Books - What are you reading?

[soad]

Picked up Stephen Leather's Light Touch yesterday - so far, so good.

[WolfieBot]

Blackout - Connie Willis

Follows multiple time travelling historians who are all observing WW2. Quite a fascinating insight into life in the UK during WW2 and not too heavy a focus on the actual time travelling. About halfway through and the plots are starting to develop nicely now.

[tight fart]

DickyC said:

Feeling a bit flat after reading John le Carré's A Legacy of Spies. Pot boiler might be too strong. It would help to re-read The Spy Who Came In From The Cold first.

Half way through it and waiting for a plot to start.

[unrepentant]

Just reading Guy Gibson's Enemy Coast Ahead.



He wrote it shortly before he was killed in 1944 and it covers the period from 1939. I can't believe I've never read it before. It's fascinating and gives a good insight into how these young men lived and the huge, often ultimate, sacrifice that they made. It's also very interesting with regard to how unprepared for war we were and how seat of the pants everything was in the first couple of years.

I'm in early 1941 and we're about 45% through so it's not all Dam Busters.

Best 99c worth I ever downloaded into my Kindle!

[Levin]

Once again, there has been a rather long delay in my last few posts. This time, I place all blame upon 'Peaky Blinders' and its immensely enjoyable viewing. I'm already looking forward to the next series, even if the final episode went a little awry from what I had anticipated.

Anyway, I finished 'Hitler's Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich' by Eric Kurlander today. The name is off-putting, I'll warrant, but the information and research appears sound from my reading. Kurlander takes on the occult societies and esotericists that existed before and during Hitler's time in power; rather than attributing all interest in the subject to one of Himmler's wild fantasies, the book lays bare the interest in 'border science' that existed elsewhere in the power structures of the Third Reich.

To my eye it seemed comprehensive; the foundation is laid with the likes of Guido von List and Rudolf von Sebottendorf, explaining the existence of groups like the Thule Society and border sciences like ariosophy. The final chapter also tackles one of my favourite enduring legends of the war: Die Glocke (the Bell), for which virtually no evidence exists.

For anyone interested in the stranger side of Nazism it is worth a read, with one or two caveats. I wouldn't treat every word as gospel given how left-field the subject is, and I wouldn't expect a real page-turner. For all the border sciences and odd ideas conjured up in wartime, it can be quite a dry read. For any fans of alternative-history fiction I imagine it would make incredible fuel for one's creative fire.

Speaking of alternative-history, I'm on to 'SS-GB' by Len Deighton, where the Nazis occupy Britain after having trounced the RAF during the Battle of Britain.

Edited by Levin on Tuesday 13th March 16:12

[AstonZagato]

Levin said:

Speaking of alternative-history, I'm on to 'SS-GB' by Len Deighton, where the Nazis occupy Britain after having trounced the RAF during the Battle of Britain.

I read 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris recently on holiday. I was thinking of following it up with 'SS-GB'. I've also read Stephen Fry's 'Making History'. Any other alternative history genre books I should read? 'Man in the High Castle'?

[IanA2]

AstonZagato said:

Levin said:

Speaking of alternative-history, I'm on to 'SS-GB' by Len Deighton, where the Nazis occupy Britain after having trounced the RAF during the Battle of Britain.

I read 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris recently on holiday. I was thinking of following it up with 'SS-GB'. I've also read Stephen Fry's 'Making History'. Any other alternative history genre books I should read? 'Man in the High Castle'?

As an account of the Nazi occupation of Englandshire, I must say I preferred Deighton to Harris.

I think Deighton is under-rated generally.

[Halmyre]

IanA2 said:

AstonZagato said:

Levin said:

Speaking of alternative-history, I'm on to 'SS-GB' by Len Deighton, where the Nazis occupy Britain after having trounced the RAF during the Battle of Britain.

I read 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris recently on holiday. I was thinking of following it up with 'SS-GB'. I've also read Stephen Fry's 'Making History'. Any other alternative history genre books I should read? 'Man in the High Castle'?

