Book 1 of 2019:
Erebus - the story of a ship, by Michael Palin.
Excellent adventure story, but also an interesting commentary on daily life on ship in the early 1800s.
Erebus - the story of a ship, by Michael Palin.
Excellent adventure story, but also an interesting commentary on daily life on ship in the early 1800s.
2:
'Over to you' by Ronald Dahl. 10 short stories based on his experiences as an RAF pilot in WW2.
'Over to you' by Ronald Dahl. 10 short stories based on his experiences as an RAF pilot in WW2.
3. 'Raising boys' by Stephen Biddulph.
Second time I've read this - simply brilliant. Focuses on the challenges that boys/men have, how they are different, and what can be done to nurture and support them at different stages of childhood.
Second time I've read this - simply brilliant. Focuses on the challenges that boys/men have, how they are different, and what can be done to nurture and support them at different stages of childhood.
4. 'If only they didn't speak English' by Jon Sopel.
Two nations separated by a common language - absolutely.
Two nations separated by a common language - absolutely.
5. 'Elastic, the power of flexible thinking' by Leonard Mladinow.
Technical in places, but rewarding, valuable, and interesting, with interviews from Seth McFarlane through Johnathon Franzen to David Petraeus.
Technical in places, but rewarding, valuable, and interesting, with interviews from Seth McFarlane through Johnathon Franzen to David Petraeus.
6. 'Journey to the land of the flies' by Aldo Buzzing.
A bit like reading a monologue written by a caricature of your best friend's inner mind: a friend too well travelled, too well read, and a little too drunk.
A bit like reading a monologue written by a caricature of your best friend's inner mind: a friend too well travelled, too well read, and a little too drunk.
7. 'Day of the triffids' by John Wyndham.
Great author, great story. Another of the genre which shows how resilient life can be, at the same time as being incredibly fragile.
Great author, great story. Another of the genre which shows how resilient life can be, at the same time as being incredibly fragile.
8. 'A little war that shook the world' by Ronald Asmus.
A detailed, but hasty, look at the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Better editing would improve the reading, but the message is still real and valid. The laws of unintended consequences and the need for collective defence.
A detailed, but hasty, look at the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Better editing would improve the reading, but the message is still real and valid. The laws of unintended consequences and the need for collective defence.
9. 'The long walk' by Slav Rawicz'.
Polish Cavalry officer defeated by Germans in 1939 is imprisoned by Russians, sent to Siberia, then escapes through Siberia, Gobi desert, and over the Himalayas.
Simply amazing. The most powerful tale of endurance, endeavour and hope.
Polish Cavalry officer defeated by Germans in 1939 is imprisoned by Russians, sent to Siberia, then escapes through Siberia, Gobi desert, and over the Himalayas.
Simply amazing. The most powerful tale of endurance, endeavour and hope.
10. 'Schindler's Ark' by Thomas Keneally.
It is still hard to fathom that such events could have taken place within living memory. For evil to succeed... Schindler clearly a flawed character, but perhaps he could not have achieved what he did without those flaws. Astounding!
It is still hard to fathom that such events could have taken place within living memory. For evil to succeed... Schindler clearly a flawed character, but perhaps he could not have achieved what he did without those flaws. Astounding!
11. 'The Four Hour Body' by Tim Ferris.
I value his podcasts and books on business, management, investing, etc. Yet here he self experiments and puts his body through the mill in the interest of efficient gains. Reminds me of @BizzBuzzBeard 'Immortality for Beginners'.
I value his podcasts and books on business, management, investing, etc. Yet here he self experiments and puts his body through the mill in the interest of efficient gains. Reminds me of @BizzBuzzBeard 'Immortality for Beginners'.
12. 'Stone cold' by David Baldacci.
Fast pace espionage thriller - what's not to like.
Fast pace espionage thriller - what's not to like.
13. 'The mysterious affair at Styles'.
Poirot exercising his little grey cells for the first time.
