tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33671755579313724092024-03-13T21:44:23.911+13:00A LITTLE BIT OF READINGA list of books I've read recently with some occasional gibberish thrown in. Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.comBlogger1223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-2910657058111584332024-03-06T16:13:00.004+13:002024-03-06T16:13:44.769+13:00COMING UP FOR AIR -George Orwell<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvjWmji_tz57mW3Mm6RyWdqw3nv63hZum4tap3skz1x5iXYUZs55Hyo8KWfuzjfQ_cld3i77-Tu5OtXyNf6tyZ4mw26CzSQLAqaJlKsXP1FAjoEW7G17euGFJBEsnwMF2VKGUPfvGgpLHTe3LoT-DE7OQNkvgM9um1XIj1KiP3PPJTiU3dkYAZpi5olxXz" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvjWmji_tz57mW3Mm6RyWdqw3nv63hZum4tap3skz1x5iXYUZs55Hyo8KWfuzjfQ_cld3i77-Tu5OtXyNf6tyZ4mw26CzSQLAqaJlKsXP1FAjoEW7G17euGFJBEsnwMF2VKGUPfvGgpLHTe3LoT-DE7OQNkvgM9um1XIj1KiP3PPJTiU3dkYAZpi5olxXz=w378-h504" width="378" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Very funny for Orwell, sad in places but a lovely read -"never go back, it will never replace your memories"</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-59207206172842773232024-03-06T16:12:00.001+13:002024-03-06T16:12:08.735+13:00OPERATION PEDESTAL -Max Hastings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuIdYxYRJXwnkIHXqEvJUJv9sYhbBJa_vdJdP9eKVB5l5eIhF1yNGeqGSli5OzlUkFpry3FzyzBIQYodSEV7cS_DZdbPBUNOQoZR21yBc7qGUctyDhDdte4PjjZ1rXrdweXxOfk4Nx3H0H03xCemGSckcxxgQLFmWI6jn0gK7h29NBl9BQgBiYnJeofgbi" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="585" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuIdYxYRJXwnkIHXqEvJUJv9sYhbBJa_vdJdP9eKVB5l5eIhF1yNGeqGSli5OzlUkFpry3FzyzBIQYodSEV7cS_DZdbPBUNOQoZR21yBc7qGUctyDhDdte4PjjZ1rXrdweXxOfk4Nx3H0H03xCemGSckcxxgQLFmWI6jn0gK7h29NBl9BQgBiYnJeofgbi=w439-h585" width="439" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Thousands of men thrown into a mincer. A great read , getting supplies to Malta<br /> <p></p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-84192201059224437932024-03-06T16:10:00.003+13:002024-03-06T16:10:19.572+13:00THE IDIOT - Fyodor Dostoyevsky<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKrSc_s_XgpjByt1t_7Jd1UlVe9EnNtDfKxIqyB2ixBVpsATWf1N34hgpXeMJj5g9dWRKye1tA8Xfju8XnbycbtPrIg_bUOEqbwLmQSOEVWlP4wl65LS3-skaoBeDkxMp8yGYtRdZAjpKBNM19mIzLahTG7S6MILrRJFRE041zC3i3E3ycSYgFwFsucmUy" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKrSc_s_XgpjByt1t_7Jd1UlVe9EnNtDfKxIqyB2ixBVpsATWf1N34hgpXeMJj5g9dWRKye1tA8Xfju8XnbycbtPrIg_bUOEqbwLmQSOEVWlP4wl65LS3-skaoBeDkxMp8yGYtRdZAjpKBNM19mIzLahTG7S6MILrRJFRE041zC3i3E3ycSYgFwFsucmUy=w394-h525" width="394" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Astonishing writing , this was very readable, whereas I found Demons unreadable</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-68887023865317672412024-03-06T16:07:00.001+13:002024-03-06T16:07:29.980+13:00ASHENDEN - W. Somerset