A well chosen selection of Churchill’s bon mots. Epigrams abound. Wit and wisdom, contentious statements and powerful put downs. A balanced selection A well chosen selection of Churchill’s bon mots. Epigrams abound. Wit and wisdom, contentious statements and powerful put downs. A balanced selection that shows he was not always right but was almost always eloquent in the expression of his opinion....more
A colourful account of travels in the Far East during the thirteenth century. Marco Polo may exaggerate numbers but much of what he describes, even ifA colourful account of travels in the Far East during the thirteenth century. Marco Polo may exaggerate numbers but much of what he describes, even if misnamed, is based on fact. A wonderful insight into a world that, at the time, was barely known to the West. This translation by Ronald Latham made the detail accessible without sounding unduly modern. Well worth reading for anyone interested in Marco Polo or Kublai Khan....more
A superb collection accompanied by a remarkably well researched commentary tracing the history of photographic enterprises with North American IndiansA superb collection accompanied by a remarkably well researched commentary tracing the history of photographic enterprises with North American Indians as the subject matter. Large format, and nicely produced, the black and white images are powerful historical documents, sometimes telling us more about those taking the images as those featured in them....more
Very moving. Gilbert has thought herself into the mind of a nearly incomprehensible character. How could anyone give up the world to be walled into a Very moving. Gilbert has thought herself into the mind of a nearly incomprehensible character. How could anyone give up the world to be walled into a cell? I had no idea before I read this wonderful book. Gilbert has inhabited this space, making it both painfully small and infinite. She has conjured a plausible mind from the mysteries of the late fourteenth century. Set amidst religious and political turmoil, a small centre of calm produces an almost mute but literate wisdom. I didn’t know whether to weep or rejoice!...more
A clear and detailed account of the events, centred on Skye, which led to the reformation of crofters rights in the Highlands and Islands. Roger HutchA clear and detailed account of the events, centred on Skye, which led to the reformation of crofters rights in the Highlands and Islands. Roger Hutchinson writes with his usual light touch, evoking the people of the past with conviction. This is well-researched and thoughtfully put together local history with a national reach. ...more
George Paterson weaves an improbable tale of waitresses, hitmen, underground organisations and a mystical object that brings together Henry Miller andGeorge Paterson weaves an improbable tale of waitresses, hitmen, underground organisations and a mystical object that brings together Henry Miller and Sonny Liston. Paterson’s evocation of both France and America is achieved with a confidence and conviction that enhances his recreation of an American novel that rumbles and jumps as the reader is batted back and forth by daring escapes, ruthless killings and the always just-out-of-reach sense that he or she is missing something. As I set the book down after the last brief chapter, I was certain of a few things. I was glad I bought this book and went on the journey between its intriguing covers. George Paterson is a talent of note. I need to return to Miller and Spark but Faulkner and Fitzgerald too. I gather the author’s next book couldn’t be more different - I can’t wait!...more
Excellent catalogue, hugely enhanced by accompanying photographs seeking to recreate the angles from which the paintings were composed. Bonnard’s late Excellent catalogue, hugely enhanced by accompanying photographs seeking to recreate the angles from which the paintings were composed. Bonnard’s late output was almost obsessively based on his home and immediate environment in the south of France. this volume shows much of his methods and provides a scholarly essay to set this work in context....more
A moving set of prose poems that celebrate the life of Patti Smith’s dear comrade-in-arms, Richard Mapplethorpe, who died too young. As much her way ofA moving set of prose poems that celebrate the life of Patti Smith’s dear comrade-in-arms, Richard Mapplethorpe, who died too young. As much her way of grieving, indirect, yet utterly to the point, she weaves her words with tender perception. Barely a word out of place, her command of language renders her friend luminous, magical, doomed and eternal. A moving, tender, perceptive mystery....more
