Down and Out in Sheffield & Lincoln

Dom has finally put up chapter 4 of Down and Out in Sheffield & Lincoln:

Although such factional squabbling was rife it never really came to a head or went much further than the odd bitchy comment. The heavy metal scene was generally well behaved and actual fights were extremely rare. I can only recall two breaking out during my time in Sheffield – and I had one of them with a midget. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve nothing against midgets – I wouldn’t want to actually touch one but I bear them no ill will.

The thing is a cracking read particularly if, like me, you dabbled in the heavy rock scene during your formative years.

Erm, chapter 4 is a bit rude. Well, a lot rude then. Don't say I didn't warn you.

A book for the grumpy

Ooo, ooo, someone buy me this.

What's on the back of Tim's book?

As I am sure you are aware (if you're not then welcome to the blogosphere) Tim Worstall has a written a book on the 2005 blogosphere. Its title, 2005 Blogged: Dispatches from the Blogosphere, reminds me somewhat of the title of one of Sean Gabb's books, Dispatches from a Dying Country: Reflections on Modern England (spelt incorrectly on Amazon) a copy of which I have. This got me to thinking.

One of my favourite quotes on the back of Dr. Gabb's book is this one by Teresa Gorman, former Conservative MP for Billericay:

Sean Gabb has been too long in the sun, and this shows in his writing.

Contrary to Gorman's comment the book was a well written collection of Dr. Gabb's Free Life Commentaries which I enjoy immensely. I'm sure that the quote has no actual relevance as far as Tim's book goes but it did have me giggling when I first read it.

Anyhow, the thought I had was I wonder what Tim's book will have on the back? Then I thought hey, wouldn't it be fun to make something up. So get your thinking caps on and, perhaps, we can have a little fun at Tim's expense.

Tim, if you're reading this all I can say is that someone forced me to put this posting up. Ahem.

Disappearing Britain by Lindsay Jenkins

Disappearing Britain looks like it might make interesting reading.

What is more evil?

Unbelievable:

A primary school cancelled a Harry Potter day over complaints it could lead children into "areas of evil".

Pupils from The Holt Primary School in Skellingthorpe, Lincs, were planning to dress up as witches and wizards.

But the event - to mark the launch of the new JK Rowling book - was scrapped after parents and a local rector expressed concerns about witchcraft.

The obvious question to ask the local rector is "what has caused more death, destruction and evil throughout history; Christianity or witchcraft"? Come on, it's not a difficult question.

Fact is it would have been a fun day for the kiddies and no harm would have come of it. Now it's turned into a crap day and you are being ridiculed on the Internet. Nice one.

I've been tagged

Stuart has tagged me on this book questionnaire that has been doing the rounds.

How many books do I own?

It’s difficult to say. Many of my books are languishing in the loft. I would say about 154.

What’s the last book I bought?

The Runes Of The Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson.

What’s the last book I read?

A Brief History of Crime by Peter Hitchens.

What are the five books that mean the most to me?

What kind of damn lefty touchy feely question is that to ask a grown man? Sheesh, might as well ask me about my inner feelings or inquire into which films make me cry (Starship Troopers).

1. My cheque book.

2. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. The best science fiction book I have ever read. All this nonsense about Neuromancer is peddled by people who either didn’t read Ender’s Game or who didn’t understand it.

3. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen Donaldson. No other book has left such a memory of flavour than this one. If you don’t know what I mean by that then you shouldn’t go round asking people touchy feely questions. Buy the Guardian instead, though if you really want to know how to go about self-hatred the Guardian comes a poor second to The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever.

4. I read a book called Little, Big by John Crowley once. I can’t remember much about it other than how amazing it was. It too had a flavour that lingers. I’ve just noticed that it’s back in print at long last so I’m going to buy it. My previous efforts to track down a copy a few years ago failed. Thanks for tagging me Stuart. If nothing else it has turned up this gem.

5. Another class SF novel was The Real Story by Stephen Donaldson. Swashbuckling is one word that describes it well. Utterly enjoyable, easy to read and the best leap from fantasy to Sci-Fi ever in the world of fantasy to Sci-Fi leaps. It leads on to the rest of the “Gap” series of novels which is some of the best made up political stuff I have read. More entertaining than “Yes minister”, more accurate than the Guardian.

6. (Because 1 was a little unfair) Ringworld by Larry Niven. Yes, I like science fiction. If you think that makes me a bad person then you haven’t read the books I have read. Stop reading those books about Churchill and the welfare state. They’ll teach you nothing.

And with one word of truth or treachery, he will save or damn the Earth

Ur-viles. Kresh. Haruchai. Waynhim. Mithil Stonedown. Do these words mean nothing to you?

Berek Halfhand? The Despiser? Linden Avery? Oh come on!

Thomas Covenant? Yes? Finally.

I’ve been wading into the newest book in the Thomas Covenant Chronicles series by Stephen Donalsdon, The Runes of the Earth, and I’m enjoying it very much.

It tastes exactly the same as the previous books written all those years ago. A little over descriptive, almost as depressing, suddenly exciting and simply wonderful. The Despiser is up to his old tricks again. A few words here, a little counsel there and things are turning out pretty well for the old rogue. The Arch of Time is in some seriously deep shit, Kevin’s Dirt is all over the place, and the Haruchai peeps are going all Ministry of Information on everyone.

You know that Staff of Law that everyone was on about in the previous books? Yeah, well, it’s gone all New Labour over in the Land and the Staff is as absent over there as it is over here. I blame unbalanced minds.

If you’ve not read any of this series and you are a fantasy fan then you are missing a treat. Buy the lot.

PS. Someone has knocked up a web site.

Joe Haldeman's The Forever War

I’ve just finished reading The Forever War by Joe Haldeman, a book first published way back in the last century (1974 I think) but re-released under the FS Masterworks series.

Now, many people compare this book with Heinlein’s Starship Troopers and I would say that there are a great many similarities but it does differ, I think, in one very striking respect.

The Forever War charts the life and times of William Mandella (I thought it was Mandalla but amazon says no), a soldier in the war against an alien race, over a period of many centuries.

The method employed to visit other worlds means that he and his fellow soldiers age only a few months and years while planet bound individuals age centuries and it is the ever changing face of Earth and human culture that Mandella sees when he returns to Earth or other human settlements that is the soul of this book. That and his relationship with another character but hey, relationships happen all the time, so it is the former that makes it extra special.

I won’t go into detail so you’ll have to read it to find out what I mean but if you are a SciFi fan, I can thoroughly recommend it. I zipped through it faster than any other book I have read.

Best amazon book review of the week

For Real Ultimate Power: The Official Ninja Book:

My name is jue kwe je master ninja of the 5th dragon clan and I must say that this book is by far the most accurate description on the ninja way i have ever come across. It is a true masterpiece. Several of the chapters sound as if they were written by ninja warriors of the past. The description, the art, the magic that is real ultimate power is unmatched in any other book. Please take my word as ninja master this is the only book you need!

Trenchy

Well, I've ordered this just as the Plastic Gangster suggested.

If I don't like it there's gonna be big trouble.

Reader's Block?

Is there such a thing?

I am currently half way through Winston Churchill's biography (the Jenkins one) and seem to have stalled at the start of the second world war.

I'm also half way through the latest Peter Hitchens book, A brief history of crime and seem to be stalled at the start of the gun bit.

These are the parts of the books I should find the most interesting but I just can't seem to get round to reading them.

So what do I go and do? I start a third book, Shadow Puppets by Orson Scott Card. I'm close to half way through now. Fingers crossed.