Maugham<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfCUCfb4UVj_jsFEyuHcZjm2yIgKg6-ar9ICy3vxmP_2b2O8hdMB0hTVD13jVn4obnstdWYXUE_6TvUYxduuMkGonQ9yjiHjgO1-5cX8v9-0Df5Q-JgKZoFd7fIoen4OKh6UZNX-AUtHzeIIznGp9eNh3gWSaYdwYvU7KjYkuWuO4O90BARNAXKb3m5auW" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfCUCfb4UVj_jsFEyuHcZjm2yIgKg6-ar9ICy3vxmP_2b2O8hdMB0hTVD13jVn4obnstdWYXUE_6TvUYxduuMkGonQ9yjiHjgO1-5cX8v9-0Df5Q-JgKZoFd7fIoen4OKh6UZNX-AUtHzeIIznGp9eNh3gWSaYdwYvU7KjYkuWuO4O90BARNAXKb3m5auW=w444-h592" width="444" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A good set of spy stories, always worth a re-read</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-19541859370710726692024-03-06T16:05:00.003+13:002024-03-06T16:05:28.350+13:00A HANDFUL OF DUST - Evelyn Waugh<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiwnVnYGBRxE9-qAmlTWYKncaGN6_MfUSdQ_CnMETtpnfl2i7dmhK1uDo5c3XN5ccncV9aGHDuHWrg3DygVOJHcsMEWkjB_AxBgkUxz4X3LosHUc7mfAwOZBpt-CVBTg_71TjGIKhX9r8v6kTsBt1frAvgnwhJ_gC1MaSW892DeB3ZYpdtmTx_LPK7ev4x" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="1170" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiwnVnYGBRxE9-qAmlTWYKncaGN6_MfUSdQ_CnMETtpnfl2i7dmhK1uDo5c3XN5ccncV9aGHDuHWrg3DygVOJHcsMEWkjB_AxBgkUxz4X3LosHUc7mfAwOZBpt-CVBTg_71TjGIKhX9r8v6kTsBt1frAvgnwhJ_gC1MaSW892DeB3ZYpdtmTx_LPK7ev4x=w365-h454" width="365" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>The genius that was Waugh<br /> <p></p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-52410361773271313872024-03-06T16:03:00.002+13:002024-03-06T16:03:22.542+13:00INSIDE STALIN'S KREMLIN - Peter S. Deriabin<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMhg8H1mZqbpLIYvprbaugMLKDhDFyvnyRD3zdDCnHjFErLbA4WW1pvjeRzG_E8R1F5Kww6FpEzguwqXE2CBwf_O8mBqR0zwcPROYIXcorfgnbX8RjjO-FQ1P2Ue5GCl9a442InPVe5NnSW44_WCOxegsRIlYdulNrEUp7wqozMXBWwUT-ULRAZX2RtGYz" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1170" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMhg8H1mZqbpLIYvprbaugMLKDhDFyvnyRD3zdDCnHjFErLbA4WW1pvjeRzG_E8R1F5Kww6FpEzguwqXE2CBwf_O8mBqR0zwcPROYIXcorfgnbX8RjjO-FQ1P2Ue5GCl9a442InPVe5NnSW44_WCOxegsRIlYdulNrEUp7wqozMXBWwUT-ULRAZX2RtGYz=w368-h462" width="368" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Disappointing. Written in the 1st person 30 years after the events was always going to make it suspect. Deriabin was a genuine defector but this reads like a superannuation supplement. Mercifully short.</p><p><br /></p><br /> <p></p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-63698038164995773062024-03-06T15:58:00.005+13:002024-03-06T15:58:36.285+13:00TROTSKY -Robert Service<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ-AQPapmaEKt4AyBbzD3JDYWnk-_jYDUR6uoB83iQgKpxnzR9RNYQMO30_CAvX5S7ON0S5Iwe2k6sX6Cl_ApBuSUuBbRhOBVmbBANZnxS-oIAQ7SIqoIBaIA3BsBO7yHWSC7dLgoQEMisg4rm7F4zTrSBLWcP_-Z_W8KBqUSfc2Gz6Xo7_3zlc8xfoiMV" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ-AQPapmaEKt4AyBbzD3JDYWnk-_jYDUR6uoB83iQgKpxnzR9RNYQMO30_CAvX5S7ON0S5Iwe2k6sX6Cl_ApBuSUuBbRhOBVmbBANZnxS-oIAQ7SIqoIBaIA3BsBO7yHWSC7dLgoQEMisg4rm7F4zTrSBLWcP_-Z_W8KBqUSfc2Gz6Xo7_3zlc8xfoiMV=w350-h467" width="350" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A