Aw, shoot. I have to abandon this at the end of WWII, about 16%/133pgs in. It's very, very dry.
This is an official history-- the author had unfetteredAw, shoot. I have to abandon this at the end of WWII, about 16%/133pgs in. It's very, very dry.
This is an official history-- the author had unfettered access to MI6's files from 1909 to 1949. Yet the history is remarkably hampered. The preface lets you know that: 1) the records are very spotty, 2) despite 60-100+ years, names and other details still cannot be released, and 3) MI6 during this time was only a gatherer of information- they did not perform analysis.
What this means is that the historian cannot make a compelling narrative out of the pieces. Instead we are left with just the pieces, the scraps of logistics and how the money flowed. The only time the story was even mildly interesting was when the author referred to other documents. Memoirs, diaries, and other sources where the names have already been revealed and motivations could be gleaned from the logistical pieces.
Sadly even these bits are not well blended into the overall story of War, major events and how Intelligence (with a capital I) affected their outcome.
I may come back to the WWII section for historical background if I go on a larger WWII kick, but I won't be reading this cover to cover on its own....more
In terms of the writing, this book is much better than the first. However, GRRM, do you REALLY think long lists of things can take the place of good dIn terms of the writing, this book is much better than the first. However, GRRM, do you REALLY think long lists of things can take the place of good descriptive prose? Ugh.
Anyway, this whole book feels like a way-station to get you to another point in the story. But there are some surprises and exciting moments to help in the transition....more
I was bound and determined to give this book 3 stars. Parts were wonderful, parts just weren't resonating with me (a little too Woolf-esque for my tasI was bound and determined to give this book 3 stars. Parts were wonderful, parts just weren't resonating with me (a little too Woolf-esque for my tastes). Then I hit the last chapter, and wow! Its lyrical, circuitous story telling starts to fall into place.
I read this as part of an overall Australia themed reading kick I'm on right now. Yet I have to recommend it for lovers of language- who appreciate authors who push the boundaries between prose and poetry and between magic and reality.
Whatever you do, read Hound of the Baskervilles. Holy cow, that's now one of my favorite books. The short stories are fun, but some are better than otWhatever you do, read Hound of the Baskervilles. Holy cow, that's now one of my favorite books. The short stories are fun, but some are better than others.
It feels like Holmes and Watson are really fleshed out as dynamic characters in Baskervilles. Is it the longer length? Is it because it was written so much later than the short stories?...more
Fun little story with some big ideas. Very Plato-esque. If only the writing was a bit more... sophisticated?
But for a free Kindle story, it was excelFun little story with some big ideas. Very Plato-esque. If only the writing was a bit more... sophisticated?
But for a free Kindle story, it was excellent. Definitely recommended for a quick dystopic escape. The rest of the Wool collection is on my radar....more
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