The OFFICIAL NPR Book Thread

[Niegs]

Saw John le Carre in an interview with Mark Lawson (?) from a few years ago. Came over as an honest, decent English gentleman.
I've just given up on The Honourable Schoolboy though, far too wordy and convoluted. I don't often give up on books, probably because I'm very selective/too fussy about what I read.

The BBC dramatisations with Simon Russell Beale as Smiley are well worth hunting down.

You mean these?



(A lot of the radio dramas that have been uploaded here seem to have been purged. Best download those before they go away... though such things sometimes temporarily appear on youtube as well before getting flagged.)

... oh, I see someone has the Toby Booth as James Bond series there! These are also very good!

[Hal Jordan]

Those be they, I have them on CD from my parents' house, they filled many an hour as I did kitchen stuff.

[GogLais]

Saw John le Carre in an interview with Mark Lawson (?) from a few years ago. Came over as an honest, decent English gentleman.
I've just given up on The Honourable Schoolboy though, far too wordy and convoluted. I don't often give up on books, probably because I'm very selective/too fussy about what I read.

The BBC dramatisations with Simon Russell Beale as Smiley are well worth hunting down.

Thanks. I’ve bought the 1970s BBC tv series of TTSP and Smiley’s People from Amazon. Good stuff, must have passed me by at the time.

[Happyhooker]

In answer to ?hugo's? question, i don't set myself targets. i tend to have 3 books on the go at anyone time; one light fiction, one heavier or more classical and one non fiction. i'll tend to finish a lighter book in a week, with the other two, more like every 2-3 weeks

i'm using the extra time in lockdown to attempt to resucitate my french, bridge and chess, so the non fiction bracket has been devoted to those.
although he doesn't really count as heavy, i inherited my father's complete works of dickens, so i've been rereading those. some happily, others were more of a struggle
in the light bracket; well, whatever tickles my fancy really. i'm a bit of a magpie so don't really have a favourite genre. last night i finished the art of fielding by chad hardbach which, for a coming of age type novel, was fucking outstanding. just about to pick up kiley reid's such a fun age, but that was a gift so i haven't a clue about it.

i've also currently got rilke's letters to a young poet that i dip in and out of. one of the most beautiful writers ever

[Slick]

After John le Carre's recent death I thought I should give one of his books a go so just finished Tinker, Tailor...

Quite enjoyed it without being blown away. I couldn't help thinking the whole way through he was a poor mans Graham Greene. Not sure it was enough to make me seek out more of his stuff, but maybe for a beach book or something.

[Jock42]

More of an academic question but anyone any recommendations for literature on Disaster Relief?

[Hugo]

I'm reading Joe Louis, the great black hope by Richard Bak.

On the subject of his second fight versus Max Schmeling I'm really skeptical at just how political that fight was considered at the time.

Modern accounts suggest that Americans at that time saw Schmeling as representative of the Nazi regime and therefore the fight was considered a battle between good and evil. The things that make me skeptical are:
1. The US did not join the war until three years after the fight. How was anti Nazi feeling in the US high enough to engage Americans in a boxing match in 1938 but not high enough to warrant involvement in WW2?
2. The US was treating blacks like second class citizens at the time so its a bit of a reach to try and claim any kind of moral high ground over the Germans.

The whole thing has always seemed very post hoc. I really need to read up on US-Nazi relations during the 30s and try and gauge the public sentiment at that time. Also, I find it hard to believe that, having spent the 30s in an economic depression, many Americans gave a shit about Hitler one way or the other.

Of course I could be entirely wrong.

[Jock42]

Just finished "Project Possible" by Nimsdai Purja. Ex Gurkha and SBS, decided to climb the 14 highest peaks in record time. Book isn't as in depth as I'd have liked and found it a bit repetitive at times but fuck me the lad is an absolute machine.

[Happyhooker]

I'm reading Joe Louis, the great black hope by Richard Bak.

On the subject of his second fight versus Max Schmeling I'm really skeptical at just how political that fight was considered at the time.

Modern accounts suggest that Americans at that time saw Schmeling as representative of the Nazi regime and therefore the fight was considered a battle between good and evil. The things that make me skeptical are:
1. The US did not join the war until three years after the fight. How was anti Nazi feeling in the US high enough to engage Americans in a boxing match in 1938 but not high enough to warrant involvement in WW2?
2. The US was treating blacks like second class citizens at the time so its a bit of a reach to try and claim any kind of moral high ground over the Germans.

