It’s all news to me - Jeremy Vine
The old adage is Truth is stranger than fiction and with 25 years of experience under his belt in the BBC, JeremyVine has had a few encounters that are simply more unbelievable than what you would find in “Yes Minister” or “The Thick of It”. For example, local yobs high jacking a double decker bus, driving around Littleborough with the faces of New Labour slapped on side of it, during a by election. Journalistic gold!
Vine, a man of sophisticated charm and wit, displayed immensely throughout his memoir. Jeremy has a successful career (youngest presenter of the Today show, Sony Award winner for exposing Gordon Brown during ‘bigotgate’ and reaching the envious status of foreign correspondent in Africa); this is all down to hard work, stalking the best and a bit of luck!
Snippets of wisdom litter the book. One being, “Truth is often eclipsed but not extinguished”, how apt when Jeremy lays out his run-ins with the power triumvirate of Blair, Mandelson and Campbell. Vine provides evidence throughout, highlighting ill planned publicity stunts as well as downright lies.
While reading “It’s all news to me” I was drawn into the fact that journalism seems to be a game, albeit a serious game, where the story is champion and the correspondent comes second.
Vine delivers a warts and all narrative, centred on the BBC, however he delves into the death cry of Major’s Conservatives, New Labour with all its pomp and spin plus the wild world of reporting.
Jeremy includes everything from interviewing tyrant Robert Mugabe, an embarrassing toilet moment, bullets flying overhead in Eastern Europe and even a hilarious run in with the enigmatic Russell Brand.
An enjoyable read, full of gossip, perfectly written by a reflective and well-grounded man, even at the altitude of his fruitful career 5/5
Reviews from my book review column in Sorted Magazine available online, WHS and Sainsburys.
Monday, 29 October 2012
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Tubes: Behind the Scenes at the Internet by Andrew Bloom and World War II: The Definitive Visual Guide - Richard Holmes
Tubes: Behind the Scenes at the Internet by Andrew Bloom
Flip open, turn on and straight to Google. All is well, until we get an “error” message. We try looking at settings, turning modems on and off or calling the family expert. This happened to Blum, author of Tubes. Blum discovered a problem with his internet connection and what turned out to be the culprit? A squirrel! This led Blum to answer the question, “What is the internet?” A (very) detailed odyssey of exploration. 3/5
World War II: The Definitive Visual Guide - Richard Holmes
It is years since I have opened a history textbook. Flashes of daunting “European History” lessons, chalk boards and overhead projectors come to mind. I wish I was given this book back then because it is astounding. Simply put, nearly every aspect of World War II has been noted with incredible facts, along with compelling photographs. Holmes’ book shows that “history repeating itself” can be a positive thing, if highlighted in this magnificent way 5/5.
Review taking from my column in Sorted Magazine available in all WHS, Sainsbury stores and online.
Flip open, turn on and straight to Google. All is well, until we get an “error” message. We try looking at settings, turning modems on and off or calling the family expert. This happened to Blum, author of Tubes. Blum discovered a problem with his internet connection and what turned out to be the culprit? A squirrel! This led Blum to answer the question, “What is the internet?” A (very) detailed odyssey of exploration. 3/5
World War II: The Definitive Visual Guide - Richard Holmes
It is years since I have opened a history textbook. Flashes of daunting “European History” lessons, chalk boards and overhead projectors come to mind. I wish I was given this book back then because it is astounding. Simply put, nearly every aspect of World War II has been noted with incredible facts, along with compelling photographs. Holmes’ book shows that “history repeating itself” can be a positive thing, if highlighted in this magnificent way 5/5.
Review taking from my column in Sorted Magazine available in all WHS, Sainsbury stores and online.
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Book review: Philosophy of a Mad Man
The philosophy of a mad man.
Colbornes book is about a man who was disturbed mentally and unfortunately has not had an easy ride in life life, at a young age Colborne lost his mother and an old friend to cancer.
This seems to be the tipping point of a man who falls into a series of mental episodes that include running through London barefoot, stalking a young woman, believing that he has been accepted into the alumni of Oxford and wearing particularly dickens-esq clothing.
This book is humourous however it shows a paned man who struggles to find peace. It appears that he looks everywhere, eastern as well as western religious practices but has settled on looking into creation and how it is all connected. The book is divided into two sections; his journey and philosophy.
The first being a quick autobiography and the second section gives an interesting look into his belief system.
I hope Steven continues his journey and finds peace.
