James Naughtie

A very well-executed program chronicling the history of music in the Western world over the past millennium. We are treated to contemporary accounts of the music scene, read by actors other than the program presenter, and excerpts of the music being discussed. Worth a listen if you're interested in musical history.

Lots of old fashioned espionage in this second book about Will Fleming. I began by thinking how clever the author was in writing a sequel that totally ignored the first book in the series (which I had not read) so that I did not need any knowledge of that book; th.en I discovered that this was a prequel, so there was not anything to tell. But now I wonder how knowledge of this book will affect my reading of "The Madness Of July"; which I most certainly want to do having enjoyed this one show more immensely. Very complex plot, set in Paris 1968, just before the "revolution". Lots of interesting background, reporters play key roles (well given Naughtie's background, that is hardly surprising !) the characters are generally memorable, particularly Craven, a venerable Head of Station, although Will Fleming remains an enigma, deliberately so, I assume. Occasionally the complexities of the plot almost overwhelm the writing, but overall an excellent read, very much in the spirit of Le Carre without being in any way derivative. show less

A really difficult read. The entire plot is muddy, mixed in with random characters that wander in and out, with no strong plot line so the story just turns into a bit of a mess. Elements of spy thriller, political thriller, family drama, romance, 70s retrospective. But nothing ever happens. Pale male and boring characters talk to each other, go for walks, stare into the distance. The odd token woman appears for a page or two, then disappears. Disappointing, really, as the blurb described it show more as Le Carre-like - and with a strong review from Kate Mosse! show less

A wonderful book on prominent authors down the ages, often illustrated with striking portraits, and a good synopsis of their work. One wishes it covered more authors, but what they have done is superb.
I discovered Anton Chekhov was a practicing doctor as well as an author and playwright. "Medicine is my lawful wife", he once said, "and literature is my mistress.
How George Orwell wrote other books than 'Animal Farm' and 'Nineteen Eighty-Four', eg 'The Road to Wigan Pier' and 'Coming Up for show more Air'. To gather first-hand experience of working-class life he dressed and lived the part in London and Paris then relaying the experience in 'Down and Out in Paris and London'.
A problem in reading about all these authors, my ‘want to read list’ is longer than ever. show less