Books - What are you reading?

[Goaty Bill 2]

Junior Bianno said:

Goaty Bill 2 said:

'The Idiot' By Dostoevsky
Translation by Eva M. Martin

One from my collection of Heron books 'The Greatest Masterpieces of Russian Literature' series.

Oooh - I've got those. I think you may have read more of them than I have though

Impressive collection.
Sadly, I am building my Heron collection book by book. It's a slow process.
Unfortunately, every time I've seen a reasonably complete collection, the price per book has been well beyond the individual book prices, and I have a dozen already so it never quite makes sense.

[Goaty Bill 2]

IanA2 said:

Interesting, I have never heard of Heron books. Second hand they seem remarkable value:

https://www.hcbooksonline.com/product-category/her...

I do know Folio are Heron of the same quality?

Thanks.

Based upon my collection of second hand books, I would say no, not of equal quality.
But they're not terrible either. And they are, as you noted, remarkable value for small to medium sized hardbacks.

I do find that Folio and Limited Editions Club editions are of a very high quality compared to the average hardback produced these days.
Of course those last two tend to come at a premium.

I quite like them (Heron) and will continue to grow the collection as opportunities present themselves.

[Fastchas]

wombleh said:

Bit late finding it as it was written years ago but just finished two brothers by Ben Elton, story of Jews in Germany from after ww1 through ww2. Fascinating glimpse into what it was like as the country imploded.

Incredible book and I think it should be studied in school, brought a tear to my eye when I finished it. Can't recommend it highly enough.

I enjoyed this but another of Elton’s, Time & Time Again was even better. Superb.
I’ve tried others of Elton but couldn’t get to grips with them.

[droopsnoot]

I've just finished "Pirate", which is a Clive Cussler / Fargo novel. Pretty good as they usually are, though I did think some of the villains were a bit pantomime now and again. And unfortunately they spend some time in England, which inevitably leads US writers to try their hand at colloquial words, and here is no exception. I don't know anyone that uses the word "blighter" in general conversation. That aside, though, a decent enough read if you like that kind of thing.

[IanA2]

Goaty Bill 2 said:

IanA2 said:

Interesting, I have never heard of Heron books. Second hand they seem remarkable value:

https://www.hcbooksonline.com/product-category/her...

I do know Folio are Heron of the same quality?

Thanks.

Based upon my collection of second hand books, I would say no, not of equal quality.
But they're not terrible either. And they are, as you noted, remarkable value for small to medium sized hardbacks.

I do find that Folio and Limited Editions Club editions are of a very high quality compared to the average hardback produced these days.
Of course those last two tend to come at a premium.

I quite like them (Heron) and will continue to grow the collection as opportunities present themselves.

Thanks, good to know.

[wombleh]

Am finding that "D day through German eyes" a very interesting read. Can see it starting a series of WW2 reading for me. Any other recommendations in that era?

[K12beano]

First time, I’m ashamed to admit, to ”A Tale Of Two Cities”


Great stuff!

Now I had always thought it was the R4 comedy (Bleak Expectations) which had invented “Book The First”, “Book The Second” etc.

But that’s what Charlie Dickens actually wrote!

Am on “Book The Third” tonight....

[matc]

I’ve just finished ‘Educated’ by Tara Westover. Not my usual type of book, but really enjoyed it. About a girl who was brought up by a highly religious bi-polar father who didn’t believe in medicine!

[IanA2]

wombleh said:

Am finding that "D day through German eyes" a very interesting read. Can see it starting a series of WW2 reading for me. Any other recommendations in that era?

Anthony Beevor will probably not disappoint: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Beevor

[Nom de ploom]

Read the 7th book in the master and commander series - as always pretty rum stuff although it tested my knowledge of north sea and baltic geography somewhat - each book could do with an easily accessible map!