Witty, charming, dark as well as instances of humour
Colbornes book is about a man who was disturbed mentally and unfortunately has not had an easy ride in life life, at a young age Colborne lost his mother and an old friend to cancer.
This seems to be the tipping point of a man who falls into a series of mental episodes that include running through London barefoot, stalking a young woman, believing that he has been accepted into the alumni of Oxford and wearing particularly dickens-esq clothing.
This book is humourous however it shows a paned man who struggles to find peace. It appears that he looks everywhere, eastern as well as western religious practices but has settled on looking into creation and how it is all connected. The book is divided into two sections; his journey and philosophy.
The first being a quick autobiography and the second section gives an interesting look into his belief system.
I hope Steven continues his journey and finds peace.
Witty, charming, dark as well as instances of humour
Thursday, 15 March 2012
A Clash of Kings, Book 2 of A Song of Ice and Fire
You simply can not get away from Game of Thrones at the minute.
There are ads on tv and clips when your browsing the Internet, magazine interviews and Sky seem to keep reminding us that it starts on the 1st of April in between every spare bit of time they have.
We get it Sky. Game of Thrones has the series link set to record on my set top box!!
With the not-so-subtle propaganda dealt with, I just want to say I am turning into quite the fanboy of Game of Thrones. I have successfully stayed away from spoilers and after watching the first series then reading the first book I wished to do it the other way about this time.
Taking straight from where we left off in the first book, main characters have carried on their individualistic journeys which all seem to be connected to one another in a wider sense.
The background to the book is that the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms appears to be up for grabs. King Robert is dead and rumour has it that his son, the young King Joffery, is not the legitimate heir and so many now claim the throne.
Rob Stark is one of those kings, however, his main aim is to avenge the murder of his father Eddard Stark.
Rob's brothers and sisters are spread throughout the kingdom and more or less are trying to survive during this time of turmoil.
There does not seem to be a structure to this story, which makes it more interesting than the last. You dont know what will happen from chapter to chapter.
George R R Martin paints scenes beautifully, I can not express how important the little things are which can make you become lost in a book such as smells, architecture of buildings, describing ordinary non characters, clothing and even things like a character eating, sleeping and relieving themselves.
Yes, this may sound a bit odd but Martin gets these little things right every time and when he does that, you trust him with the important scenes like battle sequences, which are simply, immense. I found myself wincing during the hand to hand combat fighting and willing some characters on.
One of my favourite scenes was an important escape of a main character during the depths of a battle in the middle of night. Elements such as fire, water and the dirt on the ground was described perfectly. A full blown movie was going on in my head.
Martin has chosen to tell his story through lowly characters. A stroke of genus. While others may have chose kings and queens, Martin has chosen children, disabled folk and bastards to carry this tale.
The Good: I have never read large epics at such a fast pace. Be sure to delegate time to read these books as your other half may get miffed off that your spending too much time with your nose buried I this book/kindle! Clash of Kings is darker and more bloodier than the last book.
The bad: Some parts of the book could have been condensed, for example, Daenerys Targaryen, who is trying to come to grips with her husbands passing and her inheritance of 3 actual dragons takes an age of endless traveling and soul searching.
Summary: I apologised when I reviewed the first book, A Game of Thrones, as I sounded like a "gushing reviewer", however I make no apologises now. This book is a fantastic epic and wonderfully written. I give it a 5/5
There are ads on tv and clips when your browsing the Internet, magazine interviews and Sky seem to keep reminding us that it starts on the 1st of April in between every spare bit of time they have.
We get it Sky. Game of Thrones has the series link set to record on my set top box!!
With the not-so-subtle propaganda dealt with, I just want to say I am turning into quite the fanboy of Game of Thrones. I have successfully stayed away from spoilers and after watching the first series then reading the first book I wished to do it the other way about this time.
Taking straight from where we left off in the first book, main characters have carried on their individualistic journeys which all seem to be connected to one another in a wider sense.
The background to the book is that the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms appears to be up for grabs. King Robert is dead and rumour has it that his son, the young King Joffery, is not the legitimate heir and so many now claim the throne.
Rob Stark is one of those kings, however, his main aim is to avenge the murder of his father Eddard Stark.
Rob's brothers and sisters are spread throughout the kingdom and more or less are trying to survive during this time of turmoil.
There does not seem to be a structure to this story, which makes it more interesting than the last. You dont know what will happen from chapter to chapter.
George R R Martin paints scenes beautifully, I can not express how important the little things are which can make you become lost in a book such as smells, architecture of buildings, describing ordinary non characters, clothing and even things like a character eating, sleeping and relieving themselves.