This is a terrific introduction to Harrison, the conundrum of fixing longitude and the wonderful clocks that led to H4, an oversized pocket watch thatThis is a terrific introduction to Harrison, the conundrum of fixing longitude and the wonderful clocks that led to H4, an oversized pocket watch that kept incredibly good time even in extreme conditions. Beautifully illustrated, this little guide is a perfect introduction to the subject. Anyone who reads it will marvel at Harrison’s doggedness and cringe st the authorities’ resistance to his ideas. Reading Betts book makes me want to revisit the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory in Grenwich, along with the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. Seeing Harrison’s wondrous concoctions from brass and wood is a humbling, mesmeric thing. It is well worth celebrating the ultimate achievement of the outsider from Lincolnshire, who made the technological breakthroughs that saved many a ship at sea....more
A highly textured account of Washington’s life, from boy to retired two-time president, told through the accounts of a plethora of witnesses. Martin eA highly textured account of Washington’s life, from boy to retired two-time president, told through the accounts of a plethora of witnesses. Martin evokes the memories of many a famous character and leavens them with a few products of his imagination. This combination weaves a sometimes contradictory but ultimately affectionate and admiring biography. Characters speak with authentic tones and conjure up the tensions and mores of the times. All major events in Washington’s life are covered and set in their immediate context. An enjoyable, well-crafted, imaginative and effectively researched work of biographical fiction. I believed almost all of it!...more
Skilfully written biography in the form of a novel. A lot of what happens is fact and the fiction just fleshes out these infamous but misrepresented cSkilfully written biography in the form of a novel. A lot of what happens is fact and the fiction just fleshes out these infamous but misrepresented characters, especially Doc Holliday himself. I particularly enjoyed the author’s adept dialogue - I could hear Doc In my head - so laconic, so erudite, such a charmer and yet a danger to himself. Although this is fiction - I learned a lot and I enjoyed the process. a host of supporting characters jump off the page, peopling the mythic Old West with a sense of reality. A fine book....more
A compact and concise alphabetical list of native American tribes with a brief entry about location, social structure and lifestyle on each. Current pA compact and concise alphabetical list of native American tribes with a brief entry about location, social structure and lifestyle on each. Current population, as of 1995, and present location/concentration i.e. reservation or locale. Old photos add poignancy and a few colour plates of clothing and craftwork illustrates the refined skills of the tribes, inevitably specialising in making items from local materials and for use. A portable, hardback reference volume that serves as a basic introduction referenced in eight geographical/topographical regions....more
A quirky take on a biography presented as fiction. Back in 1973 this was groundbreaking. Gore Vidal evokes the nearly-President Burr with a keen eye tA quirky take on a biography presented as fiction. Back in 1973 this was groundbreaking. Gore Vidal evokes the nearly-President Burr with a keen eye through his fictional biographer and his discussions with Burr in old age. This project might have felt static in other hands but Vidal draws us into the lives of his main character and the supporting cast with a deft touch. I knew little about Aaron Burr behind his status as a former Vice-President. I now know a fair bit more of his motivations, attitudes, achievements and disappointments. I read this book as I am writing a fictional biography of a lesser known son of America from a similar period. I was interested in the voice or voices Vidal used. I was impressed but equally sure I cannot emulate them! I am delighted there are six more novels in his Narratives of Empire cycle....more
A linguistic tour de force that evoked the Elizabethan age in all its schismatic glory. Christopher Marlowe’s demise is traced from his university dayA linguistic tour de force that evoked the Elizabethan age in all its schismatic glory. Christopher Marlowe’s demise is traced from his university days to his reluctant activities as a sly. Sometimes bawdy but always philosophical, this late novel wrestles with the contradictions of faith and religion without ever losing sight of humanity....more
An interesting biographical insight into the life of the woman who wrote the classic The Owl Calls My Name. We learn how she got started writing and eAn interesting biographical insight into the life of the woman who wrote the classic The Owl Calls My Name. We learn how she got started writing and encounter the source material for her classic novel. Written, as always with the spare skill of a journalist. We also get to understand why she did not write more long form works. I would have loved it to be longer....more
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