I know there is one on the internet but its not very user friendly.


just finished neither here nor there again by bill bryson so as i was feeling tight I searched for free kindle books and downloaded the entire sherlock holmes series by ACD so I've read a study in scarlet and sign of the four back to back. quite enjoyed them although I do picture basil rathbone as holmes and martin freeman as watson - bit of a cross generation combo but hey ho.

I'm interspersing this with The Copernicus Complex by Caleb Scharf for a bit of non fiction. interesting but not ground breaking.

i will look out the max hasting vietnam history next definitiely.

[lowdrag]

Adam B said:

FunkyNige said:

I'm not sure if it came from a recommendation on here, but 'D-Day through German eyes' is a fascinating read about D-Day, it's taken from interviews with German soldiers in the 1950s.

Read that and book 2 - really fascinating (and horrifying) stuff

Yet, sad to say, there is a lot of criticism of the publisher and people say their books are all fake. Don't slate me, I'm just playing devil's advocate and don't know either way. But it has to be said that finding any historical works written by the Germans is extremely difficult, if not downright impossible. Here is but one post I found, and before you read it, have a look here; I found this more convincing:-

https://np.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7ej...

And here is the post referred to above:-

Recently talked to an Austrian historian about this who I unquestionably trust in regards to German WW2 history

In all likelihood, the whole series of books by this "publisher" are complete fake. It's not possible to find any information about this supposed relative or even the propaganda publication he supposedly worked for.

Funny thing is, if you read the Amazon reviews, you can see how all the Wehraboos are jerking off about this while only a few people (like you) take the time to ask or to cast some doubt at least.

It also fits supposed hostility of mainstream German towards "balanced narratives about the Wehrmacht" which imply this book can only be published in English and with a "free" publisher.

But as a German history buff I can tell you, a German language book about the defenses at D-Day would be a money printing license if it had historical credibility.

[plasticpig]

lowdrag said:

Yet, sad to say, there is a lot of criticism of the publisher and people say their books are all fake. Don't slate me, I'm just playing devil's advocate and don't know either way. But it has to be said that finding any historical works written by the Germans is extremely difficult.

Panzer Leader by Heinz Guderian is very good. Guderian was responsible for developing Germany's blitzkrieg tactics, helped formulate the Manstein Plan, took part in the invasion of France and commanded the 2nd Panzer Army in operation Barborossa.

[tertius]

plasticpig said:

lowdrag said:

Yet, sad to say, there is a lot of criticism of the publisher and people say their books are all fake. Don't slate me, I'm just playing devil's advocate and don't know either way. But it has to be said that finding any historical works written by the Germans is extremely difficult.

Panzer Leader by Heinz Guderian is very good. Guderian was responsible for developing Germany's blitzkrieg tactics, helped formulate the Manstein Plan, took part in the invasion of France and commanded the 2nd Panzer Army in operation Barborossa.

For the Luftwaffe there is I Flew for the Fuhrer by Heinz Knocke, an excellent read.

[lowdrag]

Thank you both. I'll look them up and get them.

[Shadow R1]

A higher call by Adam Makos.

[droopsnoot]

I've just finished "The man with no face" by Peter May. It was pretty good, being set largely in Brussels in the late 70s put me off a little bit, but not too much.

[smithyithy]

Just wrapped up the 'Sprawl Trilogy' (Neuromancer, Count Zero, Mona Lisa Overdrive) by William Gibson - thoroughly enjoyed them.

Starting 'Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?' next.

[Goaty Bill 2]

'Black Snow: A Theatrical Novel (Flamingo)' by Mikhail Bulgakov

Stock photo


I could barely imagine subject matter that would interest me less yet...
Though it took me longer to read this short novel than it should, that was entirely due to time constraints.
If I'd had the time to read it in one or two sittings I surely would have done.
Bulgakov's usual genius shines through.

[EdJ]

I just finished Gentlemen & Players by Joanne Harris. Hugely recommended. I'd not read anything by her before, but this was recommended to me by a friend, and damn it's good. Set around a public school across two different time periods - a bit of a thriller and some superb character development.

[K12beano]

And now, starting out and catching up on: