Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
mattyn1 said:
On recommendation, I am just about to start this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soldier-Spy-Tom-Marcus/dp...
Anyone read it?
Yes. Not very well written - it is a series of disjointed anecdotes, with no conclusion / follow up, and I am not sure how much is true. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soldier-Spy-Tom-Marcus/dp...
Anyone read it?
Just read 2 excellent books on holiday. Best non-fiction I've read in ages.
'Altamont' by Joel Slevin. An unbelievably detailed account of the free concert at Altamont Speedway in 1969 headlined by The Rolling Stones, that became infamous for the murder of a member of the crowd by Hells Angels. Fantastically well written it tells the story not just of the night itself but of the events leading up to it and the effective end of the whole 60's flower power ethos.
'You cannot live as I have lived and not end up like this' by Terence Blacker. Hysterical and at times completely unbelievable biography of the late Willie Donaldson who is probably best known as author of 'The Henry Root Letters' (also well worth reading). The subject was a fairly typical upper middle-class Englishman (Winchester and Cambridge) who had a fascinating career, was incredibly amusing and extremely difficult. In his later years he was heavily into his hookers and also started hitting the crack pipe in his 50s. You may never have heard of Willie Donaldson but you'll wish you'd met him after reading this.
'Altamont' by Joel Slevin. An unbelievably detailed account of the free concert at Altamont Speedway in 1969 headlined by The Rolling Stones, that became infamous for the murder of a member of the crowd by Hells Angels. Fantastically well written it tells the story not just of the night itself but of the events leading up to it and the effective end of the whole 60's flower power ethos.
'You cannot live as I have lived and not end up like this' by Terence Blacker. Hysterical and at times completely unbelievable biography of the late Willie Donaldson who is probably best known as author of 'The Henry Root Letters' (also well worth reading). The subject was a fairly typical upper middle-class Englishman (Winchester and Cambridge) who had a fascinating career, was incredibly amusing and extremely difficult. In his later years he was heavily into his hookers and also started hitting the crack pipe in his 50s. You may never have heard of Willie Donaldson but you'll wish you'd met him after reading this.
Ace-T said:
andy_s said:
Be interested to see what you think - I enjoyed Pirsig's Lila latterly but Zen was read when I was too young to understand it properly I think.
I thought it was utter tosh. Did not get it at all , didn't give two hoots about what he did or who he was with. Did try but got so bored with it I only got about a third of the way through. I have also seen people describe it tonally as 'w
ky', which I guess I can understand. Pirsig and the people accompanying him on the trip weren't famous and weren't really notable; I get the impression Pirsig was likely an intelligent guy, but that alone does not make a book about their road trip a necessity. The whole 'Phaedrus' thing also cannot help anyone thinking Pirsig vain.Certain chapters stick out from the narrative, in particular the one dealing with what Pirsig terms ‘gumption’ and the ‘traps’ that can consume it. I’ve done a bit of work with cars - not much - but a little, and have often thought about buying a cheap car to learn more on. In the limited experience I have, I’ve run into exactly the sort of ‘gumption traps’ Pirsig talks about. I remember struggling with one bolt on a bolt-in panel being replaced on my Sierra for an hour. Everything else depended on a 25+ year old bolt coming loose, and I spent the better part of an hour trying to tease it out of its hole.
Feeling stuck is draining, and there was a little voice whispering that, maybe, just maybe, I should down tools and go to the pub. I appreciated that chapter above all others because it put forward Pirsig's philosophy in a way I could connect with far more than traditional philosophers. To end my own little example, I ended up in the pub after extracting the bolt. Win-win.
In the future I may ZAMM. It’s the kind of book I imagine may benefit from a second visit to cement some ideas in my head. I have no doubt there are parts I did not extract the fullest meaning from, or that I glossed over hoping for more enticing things. I may also read 'Lila', Pirsig's sequel. Just not yet.
I've moved on to 'Spandau Phoenix' by Greg Iles. It's fiction dealing with the destruction of Spandau Prison and the death of Rudolf Hess. Reviews seem divided, with some claiming it's overly long and far-fetched and others describing it as gripping. It should be nice to return to (a fictional) West Berlin where I can tear through pages at a far less modest pace.
glazbagun said:
Other Minds by peter godfrey smith.
It's on octopus intelligence and how thay have a completely different evolutionary path to any of the other commonly thought of "intelligent" animals, which pretty much makes them the closest thing to an alien intelligence we have.
Makes one wonder what AI will be like when it finally arrives.
Just finished this and found it enjoyable. The juicy entertaining bits felt front loaded to me, with the last half more Philosophy of Mind (the author is a philosopher) or personal anecdotes. It's on octopus intelligence and how thay have a completely different evolutionary path to any of the other commonly thought of "intelligent" animals, which pretty much makes them the closest thing to an alien intelligence we have.
Makes one wonder what AI will be like when it finally arrives.
Still, an excellent pop science book imo, and I feel richer having read it. I might even give up squid rings!
easytiger123 said:
Just read 2 excellent books on holiday. Best non-fiction I've read in ages.
'Altamont' by Joel Slevin. An unbelievably detailed account of the free concert at Altamont Speedway in 1969 headlined by The Rolling Stones, that became infamous for the murder of a member of the crowd by Hells Angels. Fantastically well written it tells the story not just of the night itself but of the events leading up to it and the effective end of the whole 60's flower power ethos.
Think it was Joel Selvin.'Altamont' by Joel Slevin. An unbelievably detailed account of the free concert at Altamont Speedway in 1969 headlined by The Rolling Stones, that became infamous for the murder of a member of the crowd by Hells Angels. Fantastically well written it tells the story not just of the night itself but of the events leading up to it and the effective end of the whole 60's flower power ethos.
I've just finished "First Response" by Stephen Leather. Another good book, though it became clear part-way through it that I've read it before. Persevered, though, because I'd forgotten how it ends and I find his stuff quite easy to read quickly, they don't get bogged down with stuff.
havoc said:
What's Flashback like?
Really liked some of his stuff (Hyperion series, Ilium pair, The Terror), but not got on with his other works...
Akira - good call...most of my anime has been in video form, will have to dig some of the graphic novels out.
flashback-interesting post nuclear warfare novel of ex cop private eye hired re unsolved murderReally liked some of his stuff (Hyperion series, Ilium pair, The Terror), but not got on with his other works...
Akira - good call...most of my anime has been in video form, will have to dig some of the graphic novels out.
I know what you mean about his books could not get into black hills at all carrion comfort the terror the abominable and drood all very good but long novels
andy_s said:
Cheers - I'll have to have another read at some stage.
No problem! I’m in Belfast at the moment and might take a look for the sequel, ‘Lila’, as well. It has piqued my curiosity.I noticed also ‘August 1914’ by Solzhenitsyn. Goaty Bill 2, have you read it and is it a decent read? I’ve only read his ‘One Day in the Life of...’
Levin said:
I noticed also ‘August 1914’ by Solzhenitsyn. Goaty Bill 2, have you read it and is it a decent read? I’ve only read his ‘One Day in the Life of...’
First or second (expanded) publication? The first was translated by Michael (Misha) Glenny, the second publication by H.T. (Harry) Willetts, Willetts being Solzhenitsyn's preferred translator.I am quite comfortable with Glenny translations as a rule (he has done most of what is available in English of Mikhail Bulgakov).
Reading the Red Wheel, of which '1914' forms a small but important first part, is quite a journey. One that I have yet to begin.
To the best of my understanding there remain seven untranslated volumes in the set. the latest ('March 1917' vol. 1 of 4) being printed just last year.
Unfortunately, both Solzhenitsyn and Willetts are no longer with us and translation of such large volumes for the first time is a substantial undertaking given that they all average between 900-1000 pages. Funding for these enterprises is hard to come by.
'August 1914' along with 'November 1916' should give one an excellent insight into how Russia entered the first world war, and how they were cajoled, bribed and ultimately forced to leave it, setting the stage for the next great disasters of the 20th century; the Russian revolution with the ensuing years of Stalinism, and the rise of the Nazis.