As an account of the Nazi occupation of Englandshire, I must say I preferred Deighton to Harris.

I think Deighton is under-rated generally.

I don't think 'Fatherland' has any scenes set in England; it's a while since I read it though.

Stephen Baxter's "Time's Tapestry" series ends in an alternative timeline where Germany invaded the UK.

[wst]

Listening to the audiobook version of Iain M. Banks' Consider Phlebas, my 2nd Culture novel.

Really enjoying it on the commute, but I've never winced so much when driving as when the cannibal-prophet used some custom metal teeth "like wire-strippers" on a live captive's fingers.

I really enjoy the worldbuilding of the series.

[Goaty Bill 2]

wst said:

Listening to the audiobook version of Iain M. Banks' Consider Phlebas, my 2nd Culture novel.

Really enjoying it on the commute, but I've never winced so much when driving as when the cannibal-prophet used some custom metal teeth "like wire-strippers" on a live captive's fingers.

I really enjoy the worldbuilding of the series.

A genius for madness. He is, and will continue to be, sorely missed.

[Levin]

Halmyre said:

IanA2 said:

AstonZagato said:

Levin said:

Speaking of alternative-history, I'm on to 'SS-GB' by Len Deighton, where the Nazis occupy Britain after having trounced the RAF during the Battle of Britain.

I read 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris recently on holiday. I was thinking of following it up with 'SS-GB'. I've also read Stephen Fry's 'Making History'. Any other alternative history genre books I should read? 'Man in the High Castle'?

As an account of the Nazi occupation of Englandshire, I must say I preferred Deighton to Harris.

I think Deighton is under-rated generally.

I don't think 'Fatherland' has any scenes set in England; it's a while since I read it though.

I can't remember England in 'Fatherland' either but, like you, it has been years since I last read it. The world Harris builds is closer to what Hitler seemingly wanted out of a decisive victory during the war, with enormous monuments like the Volkshalle dominating the skyline of the capital city (Berlin in the book, but Hitler's plans would have seen it renamed to Germania). I haven't read it, but the cover design for 'Munich', also by Harris, has the tag-line 'Before Fatherland there was...' above the book's title.

'Man in the High Castle' I have not read, but it's on my to-read list as and when I see a copy either being sold cheaply or on the shelves of my local library.

I know for a fact I've mentioned this book before, but 'Young Hitler' by Claus Hant would be somewhere between historical fiction and alt-history. Hitler's life prior to his joining the DAP provides the backdrop for the story and, where historical fact is not known, the author has used his imagination to fill in the gap. Much of the plot I remember (it must be nigh on seven years since I read it) took place in either Vienna or Munich. Not all reviews are massively positive and I'm hesitant to rule out nostalgia playing its part in my own memories of the book, but I would consider it well worth a read.

Most of my exposure to alt-history has been through games, a field wholly outside the purview of this thread. Most of the books I have read are probably more fairly considered as historic fiction than alternative history, given they try to avoid massive alterations to real-world events. If you could live with that, then Ken Follett's 'Century' trilogy might be right up your alley. In total it's over 3000 pages, starting with a mining disaster in a Welsh village before WWI and finishing close to the present day with the descendants of those first characters.

[IanA2]

Levin said:

Halmyre said:

IanA2 said:

AstonZagato said:

Levin said:

Speaking of alternative-history, I'm on to 'SS-GB' by Len Deighton, where the Nazis occupy Britain after having trounced the RAF during the Battle of Britain.

I read 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris recently on holiday. I was thinking of following it up with 'SS-GB'. I've also read Stephen Fry's 'Making History'. Any other alternative history genre books I should read? 'Man in the High Castle'?

As an account of the Nazi occupation of Englandshire, I must say I preferred Deighton to Harris.

I think Deighton is under-rated generally.

I don't think 'Fatherland' has any scenes set in England; it's a while since I read it though.

