Fishing For A Friend

I'm an avid reader and recommend the following for those with an interest in these areas. I realise they won't appeal to everyone, but if you've even a passing interest in the areas covered, try and get hold of them and hopefully you'll derive as much pleasure from them as I did!

Conqueror series - Conn Iggulden (based on historical fact this series tells the story of Genghis Khan's life, and his army's conquests. Iggulden is a great storyteller and the pace never lets up).

Emperor series - Conn Iggulden (again a historically based series of novels; this time covering the life of Julius Caesar. Some might think this rather dry subject matter; when it is in fact an incredibly exciting period of history which Iggulden brings to life with great skill)

Caesar - Christian Meier -One of Iggulden's research books for the above for those who want more detail on one of history's most brilliant and ruthless leaders.

An Army At Dawn - Rick Atkinson - The first of a the liberation trilogy chronicling the North African campaign ( I could hardly put this down; it's brilliantly written and followed up by The Day of Battle which is also now available )

Stalingrad - Antony Beevor - A classic; and in my opinion the best account of this infamous battle.

Storm of Steel - Ernst Junger - Famous in Germany, Ernst served in WW1 and his memoir is fascinating not just because it's from the German perspective but also because of its realism, he makes you feel as though you are in the horror of the battlefield.

It would be great to hear other people's opinions on the above; or books they'd recommend.

Hope you all had a great Christmas!

Recent (ish) reads of mine that I enjoyed:

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher - Kate Summerscale

Great Tales from English History - Robert Lacey

Cider with Roadies - Stuart Maconie
I loved this book, anyone of a certain age (over 40) who loves music would enjoy this.

Buddhism Without Beliefs - Stephen Batchelor

vanity fair, anythink on oscar wilde! jack kerouac! gandi, tolstoy dostervesky crime and punishment

I must say I am jealous that you can find the time to read anything at all, let alone something a bit more substantial and time-consuming. I religiously take time out every day to plough though a newspaper. To also find time for a book is near impossible. I am plannng to become a bookish pensioner one day, which is a comforting thought!

if you like music i recomend ever the bettles or life on eath by sir david atmbra

Wow, now we are talking: Terry Pratchett, best humour in the world. Some of his witticisms are so good, you want to write them down to read again later:

"Mrs Evadne Cake was a medium, verging on small." (from Reaper Man)

"Racism was not a problem on the Discworld, because -- what with trolls and dwarfs and so on -- speciesism was more interesting. Black and white lived in perfect harmony and ganged up on green." (Witches Abroad)

"The people who really run organizations are usually found several levels down, where it is still possible to get things done." (Small Gods)

"The Ramkins were more highly bred than a hilltop bakery, whereas Corporal Nobbs had been disqualified from the human race for shoving." (Men at Arms)

Don't read much SF, but have read Dune which I guess any fan of SF will have. Although published in 1965 it has dated very well, and as you'll probably know was made into a film by David Lynch starring Sting. Another book I'd like to recommend is The Man In The Basement - Walter Mosley. This is like nothing else I've ever read and tackles issues of race,morality and redemption; not for the prudish and some would say rather strange, but nevertheless a great read for those who want something very different.

james patterson, oscar wilde, tolstoy, (war and peace)dylan thomas (under milk wood)