Nothing by Solzhenitsyn is a poor read; that I can promise you.
droopsnoot said:
I've just finished "First Response" by Stephen Leather. Another good book, though it became clear part-way through it that I've read it before. Persevered, though, because I'd forgotten how it ends and I find his stuff quite easy to read quickly, they don't get bogged down with stuff.
Yes, I like his stuff.I finished reading ‘Spandau Phoenix’ last night. Fun, as I had hoped, but the reviews saying it got a little far-fetched towards the end were entirely valid. The last 50-60 pages hampered what had been a very enjoyable tale quite significantly, as one of the big twists falls a little flat. The below spoiler reveals a main plot point, but it’s included more because I found it funny in a bizarre way.
There is an argument among characters when faced with an active nuclear weapon about whether to detonate it where it is, in South Africa, or in its intended target of Israel. The argument can be simplified down to detonating it where it sits because at least it isn’t hitting Israel.
‘Spandau Phoenix’, in short, was disappointing. It creates a compelling alternative history tale around Hess flying to England, but doesn’t totally satisfy. There are a few plot points that fizzle out after going nowhere, and anyone who understands some German will detect errors here and there (‘Freikorps’ is rendered in my copy following the logic of ‘I before E’; the name of the neo-Nazi brotherhood does not use the German genitive when it appears it should, etc.). There’s a surprisingly negative tone directed towards the British throughout, actually, and almost all the British characters are shown either as racists, anti-semites, or both.
Some of the plots for other books by Greg Iles have me curious, just as this one did, so this is by no means a declaration that I’ll not be reading his other works in future. If I happen to read them I’ll be curious to compare them with ‘Spandau Phoenix’.
I am quite comfortable with Glenny translations as a rule (he has done most of what is available in English of Mikhail Bulgakov).
Reading the Red Wheel, of which '1914' forms a small but important first part, is quite a journey. One that I have yet to begin.
To the best of my understanding there remain seven untranslated volumes in the set. the latest ('March 1917' vol. 1 of 4) being printed just last year.
Unfortunately, both Solzhenitsyn and Willetts are no longer with us and translation of such large volumes for the first time is a substantial undertaking given that they all average between 900-1000 pages. Funding for these enterprises is hard to come by.
'August 1914' along with 'November 1916' should give one an excellent insight into how Russia entered the first world war, and how they were cajoled, bribed and ultimately forced to leave it, setting the stage for the next great disasters of the 20th century; the Russian revolution with the ensuing years of Stalinism, and the rise of the Nazis.
Nothing by Solzhenitsyn is a poor read; that I can promise you.I did not think to check the translator, standing in Waterstone's with four other books in my hand and my wallet suitably lightened. What I can tell you though is that it was the edition published by Vintage, found here on Amazon. I am lucky to have not bought it yet; finding out 'August 1914' was but a small part of an as-yet incomplete story (in English, anyway) would have been deeply disappointing.
I can fully believe you that Solzhenitsyn is a worthy read, based only on the one novella I have read. It may soon be time to source another copy and revisit the misery of life in the gulag; it has been years since I last did so.
But first, 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury, one of the books I bought before spotting Solzhenitsyn nestling on the shelf.
There is an argument among characters when faced with an active nuclear weapon about whether to detonate it where it is, in South Africa, or in its intended target of Israel. The argument can be simplified down to detonating it where it sits because at least it isn’t hitting Israel.
‘Spandau Phoenix’, in short, was disappointing. It creates a compelling alternative history tale around Hess flying to England, but doesn’t totally satisfy. There are a few plot points that fizzle out after going nowhere, and anyone who understands some German will detect errors here and there (‘Freikorps’ is rendered in my copy following the logic of ‘I before E’; the name of the neo-Nazi brotherhood does not use the German genitive when it appears it should, etc.). There’s a surprisingly negative tone directed towards the British throughout, actually, and almost all the British characters are shown either as racists, anti-semites, or both.
