Read my reviews of books, and assorted matters – such as why I love printed books.
If you have been involved in grassroots electoral campaigning, reading Rasmus Kleis Nielsen’s study of the grassroots part of two Democrat campaigns from the 2008 Congressional elections in the US is likely to produce a mix of two responses. … Read the full post »
Although published now nearly a century ago – in 1927 – Harold Lamb’s highly successful biography Genghis Khan: Emperor of All Men is still well worth a read. … Read the full post »
The question of how Margaret Thatcher won power in 1979 has become rather topical again as supporters of Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn argue that her victory shows you don’t need to tack to the centre ground to win elections. … Read the full post »
Did the author Lewis Carroll ever visit Llandudno in Wales? It is a hard question to track down the answer to as this book sets out. … Read the full post »
Fraser’s skill in mixing the stories of individuals with the story of social tensions brings out the frequent difficulty in deciding quite who or what behaviour is beyond the pale. … Read the full post »
“In his own words” is a collection which brings together forty-three of Tony Blair’s speeches, articles and similar items stretching from 1982 to 2004. … Read the full post »
William Thomas Stead was not only Britain’s first investigative journalist, he also epitomised the profession’s strengths and dark side within his own career. … Read the full post »
Following up the great suggestions for summer reading made by readers, here is a rather niche list: great books to read written by current or former Liberal Democrat Parliamentarians. Niche range, but great books. … Read the full post »
I’m spending much of the summer trying to write a book. A whole book solo this time. Eek. And not about politics. Double eek. … Read the full post »
Monash and Chauvel: How Australia’s two greatest generals changed the course of world history by Roland Perry is a big, comprehensive biography of two generals who, even if their exploits do not quite live up to the subtitle’s hyperbole, certainly had a big impact on the course of the First World War. … Read the full post »