brilliant complex man but so narcissistic it's surprising Stalin let him live as long as he did</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-35408858757703395042024-03-06T15:55:00.005+13:002024-03-06T15:55:56.477+13:00A SPY NAMED ORPHAN - Roland Philipps<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiKFMiXSvPtcvytYWKvzMexyaLO9UWSSVeDk7fRCT8cfucOoIN8wUbtTai9VXvA_Q4YBEi7xdhLIGrT3O0VeJDKt0ymdXKy5IysqXSHuPEMFYXnQBc0BUWuY4hd5uEP1FpzL3_tf8H5iy0X1deZZL4CViFFGZRTVT_rRyvSY2NKFsNXeBO9xsPy2MwLcgq" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiKFMiXSvPtcvytYWKvzMexyaLO9UWSSVeDk7fRCT8cfucOoIN8wUbtTai9VXvA_Q4YBEi7xdhLIGrT3O0VeJDKt0ymdXKy5IysqXSHuPEMFYXnQBc0BUWuY4hd5uEP1FpzL3_tf8H5iy0X1deZZL4CViFFGZRTVT_rRyvSY2NKFsNXeBO9xsPy2MwLcgq=w449-h599" width="449" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A superb biography. For once the promotional blurbs on the cover are correct</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-29790134475044452702024-03-06T15:54:00.001+13:002024-03-06T15:54:21.514+13:00THE DIARY OF A NOBODY - George & Weedon Grossman<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXxgQKt3nb9l97v6u23k8s8noS9JgXOV6saybq-q_2DtM603JASUhc7vbwbkjLx7ydfiTJRmDgLDRLrUv32UU4ANeSOGcL1pD2pxPz5l2hxQoG3wGANxc4YCMP4yuzSWld3LdpzUVor_DW7r36sGM_I-j-8LotxMwliUowFAsXgXbZRhrbJnSv6jEhz95N" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="541" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXxgQKt3nb9l97v6u23k8s8noS9JgXOV6saybq-q_2DtM603JASUhc7vbwbkjLx7ydfiTJRmDgLDRLrUv32UU4ANeSOGcL1pD2pxPz5l2hxQoG3wGANxc4YCMP4yuzSWld3LdpzUVor_DW7r36sGM_I-j-8LotxMwliUowFAsXgXbZRhrbJnSv6jEhz95N=w406-h541" width="406" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Hilarious</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-35570132563564660102024-03-06T15:51:00.004+13:002024-03-06T15:51:41.569+13:00UNACKNOWLEDGED LEGISLATION - Christopher Hitchens<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi30NCQhdWUPigCU6sStBIHu-KAkDNpks4c5PIYHZrPle77f55ldxCY5nThxL43E1QVX7Qyh04-f6FzDSQwFgng0Mm_GWg-WzPAU0swCHWr6z8Yae4o1Smw5nt32eZD5VvB4W3X1px5rdHxvjFrJuorowBqvYLoKh5QkJ_1M3_bVBxsMzyOCMOvwEdBb9Fe" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi30NCQhdWUPigCU6sStBIHu-KAkDNpks4c5PIYHZrPle77f55ldxCY5nThxL43E1QVX7Qyh04-f6FzDSQwFgng0Mm_GWg-WzPAU0swCHWr6z8Yae4o1Smw5nt32eZD5VvB4W3X1px5rdHxvjFrJuorowBqvYLoKh5QkJ_1M3_bVBxsMzyOCMOvwEdBb9Fe=w417-h556" width="417" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A re-read of a collection from the premier essayist of modern times</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-43375077338541427622024-03-06T15:49:00.005+13:002024-03-06T15:49:52.142+13:00THE POPES -John Julius Norwich<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVr8Cs979fH5UtqI0CYmmCMacKet0y_T_wnOiuqB3RvOm_3RIcOkd3r5Piq0T4rAehCpJhZ-hg9KqiJUCdONdkFSQ-u9XH1d-od0HepjittaeIZz406jmZ4Xv4b_-8hG8VEv8L-GT8rRtwt7mjCU-JAF2c0pLUNDV6f0ehX5_9-S_LmXLy9R9dqio-PPxw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="547" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVr8Cs979fH5UtqI0CYmmCMacKet0y_T_wnOiuqB3RvOm_3RIcOkd3r5Piq0T4rAehCpJhZ-hg9KqiJUCdONdkFSQ-u9XH1d-od0HepjittaeIZz406jmZ4Xv4b_-8hG8VEv8L-GT8rRtwt7mjCU-JAF2c0pLUNDV6f0ehX5_9-S_LmXLy9R9dqio-PPxw=w410-h547" width="410" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A few saints, a few good guys, many, many charlatans and some truly awful people in the 280 Popes covered in this book.