Some of the plots for other books by Greg Iles have me curious, just as this one did, so this is by no means a declaration that I’ll not be reading his other works in future. If I happen to read them I’ll be curious to compare them with ‘Spandau Phoenix’.
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Levin said:
I noticed also ‘August 1914’ by Solzhenitsyn. Goaty Bill 2, have you read it and is it a decent read? I’ve only read his ‘One Day in the Life of...’
First or second (expanded) publication? The first was translated by Michael (Misha) Glenny, the second publication by H.T. (Harry) Willetts, Willetts being Solzhenitsyn's preferred translator.I am quite comfortable with Glenny translations as a rule (he has done most of what is available in English of Mikhail Bulgakov).
Reading the Red Wheel, of which '1914' forms a small but important first part, is quite a journey. One that I have yet to begin.
To the best of my understanding there remain seven untranslated volumes in the set. the latest ('March 1917' vol. 1 of 4) being printed just last year.
Unfortunately, both Solzhenitsyn and Willetts are no longer with us and translation of such large volumes for the first time is a substantial undertaking given that they all average between 900-1000 pages. Funding for these enterprises is hard to come by.
'August 1914' along with 'November 1916' should give one an excellent insight into how Russia entered the first world war, and how they were cajoled, bribed and ultimately forced to leave it, setting the stage for the next great disasters of the 20th century; the Russian revolution with the ensuing years of Stalinism, and the rise of the Nazis.
Nothing by Solzhenitsyn is a poor read; that I can promise you.
I can fully believe you that Solzhenitsyn is a worthy read, based only on the one novella I have read. It may soon be time to source another copy and revisit the misery of life in the gulag; it has been years since I last did so.
But first, 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury, one of the books I bought before spotting Solzhenitsyn nestling on the shelf.
Just finished Roadside Picnic by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky. Cold-war Russian Science fiction about an alien visit. We don't meet the aliens, they came and went, leaving lethally changed "Zones" containing inexplicable new technological artefacts which are being extracted and investigated by both academics and black market 'stalkers'. We follow one of the stalkers.
I will seek out the movie (called Stalker) next.
I will seek out the movie (called Stalker) next.
Levin said:
I did not think to check the translator, standing in Waterstone's with four other books in my hand and my wallet suitably lightened. What I can tell you though is that it was the edition published by Vintage, found here on Amazon. I am lucky to have not bought it yet; finding out 'August 1914' was but a small part of an as-yet incomplete story (in English, anyway) would have been deeply disappointing.
I can fully believe you that Solzhenitsyn is a worthy read, based only on the one novella I have read. It may soon be time to source another copy and revisit the misery of life in the gulag; it has been years since I last did so.
But first, 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury, one of the books I bought before spotting Solzhenitsyn nestling on the shelf.
The Vintage Classics version (0099589559) of 'August 1914' is 832 pages. Nearly 200 pages more than the first version, so likely a re-print of the revised/extended edition. I have both in first edition hardback, and the page count doesn't match either, but is a lot closer to the longer revised version.I can fully believe you that Solzhenitsyn is a worthy read, based only on the one novella I have read. It may soon be time to source another copy and revisit the misery of life in the gulag; it has been years since I last did so.
But first, 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury, one of the books I bought before spotting Solzhenitsyn nestling on the shelf.
I've just finished "Love like blood" by Mark Billingham, another of his Tom Thorne novels, very good as usual.
The only trouble with continuing characters is that I don't always read them in order, and I certainly don't read them one after another, so I find myself trying to remember if I've missed one out, or just forgotten about a situation that is mentioned. I've now started on "Private Investigations" by Quintin Jardine, a Bob Skinner novel set after he leaves the police services and did notice he goes the other way - quite a few recaps on how various characters know each other and some of their history.
The only trouble with continuing characters is that I don't always read them in order, and I certainly don't read them one after another, so I find myself trying to remember if I've missed one out, or just forgotten about a situation that is mentioned. I've now started on "Private Investigations" by Quintin Jardine, a Bob Skinner novel set after he leaves the police services and did notice he goes the other way - quite a few recaps on how various characters know each other and some of their history.
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