[ebooktalk] RECENTLY READ
- From: "Steven Bingham" <steven.bingham1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <ebooktalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:47:28 +0100
Hi
I have just finished Around the World in 80 Days by Michael Palin. The first
thing that horrified me about the book was that it was written in 1988. 25
years ago and it seemed like I only watched it yesterday. Having finished
the book my reaction was that it was a complete waste of time. It gave a
snapshot of the world as it was in 1988, it wasn't a particularly
interesting travel book - it spent more time talking about making
connections than it did about the places visited. What was interesting in
hindsight was the impact of Britain and the british around the world.
Everyone was talking about Princess Dianna and everyone remembered Margaret
Thatcher. And that was about it. Paling did read it very well and managed to
keep my interest.
I have also just finished The Girl of His Dreams one of Donna Leon's
Inspector Brunetti tales. I really enjoy these. I particularly like the way
his family life is brought into the stories. A friend says they're all about
food but I like that thread of domesticity. Somehow it adds to the
completeness of the stories and the characters.
I have just started Year of Wonders and what looks to be a rivoting history
entitled 1776 - Britain and America at war. It is by David McCollough
apparently one of the US's most important and accessible historians. I have
become very interested in the American War of Indepenence since following
the Heritage Trail around Boston, Massachusettes in 2011.
Steve
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