</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-81615415030957774132024-03-06T15:47:00.003+13:002024-03-06T15:47:37.899+13:00EXORCISING HITLER - Frederick Taylor<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5eMl6UfE4YfhCu2_iM-4q_Mk3eTgCHhJuRgrZ2MP83kN5X2TYFfPSLdoik0Lif7d629uV7XTUf1s216wmI7JvUofzcK5AGFqqa0NGC1Tv9Y0Edx8ZCDpLp375IinWG9OlO0yStPDKquvXX0ZZk93QWdx8FjgZ77rHoOFQOmlXRLix397Mruur-aCqwL-S" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5eMl6UfE4YfhCu2_iM-4q_Mk3eTgCHhJuRgrZ2MP83kN5X2TYFfPSLdoik0Lif7d629uV7XTUf1s216wmI7JvUofzcK5AGFqqa0NGC1Tv9Y0Edx8ZCDpLp375IinWG9OlO0yStPDKquvXX0ZZk93QWdx8FjgZ77rHoOFQOmlXRLix397Mruur-aCqwL-S=w302-h403" width="302" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span> Interesting but not riveting</span> </p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-67195437211508086132024-01-03T15:23:00.009+13:002024-01-03T15:54:36.276+13:00STALIN'S ENGLISHMAN - Andrew Lownie<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk5ZwRr8syUawpg_W0MLD_iEtEqKcsRWwOGMW2ltq1g-hd3yJR8BqXvrgA6EkSuwmgDOWzMo1WarAlWMzcFL7w24AFuv9VoA3h8_R63BWM7iQRTvSzqYQsToLtpIPeNpj7m1USXoAHxZhbSrVBYO-WcXpB2SUGs1cdlcH5qlRNKjMj9PJhhWyIZoLAbx3c" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk5ZwRr8syUawpg_W0MLD_iEtEqKcsRWwOGMW2ltq1g-hd3yJR8BqXvrgA6EkSuwmgDOWzMo1WarAlWMzcFL7w24AFuv9VoA3h8_R63BWM7iQRTvSzqYQsToLtpIPeNpj7m1USXoAHxZhbSrVBYO-WcXpB2SUGs1cdlcH5qlRNKjMj9PJhhWyIZoLAbx3c=w360-h480" width="360" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The second read of this book, the blurb below was from when I first read it 8 years ago. Nothings changed, a very good read, very interesting times.</p><p><br /></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">The latest biography of Guy Burgess, one of the Cambridge spies and a very interesting read it is.</span><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">All the previous articles and books I've read on Burgess tend to show him as an alcoholic promiscuous homosexual who was not much of a spy. This book however highlights how he was a very very intelligent individual who but for a few quirks of fate may have gone on to be a high ranking navel officer or a Cambridge Don.</span><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">The book also contends that he was the glue that held the Cambridge spies together due to his dedication to his Marxist ideology.</span><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">It is established that Burgess supplied the Russians with amounts of information so vast much of it will not have been looked at even today. Most of this information was irrelevant but he was so dedicated that he literally took suitcases of documents to his masters.