The whole thing has always seemed very post hoc. I really need to read up on US-Nazi relations during the 30s and try and gauge the public sentiment at that time. Also, I find it hard to believe that, having spent the 30s in an economic depression, many Americans gave a shit about Hitler one way or the other.

Of course I could be entirely wrong.

read into this in more depth. there was much more to it than came out

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot

[Hugo]

I'm reading Joe Louis, the great black hope by Richard Bak.

On the subject of his second fight versus Max Schmeling I'm really skeptical at just how political that fight was considered at the time.

Modern accounts suggest that Americans at that time saw Schmeling as representative of the Nazi regime and therefore the fight was considered a battle between good and evil. The things that make me skeptical are:
1. The US did not join the war until three years after the fight. How was anti Nazi feeling in the US high enough to engage Americans in a boxing match in 1938 but not high enough to warrant involvement in WW2?
2. The US was treating blacks like second class citizens at the time so its a bit of a reach to try and claim any kind of moral high ground over the Germans.

The whole thing has always seemed very post hoc. I really need to read up on US-Nazi relations during the 30s and try and gauge the public sentiment at that time. Also, I find it hard to believe that, having spent the 30s in an economic depression, many Americans gave a shit about Hitler one way or the other.

Of course I could be entirely wrong.

read into this in more depth. there was much more to it than came out

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot

Thank you for the info, "Plot to seize the White House" added to my wishlistt: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/ ... 1510734692

I finished the Louis book and I must say I knew he was a big deal but I did not know exactly how much of an icon he was. He was massively influential in advancing the cause of African Americans firstly because he was someone that gave them hope. His victories in the ring were considered triumphs for the entire race and gave them a sense of worth in a society that treated them like shit. His fights gave black people a rallying point and allowed them to dream and to aspire. Secondly, he was someone that white America found palatable so he was able to break down racial barriers because he was popular thoughout the country. In that regard it is said that he paved the way for the integration of American sports and the introduction of Jackie Robinson into baseball in the late 1940's.

[Hugo]

Am now reading Putin's world by Angela Stent.

I'm hoping for an objective appraisal of Putin's leadership, the good and bad but my expectations are pretty low tbh since the author is an academic from Georgetown and the praise for the book on the inside cover is from the likes of Madeleine Allbright and other Washingtonians.

[Blackmac]

This is a bit of a long shot, but I wonder if any of you lads on here might contribute a bit of effort and possibly a small amount of money to help make an old man I know very proud.

He is one of my elderly gardening customers. When I first met him I fell out with him as I felt he was a grumpy old bugger, however since them we have grown to become really good friends. He is a fascinating individual, in his late 80's, who spent his whole life travelling the world working in forestry. He has contributed many articles and expertise to the Royal Botanic Society and there is nothing the old lad doesn't know about flora and fauna, with a special expertise in plant intelligence. He has sadly had a really difficult time over lockdown with his wife being very ill and his son dying very suddenly.

He was recently delighted to have a short book about Plant Intelligence published by Amazon, however he is under no illusion that it will be a best seller!!

The book is called Plant Intelligence by Martyn Baguley. It is available for free if you have Kindle Unlimited and for a paltry £3.40 for the physical book. In order to give him a bit of a moral boost I have so far had about 20 to 30 friends download the kindle version and another dozen or so buy a physical copy.

Thought I would use the power of the internet to see if any of you would like to help cheer the old lad up a bit and if you have Kindle Unlimited I would be grateful if you could download a copy of the book.
Cheers.

[Slick]

I’ll get one, actually looks really interesting. Can’t find the physical version anywhere though

[Blackmac]

I’ll get one, actually looks really interesting. Can’t find the physical version anywhere though

Thanks mate., that is much appreciated. Yeah, it looks as if the printed version is now unavailable. As you say it is actually a very interesting topic. He's one of my favourite customers because I spend as much time listening to his stories and drinking coffee than I do gardening.

[Fangle]

My memory says that someone asked for Australian authors, and someone suggested Jane Harper. Anyway I am enjoying a book by her, The Dry. Any other suggestions?

[GogLais]

My memory says that someone asked for Australian authors, and someone suggested Jane Harper. Anyway I am enjoying a book by her, The Dry. Any other suggestions?

I've read Jane Harper's and also a couple by a guy called Gary Disher (?). They're not stunning but it's a change reading crime fiction that isn't set in the US or the UK.

[Slick]

My memory says that someone asked for Australian authors, and someone suggested Jane Harper. Anyway I am enjoying a book by her, The Dry. Any other suggestions?