Yes, this may sound a bit odd but Martin gets these little things right every time and when he does that, you trust him with the important scenes like battle sequences, which are simply, immense. I found myself wincing during the hand to hand combat fighting and willing some characters on.
One of my favourite scenes was an important escape of a main character during the depths of a battle in the middle of night. Elements such as fire, water and the dirt on the ground was described perfectly. A full blown movie was going on in my head.
Martin has chosen to tell his story through lowly characters. A stroke of genus. While others may have chose kings and queens, Martin has chosen children, disabled folk and bastards to carry this tale.
The Good: I have never read large epics at such a fast pace. Be sure to delegate time to read these books as your other half may get miffed off that your spending too much time with your nose buried I this book/kindle! Clash of Kings is darker and more bloodier than the last book.
The bad: Some parts of the book could have been condensed, for example, Daenerys Targaryen, who is trying to come to grips with her husbands passing and her inheritance of 3 actual dragons takes an age of endless traveling and soul searching.
Summary: I apologised when I reviewed the first book, A Game of Thrones, as I sounded like a "gushing reviewer", however I make no apologises now. This book is a fantastic epic and wonderfully written. I give it a 5/5
Sunday, 12 February 2012
The Canary List - Sigmund Brouwer
Em...where do I start..... what instantly comes to mind about this book? Tough read.
Hovering my cursor rover the decline button I had to think whether to read this book or not, as this book was designated by a site for me to review. As my blog probably needs a bit of diversity I decided to not go with my instincts and move the mouse over to accept. Click.
This short video gives an insight into the book, The Canary List.
If you indeed watched the video your probably expecting a Dan Brown type book, but honestly, it is more a rip off that has come a few years too late to capitalise on The Da Vinci Code's success.
It is not necessarily a horror book, more a physiological thriller.
A little background is due to give an insight into the book.
The Pope is in a comma, the Catholic Church is in a state of unrest. The Vatican believes that a 12 year old girl has the fate of the church in her hands. Jamie Piper can sense 'the evil' and decides that the only person in the world she can trust is her teacher Mr. Crockett, as she is alone and scared. In the small hours of night, Jamie is once again frightened by 'the evil' and decides to visit Mr. Crockett.
As she visits Crockett, Jamie's foster families house is mysteriously burnt to the ground.
So there is an element of 'Angels and Demons', 'Sixth Sense' and 'Backdraft' about this book within the first few chapters. The book has all the ingredients of a good read but somehow misses the mark. Elements of suspicion arise when Police locate Jamie and get suspicious of Mr. Crockett's intentions of harbouring a minor. It is hard to read chapter after chapter of child paedophilia accusations and still have sympathy with the character.
Hopefully I have set the stage correctly, I believe the writing style is excellent. The scenes are wonderfully written, explaining the surroundings in just the right detail and always leaving the element of mystery where you can come to your own conclusions about a chapters strange happenings.
The Good: Its well written as I was saying and has a couple of twists as well as having a lasting effect into whether demons are really in the world causing havoc.
The Bad: The following quote is from the author Sigmund Brouwer's website for the Canary List:
"When one speaks of 'the smoke of Satan' in the holy rooms, it is all true-including these latest stories of violence and paedophilia...Cardinals who do not believe in Jesus, and bishops who are linked to the Demon."
Hovering my cursor rover the decline button I had to think whether to read this book or not, as this book was designated by a site for me to review. As my blog probably needs a bit of diversity I decided to not go with my instincts and move the mouse over to accept. Click.
This short video gives an insight into the book, The Canary List.
If you indeed watched the video your probably expecting a Dan Brown type book, but honestly, it is more a rip off that has come a few years too late to capitalise on The Da Vinci Code's success.
It is not necessarily a horror book, more a physiological thriller.
A little background is due to give an insight into the book.
The Pope is in a comma, the Catholic Church is in a state of unrest. The Vatican believes that a 12 year old girl has the fate of the church in her hands. Jamie Piper can sense 'the evil' and decides that the only person in the world she can trust is her teacher Mr. Crockett, as she is alone and scared. In the small hours of night, Jamie is once again frightened by 'the evil' and decides to visit Mr. Crockett.
As she visits Crockett, Jamie's foster families house is mysteriously burnt to the ground.
So there is an element of 'Angels and Demons', 'Sixth Sense' and 'Backdraft' about this book within the first few chapters. The book has all the ingredients of a good read but somehow misses the mark. Elements of suspicion arise when Police locate Jamie and get suspicious of Mr. Crockett's intentions of harbouring a minor. It is hard to read chapter after chapter of child paedophilia accusations and still have sympathy with the character.
