A fascinating read with lots of interesting information, but initially his style annoyed me - smart aleck and journalistic. But over time the info witA fascinating read with lots of interesting information, but initially his style annoyed me - smart aleck and journalistic. But over time the info within outweighed the style of delivery. And he can also be extremely funny at times. I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone with an interest in genealogy....more
I picked this up in a 2nd hand bookshop and enjoyed it. An account of the author's early life at an English school and Oxford in the early part of theI picked this up in a 2nd hand bookshop and enjoyed it. An account of the author's early life at an English school and Oxford in the early part of the 20th century. Long descriptive sentences, many which hit their mark, other which don't. After I finished I looked him up to find that the nameless school was Eaton and that he was on of the bright young things of the 1920s....more
A charming account of a young E nglish woman's journey to Australia circa 1887 where she worked for a Bishop and in Government House in Brisbane, SydnA charming account of a young E nglish woman's journey to Australia circa 1887 where she worked for a Bishop and in Government House in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Genuinely interesting and beautifully illustrated. A great and very informative read...more
Published as a hardcover publication in 1950, this 189 page book sets out the contribution made by South African Jews in World War II. The focus is onPublished as a hardcover publication in 1950, this 189 page book sets out the contribution made by South African Jews in World War II. The focus is on personal accounts and includes a list of all those killed, wounded and awarded decorations. There is also a comprehensive Index. It is estimated over 10,00 Jewish South Africans fought and as a bonus this book is very readable and informative...more
A very short (64 pages) but beautifully produced book on George Robertson, the premier Melbourne publisher and book seller in the 19th century. Dry buA very short (64 pages) but beautifully produced book on George Robertson, the premier Melbourne publisher and book seller in the 19th century. Dry but very factual and interesting. Gives the lie to the notion that Australian were a bunch of philistines and ockers. They were actually voracious readers, as this slim volume amply demonstrates...more
A cogent analysis of the decline of western civilization, its causes and possible remedies. Written 13 years ago, if anything its bleak analysis has mA cogent analysis of the decline of western civilization, its causes and possible remedies. Written 13 years ago, if anything its bleak analysis has more than proved itself since then. Fascinating, absorbing and deeply depressing in equal parts...more
A really interesting book on how to collect books. A lot of emphasis on collecting modern first editions but much useful information here including onA really interesting book on how to collect books. A lot of emphasis on collecting modern first editions but much useful information here including on some notable collectors and their collections, all discussed in Basbanes's inimitable style. My only caveat is that as this was published in 2002 much of the information regarding book collecting and the Internet is now obsolete or very dated...more
An astonishingly powerful account of life in the trenches in World War 1. Haven't read anything else quite like it. This memoir caused a stir when firAn astonishingly powerful account of life in the trenches in World War 1. Haven't read anything else quite like it. This memoir caused a stir when first published. Not hard to see why. As a review extract on the cover so aptly says: "a book which, very definitely, has something to say and - unforgettably - says it....more
This book was out there and I loved it. Quirky, opinionated, original and lots and lots of sex. The author has a really unusual style, one I can reallThis book was out there and I loved it. Quirky, opinionated, original and lots and lots of sex. The author has a really unusual style, one I can really connect with. So many quirky metaphors. It is touted as non-fiction but I really hope most of it isn't real because if it she is one seriously f*&ked up woman!...more
Easily one of the best written and most interesting books I have ever read. Every page was absorbing. I would give it 10 out of 5 if I could. If you hEasily one of the best written and most interesting books I have ever read. Every page was absorbing. I would give it 10 out of 5 if I could. If you have any interest in paper or books, then read this. A tour-de-force on paper, books and publishing. One for the bibliophiles, and everyone else!...more
I thought a book on the history of money might be a bit dry, but how wrong I was. I found it fascinating with lots of interesting information, much ofI thought a book on the history of money might be a bit dry, but how wrong I was. I found it fascinating with lots of interesting information, much of it new to me. I only wish it had been written a few years later so that it could also have covered the extended aftermath of the 2007/8 crash. But life and events don't stand still. It would probably need a new edition to discuss the consequences of Trump Mark 2 on the global economy as well!...more
Well this was a treat. A long-lost manuscript of Alastair Cooke travelling around the USA during World War 2 recounting how America and Americans are Well this was a treat. A long-lost manuscript of Alastair Cooke travelling around the USA during World War 2 recounting how America and Americans are adapting to the war effort. A beautiful travelogue with lots of insightful analysis and philosophising. The writing is so good that at times it is poetic. What comes across strongly is how diverse and powerful America is. Woe to any country that underestimates it, then or now! And near the end, his account of Roosevelt's death was magisterial and timeless...more
3 months spent in St Petersburg around the turn of the 21st century. A slow burn this one; it started slowly but finished very powerfully. Highlights 3 months spent in St Petersburg around the turn of the 21st century. A slow burn this one; it started slowly but finished very powerfully. Highlights in vivid detail the contempt Soviet Russia had for its citizens; a contempt they then reciprocated both towards the state and each other. Illuminating and also profoundly depressing...more
This is stunning writing, so beautiful that it is almost poetic and dreamlike. Hard to put down. Beautiful and haunting, with the Spanish civil war asThis is stunning writing, so beautiful that it is almost poetic and dreamlike. Hard to put down. Beautiful and haunting, with the Spanish civil war as the setting...more
A critical examination of the life of Stefan Zweig. Useful and informative, but the author struggles to understand - not being Jewish herself - how hiA critical examination of the life of Stefan Zweig. Useful and informative, but the author struggles to understand - not being Jewish herself - how his religion and heritage influenced everything he did...more
An intriguing glimpse at sex in "swinging" Sydney. Eye opening if fetish and multiple partners is your thingAn intriguing glimpse at sex in "swinging" Sydney. Eye opening if fetish and multiple partners is your thing...more
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