h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Flicking through "The Rise and Decline of Fianna Fail", by Kevin Boland, who used to be a member of them and minister in the Irish government. The book sets out to prove that despite their claims, FF are not an Irish republican party at all.

When I finish that I'm going to read his next book, "Tony Blair: He's not a bolshevik at all, you know!"

I'm also indulging in a bit of Charlie Dickens for some bus reading (Hard Times).

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He's brilliant, in my opinion! The Berserker books are best - genuinely creepy! Which one do you have?

VL

blimey, no idea to check

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Empire of the East. No doubt I bought it in the great post Gulf War booksale, because it says on the cover (quoted by someone's whose name escapes me) that it is "better than LOTR". A claim which I can't believe, nor corroborate since I've not (yet) read it.

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That's one I have yet to read... Saberhagen is good, but *nothing* is better than LOTR, in my opinion...

When you do read it, let me know what you think?

I've just read six books of Robin Hobb. I almost have indigestion!

VL

Have read Northern Lights - Phillp Pullman, and The Genisis Quest author unkown becaues I forget.

Vicky, I'll put Fred on my bedside table - but don't hold your breath, the pile of books on there is massive right now

<< the pile of books on there is massive right now>>

I know how that feels!

Vicky

>>I've just read Richard Branston's quick read

Is he that guy who's always getting in a pickle with balloons?

The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford.

Started it on the train this am (car of the road £450 for a starter motor). So far he's been rather good on Ricardo. And I guess he's sexplained how garages can charge £450 for a starter motor.

Just finished 'Sock' by Penn Jillette.

Although I was aware that Teller talks (he even acts...I saw him portray Houdini in a play in Toronto years ago) I didn't know that the bigger fella had ever written a book (or anything else)...what's it all about?

now reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close but I've forgotten the guy's name.

I've just finished Making Money by Terry Pratchett, and I'm starting The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins.

The Sirens Of Titan by Vonnegut, when I can be bothered.

>>now reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close but I've forgotten the guy's name.

Jonathan Safran Foer. Apparently it's a homage to Vonnegut. It's in my pile. I enjoyed his 'Everything Is Illuminated'.

(Christopher)
Have you learnt about the Chronosyncalstic Infundibulum yet? Or the harmoniums of Mercury (that DNA plagiarised)?

A3724823

Chronosyncalstic? Chronosynclastic!

Currently reading Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey, because one of these days I plan to write an Entry on the Kushiel's Legacy trilogy. But it's very slow going at the moment because I'm stuck in Christmas crafts. It will probably be sometime in January before I finish it.

Stunning article Ed

>>Vonnegut's foremost literary advocate is Martin Amis

That's a good thing, right?

I've only dipped my toe in but I'm enjoying it more than any fiction I've encountered in too long.

I've just finished Crystal Soldier by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, it's great! Just a cracking space opera, but lovely.



Vicky

Just had to reread Brave New World (Huxley) yesterday for a class. Forgot some of the subtler humour....Great book!

"The War for All the Oceans: From Nelson at the Nile to Napoleon at Waterloo". I've always enjoyed stories about "Nelson's Navy", and this one is particularly detailed. With many excerpts from actual letters written by members of the ships' companies, it makes the dry facts come to life. In particular, Admiral Nelson ("Straight at them"), facing an apparently sociopathic Napolean, comes across as Obi-Wan Kenobi facing Darth Vader.

Nelson also has less than admirable fellow officers around him. In one case, the Battle of Copenhagen, his commander signals for the fleet to break off the attack, even though the British are apparently winning. Nelson says he can't see the signal. This is mostly due to the fact that he is holding the telescope up to his blind eye. Nelson goes on to win the battle, and in the process create the saying "turn a blind eye". (Some accounts give Nelson's commander more credit, saying he was simply giving Nelson a chance to retreat if necessary).

A ripping yarn, all the more so for being true.