Poirot exercising his little grey cells for the first time.
14. 'James and the Giant Peach' by Roald Dahl.
Not quite how I remembered. Didn't recall the cloud men, or the cold war references, but both boys laughed outloud, alot.
Not quite how I remembered. Didn't recall the cloud men, or the cold war references, but both boys laughed outloud, alot.
15. 'Snow Drops' by A.D. Miller.
Absolutely delightful read. Well paced thriller set in Moscow with quirky insights into Russian/Moscovite life. A feeling of impending, but unforseen, doom throughout.
Absolutely delightful read. Well paced thriller set in Moscow with quirky insights into Russian/Moscovite life. A feeling of impending, but unforseen, doom throughout.
16. 'Speaking Generally' by Wavell.
Interesting reading about WWII in the voice of the time. Some great insights to large scale campaigning, and managing failure/setbacks.
Interesting reading about WWII in the voice of the time. Some great insights to large scale campaigning, and managing failure/setbacks.
17. 'The Owl who was afraid of the dark' by Jill Tomlinson.
Still one of my favourite books, and now my sons' too.
Still one of my favourite books, and now my sons' too.
18. 'I am Pilgrim' by Terry Hayes.
What a crime/espionage thriller! Completely exhausted. 'Forget the evidence. Evidence is [what] you've got. What about the things you haven't found?'
What a crime/espionage thriller! Completely exhausted. 'Forget the evidence. Evidence is [what] you've got. What about the things you haven't found?'
19. 'Call for the dead' John le Carre'
George Smiley's first appearance. Brilliant as always.
George Smiley's first appearance. Brilliant as always.
20. 'A month in the country' by J L Carr
An absolute delight. Shell shock Great War veteran takes a temp job uncovering medieval art in small Yorkshire village church.
An absolute delight. Shell shock Great War veteran takes a temp job uncovering medieval art in small Yorkshire village church.
21. 'The haunting of Hill House's.
The original haunted house story.
The original haunted house story.
22. 'Make your bed' by Admiral William McRaven.
Simple. But sage.
Simple. But sage.
23. 'The Outsider' by Frederick Forsyth.
Great stories, told by an excellent story teller.
Great stories, told by an excellent story teller.
24. 'Brave new world' by Aldous Huxley.
Distopia at its best. Challenges concepts of class, civilization, and sacrifices of liberty for happiness and security.
Distopia at its best. Challenges concepts of class, civilization, and sacrifices of liberty for happiness and security.
25. 'Blood River' by Tim Butcher.
Following in the footsteps of Stanley through the Congo's heart of darkness and along its river. A river that has three tributaries larger than the Rhone, and a country whose past is better than its future.
Following in the footsteps of Stanley through the Congo's heart of darkness and along its river. A river that has three tributaries larger than the Rhone, and a country whose past is better than its future.
26. 'Zulu' by Saul David.
Comprehensive and readable account of the Zulu war, especially Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, and Ulundi. Sets the legends straight, and gets amongst the politics, intrigue, heroism, and incompetence.
Comprehensive and readable account of the Zulu war, especially Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, and Ulundi. Sets the legends straight, and gets amongst the politics, intrigue, heroism, and incompetence.
27. 'The Assault on Liberty' by Dominic Raab.
Written during Gordan Brown's government, an interesting look back at the liberal traditional of British political philosophy, and how this has been eroded by security concerns and human rights creep.
Written during Gordan Brown's government, an interesting look back at the liberal traditional of British political philosophy, and how this has been eroded by security concerns and human rights creep.
28. 'Finding my Virginity' by Richard Branson.
Impressive man, leading an impressive life. Not just planes, trains, and spaceships, but also charity, social change, and huge amount of time for family and adventure.
Impressive man, leading an impressive life. Not just planes, trains, and spaceships, but also charity, social change, and huge amount of time for family and adventure.
29. 'Mental Toughness' by Katherine Chambers.
Sound advice and quotes. Light on substance, poorly edited.