</span><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">He was alcoholic, very promiscuous and either utterly charming or repulsive depending on who was being spoken to. One thing all persons interviewed agreed on on that his personal hygiene left a lot to be desired.</span><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">This is a fascinating read and sheds light on one of the five who has not been given the attention by historians in the past.</span><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">Again as with all the books on the Cambridge spies no due diligence was done on Burgess prior to him working for the government. Burgess was a leader of the Cambridge University Communist party, was publicly involved in all sorts of actions on their behalf but "no worries" later on he just told everyone he'd "given up". Again, this was accepted because he was an Eton old boy and he had given his word. Again staggering, the same happened with Philby.</span><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">Reading this he does sound like he would have been great fun to have several drinks with at almost anytime.</span><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">Highly recommended</span></p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-12415294299156662882023-12-28T09:15:00.001+13:002023-12-28T09:15:47.031+13:00A BURNT-OUT CASE - Graham Greene<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6T4umbkOR0KNFvbOdQm6deHlTVnJrJxyQYDy113O3m1kxNvYGYUBKmf8kllNSx76sPaJx5T6-DqE6cCDMp2xEtXoh4EfdUpv8vA4TBzpFSVZcO1z_QN5QhfXGarLxgq0VgOp8RXw6k_hcCjr--xZxh9TUBeIZsBrqJGb_Z69qdrVTem1T6ibBpfgtvODQ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6T4umbkOR0KNFvbOdQm6deHlTVnJrJxyQYDy113O3m1kxNvYGYUBKmf8kllNSx76sPaJx5T6-DqE6cCDMp2xEtXoh4EfdUpv8vA4TBzpFSVZcO1z_QN5QhfXGarLxgq0VgOp8RXw6k_hcCjr--xZxh9TUBeIZsBrqJGb_Z69qdrVTem1T6ibBpfgtvODQ=w420-h560" width="420" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rarely you ever feel uplifted with joy after reading Greene, but you do marvel at the incredible writing.<p></p><p><br /> </p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-14946914868160042652023-12-27T13:05:00.007+13:002023-12-27T13:12:54.139+13:00AUTOPSY FOR AN EMPIRE - Dmitri Volkogonov<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzdi0onW0eQl8dQPKVweDjzNvJhLCLEY5wloeYuVOEpSjXyssNLrj11J-hI_Qvbs-hpTYFIVLpRX5pi2uWlNVje0xhRkf9u-2ucC-QH2fojJudT8TtXhX5idurJiAtZWJ8naBXpsikrC71CSPI1O-0tAfx4UYw6dVGDsRJc88Zy4pVxrvi-5RteYEiQsvf" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzdi0onW0eQl8dQPKVweDjzNvJhLCLEY5wloeYuVOEpSjXyssNLrj11J-hI_Qvbs-hpTYFIVLpRX5pi2uWlNVje0xhRkf9u-2ucC-QH2fojJudT8TtXhX5idurJiAtZWJ8naBXpsikrC71CSPI1O-0tAfx4UYw6dVGDsRJc88Zy4pVxrvi-5RteYEiQsvf=w466-h621" width="466" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Simply outstanding.</p><p>Seven mini biographies written by a man who was part of the machine. The combination of these seven , all who fairly limited intellects (Andropov, the cleverest but his refusal to let go of Leninism made him as hopeless as the real dullards) , lead Russia down a path of suffering and hardship for seven decades.