If you'd ever used leaves to wipe your arse you'd appreciate a good book In the good old days I'd be able to look under the bushes to find a copy of Razzle!
I have actually used a leaf for me arse when I was on weekend camp with the T.A.'s. At Ranskill Camp, no windows in the buildings, on guard duty three o'clock in the morning, it was the nearest bush.
The Militant Muse by Whitney Chadwick. A book about the female surrealist artists including Leonora Carrington, Frida Kahlo and Lee Miller (the war photographer) who took a bath in Hitler's apartment. There's also an interesting chapter on the resistance to the German occupation of Jersey by Claude Cahun (female) and Suzanne Malherbe and how they just managed to escape execution. If you are interested in art and the build up to the second world war then this is a pretty good read.
'Helsinki Angels'.....My new book is out today on Amazon....'.A David Moss Private Investigator Yarn'... 80k words of mirth and mystery surrounding the disappearance of a Brit in Helsinki, Finland and the tasks undertaken by a Private Eye to find him. Only £8.99...
Currently reading Ernest Hemmingways first and much acclaimed ( by some) novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls. 'One of the greatest novels our troubled age will produce'- The Observer. 'The best book Hemmingway has written'-New York Times. Briefly, its about an American, Robert Johnson, who joins the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War to fight the Facists. He has been sent to blow up an important bridge which could tilt the war the Republicans way. I'm onto page 370 and he still hasn't blown the ****er up. I must be missing something but I'm finding it hard work. The Spanish guerrilla band he has joined all speak as though they come from Sheffield with 'thee that and thar the other' in every sentence. Surely an oversight on Hemmingways part? I've heard he liked a drink? I'm beginning to think he'd had a few when he wrote parts of this. Not impressed so not recommended.
There is a Hemingway museum in Oak Park, Chicago, where he grew up as a kid. About 12 miles or so from the centre of Chicago, when I got there it was closed. Wouldn't you know it. So I spent the time looking at the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the hood.
First up, I am not a book reader, I give up if I am not drawn in quickly. Second up, we have a wonderful Bedlington Terrier who is absolutely terrified of Fireworks and becomes uncontrollable when they are going off anywhere within a three mile radius. (No reaction at to gun shot though) Third up, as a result we have booked a VERY ISOLATED holiday cottage in the Lake District, 10 miles up a single track road miles from anywhere. This is for two weeks so we are away for Halloween, Bonfire Night, and the weekends either side. Fourth up, we need to make our own entertainment for two weeks so I am thinking a book may come in handy. Fith up, I get frustrated with most books I've tried. I cannot get away from " this is just a story and it couldn't possibly happen like that" Sixth up, The last book I read and really enjoyed was Shantaram, I think because it was based on fact and actual experiences. Based on all of that, any recommendations for a good read combining fact and fiction that would draw me in quite quickly would be appreciated. My wife will be eternally grateful.
My suggestions are fiction but with the inspiration derived from fact. They are (1) Raj Quartet by Paul Scott, and (2) The Karla Trilogy by John le Carré. Raj Quartet has been called the English War and Peace, set in India in the imminent decline of British rule so plenty of accurate history depicted. Karla Trilogy is about spies in the cold war, fantastic writing and totally believable.
Chickenhawk - Robert Mason. Helicopter pilot during Vietnam war. Nothing gung ho, ace of the base stuff. A story of how it was for him.
