Monday 24 February 2020

Different slant on the great war

A Most Unfortunate Affair by Ed Crutchley

I was asked to review this book by Lovereading.co.uk

This was an interesting slant on world war 1 and focused on two British captains. Normally we read either accounts of battalions and individual soldiers in some of the famous battles. This story was quite different
Captain. Quinn is the new intelligence officer for the 10th (Service) Battalion in France. He’s in temporary charge of the C Company manning the front line in Captain Cody’s absence. Captain Quinn style of military management is different and the man is downright arrogant. He wants Captain Cody company and sets about in a ruthless and devious way delving into Cody's private life. It is clear on Cody return to the Front that Quinn has turned things and soldiers around to his thinking he begins to distrust. But Cody is a loose cannon - it is world war 1 the story line alone is shocking but the author skilfully throws some shockers in as the reader wonders who will survive.
Well written and a different slant on the horrors of the great war

Tuesday 18 February 2020

Recommended

Keep It Together: philosophy for everyday emergencies

I was asked to review this book by Nudge Books.

At the time of Storm Dennis I read this book in an afternoon. I have studied philosophy but just one aspect in relation to health care so I found this an easy introduction to philosophers and relates this to our everyday life which makes this a enjoyable and light read.

The author has made me think about everyday life in a new way  and also solutions to problems have been there since time began.

I particularly liked the digital world and being controlled by mobile phones - I have picked mine up numerous times writing this - so what does this say about modern culture today? are we bettering ourselves by being informed - no today as the floods are rife this just irritates and annoys me as I am being informed by the media frenzy- so trying not to be informed at present.

This is a thought provoking book and brings up more questions than answers - but certainly put a perspective on life.

Recommended read.

Thursday 13 February 2020

DRAMA






















I was asked to review by Lovererading.co.uk 

What a political drama, I hear you say with Brexit we have had enough, regardless of whether you actually like politics this is a read you cannot miss in 2020. 

Told by an author who knows whose experience he has worked with Wall Street, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and International Business Machines (IBM). He has also advised on economic and technology projects specific to Afghanistan so he certainly knows his stuff. 

The book is based on the authors experiences, full of twists one minute the reader thinks they have got there, then another twist

expect the unexpected

just published in February 2020 recommended with a capital R.

Wednesday 5 February 2020

beautiful

A Blue Forest

I was asked to review by Lovereading.co.uk 

Interesting story set in New Zealand. the characters are well written. This is a story of love, spirituality, intense, unkindness and sheer beauty within this part of the world. 

Beautifully written the reader will be captivated.

An author I now want to seek out.

Powerful

Nobby's Diary

I was asked by Lovereading,co.uk to review this book.

I am well aware of homeless people in Britain and  donate to Shelter as you can see the plight of homelessness has gone on too long. I have come across book such as a Street Cat Named Bob which concerned homeless people but to be honest I am not sure just how many are out there.

London 35 years ago the newspaper industry is changing and moving out of the famous Fleet Street area. Tradition is ending, but what about the people who relied on the warmth of the buildings at night as the papers rolled of the press - hive of activity and somewhere to call home on those long cold nights.

The story centres around Nobby and old homeless man who has relied on this area with his friends and it was home.

Spencer a boy finds Nobby in his shed and the two become friends next Spencer then introduces Nobby to his friends -as Spencer's father works in the newspaper industry thus begins a plight of the homeless people - this is not just a 21st century problem.

this is about friendship and friendship in unusual circumstances and not writing this man off as a tramp or vagrant and there are aspects that are slightly off the wall - even 35 years go when Spencer is missing from his family for a number of days -with strangers - but saying that it is a powerful piece of writing.

These people know the area and with help they go on to help Nobby write articles in a newspaper.

Powerful story of trust, friendship bonded in unusual circumstances and times where the reader will laugh - a really good read.