But that's no big deal as I know the film followed the written narrative pretty closely. It's a true story of one man's battle against injustice and the terrible personal consequences that transpired.
It left a big impression on me. It was a big story. A huge adventure which I believed in entirely, though I now know some doubt has subsequently been levelled at the detail. It was also the largest book I'd taken on at this point - by far. Not only did it convince me of the power of a story, it also demonstrated to me that I could be transfixed by a tome so large it seemed impossible it would hold my interest long enough for me to finish it. When I look back to early 'adult' books I've read it's this one that stands out - read as I laid on my bed with a Rod Stewart cassette (Atlantic Crossing) playing in the background.
When the film was released, I know I doubted it could match the power of the book, but in my memory, it came close. I loved Hoffman and McQueen in the lead roles, and the scenes of solitary confinement seemed a perfect reflection of what I'd conjured up in my mind.
I'm not sure if I'll ever re-visit this tale of a Frenchman shipped off to a prison in French Guiana for a crime he claimed he didn't commit, as I wouldn't want to be disappointed by a second re-read. I think I'll just continue to treasure the untainted memory of my first memorable reading experience....more
Having previously read An Unfinished Life John F. Kennedy: 1917-1963 I have to say it was excellent preparation for this book. If you’re starting froHaving previously read An Unfinished Life John F. Kennedy: 1917-1963 I have to say it was excellent preparation for this book. If you’re starting from scratch on the Kennedy clan I'd go as far as to say it's essential pre-reading. The JFK bio provides much of the family background missing from this book and also provides the big picture on events impacting Robert Kennedy (RFK) during the period JFK was president. This knowledge helps flesh out the detail provided in this book - it's very much a complimentary piece.
RFK’s life is covered in great detail in this book and it does feel like the author played a straight bat (or 'tread a neutral path' for non-cricket followers). There are many positive statements about the man and his achievements, but there are just as many challenges and counter-views.
Regarding the man – his personality and how he differed from and yet complimented JFK - some of the key points I picked up were:
- RFK was often an ‘in your face’ individual in his professional life, challenging to colleagues and frequently rude. Yet he was a family man, tactile and loving to his children. He was attentive and caring when visiting injured soldiers in hospital and rushed to Jackie Kennedy’s side to support her when her first child was still born. He was described at one point as being a ‘kind boy within a rude man’.
- His style was urgent and probing versus the steady and reasonable approach adopted by JFK. These styles complimented each other when they worked closely pre and post JFK’s election. RFK would hector and JFK would tease. They made a great partnership.
In examining Robert Kennedy’s career it is evident that he was more adept at running political campaigns and inspiring loyal staff than in shaping long-term policies. Serving as Attorney General in JFK’s government he was also, effectively, JFK’s unofficial number two. He juggled a huge workload. And when the president was assassinated he never really recovered from the personal loss.
RFK had two career feuds – with Hoover (at the FBI), whilst Attorney General supporting his brother, and later with Lyndon B Johnson, when he succeeded his brother as President. It was amazing to read how much time and energy managing these two relationships devoured!
Always a physically fearless man, Kennedy took huge personal risks despite known threats to his life resulting from actions against Castro and Organised Crime. In the end it was a mentally unstable drifter who brought his life to a premature end.
This is a very well written and exhaustively researched and documented account of an important figure in modern American history. I highly recommend it....more
I’m too young (though not by much) to remember, real time, JFK’s assassination, but I’ve been all too aware of the whodunit debate that’s raged ever sI’m too young (though not by much) to remember, real time, JFK’s assassination, but I’ve been all too aware of the whodunit debate that’s raged ever since his tragic and untimely death. That said, I really didn’t know very much about the man until I read this book. It’s a thoughtful and thoroughly researched piece of work that draws on the input of many people who served with Kennedy and tapes of White House conversations, by virtue of a recording system instigated by JFK himself.
The son of a pushy father, born to a rich, political family, JFK’s elder brother was always meant to be the one who made president. But, as everyone knows, the family has been cursed by early deaths and JFK became the eldest surviving son following the wartime death of Joe junior. The book tracks his early life and shows how Jack Kennedy progressed through Congress and Senate positions to become President. Observations and accounts seem well balanced with reflections on the man’s failures and weaknesses as well as his strengths and successes. It amazed me to realise that during his scant 1000 days in power he was called upon to address some of the weightiest problems of the 20th century, notably Cuba (particularly the missile crisis that took us closer to planetary extinction than any other single event), the rise of Communism which led to the conflict in Vietnam and the resulting Cold War and the emerging unrest concerning civil rights. He also kick started the space race which ultimately brought about the historic 1969 moon landing.
Most surprising facts:
-The extent to which he struggled with poor health throughout pretty much his entire life, to the extent that records were hidden, to prevent his ability to serve at the highest level being challenged, and later destroyed. -If he hadn’t worn a back brace (due to chronic back problems) that kept him erect in his seat, the fatal shot, which followed the hit to his neck, would have missed him.
Most significant achievements:
-Finding a resolution to the Cuban missile crisis – albeit a crisis he arguably spawned by benefit of his policies and actions as he attempted to remove Castro from power. -Negotiating a nuclear test ban treaty with Khrushchev at a time many of his political enemies and the military leaders (and even some of his advisers!) were arguing against such an agreement.
Failings:
-He was a serial womaniser – to an extent it seems unthinkable he’d have survived in modern political life. This might have left him open to claims that he was distracted from his job and inattentive to both local and international issues, but the author goes to some lengths to dispel this accusation. -Despite his vocal support for the campaigners for civil rights, he failed to pass any significant legislation to address the core issues. In fact, his overall record in passing weighty legislation was poor.