</p><p>I can't recommend it enough if you have any interest in politics or history.</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-9771340652602704172023-12-20T16:52:00.001+13:002023-12-20T16:52:26.098+13:00HEROES- Paul Johnson<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH52KTui-d5za9ta19OyZHRGivpFXdsS8_TSDIktvgth9Xpatbb4nBm8-FxYa7NPor37oyHcSWA3REO5v1rrfIDsmYWb5IPUOu09hDiOvjc1_IG1D7ihG113vUcuqnxkl9AvBpDzxEglaoPGszBuuTGIbw68J-TuPdYarsK8THlq3OmEAz-f3y8_44Bylc" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH52KTui-d5za9ta19OyZHRGivpFXdsS8_TSDIktvgth9Xpatbb4nBm8-FxYa7NPor37oyHcSWA3REO5v1rrfIDsmYWb5IPUOu09hDiOvjc1_IG1D7ihG113vUcuqnxkl9AvBpDzxEglaoPGszBuuTGIbw68J-TuPdYarsK8THlq3OmEAz-f3y8_44Bylc=w438-h584" width="438" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A remarkable collection of essays from ancient to modern times, of people the author has deemed heroes for his own reasons .</p><p>The most interesting for me was Mae West, what an amazing woman.</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-90635076529529082082023-12-20T16:42:00.003+13:002023-12-20T16:42:27.528+13:00A HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 10 1/2 CHAPTERS - Julian Barnes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpx2l-wFxGzguxReD0aLOxKjv-49H7tC7j8K7yX2SUuBdlLtHgigQxdOUtg-9JWB5r_ySVbpW48XvrGz8fGFEGo0YndnAutydCVWC4n73JiCgYpEbEJl7Jcoa62hj5SbWjkz8X28gT3-nmggchpAqO5tkk8wVc1hTqePPzWYDatv4IrloNSDg5id8xKFhB" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpx2l-wFxGzguxReD0aLOxKjv-49H7tC7j8K7yX2SUuBdlLtHgigQxdOUtg-9JWB5r_ySVbpW48XvrGz8fGFEGo0YndnAutydCVWC4n73JiCgYpEbEJl7Jcoa62hj5SbWjkz8X28gT3-nmggchpAqO5tkk8wVc1hTqePPzWYDatv4IrloNSDg5id8xKFhB=w444-h592" width="444" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Very funny, laugh out loud in places, more a connected series of short stories than a novel but great entertainment</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-19172842343836236982023-12-20T16:39:00.008+13:002023-12-20T16:39:53.536+13:00BEFORE MIDNIGHT- Rex Stout<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYIK-_61um81SpRpzoHxoMPU0DtJERWradxtZqag2GZt_OZu6mi_TBCk2qdKjPgtzUyE-PaqCFRA8wly5XCq2qxJHgb5G5RTdKw3oKJ0_kIAlVi_UP7x5vWJhBvqAPsDBbO49l-uXk5PzZtliaQOeEDn35eG53A7Y2qaTCqDXXE__bJywA_P7w0R1rIM8j" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="609" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYIK-_61um81SpRpzoHxoMPU0DtJERWradxtZqag2GZt_OZu6mi_TBCk2qdKjPgtzUyE-PaqCFRA8wly5XCq2qxJHgb5G5RTdKw3oKJ0_kIAlVi_UP7x5vWJhBvqAPsDBbO49l-uXk5PzZtliaQOeEDn35eG53A7Y2qaTCqDXXE__bJywA_P7w0R1rIM8j=w457-h609" width="457" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-79426751657996908692023-12-20T16:38:00.001+13:002023-12-20T16:38:59.990+13:00IN CHARACTER - John