Australian authors?

Richard Flannagan is bloody good. I’ve read Gould’s Book of Fish and Narrow Road to the Deep North and would recommend both

[GogLais]

After John le Carre's recent death I thought I should give one of his books a go so just finished Tinker, Tailor...

Quite enjoyed it without being blown away. I couldn't help thinking the whole way through he was a poor mans Graham Greene. Not sure it was enough to make me seek out more of his stuff, but maybe for a beach book or something.

I should try Graham Greene again, I read a few of his when I was either too young or too ignorant to get the most out of them.

[Fangle]

My memory says that someone asked for Australian authors, and someone suggested Jane Harper. Anyway I am enjoying a book by her, The Dry. Any other suggestions?

Australian authors?

Richard Flannagan is bloody good. I’ve read Gould’s Book of Fish and Narrow Road to the Deep North and would recommend both

Thanks. I’ve downloaded Narrow Road from my library.

[Jock42]

This is a bit of a long shot, but I wonder if any of you lads on here might contribute a bit of effort and possibly a small amount of money to help make an old man I know very proud.

He is one of my elderly gardening customers. When I first met him I fell out with him as I felt he was a grumpy old bugger, however since them we have grown to become really good friends. He is a fascinating individual, in his late 80's, who spent his whole life travelling the world working in forestry. He has contributed many articles and expertise to the Royal Botanic Society and there is nothing the old lad doesn't know about flora and fauna, with a special expertise in plant intelligence. He has sadly had a really difficult time over lockdown with his wife being very ill and his son dying very suddenly.

He was recently delighted to have a short book about Plant Intelligence published by Amazon, however he is under no illusion that it will be a best seller!!

The book is called Plant Intelligence by Martyn Baguley. It is available for free if you have Kindle Unlimited and for a paltry £3.40 for the physical book. In order to give him a bit of a moral boost I have so far had about 20 to 30 friends download the kindle version and another dozen or so buy a physical copy.

Thought I would use the power of the internet to see if any of you would like to help cheer the old lad up a bit and if you have Kindle Unlimited I would be grateful if you could download a copy of the book.
Cheers.

Done

[Lobby]

This is a bit of a long shot, but I wonder if any of you lads on here might contribute a bit of effort and possibly a small amount of money to help make an old man I know very proud.

He is one of my elderly gardening customers. When I first met him I fell out with him as I felt he was a grumpy old bugger, however since them we have grown to become really good friends. He is a fascinating individual, in his late 80's, who spent his whole life travelling the world working in forestry. He has contributed many articles and expertise to the Royal Botanic Society and there is nothing the old lad doesn't know about flora and fauna, with a special expertise in plant intelligence. He has sadly had a really difficult time over lockdown with his wife being very ill and his son dying very suddenly.

He was recently delighted to have a short book about Plant Intelligence published by Amazon, however he is under no illusion that it will be a best seller!!

The book is called Plant Intelligence by Martyn Baguley. It is available for free if you have Kindle Unlimited and for a paltry £3.40 for the physical book. In order to give him a bit of a moral boost I have so far had about 20 to 30 friends download the kindle version and another dozen or so buy a physical copy.

Thought I would use the power of the internet to see if any of you would like to help cheer the old lad up a bit and if you have Kindle Unlimited I would be grateful if you could download a copy of the book.
Cheers.

Done

Ditto

[Lobby]

My memory says that someone asked for Australian authors, and someone suggested Jane Harper. Anyway I am enjoying a book by her, The Dry. Any other suggestions?

Peter Carey’s an obvious suggestion, and I’ve really enjoyed all his books I’ve read, especially Oscar and Lucinda, Jack Maggs and the True History of the Kelly Gang.

[Blackmac]

Thanks lads. Much appreciated.

[Jock42]

About 1/3 of the way through Jocks in the Jungle. Details the 2nd Bn Black Wack and a battalion of the Cameronians and their time as Chindits. The authors father was in the Watch and out there for a time. Decent read so far with plenty of anecdotes and extracts from lads present. The authors use of the term Jap makes me a bit uncomfortable though. He uses it in the same manner as he does Jock, Scot etc definitely no malice in it but I'm unsure its the right term to use. Maybe I am becoming too sensitive in my old age.

[Paddington Bear]

It was completely ubiquitous at the time so pretty much all contemporary sources would never write 'Japanese'. I think a lot of historians of the Far East War use it to convey some authenticity. I get it, but wouldn't use it myself in conversation.

