He certainly did look different - quite a big bloke.....he also almost bought this massive book about Diana, but upon inspection I think it had a couple of marks or something so didn't buy.

There was also a Bobby Lennox (a past Celtic hero), book that he didn't seem to notice or be interested in.

G

John Julius Norwich - The Popes

Not a particularly religious book, but then again, neither were a lot of the Popes (and anti-Popes). More of a history (quite a fascinating one) of the intrigues, plotting, infighting, and gawd-knows-what over the past 2000 years.
Some background on the major religious debates, crusades (not just in the Middle East) and schisms. If you like history you'll like this. Enough detail to keep it interesting without over-egging the pudding and getting too heavy.
Mick

Finished others unknown about the Oklahoma building bombing, good read. I wish the author had told me who he really thought did this. One thing that is certain is Mcveigh did not get a fair trial and he might not have been involved, but the book doesn't totally convince me either way. The author does make sure that you understand the Court System and who runs cases like this is not quite what you believe it be, it is run by "others unknown". The guy who wrote the book was mcveighs Lawyer.

Next up "where does money come from" a guide to the UK monetary and Banking system. Had a quick look through and love it so far, not a big book so it should be finished by xmas.

I think that "where does the money go" could be more interesting....
G

An article in The Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-enter ... 83817.html

Couple of interesting quotes for those who think history is boring and popes were all about religion:

Marozia was an apparently beautiful but power-mad Senatrix of Rome who was born around 890. "Lover, mother and grandmother of popes. 'A rare genealogy' sniffs Gibbon".

John XII (her grandson) apparently nobbed anything that moved and most things that didn't; one of the most depraved pontiffs in history. Gibbon wrote of him, "the most scandalous charges were suppressed; the Vicar of Christ was only accused of piracy, murder, rape, sodomy and incest."

Mick

I expect he called someone black.

G

Another Rush fan huh?

Was he ever a regular int Bakers?

Autobiography of Jason Robinson.

Depressing Article - RIP Kirsty

I've got some time on my hands, so am reading
Radio daze : stories from the front in Cleveland's FM air wars and Rock and roll and the Cleveland connection.

I'd forgotten that Ian and Ronno had the first benefit show for the R&RHoF.

Stewart Binns - Conquest.
Historical fiction based on Hereward of Bourne (the Wake), William the Bastard, Edward the Confessor, Harold Godwinson, Harald Hardrada, El Cid, Gruffyd Ap Llewellyn, Macbeth, Malcom Canmore, etc..
Not too bad; the bloke knows his onions but it gets a bit formulaic at times.
Mick

It's good - reading it now. (and Mick wrote one of the testimonials)

... and a nice mention on page 118.

The Song Of Achilles - Madeline Miller.

Surprisingly tender handling of the Trojan War, focusing on Achilles' relationships with his mother, Thetis, and Patroclus. That apart, all the usual cast of heroes are involved, and the Greeks still win in the end.


Quiver - Peter Leonard

Elmore's son delivers some clever plotting and ties up a few seemingly unconnected strands in this fast paced novel. Well written, the ending not overly obvious, and it should be well worth checking out more of his books.

Mick

[quote="Mick_McKenzie"]The Song Of Achilles - Madeline Miller.

Surprisingly tender handling of the Trojan War, focusing on Achilles' relationships with his mother, Thetis, and Patroclus. That apart, all the usual cast of heroes are involved, and the Greeks still win in the end.


Well the author is from Boston. Actually, Cambridge,last bastion of intelligentsia on the east coast.