There’s no doubt his family money and connections provided him with the opportunity to achieve such high office, but it’s also very clear that JFK was a very smart man, a war hero (if a somewhat lucky one) and above all a leader who was willing to be considered indecisive rather than make a mistake he’d later regret. This latter trait seemed to be born from his observations of decisions made by military leaders during his naval service (he always mistrusted this group thereafter) and his early misjudgements as President concerning Cuba and Vietnam. Nevertheless, it served him well in his later dealings vis-à-vis Castro and Khrushchev.
Despite his short service in the ‘hot seat’, in polls he’s regularly voted one of the most important Presidents ever to serve. This may be attributed to his achievements or his premature death or maybe it was his good looks, his (apparent) health and youthful vitality and his ability to connect with his audience in the new television age. Whatever the reason JFK’s star continues to shine....more
Cards on the table, I'm not a Manchester United fan. I've never particularly warmed to Alex Ferguson either - he's too gruff and lacking in humour forCards on the table, I'm not a Manchester United fan. I've never particularly warmed to Alex Ferguson either - he's too gruff and lacking in humour for my personal taste - but I do admire what he has achieved at the club in his 25 years at the helm.
I'd heard a few snippets from the book, but just the headline pieces. Also, having read Roy Keane's autobiography which covers some of the same period, I'd read one side of some of the incidents. So, I had a reasonable idea what to expect. What I found was exactly what I expected... but no more. The headlines I'd already heard (mainly his views on Beckham and Gerrard) were the only elements that could be considered controversial, and then only mildly so. In truth, the whole think felt watered down compared to the views expressed on virtually every page by Keane. The rest was really just a replay of information I felt was already in the public domain for anyone who has followed English football in recent times.
Overall, it's clear Ferguson ruled the club in a manner that accepted no challenge to his authority - try it and you're gone. He had some good principles that informed his management style and gave his players a structure that was conducive to getting the best out of his team. But as a man he came across as rather dull. It's an ok read, but mainly one for the fans who want to re-live the glory years. ...more
I didn't expect to like this book and I certainly didn't expect to like Roy Keane after reading it. I was surprised on both counts.
The opening is cruI didn't expect to like this book and I certainly didn't expect to like Roy Keane after reading it. I was surprised on both counts.
The opening is crude and nasty - it cemented the picture I already had of him as a foul mouthed, bad tempered bully. He recounted the incident with Alf Inga Haaland, where a bad tackle he made finished the Leeds player's career. I thought, yeah, just what I expected.
But thereafter, as he talked about his football career as player, manager and (for a short period) a television pundit, he revised my view of him. He came across as very honest and often humble; he displayed a sense of humour I hadn't previously seen any sign of. His anecdotes were insightful, interesting and sometimes funny.
This is a great read and I recommend it to all footie fans, whether you like Keane or not....more
There was a lot of noise surrounding this book, with KP appearing on TV and others scurrying around supporting or challenging the views he espouses heThere was a lot of noise surrounding this book, with KP appearing on TV and others scurrying around supporting or challenging the views he espouses herein. There's no doubt he holds back no punches here, it's very, very forthright. In this regard it's an interesting read and taking in the full text as opposed to the soundbites I'd picked up does present a more balanced overall picture.
- He's very hard on Andy Flower, the ex-England coach. In fact a good deal of the book is a prolonged rant about his shortcomings as a coach. a leader and as a person. He calls him the Mood Hoover, due to his ability to suck any positive spirit from a group or a room. - He's nearly as hard on Matt Prior, another South African born cricketer who played wicket keeper for England. It's not quite the character assassination he does on Flower, but it's close. - He's extremely negative about the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), in terms of the way he was treated. There is much talk of information leaks and spin. Cricket politics is a significant theme. - Other England cricketers come in for some rough treatment too, particularly Graham Swann, Chris Broad and to a lesser extent, Alistair Cook and Andrew Strauss. - So, there's an awful lot of negativity in the book. It's a big exercise in defending himself against what he perceives to be an organised stream of criticism and media manupulation which has been exercised by all of the above. - KP puts forward the view that his involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) generated jealousy and resentment on the part of his England team mates who didn't have the ability or the guts to take part themselves. He talks about how the ECB set out to stop the involvement of England players in the IPL and how this was driven by their money generating TV contract with Sky. - There's lots more here, about injuries that impacted him (and the lack of support he received whenever this happened), about the KP Genius Twitter account which made fun of him and appears to have had the involvement of some of his team mates, and so on.
So overall, KP does come across as a bit of a moaner. You feel he has a list of excuses for most of his own mistakes but is very hard on others for theirs. I'm not sure it changed any preconceptions I had about him - I always thought him a talented but arrogant guy - but he does tell a riveting story of events that still feel fresh and who's reverberations shook the cricket world.
Update 20/1/24 - I read this book more than 10 years ago and I’ve learned a good deal about Giuliani since, none of it good. But I stand by what I wroUpdate 20/1/24 - I read this book more than 10 years ago and I’ve learned a good deal about Giuliani since, none of it good. But I stand by what I wrote after I’d read it, back in the day (below) ———————————————————-
The first section of the book - the part that deals with 9/11 and it's aftermath - is compelling and inspiring. the sections that follow...well, less so. this book starts off with a fantastic story but then becomes a preening 'how good am I' list of activities you can pick up from just about any book on leadership. My advice: stop after the 9/11 section - but do read this....more
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