READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

[Stanley]

I was wrong, it wasn't the first! However it is reading well, still a page-turner. Good to see why the books were such a success in the 1950s. It must be almost 60 years since I read it. Time does indeed fly!

[Stanley]

I had forgotten how overtly sexist the book is. Quite shocking these days now our sensibilities to this have been heightened.

[Stanley]

I forgot to say I finished Fleming on Tuesday and by the end I was thoroughly fed up with it. Outdated and sexist with some surprising descriptive errors. I am getting more demanding in my old age. I have gone back to Arthur C Clarke, starting with '2001'. Different kettle of fish altogether and I am enjoying it.

[Stanley]

2001 is holding my attention. Surprisingly apposite to today's world. Clarke could see further into mill stones than most.

[Stanley]

Finished 2001 and am now well into the second book in the series, 2016. Just as good!

[Tizer]

I'm slowly working my way through Bryson's `Body' book. As already mentioned in this thread, it's a bit depressing to read so many ways your body can go wrong or ways you can die. He's always a bit like that (remember his book on Australia - too easy to get killed by the wildlife!) but the subject of The Body gives too strong an excuse to be morbid. It has many interesting `by-the-way' facts and some very humour comments which I always enjoy in his books but they're swamped by the diseases and injuries that attracted his attention. With my biology background I can cope with it all but I suspect many other people will be put off by it. The book isn't as good as his `History of Everything' one and probably won't become title of the year as that did.

[plaques]

Finished 'The Body' a couple of weeks ago. Its virtually an encyclopedia of off-beat facts most of which I'm still boring Mrs P but usually met with the comment "I'd have thought you already knew that". I like the honest clarity of the experts answers 'we know the end result but we don't understand why. My life all over.

[Stanley]

I rather think Bill was aware that it would be a disturbing book for many!
Just ordered Vasily Grossman's book Stalingrad which has been translated into English. I've wanted one for years. A word of warning, ignore Amazon at £50 post free and look on Ebay. I have ordered one at £16.83 + P&P and I've forgotten what that was, nowhere near £34!! Just had the payment confirmation, total with P&P is £16.57.

[plaques]

My Stalingrad book is out on loan sort of speak. Unbelievable suffering on both sides. How the Russians held out is a complete mystery. Finally at the end of it all Hitler just turned his back on Germany's 6th army and left them to perish. What a waste of lives and for what?

[Stanley]

Is that Beevor? This one is even bigger than his. I have Grossman's book about his military service and look forward to this one. I have seen good reviews. One of my favourite films is Enemy at the Gate. It's on Youtube.
Waste? It was terrible P and if anything smashed the Germans in the East, this was it. When the Russians broke out it was Berlin next stop.

[plaques]

Yes, Antony Beevor. I also have 'Berlin, and Battle of Spain' sat on my shelves both by Beevor.
Berlin got a bit too complicated with too much happening at once, Spain covered a lot of detail but was relatively easy to read.
if you haven't already read them give me a shout and I'll get them over.

[Stanley]

Thanks David but I have them, I am a fan of Anthony. I shall finish Arthur's four Odyssey books and then attack Grossman, 990 pages...

[Stanley]

Stalingrad has arrived and to my surprise it's a hardback! The advert was for a paperback. Good!

[plaques]

Since the Russians opened up their archives the picture we are seeing now is vastly different to what we have been accepting as fact for the past 50+ years. Enjoy your read.

[Stanley]

990 pages P. I think that's Xmas reading sorted!

[Stanley]

I finished book 3 of the Odyssey quartet yesterday and was faced with a decision. Should I exercise good order and military discipline and read book four or start on Vasily?
I think you can guess the answer, logical order prevailed and I started on 3001, the fourth and final part of the Odyssey.
Have you been listening to the serial on R4 about Grossman and the writing of the book? Can't wait for it... (but I will!)

[Stanley]

I finished book four of the Odyssey quartet, '3001'. Still worth reading, wonderfully imaginative and indeed prophetic books. They are back on the shelf.
I have Vasily Grossman's 'Stalingrad' ready for starting and I'm looking forwards to it. I shall report! (990 pages so it could last over Xmas....)

[Tripps]

My 'Food in England' by Dorothy Hartley has finally arrived. The first attempt was a 'no show' and I was refunded. I think they realised they had sold it too cheaply. So back to the market and paid a bit more. I now instantly realise why Stanley was so entranced by it. It's amazing.

Here's what was hand written inside the cover - I can't improve on it

8th September '01
Dear Barfie and Gadget,
I give this book to you both because I know you will love it as much as I do.
It is an absolute delight in so many ways. It is superbly written, warm and hugely informative- much like myself !
My love to you both & wishes for a long and happy married life.
from Damson jam Jan
xx

PS - Just found this review which I think does it justice Food in England review. Bee Wilson.

[Stanley]

I can't adequately express how pleased I am with your reaction David. And that critique is excellent, the man was another convert to the Hartley Magic. Consider searching for her book 'Made In England' which is a similar exercise but on old country crafts.
I started on 'Stalingrad'. 50 pages in (I had a two hour spell with Vasiliy yesterday because I was so fed up with listening to 'the news'!) I can say that so far he is excellent. Chandler's translation is well done, none of the clunky prose you sometimes get in such enterprises. I am enjoying it and it might not last Xmas out! I think I should be ordering the sequel to it 'Life and fate' which follows the same characters. (Just did it.....)

[Tripps]

I got her book on water for research by the poet next door, but they've been away for a while, and I've had no reaction to it yet.

A bit of simple detective work, and I've been in touch with 'Barfie' who tells me

"Damson jam Jan was a lady who used to cook at my local (since closed down :0( ) pub .. crazy red hair and GREAT jam!"

Even better she tells me that her brother is a jockey, and his wife is a racehorse trainer. Their son is also a jockey.

Isn't the Interweb thingy wonderful - and after a delay I'll be scooting round it at three times the speed tomorrow..

[Stanley]

I remember you doing that and noting that I hadn't got it.... Must rectify that.
Steaming into Stalingrad and it reads well. This says something for Grossman but also for the Chandlers, the translators. Up to press he is setting the scene before the attack, interesting stuff about how the post revolutionaries lived and what their attitudes were, touching faith in the New Order.
Life and Fate is on its way......

[Stanley]

Another good session with Vasily. I find I trust him absolutely and overall he is painting a very detailed picture of society, normal people and the affect of the threat posed by the advancing German Front. Up to now, (and I sense it will not change), this book is about the impact of war on ordinary people and their attitudes. I'm loving it!

[Wendyf]

I'm working my way through Chris Aspin's "The Water Spinners" at the moment looking for clues as to what might have happened to Earby corn mill when it turned to cotton spinning then disappeared without trace. A weighty tome but packed with information! The library managed to find a copy for me but I think I'll try and buy one for the history society.

[Stanley]

Good idea Wendy, it's a wonderful and magisterial piece of work. I can't see it ever being bettered.

[Stanley]

Xmas Grossman is assured, Life and Fate has arrived!