Thread: What book are you reading right now?

A break from the political for weekend!

Sideshow is an informative and excellently written book thus far. 'The Advisor' chapter 5, has been a particular favourite and really delves into the core belief structure of Kissinger.

A friend sent me this last year and I recently started to read it. Written in 1937, it feels relevant today and Mussolini's ambitions for empire seem now to be mirrored by Putin's.

One short extract:

Italy also learnt this lesson from Japan. Both in Abyssinia and Spain she attempted to make her invasion take the covering of a civil war. ... This kind of intervention has the further advantage that no formal declaration of war is needed, and we may take it that nearly all future wars will begin in the same way - intensive propoganda and bribery to build up some semblance of a party or of a minority in revolt, followed by a military expedition, or more probably by the destruction of some large town.

Breezily written account of a number of different events in America in 1927, such as the first crossing of the Atlantic in an airplane, Babe Ruth's amazing season and Capone's reign of terror. It's interesting, like most of Bryson's books but does not really critique or explore any theme in depth.

Quite enjoyed "Pachinko", the TV series, though the story jumps from generation to generation, so got the book to make more sense of it.

I have been reading some writing by Robert Kaplan, he has written several books and was very correct with his forecasting...

Eastward to Tartary: Travels in the Balkans, the Middle East, and the Caucasus

In Europe's Shadow: Two Cold Wars and a Thirty-Year Journey Through Romania and Beyond

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...ones-unturned?

No Bones Unturned - Porntip Rojanasunan

Dr Porntip Rojanasunan is Thailand's most famous forensic scientist. Nicknamed 'Dr Death' by the mass media, her findings often contradicted those of the Thai police, leading to numerous clashes between the two. She gained international attention for her work on identifying victims of the December 2004 tsunami and has since raised public awareness of forensic science work in Thailand.

In her second book, No Bones Unturned, Dr Porntip delves into some of her most well-known cases, including the grisly murder of medical student Jenjira Ploy-angunsri, the mysterious disappearance of Thai-Muslim human rights activist Khun Somchai Neelapaijit, and the death of Malaysian political aide Teoh Beng Hock. She also discusses the role of forensic science in stabilising the violent insurgency in southern Thailand and reflects on the milestones in her life. Brutally honest, Dr Porntip never flinches from the gruesome possibilities as she unearths the truth despite obstacles at every turn.

it seems that the belief in ghosts and other intangible phenomena pervades all education levels in Thai and across asia - I smile at the weird magic beliefs of PNG residents , but they are in the same league as the societies from there to Korea

How to Read Numbers by Tom Chivers and David Chivers...

While I was in Cheltenham, I managed a few hours in the bookshop and picked a few books to read over a cup of tea on the balcony and a couple to buy and take home.

This one was worth a read and should be read by all journalists before producing their click-bait headlines. It is presented in a very readable set of short chapters and explains typical statistical processes and how they can used to manipulate data. Some excellent examples in each chapter, but I bought it for the quote I happened upon when skimming through...

While it is easy to lie with statistics, it is even easier to lie without them

Black people are more likely to smoke than white people
Swearing makes lifting something heavy easier
Britain's favourite lockdown snack is cheese on toast
Men eat more when women are around
... etc.

You'll think twice when you read these sort of headlines after reading this

A couple of little books that my Dad gave me to read...

They Have Their Exits, Airey Neave... a 1955 Pan Books edition giving his account of escaping from Colditz

Escape Alone (We Die Alone), David Howarth...1962 London & Glasgow Press: another true story about Jan Baalsrud escape following the failed mission Operation Martin.

They are both very good reads.

I'm currently reading With A Mind To Kill- and enjoying it immensely.

As a fan of the films, I have no idea why I haven't read more Bond books...

Originally Posted by hallelujah

I have no idea why I haven't read more Bond books...

Same here, I read Dr. No years ago and loved it.

I'm reading Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter - ok, it's the second book in the series

Not a book but an article, is ok?

Quantification of bioluminescence from the surface to the deep sea demonstrates its predominance as an ecological trait | Scientific Reports

Originally Posted by hallelujah

I'm currently reading With A Mind To Kill- and enjoying it immensely.

As a fan of the films, I have no idea why I haven't read more Bond books...

Because generally books based on films are trash to read?

Just started Mercury Pictures Presents... by Anthony Marra

The Man Who Played with Fire: Stieg Larsson's Lost Files and the Hunt for an Assassin by Swedish Journalist Jan Stocklassa and translated by Tara Chase.

An intriguing true crime book written by Stocklassa using Stieg Larsson's files, notes and letters on the unsolved murder of Swedish prime minister, Olaf Palme, in 1986. It has been written in the style of a fictional account, which will either bring it to life and context or totally annoy depending on your point of view. I'm enjoying it.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Because generally books based on films are trash to read?

True, but of course many of the Bond films were based on the books. I read several in my early teens and enjoyed them.

Quite different from the movies.

That said, I probably wouldn't bother with one not written by Ian Fleming.

Rotting in the Bangkok Hilton by TM Hoy

It’s quite ok. Apparently given life imprisonment for not disclosing a friend’s murder (court documents say he was an accomplice) he does not mention his crime or innocence in the novel. Instead, the book is a series of disconnected vinegarettes about life in Chiang Mai Remand & then Bangkok’s Bang Kwan prisons from 1995-2000.

A brutal and depressin life. His writing is descriptive and interesting if somewhat a little cliché (Eg: the Thai all hate farang because they are jealous)

The overall lack of connection between each chapter is the only problem.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

the book is a series of disconnected vinegarettes.

My condiments to the author.

Rotting in the Bangkok Hilton by TM Hoy

Any online Thai retailer stocking it? Would order a copy.


Though some parts could be a bit saucy.

...Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo: 2 excellent novels by Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart...Both focus on gay sons, alcoholic mothers and the misery of being poor, badly educated and stuck in Glasgow, Scotland with deteriorating families and little hope of escape...

Originally Posted by tomcat

...Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo: 2 excellent novels by Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart...Both focus on gay sons, alcoholic mothers and the misery of being poor, badly educated and stuck in Glasgow, Scotland with deteriorating families and little hope of escape...

Sounds like Jimmy Barnes autobiography

Originally Posted by cyrille

My condiments to the author.

Oops.

Tales of bad behaviour back when it was normal (or even compulsory in some circles).