I can't remember England in 'Fatherland' either but, like you, it has been years since I last read it. The world Harris builds is closer to what Hitler seemingly wanted out of a decisive victory during the war, with enormous monuments like the Volkshalle dominating the skyline of the capital city (Berlin in the book, but Hitler's plans would have seen it renamed to Germania). I haven't read it, but the cover design for 'Munich', also by Harris, has the tag-line 'Before Fatherland there was...' above the book's title.

'Man in the High Castle' I have not read, but it's on my to-read list as and when I see a copy either being sold cheaply or on the shelves of my local library.

I know for a fact I've mentioned this book before, but 'Young Hitler' by Claus Hant would be somewhere between historical fiction and alt-history. Hitler's life prior to his joining the DAP provides the backdrop for the story and, where historical fact is not known, the author has used his imagination to fill in the gap. Much of the plot I remember (it must be nigh on seven years since I read it) took place in either Vienna or Munich. Not all reviews are massively positive and I'm hesitant to rule out nostalgia playing its part in my own memories of the book, but I would consider it well worth a read.

Most of my exposure to alt-history has been through games, a field wholly outside the purview of this thread. Most of the books I have read are probably more fairly considered as historic fiction than alternative history, given they try to avoid massive alterations to real-world events. If you could live with that, then Ken Follett's 'Century' trilogy might be right up your alley. In total it's over 3000 pages, starting with a mining disaster in a Welsh village before WWI and finishing close to the present day with the descendants of those first characters.

You are both quite correct. Quite why my memory fused there I cannot explain. Things sometimes seem less clear since the state pension kicked in, that said, I stand by my comment about Deighton. Follett I find a bit patchy.

[plasticpig]

AstonZagato said:

I read 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris recently on holiday. I was thinking of following it up with 'SS-GB'. I've also read Stephen Fry's 'Making History'. Any other alternative history genre books I should read? 'Man in the High Castle'?

I quite enjoyed the Germanicus trilogy by Kirk Mitchell. Goes a lot further back for the timeline split though as it's based on the Roman Empire not falling. Aztec Century by Christopher Evans is also good. Based on the premise that the Aztec empire defeated the Spanish invasion in the 16th century and became a global super power.

[toasty]

Just started Don Quixote, 14 short chapters in of 126. Pretty easy going so far, mildly amusing. Just wondering if it's going to hold my interest for the next couple of months.

[andy_s]

Just bought the new Mick Herron 'London Rules'; the 5th Jackson Lamb novel, always a dryly amusing read with the inevitably twisting background of spookdom.

[droopsnoot]

I've just finished "Nomad" by James Swallow, which was pretty good. It seems to get mentioned as a similar book to "I am Pilgrim", and while I've read the both I'd say Pilgrim was the better book.

[wombleh]

Picked up the ebook collection for Alistair Reynolds Revelation Space series. I'd read them ages ago on paperback and was thinking about adding them to the Kindle but at £28 it seemed a bit pricey, however am glad I coughed up as I'd forgotten quite how good the series is. Highly recommended if you like a good space opera!

[Levin]

AstonZagato said:

I read 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris recently on holiday. I was thinking of following it up with 'SS-GB'. I've also read Stephen Fry's 'Making History'. Any other alternative history genre books I should read? 'Man in the High Castle'?

Just as a follow-up, I found out that C.J. Sansom's 'Dominion' is also based on the idea of a German victory during the Second World War. I haven't read anything from Sansom before but that may be a good place to start.

I finished SS-GB a few days ago; good fun with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting throughout. Unsurprisingly it still holds up, written in the late 1970s or not. Plus, it's different enough to 'Fatherland' that it leaves both worth reading.

Next is 'Stoner' by John Williams, the first book I've seen Wikipedia classify as a 'campus novel'. The plot seems basic (sales were very modest upon publication in 1965), but in more recent years it has garnered considerable praise on account of its having been reissued. I'm not sure how to feel about it yet.

[Blatter]

Just finished

A really good read.

[droopsnoot]

I've just finished "Fly by Wire", by Ward Larsen. Starts off looking as if it will be a plane crash investigation tale but adds a bit of terrorism, a good story throughout.

On to "Funeral Notes" by Quintin Jardine now.