Archilochus - We don't rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training
Aristotle -We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is a habit not an act
Sound advice and quotes. Light on substance, poorly edited.
Archilochus - We don't rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training
Aristotle -We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is a habit not an act
30. 'Cry, the Beloved Country' by Alan Paton.
Poetic look at the impacts of colonialism, urbanisation, and breakdown of the tribe, on rural South Africa and the relationships between old and young, black and white, English and Afrikaans, religious and atheist. Sad, yet hopeful.
Poetic look at the impacts of colonialism, urbanisation, and breakdown of the tribe, on rural South Africa and the relationships between old and young, black and white, English and Afrikaans, religious and atheist. Sad, yet hopeful.
31. 'We were warriors' by Johnny Mercer.
A humble and honest account of his life, tours in Afghanistan, and campaign to become an MP.
A humble and honest account of his life, tours in Afghanistan, and campaign to become an MP.
32. 'Dark Fire' by CJ Sansom.
Second of the Shardlake series, works for Cromwell during Henry VIII's 'transition' from Cleeves to Howard. Investigates the reappearance and theft of Greek Fire, while also dealing with a dark family case of a son pushed down a well.
Second of the Shardlake series, works for Cromwell during Henry VIII's 'transition' from Cleeves to Howard. Investigates the reappearance and theft of Greek Fire, while also dealing with a dark family case of a son pushed down a well.
'Winnie the Pooh' by A A Milne.
Simply delightful. Although you never can tell with bees.
Simply delightful. Although you never can tell with bees.
33. 'Sovereign' by CJ Sansom.
Third Shardlake. Travels north with the court of Henry VIII and becomes involved in conspiracies of royal legitimacy. Gripping.
Third Shardlake. Travels north with the court of Henry VIII and becomes involved in conspiracies of royal legitimacy. Gripping.
34. 'Eats, shoots and leaves' by Lynne Truss.
Helpful reminder of where I keep going wrong. However, more directly useful style guides exist.
Helpful reminder of where I keep going wrong. However, more directly useful style guides exist.
35. 'Turn the Ship around!' by L David Marquet.
Without a doubt my new favourite leadership book. Practical ways to empower, decentralise control, and focus on achieving excellence rather than merely avoiding failure.
Without a doubt my new favourite leadership book. Practical ways to empower, decentralise control, and focus on achieving excellence rather than merely avoiding failure.
36. HBR's 'On Mental Toughness'
Collection of 11 articles on mental resilience. Some excellent thoughts, methods, and activities to improve your own, and others' mental toughness.
Collection of 11 articles on mental resilience. Some excellent thoughts, methods, and activities to improve your own, and others' mental toughness.
37. 'Fire and Fury' by Michael Wolff.
Fascinating and frightening look inside the Trump White House from nomination to 9 months in. Majors on the psychology of Trump the man, but also the power plays between Bannon and 'Javanka'.
Fascinating and frightening look inside the Trump White House from nomination to 9 months in. Majors on the psychology of Trump the man, but also the power plays between Bannon and 'Javanka'.
38. 'Prisoners of Geography'.
Countries are prisoners of their geography. Their successes and failures, politic and military strategies, social makeup and mentality, are all determined by the physical geography of rivers, mountains, coasts and deserts.
Countries are prisoners of their geography. Their successes and failures, politic and military strategies, social makeup and mentality, are all determined by the physical geography of rivers, mountains, coasts and deserts.
39. 'This is going to hurt' by Adam Kay.
Doctor's diary. Funny in places, concerning in others. Good people doing their best in challenging circumstances.
Doctor's diary. Funny in places, concerning in others. Good people doing their best in challenging circumstances.
40. 'The defence of Duffer's drift' by Ernest Swinton.
Repeated dreams of defending a fording point. Each dream ends in failure, but successive dreams build on the lessons of those failures to improve the plan. Some elements dated, yet still useful, esp as a thought experiment.