[Happyhooker]

After John le Carre's recent death I thought I should give one of his books a go so just finished Tinker, Tailor...

Quite enjoyed it without being blown away. I couldn't help thinking the whole way through he was a poor mans Graham Greene. Not sure it was enough to make me seek out more of his stuff, but maybe for a beach book or something.

I should try Graham Greene again, I read a few of his when I was either too young or too ignorant to get the most out of them.

You really should. I've reread his stuff recently having not touched it for 30+ years. One of the most beautiful writers of English prose ever.

About to revisit Henry fielding, who I also haven't picked up for years.

Recently read the art of fielding by Chad harbach. Very enjoyable coming of age novel.

And blackmac, done

[Jock42]

It was completely ubiquitous at the time so pretty much all contemporary sources would never write 'Japanese'. I think a lot of historians of the Far East War use it to convey some authenticity. I get it, but wouldn't use it myself in conversation.

So you're saying I'm being a fanny?

[Paddington Bear]

It was completely ubiquitous at the time so pretty much all contemporary sources would never write 'Japanese'. I think a lot of historians of the Far East War use it to convey some authenticity. I get it, but wouldn't use it myself in conversation.

So you're saying I'm being a fanny?

Being vaguely serious it really depends on the context. I wrote up some stuff for my family around VJ day on family history (both grandads were in Burma), if quoting them I'd have 'Jap', if writing it in my own words I'd use Japanese.

[sockwithaticket]

I read quite a lot of 19th century horror short collections and there can be some racial stuff that's pretty jarring to modern sensibilities, but you just have to remember the context of the age they were written.

[Slick]

After John le Carre's recent death I thought I should give one of his books a go so just finished Tinker, Tailor...

Quite enjoyed it without being blown away. I couldn't help thinking the whole way through he was a poor mans Graham Greene. Not sure it was enough to make me seek out more of his stuff, but maybe for a beach book or something.

I should try Graham Greene again, I read a few of his when I was either too young or too ignorant to get the most out of them.

I’m a bit of a geek Uber fan, easily my favourite writer. If you want any recommendations of where to start again let me know.

[Happyhooker]

After John le Carre's recent death I thought I should give one of his books a go so just finished Tinker, Tailor...

Quite enjoyed it without being blown away. I couldn't help thinking the whole way through he was a poor mans Graham Greene. Not sure it was enough to make me seek out more of his stuff, but maybe for a beach book or something.

I should try Graham Greene again, I read a few of his when I was either too young or too ignorant to get the most out of them.

I’m a bit of a geek Uber fan, easily my favourite writer. If you want any recommendations of where to start again let me know.

download the app first

[Hugo]

Am now reading Putin's world by Angela Stent.

I'm hoping for an objective appraisal of Putin's leadership, the good and bad but my expectations are pretty low tbh since the author is an academic from Georgetown and the praise for the book on the inside cover is from the likes of Madeleine Allbright and other Washingtonians.

I'm about halfway through now - I took a break to read a couple of other books that were pretty meh.

I'm actually pleasantly surprised by what I am reading - the author accepts the fact that the west screwed up by moving NATO onto Russia's doorstep whilst Europe had a complacent/apathetic attitude toward the alliance and did not fulfill its obligations.

I like all of the historical background she gives on Russia and it was interesting to read up on Germany and Russia's post cold war relationship. Would definitely recommend this book.

[GogLais]

Just received The Beauty and the Terror from A*a*on, a so-called alternative history of the Renaissance. Looks promising.

[Hugo]

Age of ambition - Chasing fortune & truth in China by Evan Osnos

Great, great book. The author is an American journalist who spent 8 years in China from 2005-2013, he tells the story of China's rise to superpower status through the lives of ambitious "strivers" some of whom made it, others who found the Chinese dream more elusive.

Best book I have read in forever. Drives home just how miraculous China's transformation has been and how much wealth has been generated. Interesting thing to note was how the CCP learned the lessons of glasnost and perestroika and the collapse of the USSR and determined that they would never make the same mistakes by fully opening up their society.

[Fangle]

Age of ambition - Chasing fortune & truth in China by Evan Osnos

Great, great book. The author is an American journalist who spent 8 years in China from 2005-2013, he tells the story of China's rise to superpower status through the lives of ambitious "strivers" some of whom made it, others who found the Chinese dream more elusive.

Best book I have read in forever. Drives home just how miraculous China's transformation has been and how much wealth has been generated. Interesting thing to note was how the CCP learned the lessons of glasnost and perestroika and the collapse of the USSR and determined that they would never make the same mistakes by fully opening up their society.