Mortimer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuHdZ_GRQcOdR8_7XJUkDshIgpmCNpmXgz32J30j_Q_Y5S9LP0vp-KTaFeeSEHmChM_5jcOZB779Y-U58SSTONf-YKPSTNjuTUjCNqCzhCSKVEomZOpTpW0fSc0bMi97uegnS8avlv9E8Qts6Qu11Ai_nyVLa4Gwp0lcwrtU2Qk70_l16tIGEyAiGtqxar" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuHdZ_GRQcOdR8_7XJUkDshIgpmCNpmXgz32J30j_Q_Y5S9LP0vp-KTaFeeSEHmChM_5jcOZB779Y-U58SSTONf-YKPSTNjuTUjCNqCzhCSKVEomZOpTpW0fSc0bMi97uegnS8avlv9E8Qts6Qu11Ai_nyVLa4Gwp0lcwrtU2Qk70_l16tIGEyAiGtqxar=w396-h528" width="396" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A compelling collection of interviews</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-68096306130709940662023-12-04T16:50:00.003+13:002023-12-04T16:50:44.229+13:00FOOTSTEPS OF THE HAWKE- Andrew Vachss<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZqvyd06e8QfR6Qhw9lDYda4D6x8B4qCNtYD6PE0a6oAVW_77rlx0k7Ky0WfEfWJBQ8MIcVa84SQb-kcvTGzU-QfHzQYXuKRcHkPegxPEDExweDFUK8ejUzpgxZ0-tx67vdjCMc61fTR2tL_p1IUFsiF6x0d1AtB0iXZlxkmvDkC4kfwssmKmvcKjBsHCa" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZqvyd06e8QfR6Qhw9lDYda4D6x8B4qCNtYD6PE0a6oAVW_77rlx0k7Ky0WfEfWJBQ8MIcVa84SQb-kcvTGzU-QfHzQYXuKRcHkPegxPEDExweDFUK8ejUzpgxZ0-tx67vdjCMc61fTR2tL_p1IUFsiF6x0d1AtB0iXZlxkmvDkC4kfwssmKmvcKjBsHCa=w400-h533" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Another in the "Burke" series. Quality crime.</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-17914243831081231242023-12-04T16:48:00.002+13:002023-12-04T16:48:19.084+13:00THE BERLIN WALL - Frederick Taylor<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtv51uXmVVR3-uU33z4ylOXtFtjrenTGsFFomHjXv_ysIjUzWRKKkHjqzMs4jlsJmYn-o90QV0hQMMJYde-WgpajUUYHLxW-4Se7YWQUcRnQawnA7LqMrWh9wrtSxDkGQNrdI8P05HHXGYn6vEZ06Ai1ZIkHrolgHIabcvlYo2jDyN_w3dCcCnWQR_nvg0" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtv51uXmVVR3-uU33z4ylOXtFtjrenTGsFFomHjXv_ysIjUzWRKKkHjqzMs4jlsJmYn-o90QV0hQMMJYde-WgpajUUYHLxW-4Se7YWQUcRnQawnA7LqMrWh9wrtSxDkGQNrdI8P05HHXGYn6vEZ06Ai1ZIkHrolgHIabcvlYo2jDyN_w3dCcCnWQR_nvg0=w379-h505" width="379" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>A book full of real life Bond villain's. Fascinating read , the suffering this failed ideology caused is staggering.<p></p><p>One of my books of the year.</p><p> <br /> </p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-26900615456481104772023-11-13T17:01:00.004+13:002023-11-13T17:01:59.589+13:00TRUE GRIT -Charles Portis<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHjTLS0FwSVrY7Y-wSdYmNX7jxfJWtXOIjZ6QAkFFa26EpcY1h7Y5NXeK-KcT3VUjV0dilJbqxdp_OE1Op4LheXGdWzm4fFoZC1Cs0r-pnTxBK5igtMVcFZcB4oPJn7sq3ZRYAil6irx1YjFDq5bW7UngxWci_t1U-yF_Puapf_YV-gK3d42rmYN2cx2w7" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHjTLS0FwSVrY7Y-wSdYmNX7jxfJWtXOIjZ6QAkFFa26EpcY1h7Y5NXeK-KcT3VUjV0dilJbqxdp_OE1Op4LheXGdWzm4fFoZC1Cs0r-pnTxBK5igtMVcFZcB4oPJn7sq3ZRYAil6irx1YjFDq5bW7UngxWci_t1U-yF_Puapf_YV-gK3d42rmYN2cx2w7=w366-h488" width="366" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The story of a 14 year old girl, who along with U.S Marshall Rooster Cogburn and a Texas Ranger track down the killer of her father.</p><p>A great short read, so much better than the movie, where John Wayne was 25 years too old to play Cogburn.