September 2005

Khruschev: The Man and His Era - William Taubman

Brilliant account of Stalins successor, the evolution of the soviet system and the global power balance under his stewardship. This book portrays Khruschev as a contradictory man - an unyielding Stalinist who became a soviet reformer, a peasant who became one of the most important figures of the last century, a man who did not have time to read but acted as ultimate censor (and often patron), a cunning politician who outwitted Beria but who could make himself appear ridiculous on the world stage (most notably by banging his show at public UN sessions) and a man who tried to reduce the size of the soviet army and realized the futility of nuclear conflict but who came closest to causing nuclear conflagration. Taubman has delivered a compelling description of an intriguing, capricious character who uniquely amongst soviet era leaders (until Gorbachev) seems to have had redeeming personal and political qualities despite the brutal era and environment he thrived in.

August 2005

IOU: The Debt Threat and Why We Must Defuse It - Noreen Hertz

Agitational work about Thrid World Debt. The author uses terms like "Game on" and states bold facts and figures without references. Pity, because underneath the overwrought assertions there are some interesting arguments.

Havoc in its Third Year - Ronan Bennett

Fascinating and compulsively readable historical novel set in a grim and puritanically charged 1630s northern England from an author with a colourful history.

July 2005

Stalin and the Court of the Red Tsar - Simon Sebag Montefiore

Very readable but disturbing account of the personal lives and activities of the dictator, his accomplices (many of whom he murdered) and their families (many of whom he also murdered) as he and his regime caused approximately 20 million to die and 28 million to be displaced from the early 1930s until 1953.

What Good Are The Arts? - John Carey

Erudite and sceptical deconstruction of many of our preconceptions of art and its probable (if any) function. Includes a number of enjoyable passages dissembling some self-important art criticism which he makes appear ludicrous.

Michael Collins The Big Fellow - Frank O'Connor

Irelands greatest short story writer tackles the man whose forces he fought against during the Irish Civil War. It is a personal portrait but is not less interesting historically for that. I first read this book about 12 years ago but it has been well worth revisiting.

June 2005

The Life of Pi - Yann Martel

Wonderful story about zoos, religion, travel, animal hierarchy (or living with tigers in confined spaces), loss and photoactive carnivorous algae.

May 2005

Keith Floyd on Hangovers

Entertaining little book about gargle, its nasty side effects and some concoctions which may help the over-indulgent through the morning after ordeal.

April 2005

Burmese Days - George Orwell

Excellent observational novel about the compromised existence of British colonials in 20s/30s Burma - much more interesting than it sounds. Sort of a bleaker Somerset Maugham.

A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson

Easy going but well written and entertaining record of a hike along the longest walking trail in the US (1500 miles or thereabouts)

March 2005

Island of the Day Before - Umberto Eco

Actually took me months to finish this. Genius in places, I found some of the descriptive passages tested my concentration. Made me want to go back and read his other books again though.

Animal Farm - George Orwell

February 2005

A load of Hercule Poroit mysteries by Agatha Christie
  • Wille John McBrides autobiography (Pretty much what you would expect of the great man. Anybody with an interest in sport of any type would definitely enjoy this. Also interesting for his perspective as a Northern Unionist who captained Irelands rugby team during politically troubled times) January 2005
    • A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson (An entertaining and digestible but not inconsiderable tome)
    December 2004
    • The Kreutzer Sonata - Tolstoy (Overly introspective and depressing)
    • The Spanish Civil War - Antony Beever (SCW experts apparently believe its a little light but I like it)
    November 2004
    • Handful of Dust - Evelyn Waugh (Excellent if you like Evelyn Waugh)
    • Effective Java - Joshua Bloch (Excellent if you are a Java programmer)
    • Vernon God Little - DBC Pierre (Didn't really like this)
    • Cosa Nostra - John Dickie (Very good if you find gangsters interesting)
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