Repeated dreams of defending a fording point. Each dream ends in failure, but successive dreams build on the lessons of those failures to improve the plan. Some elements dated, yet still useful, esp as a thought experiment.
41. 'The house at Pooh Corner' by A A Milne.
Another bundle of delight in which we are taught a game called Pooh Sticks.
Another bundle of delight in which we are taught a game called Pooh Sticks.
42. 'The Wall Jumper' by Peter Schneider.
Short novel about movements, legal and not, east and west, over the Berlin Wall. "Time doesn't heal wounds; it kills the sensation of pain." "Where does the state end and the individual begin."
Short novel about movements, legal and not, east and west, over the Berlin Wall. "Time doesn't heal wounds; it kills the sensation of pain." "Where does the state end and the individual begin."
43. 'Quiet' by Susan Cain.
This resonated. The importance of the introvert, and how to harness intro/extro version within yourself and others.
This resonated. The importance of the introvert, and how to harness intro/extro version within yourself and others.
44. 'The 4-Hour work week'.
Great ideas on how to make work work for you, rather than work for work's sake, to realise your full potential and live your dreams.
Great ideas on how to make work work for you, rather than work for work's sake, to realise your full potential and live your dreams.
45. 'Mr Norris changes trains' by Christopher Isherwood.
Set against the backdrop of rising National Socialism in 1930s Berlin. Comedy and tragedy in equal measure.
Set against the backdrop of rising National Socialism in 1930s Berlin. Comedy and tragedy in equal measure.
46. 'The Lombardi Rules' by Lombardi (Jr).
Simple messages of grit and determination that led to Lombardi's success as an American football coach told by his son.
Simple messages of grit and determination that led to Lombardi's success as an American football coach told by his son.
47. 'Humans: A brief history of how we f*cked it all up', by Tom Phillips.
Humorous look at human incompetence through history.
Humorous look at human incompetence through history.
'Heroic Failure (Brexit)' by Fin O'Toole.
A look at the psychology behind Brexit, the impact of ignored English representation/nationalism, and it's origins from history and popular culture. Best book on Brexit that I've read so far.
A look at the psychology behind Brexit, the impact of ignored English representation/nationalism, and it's origins from history and popular culture. Best book on Brexit that I've read so far.
49. 'WTF' by Robert Peston.
Trying to make sense of Brexit, Trump and Corbyn.
Trying to make sense of Brexit, Trump and Corbyn.
50. 'Post Truth' by Matthew D'Ancona.
From tobacco through climate change deniers to Trump, a look at how emotion and narrative has overtaken fact.
From tobacco through climate change deniers to Trump, a look at how emotion and narrative has overtaken fact.
51. 'A small place in Italy' by Eric Newby.
Literally living the Tuscan dream over twenty-plus grape harvests.
Literally living the Tuscan dream over twenty-plus grape harvests.
52. 'Paradise and Power' by Robert Kagan.
Largely still valid observations of the divergence between Europe and USA post cold war global view, written just after Iraq invasion. Interesting to consider how this still applies in Trump and Brexit land.
Largely still valid observations of the divergence between Europe and USA post cold war global view, written just after Iraq invasion. Interesting to consider how this still applies in Trump and Brexit land.
53. 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by JK Rowling.
Loved reading this again (twenty years later) this time through the eyes of a six-year-old.
Loved reading this again (twenty years later) this time through the eyes of a six-year-old.
54. 'Daring Greatly' by Brene Brown.
Using Teddy Roosevelt's man in the arena as inspiration, this book talks through vulnerability, shame, and guilt and how to work beyond them to be a better person, parent, leader.
Using Teddy Roosevelt's man in the arena as inspiration, this book talks through vulnerability, shame, and guilt and how to work beyond them to be a better person, parent, leader.
55. The Romanovs by Simon Sebag Montefiore.
Excellent, especially epilogue. Mostly tragedy, but plenty of comedy as well, with a few flashes of brilliance; the family's history, and indeed Russia's, would be unbelievable if it wasn't true.