</p><p>Recommended</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-40844023673425037422023-11-13T16:57:00.000+13:002023-11-13T16:57:00.622+13:00GAME WITHOUT RULES - Michael Gilbert<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkeWE0UX8Je2y_wAtg1QDXvTFZ1s1t2m0WgXPa8WMUtcEr2zrHPZcEvzdUyCh0zSKaMTv_rwAMnBXNWKl_ota14zWNBUldZBrZlpKKHjEThlzvFO1DX27cIIbeQ9O-lx3sTDIaOu7E6cxBtjBsJoWpVyka8wLxJuzwmj0g8rnVPfLDBAkZmyvJb_6w_b_5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkeWE0UX8Je2y_wAtg1QDXvTFZ1s1t2m0WgXPa8WMUtcEr2zrHPZcEvzdUyCh0zSKaMTv_rwAMnBXNWKl_ota14zWNBUldZBrZlpKKHjEThlzvFO1DX27cIIbeQ9O-lx3sTDIaOu7E6cxBtjBsJoWpVyka8wLxJuzwmj0g8rnVPfLDBAkZmyvJb_6w_b_5=w370-h493" width="370" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This is the third time I've read this set of short espionage stories.</p><p>They are so much fun, each time feels like the first time.</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-37386560425732924962023-11-13T16:54:00.003+13:002023-11-13T16:54:50.983+13:00DOCTOR ZHIVAGO -Boris Pasternack<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9D1m9CtDnVbzQbcDF2ZovEcEGZremDUBjoDGz6V0CX_TyJgRP05eWv4U69VOM4edYwzf1lcTovZ-0AuJA_sfHE-saMFuo8vNpijEGVABzLFfuzNnKRimpqDBh7Wb2QX3N8kp7eMmdv05KnXfcWH_4toLPGCyqKCSBQM1R_dTpL7uaWkG7_kgQVRkMYTkn" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9D1m9CtDnVbzQbcDF2ZovEcEGZremDUBjoDGz6V0CX_TyJgRP05eWv4U69VOM4edYwzf1lcTovZ-0AuJA_sfHE-saMFuo8vNpijEGVABzLFfuzNnKRimpqDBh7Wb2QX3N8kp7eMmdv05KnXfcWH_4toLPGCyqKCSBQM1R_dTpL7uaWkG7_kgQVRkMYTkn=w399-h532" width="399" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Due to the film, when you mention this book , you get "its a love story". True, it is a love story but the real star is Russia.</p><p>This is fantastic, one of the top 10 novels I've read all time. It is one of those books you start reading and find that two hours has passed by .</p><p>Brilliant</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367175557931372409.post-46116949618671442072023-11-13T16:51:00.007+13:002023-11-15T07:50:55.085+13:00LITERARY OCCASIONS -V.S Naipaul<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVo9E-HoBZYpysEqKzvKMmbVptpQkOOrpiBziGw3O-ftdFFQBNtX1WvYk92NdGP2tVWq_y-UiM04FoFxiQfgDNhRo3lmaKnSRxfm75gbSSTwkW3vToYhl6UyrcRkfypzZRhMJ8s2xeac0X1kSVL9WfPQ7JTHcA15i_3Vy7G0p5lnOxqnE6Fl8n3MnA70UK" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVo9E-HoBZYpysEqKzvKMmbVptpQkOOrpiBziGw3O-ftdFFQBNtX1WvYk92NdGP2tVWq_y-UiM04FoFxiQfgDNhRo3lmaKnSRxfm75gbSSTwkW3vToYhl6UyrcRkfypzZRhMJ8s2xeac0X1kSVL9WfPQ7JTHcA15i_3Vy7G0p5lnOxqnE6Fl8n3MnA70UK=w416-h555" width="416" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>You could never accuse Naiapul of playing it for laughs, in fact he becomes very hard work. His novels are great, his travel is great, these essays however, come across as written by a man with a massive chip on his shoulder about the world.</p><p>Great writing, not enjoyable reading</p>Paul Rooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12278865726657795505noreply@blogger.com0