A vivid no holds barred account of life on a Polaris nuclear sub during the Cold War.
The author joined the submarine service in 1985 and went on to seA vivid no holds barred account of life on a Polaris nuclear sub during the Cold War.
The author joined the submarine service in 1985 and went on to serve aboard the UK nuclear deterrent for five years at the end of the Cold War.
He describes the claustrophobia, disorientation and prolonged periods of boredom, as well as periods of high tension with possible discovery by the Soviets and the regular rehearsals for Armageddon.
There are vivid descriptions of his first days aboard, learning the ropes to get the sought after “Dolphins� submariner qualification, plus the impact of sharing a 430ft x 33ft steel tube, 300ft underwater, for up to 90 days at a time with 140 other sweaty bodies.
This is raw and candid, account, that won’t be for everyone’s taste, but it really does help you understand why it’s a rare breed who can live, work, sleep, eat � and stay sane � in one of the most extreme man-made environments on the planet.
Although I thought this a little slow to start with, the tension builds into a taut thriller where you are never quite sure who iExcellent Debut Novel
Although I thought this a little slow to start with, the tension builds into a taut thriller where you are never quite sure who is telling the truth.
With two strong female characters and a 3 dimensional supporting cast, once the book picks up pace you are faced with a page turner that kept me up late through to the powerful finish.
I wouldn't classify this as espionage, and anyone expecting trade craft secrets passed down by Philby's grandfather will be disappointed, however this is a richly drawn portrait of of deceit and secrets.
Kate Riordan's story is set in Cornwall, and throughout the remote location of Penhallow Hall looms darkly Powerful wartime story of secrets and lies.
Kate Riordan's story is set in Cornwall, and throughout the remote location of Penhallow Hall looms darkly in the background.
The story is written a number of days in the past from when Diana, one of three landgirls billeted at the hall has gone missing and subsequently counts down to the day of her dissapearance.
Told from the perspective of each of the characters, Riordan really gets you into their heads giving you tantilising glimpses into their past as the story unfolds.
It's a tale of secrets and Riordan keeps enough hidden to keep you guessing to the end. It's also beautifully written and very evocative of the Cornish coast and its communities.
Very enjoyable.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review.
This is an interesting view of what it was like to work in the back office at MI5, even if your dad was the boss! SBehind the scenes view of 1950s MI5
This is an interesting view of what it was like to work in the back office at MI5, even if your dad was the boss! Some great anecdotes and gems, including how left wing plays were subverted by putting actors in them who were deliberately bad.
Overall a good fun read.
I was given a copy by the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review....more
Probably only for those that like their football...
The premise is strong for this book, a football manager in the 70s is struggling to keep his team aProbably only for those that like their football...
The premise is strong for this book, a football manager in the 70s is struggling to keep his team and his job together when an away game brings him to London, where an IRA terrorist cell is planning its next atrocity.
However, the problem I had is this book spent far too much time on the minutiae of the football team which meant that the pace felt very slow. I like my football and recognise the need to spend time detailing the characters and their relationships, but it was about half way through the book before we met the terrorist cell.
I can't fault the writer for the quality of the descriptions and the characterisations. There's some great details of 1970's English football with appearances from the like of Don Revie, Peter Osgood and Ron "Chopper " Harris. However, that wasn't enough to keep my interest and this book just didn't work for me.
I was given a review copy of this book by Netgalley, but was not obliged to write a positive review....more
Great account of the man in the right place at the right time
LaSaine’s biography of Dowding is an even-handed account of the man who saved Britain froGreat account of the man in the right place at the right time
LaSaine’s biography of Dowding is an even-handed account of the man who saved Britain from invasion in 1940. He details in a readable way Dowding’s foresight and organisational genius without which Britain would have had no organised air defence system to defeat the Luftwaffe in 1940.
Despite Dowding being nicknamed “stuffy�, LaSaine does breathe a little into the personal life of the man behind the austere exterior seen in official photos. However, the book is heavily focussed on his military life and particularly the politics and intrigue amongst the senior commanders of the RAF. I would have liked to have known more about his personal life, but possibly there is little archival material to work from aside from his belief in spiritualism.
What is undeniable is that Dowding was loved by “The Few� amply demonstrated by a photo in the book of him in a seemingly incongruous bowler hat and suit with a WAAF on one arm and surrounded by pilots. (see below)
Overall an insightful and useful addition to the expansive Battle of Britain bookshelf.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, but was not obligated to write a positive review.
Kell is a former MI6 officer retired from the service and damaged by personal tragedy. In this book he’s tracking dIntelligent and well paced thriller
Kell is a former MI6 officer retired from the service and damaged by personal tragedy. In this book he’s tracking down a Russian agent he believes to be behind the murder of his girlfriend.
Now this might sound like the start of whizz bang all action thriller, but Charles Cumming’s style is much more thoughtful with rich depth to his characters and a slow burn. The story has loads of tradecraft detail for the espionage fan and Kell is a likeable and believable character.
I won’t giveaway the plot, but suffice to say there’s some twists and turns that keep your interest just when you think you ‘ve got the plotline sussed.
All in all an entertaining read that makes you want to read more of the Cummings canon.
I was given a copy of this book to review by the publisher, but wasn’t obliged to provide a positive review. ...more
Concise and easily read account of the first 25 days of Churchill's premiership
Anthony McCarten's book is the basis for the new film on Churchill callConcise and easily read account of the first 25 days of Churchill's premiership
Anthony McCarten's book is the basis for the new film on Churchill called "Darkest Hour" featuring Gary Oldman in the lead.
The book deals the first 25 days of Churchill's premiership in a concise and easy to read manner that keeps both the general reader and those that know the story interested.
McCarten covers ground already detailed by many authors, however the big difference is his interpretation of the cabinet minutes and diaries where he argues convincingly that Churchill was considering peace with Hitler, contrary to the popular post-war image.
I haven't seen the film yet, but apparently the Churchill family have endorsed the film, showing the man himself rather than the caricature often shown on screen.
All in all a good read and an interesting interpretation of the Churchill legend.
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher, but was not compelled to write a positive a review.
Private investigator Jennie Redhead finds her loyalties divided when in 1974 she investigates two bodies, buried thiEntertaining Oxford based thriller
Private investigator Jennie Redhead finds her loyalties divided when in 1974 she investigates two bodies, buried thirty years apart under an Oxford college.
Whilst I found this quite entertaining, it fell a little short for me. The view inside Jennie’s head I found a bit irritating and some of the World War 2 descriptions appeared a bit flimsy.
However, it was entertaining with some great descriptions of Oxford and Jennie is a strong character that keeps your interest to the end of the book.
I received a copy of Dry Bones from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. ...more
The author certainly has the credentials to deliver an authentic modern thriller. Roger Pearce was the formerExciting & pacey contemporary UK thriller
The author certainly has the credentials to deliver an authentic modern thriller. Roger Pearce was the former Commander of Special Branch at New Scotland Yard, as well as Director of Intelligence, charged with heading covert operations against serious and organised criminals.
The book is well written and easy to read. It rocks along at quite a pace and captures modern London well, especially away from the tourist spots favoured by many writers.
Although the 3rd book featuring John Kerr the book can be read as a standalone, but does make me want to follow his further adventures.
My thanks go to NetGalley and the Publisher for the chance to read an advance copy of this book....more
Another excellent, impeccably researched and atmospheric crime thriller from Elly Griffiths
This is the fourth outing of the “Magic Men� and it's greatAnother excellent, impeccably researched and atmospheric crime thriller from Elly Griffiths
This is the fourth outing of the “Magic Men� and it's great to be back with the rich cast of characters.
Christmas 1953. Max Mephisto and his daughter Ruby are headlining Brighton Hippodrome as a murder takes place in a guest house used by some of the girls in the show . Max's friend from their wartime days and Ruby's fiancee DI Edgar Stephens investigates.
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Loads of strong characters here and excellent period details that provide and enjoyable and compelling British whodunit.
Elly Griffiths continues to capture a seedy, down at heel feel of 1950's Brighton expertly creating another highly readable atmospheric crime thriller, with a great sense of time and place, but is the end of the "magic men"........? - I hope not!
My thanks go to NetGalley and the Publisher for the chance to read an advance copy of this book....more
Fascinating account of the battle and its aftermath
One for the military historians among you. This account revises some of the pre-conceived idea aboFascinating account of the battle and its aftermath
One for the military historians among you. This account revises some of the pre-conceived idea about this battle to provide a compelling and detailed account of the battle and its aftermath.
This book did get very technical and detailed in places which might put off the more casual reader, but worth persevering with.
The reality of Dunkirk told by those that were there
First published 10 years after the battle of Dunkirk, Lt. Col. Ewan Butler and Major J. Selby BradThe reality of Dunkirk told by those that were there
First published 10 years after the battle of Dunkirk, Lt. Col. Ewan Butler and Major J. Selby Bradford tell the story of their experiences in France & Belgium prior to and during the Dunkirk evacuation.
Presumably to protect the identities of their comrades many of whom would have still been alive when the book was written the unit name and individuals are fictional. This, however doesn’t affect the immediacy of the account and hearing how it felt for those that were there.
Being written in the 1950’s the language and views will appear somewhat odd to modern readers, but with all the fuss around the accuracy of recent film it does bring authenticity and a rare view point of the sharp end of the 1940 campaign rather than the grand strategic view of many books on the subject.
Well worth a read.
My thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. ...more
Simon Berthon has crafted and intelligent political thriller that kept me interested throughout its 350 pages.
The story vGripping political thriller.
Simon Berthon has crafted and intelligent political thriller that kept me interested throughout its 350 pages.
The story veers between dark deeds on the cusp of the IRA ceasefire in the 1990s to the present day where the main character Anne-Marie is about to be a senior minister in a new UK government and struggling with her past.
I found all the characters credible and felt the febrile sectarian atmosphere of Northern Ireland was captured well. All in all a well written book that rocked along at a good pace and created uncertainty as to how it was going to end until it did!
This is the first book I have read by this author, but would certainly look out for other titles.
I was given this book to review by netgalley, but was not obligated to provide a positive review. ...more
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but Richard Whittle's tale woven between the past and the present was an unexpected treAn unexpected treat
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but Richard Whittle's tale woven between the past and the present was an unexpected treat.
Whittle's tale moves from the eastern front to a remote Scottish village and a range of vivid characters including Herman Goering. His writing keeps the pace up despite the 450+ pages to an exciting and unexpected finish.
I really enjoyed this well researched novel.
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy. I was not obliged to write a favourable review....more
Powerful story of love and hope set around the Spanish Civil War and later
Lorna is the main character, a strong young woman who falls in love with HarPowerful story of love and hope set around the Spanish Civil War and later
Lorna is the main character, a strong young woman who falls in love with Harry, a member of the International Brigade scarred by his experience of the bombing of Guernica. Harry is then killed and Lorna is bereft and throws herself into helping children evacuated from Spain to the UK.
The author’s research is impeccable with much detail on the civil war itself, but also the support and political groupings back in the UK.
The story continues into World War 2 and beyond as Lorna seeks a justify a meaning to Harry’s death through her work with a law firm and in civil defence.
A poignant story that continues to resonate after reading....more
Ask most people when Britain was last at war with France, they’d say Waterloo. This well researched account Solid account of the war with Vichy France
Ask most people when Britain was last at war with France, they’d say Waterloo. This well researched account provides the casual reader with great insight into a relatively little known aspect of World War 2.
Smith writes well creating a rare read that works for the non-military historian whilst making it detailed enough for readers wanting a more detailed view point.
A good balanced account of a little know part of World War 2.
James Holland's second revisionist volume of the War in the West 1939-45.
James Holland again has avoided repetition of previous accounts of this perioJames Holland's second revisionist volume of the War in the West 1939-45.
James Holland again has avoided repetition of previous accounts of this period and delivered a fascinating and thought provoking book that covers not just the political, but also the economic and social aspects.
I did find this volume flowed a little less smoothly than the previous, but despite that there's much to get your teeth into. Holland argues convincingly that Nazi Germany was a busted flush by 1941 without the resources or a clear plan of how to continue the war over such a vast geographical area with a German army built for short campaigns close to the Fatherland.
Again he has unearthed some never before seen personal accounts that really add to our knowledge. For example some rarely heard voices of the Italian Army in North Africa.
This is a thought provoking book that challenges many preconceptions about the war and comes to some controversial conclusions.
Recommended.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ...more
A daughter pieces together her father’s wartime history while his own memories fade away through dementia.
Keggie CarPowerful memoir of love and memory
A daughter pieces together her father’s wartime history while his own memories fade away through dementia.
Keggie Carew has produced an usual book that is part military history and part journey of discovery into her father’s life and the challenges of caring for someone with dementia. This makes the book far more personal and human as Keggie struggles with her father’s behaviour whilst learning of his adventures as a member of the Special Operations Executive in German-occupied France then in Japanese-held Burma during the Second World War.
It’s powerful and at times comical stuff, whilst very moving as her love for her father shines through all her challenges and discoveries.
A fascinating dual narrative true story that will remain with you for some time....more
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