I read it a couple of years ago and agree that it’s well worth a read.

I’m currently reading The New Map by Daniel Yergin. It’s about the geopolitical structure of the changing world with oil/gas availability, and how pipelines etc. are affecting how countries interact with each other.

[Hugo]

Age of ambition - Chasing fortune & truth in China by Evan Osnos

Great, great book. The author is an American journalist who spent 8 years in China from 2005-2013, he tells the story of China's rise to superpower status through the lives of ambitious "strivers" some of whom made it, others who found the Chinese dream more elusive.

Best book I have read in forever. Drives home just how miraculous China's transformation has been and how much wealth has been generated. Interesting thing to note was how the CCP learned the lessons of glasnost and perestroika and the collapse of the USSR and determined that they would never make the same mistakes by fully opening up their society.

I read it a couple of years ago and agree that it’s well worth a read.

I’m currently reading The New Map by Daniel Yergin. It’s about the geopolitical structure of the changing world with oil/gas availability, and how pipelines etc. are affecting how countries interact with each other.

Sounds interesting, would you recommend? Does China feature heavily? I assume so........

I'm now reading Revolutionary Suicide by Huey Newton, founder of the Black Panther Party. I enjoyed Autobiography of Malcolm X and really admire him and since the BPP considered themselves disciplines of his I wanted to like Newton. However, I found him very dislikeable. He comes across as someone who had a massive chip on his shoulder and used that to justify his criminal behaviour. He seemed to want to have his cake and eat it, study at Oakland City College and spend all his time with his nose buried in books but then maintain his contacts with the criminal elements of his neighbourhood and get up to no good. He looks down his nose at a lot of the civil rights organisations in the Bay Area of the 60s and portrays them as ineffective intellectuals or bourgeoisie phonies but he just comes across as someone not able to collaborate with people with a common cause because he was too stubborn and selfish.

When he formed the Panther Party they drafted a 10 point plan but from the way they launched the party and crafted its identity in my opinion they became overly preocuppied in the 7th point - which was effectively the 2nd amendment element. They were trying to gain credibility within the community and they calculated that being heavily armed and openly confrontational with the police would gain them lots of support. I'm sure that it did gain them lots of publicity and was to some extent empowering to blacks but I think it just took the party down a path that had no chance of delivering long term success.

[Fangle]

Definitely recommend The New Map. China is prominent, but no region is neglected as far as I can see. They include the problems with the South China sea, the relationship with Russia and the Belt.

At the moment I’m reading about the middle east from the days of Russia in Iran, through Sadam Hussein going on to the nuclear deal with Iran right up to last year.

[Woddy]

This is a bit of a long shot, but I wonder if any of you lads on here might contribute a bit of effort and possibly a small amount of money to help make an old man I know very proud.

He is one of my elderly gardening customers. When I first met him I fell out with him as I felt he was a grumpy old bugger, however since them we have grown to become really good friends. He is a fascinating individual, in his late 80's, who spent his whole life travelling the world working in forestry. He has contributed many articles and expertise to the Royal Botanic Society and there is nothing the old lad doesn't know about flora and fauna, with a special expertise in plant intelligence. He has sadly had a really difficult time over lockdown with his wife being very ill and his son dying very suddenly.

He was recently delighted to have a short book about Plant Intelligence published by Amazon, however he is under no illusion that it will be a best seller!!

The book is called Plant Intelligence by Martyn Baguley. It is available for free if you have Kindle Unlimited and for a paltry £3.40 for the physical book. In order to give him a bit of a moral boost I have so far had about 20 to 30 friends download the kindle version and another dozen or so buy a physical copy.

Thought I would use the power of the internet to see if any of you would like to help cheer the old lad up a bit and if you have Kindle Unlimited I would be grateful if you could download a copy of the book.
Cheers.

Done

Ditto

Tiddo

[Slick]

Finished Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart over the weekend after a recommendation from HKJC.

Don’t know how often a first book wins the Booker Prize but that seems pretty impressive.

It’s about a boy growing up in Glasgow in the 80’s with an alcoholic mother and all her trials and tribulations. It is beautifully written and completely absorbing whilst being unrelentingly depressing.

I couldn’t put it down and would recommend, particularly to Scots and particularly to West Coasters just be prepared to have your own hopes dashed and dashed again until it becomes quite personal

[Torquemada 1420]

The story of how Argentina's rugby side was murdered by the state

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/ ... -world-cup