Not quite George Smiley at his best: A Legacy of Spies by John Le Carré
A Legacy of Spies by John Le Carré reminds me of the work of three other authors. First, Terry Pratchett’s final Discworld novel, Raising Steam. … Read the full post »
Books
Here you can read all my reviews of books, and assorted matters – such as why I love printed books. They’re so much better than e-books.
The Hollow Man: a worthy classic locked room murder mystery
The Hollow Man, published in the US as The Three Coffins, is a classic, if not the classic, locked room murder mystery from the Golden Age of detective fiction. … Read the full post »
Fourth to First: a must-read guide on how to win a council election
Fourth to First: How to win a local election in under six months by Freya Aquarone and Steffan Aquarone is a short but highly informative and entertaining guide to what really happens in local council elections. … Read the full post »
Liberal Parties in Europe, edited by Caroline Close and Emilie van Haute
Caroline Close and Emilie van Haute’s collection, Liberal Parties in Europe, is a substantial, serious study coming in at just under 400 pages. … Read the full post »
Think like a rocket scientist: advice from Ozan Varol
Ozan Varol’s Book, Think like a rocket scientist is an enjoyable and comprehensive guide to the many foibles of the human mind. … Read the full post »
Pale Rider: the story of the pandemic that killed millions
A virus spreading around the world, aided by international travel. Difficulties getting people to follow social distancing… … Read the full post »
Robert Littell: The Defection of AJ Lewinter
It is a book that pleases with its swish cleverness, not with pulse-quickening moments of action. It is an unconventional masterpiece. … Read the full post »
The race to fly to the North Pole
Had I not been sent a review copy of Show me a hero: The sin of Richard Byrd Junior by Jeremy Scott, I suspect I would never have read it – and what a treat I would have missed out on. … Read the full post »
What books should you read to become a better campaigner?
That was one of the questions I was asked when taking part in a virtual book club meeting this weekend with Liberal Democrats in Hull and neighbouring areas. … Read the full post »
Washington Behind Closed Doors: All the President’s Men meets Dallas
An Emmy award-winning six-part drama series from 1977, Washington Behind Closed Doors tells the tale of fictional US President Richard Monckton. Fictional, but very closely based on the real Richard M. Nixon. … Read the full post »