Excellent, especially epilogue. Mostly tragedy, but plenty of comedy as well, with a few flashes of brilliance; the family's history, and indeed Russia's, would be unbelievable if it wasn't true.
56. 'You are what you read' by Jodie Jackson.
Today's media are charged with opinion, emotion and conflict, rather than fact, reason and resolution. This drives negativity, destroys hope, causes people to withdraw, or rage against the world. Answer - 'solution journalism'.
Today's media are charged with opinion, emotion and conflict, rather than fact, reason and resolution. This drives negativity, destroys hope, causes people to withdraw, or rage against the world. Answer - 'solution journalism'.
57. 'Rogue Male' by Geoffrey Household.
Thriller based on an assassination attempt, attempted purely for the sport of it, which goes wrong. Hunter becomes the hunted. Excellent - Out of Buchan's top drawer.
Thriller based on an assassination attempt, attempted purely for the sport of it, which goes wrong. Hunter becomes the hunted. Excellent - Out of Buchan's top drawer.
58. 'Legacy' by James Kerr.
Leadership the All Blacks way. Brings together different leadership principles from different backgrounds (military, business and sports). If you could only read one, it should probably be this.
Leadership the All Blacks way. Brings together different leadership principles from different backgrounds (military, business and sports). If you could only read one, it should probably be this.
59. 'Dolly' by Susan Hill.
Uncomfortably eerie. Well written, building suspense and mild terror from the first page to the last.
Uncomfortably eerie. Well written, building suspense and mild terror from the first page to the last.
60. ‘The tipping point’ by Malcolm Gladwell.
Enjoyable case studies and insightful observations. Epidemics (of diseases, of fashion, of information) reach tipping point because of the law of the few (connectors, mavens and salesmen); stickiness and the power of context.
Enjoyable case studies and insightful observations. Epidemics (of diseases, of fashion, of information) reach tipping point because of the law of the few (connectors, mavens and salesmen); stickiness and the power of context.
61. ‘The Churchill Factor’ by Boris Johnson.
An enjoyable read full of chutzpah. Charts the achievements, good and bad, of a man that can be described as great and deeply flawed. The parallels to the author are clear, but I don’t believe deliberate.
An enjoyable read full of chutzpah. Charts the achievements, good and bad, of a man that can be described as great and deeply flawed. The parallels to the author are clear, but I don’t believe deliberate.
62. ‘The Defense of Hill 781 (sic)’ by James McDonough.
Billed as a modernised Duffers’ Drift, Hill 781 charts the progress of LTC A.Tack Always and his mechanised Bn on exercise in purgatory. Used as a vehicle to highlight lessons of military operations, command and leadership.
Billed as a modernised Duffers’ Drift, Hill 781 charts the progress of LTC A.Tack Always and his mechanised Bn on exercise in purgatory. Used as a vehicle to highlight lessons of military operations, command and leadership.
63. ‘The chamber of secrets’ by JK Rowling.
The next fantastical instalment seen through the eyes of a seven year old. Already started book three, but when do they get too dark for one so young?
The next fantastical instalment seen through the eyes of a seven year old. Already started book three, but when do they get too dark for one so young?
64. 'No one is too small to make a difference' by Greta Thunberg.
Collection of her speeches about climate crisis. You can hear the anger and frustration in her words.
Collection of her speeches about climate crisis. You can hear the anger and frustration in her words.
65. 'A brief history of time' by Stephen Hawking.
The bits I understood, or could at least grasp the concept of, I really enjoyed.
The bits I understood, or could at least grasp the concept of, I really enjoyed.
66. 'Amateur' by Thomas Page McBee.
Powerful story of what it is to be a man.
Powerful story of what it is to be a man.
67. ‘Child 44’ by Tom Rob Smith.
Excellent thriller/crime novel set in Stalinist Russia. The nature of fear, and how it eats away at the individual and society.
Excellent thriller/crime novel set in Stalinist Russia. The nature of fear, and how it eats away at the individual and society.
68. 'On Tyranny' by Timothy Snyder.
Where this is a manifesto for the preservation of our values, and the role history plays in understanding and protecting our institutions, this is excellent. Where Snyder rages against Trump, even when valid, it detracts from his arguments.
Where this is a manifesto for the preservation of our values, and the role history plays in understanding and protecting our institutions, this is excellent. Where Snyder rages against Trump, even when valid, it detracts from his arguments.
69. 'The pigeon tunnel' by John le Carre.
Interesting insight into the life that shaped the art. Enjoyed how real events and people developed into his characters.
Interesting insight into the life that shaped the art. Enjoyed how real events and people developed into his characters.
70. ‘12 rules for life’ by Jordan Peterson.
The 12 rules are compelling, forcefully argued, and reinforced with interesting and fun experience and research. At times the controversy overpowers his point, which is a shame.
The 12 rules are compelling, forcefully argued, and reinforced with interesting and fun experience and research. At times the controversy overpowers his point, which is a shame.
71. 'Why we get the wrong politicians' by Isabel Hardman.
Great book full of empathy towards MPs - good people doing their best in difficult circumstances; but also despair to the flaws in the political system - squewed demographic attraction, and focus on politics not policies.
Great book full of empathy towards MPs - good people doing their best in difficult circumstances; but also despair to the flaws in the political system - squewed demographic attraction, and focus on politics not policies.
72. ‘The prisoner of Azkaban’ by JK Rowling.
Another enjoyable Harry Potter adventure with my eldest. I remember this as my favourite, but am wondering when to pause the series before we cross the too-dark-and-scary-for-a-seven-year-old threshold
Another enjoyable Harry Potter adventure with my eldest. I remember this as my favourite, but am wondering when to pause the series before we cross the too-dark-and-scary-for-a-seven-year-old threshold
73. 'Revelation' by CJ Samson
Thrilling forth installment of Sansom's Shardlake series. The dangers of conviction, for any extreme or cause, without perspective or balance.
Thrilling forth installment of Sansom's Shardlake series. The dangers of conviction, for any extreme or cause, without perspective or balance.
74. 'Fingers in the sparkle jar' by Chris Packham.
Like a dream. Oddly poetic and vivid, until you try to touch it and it disappears. Familiar images and emotions, but also a glimpse inside the fragile mind.
Like a dream. Oddly poetic and vivid, until you try to touch it and it disappears. Familiar images and emotions, but also a glimpse inside the fragile mind.
75. 'No country for old men' by Cormac McCarthy.
Great characters (humble, honest, Vs evil psychopath), great plot (drug deal gone wrong, USA/Mexico border, accidental hero, contract professionals), great book. No quotation marks.
Great characters (humble, honest, Vs evil psychopath), great plot (drug deal gone wrong, USA/Mexico border, accidental hero, contract professionals), great book. No quotation marks.
76. ‘Military history for the staff college exam’ by Major Sheppard.
Written pre World War Two, an interesting primer and great find by a friend. Looks at ‘recent’ campaigns drawing lessons for commanders and staff of the day. Much still relevant but all interesting.
Written pre World War Two, an interesting primer and great find by a friend. Looks at ‘recent’ campaigns drawing lessons for commanders and staff of the day. Much still relevant but all interesting.
77. 'Double crossed' by Bryan Wood.
His brave and honourable story clearly told, including the challenges with returning from operations, mental health, and the complete sense of abandonment during the Al-Sweady inquiry.
His brave and honourable story clearly told, including the challenges with returning from operations, mental health, and the complete sense of abandonment during the Al-Sweady inquiry.
78. 'How Britain really works' by Stig Abell.
Enjoyable and interesting read. Worth it for the footnotes and reading list alone.
Enjoyable and interesting read. Worth it for the footnotes and reading list alone.
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