Hopefully I have set the stage correctly, I believe the writing style is excellent. The scenes are wonderfully written, explaining the surroundings in just the right detail and always leaving the element of mystery where you can come to your own conclusions about a chapters strange happenings.
There is just something about the book which does not have me dying to turn the next page, I can not quite put my finger on it.....this is not a cop out. I honestly believe that this book has looked around other literary pieces and not thought too much about its own audience and how they would judge it. I believe as a reader that the author should be thinking about the audience 100% of the time, such as thinking about how they would interpret a scene or or how they would feel about a twist in the tale. It is fair enough to look at other books and see their formula for success but if the writer does not have heart and believe in the book, then it is not going to grip them in the way it should.
The Good: Its well written as I was saying and has a couple of twists as well as having a lasting effect into whether demons are really in the world causing havoc.
The Bad: The following quote is from the author Sigmund Brouwer's website for the Canary List:
"When one speaks of 'the smoke of Satan' in the holy rooms, it is all true-including these latest stories of violence and paedophilia...Cardinals who do not believe in Jesus, and bishops who are linked to the Demon."
-- the Vatican's Chief Exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth author of Memoirs of an Exorcist, as quoted in The London Times, March 11, 2010
It is clear as day when you read this book that the author does not have a good word to say about the Catholic church. Be prepared for that, there is not really one good Catholic in the book. Obviously there are lots of Catholics that love Jesus but I am pretty sure lots Catholics will not love this book because of the way they are portrayed.
Conclusion: Read this book with an open mind. Its pretty fast paced and you will be swept along, possibly a bit too much as there is a lot of shifting about; place to place and character to character. You may find yourself raising your eyebrows alot and I found the book exhausting. I would not pick it up again once I have read it. For that reason, I give it a 2.5/5
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Competition!
Early days to start having a competition but why not! Send myself an email or drop a comment about "What fiction book has impacted on you most in your life and why?" All answers welcome and best answer takes away a massive.... £15 book token! Get in! Who says reading doesn't pay!
*Competition ends March 31st 2012, winner decided by "The book addict blogger"
*Competition ends March 31st 2012, winner decided by "The book addict blogger"
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Blog #7 I am legend by Richard Matheson
Bored? Looking for a quick read? I suggest you give I am Legend a try.
Now, get Will Smith, New York and his lovely wee dog out of your head.
This book is genuinely scary, not many books do give you a fright, but the mood set in this book is fantastic. The protagonist gives an interesting insight to life in a post apocalyptic world.
Remember, this was one of the first living dead type books of its kind. It is very kitsch to laugh about the "Night of the living dead" straight to VHS from the early 80's but you have to just forget about those preconceptions and open yourself up to an interesting take on the undead.
This book gives you depth to a grieving husband, the monotonous drudgery of his life juxtaposed against the seemingly unreal situation he finds himself, which is living alone with night stalking "vampires" and the fact he does not have the ability to answer why things are happening but try's to in vain.
The bad: Wish it could have been a tad longer and (without spoiling anything) answer some background questions. If you hate science fiction this book will obviously not be up your street.
The good: The mystery within the book completely makes it. Hard to create depth with one character but this book nails it. Quiet humours in parts as well.
Conclusion: You should defiantly read this book if you like World War Z or enjoy the Walking Dead series on tv. I give it 5/5, may not be to everyone's cup of tea!
Now, get Will Smith, New York and his lovely wee dog out of your head.
This book is genuinely scary, not many books do give you a fright, but the mood set in this book is fantastic. The protagonist gives an interesting insight to life in a post apocalyptic world.
Remember, this was one of the first living dead type books of its kind. It is very kitsch to laugh about the "Night of the living dead" straight to VHS from the early 80's but you have to just forget about those preconceptions and open yourself up to an interesting take on the undead.
This book gives you depth to a grieving husband, the monotonous drudgery of his life juxtaposed against the seemingly unreal situation he finds himself, which is living alone with night stalking "vampires" and the fact he does not have the ability to answer why things are happening but try's to in vain.
The bad: Wish it could have been a tad longer and (without spoiling anything) answer some background questions. If you hate science fiction this book will obviously not be up your street.
The good: The mystery within the book completely makes it. Hard to create depth with one character but this book nails it. Quiet humours in parts as well.
Conclusion: You should defiantly read this book if you like World War Z or enjoy the Walking Dead series on tv. I give it 5/5, may not be to everyone's cup of tea!
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