Simon Jenkins (1) (1943–)

I read a broad assortment of genre, from science fiction, to biography to literary fiction. One of my favorites is history and military history in particular. In reviewing my library, I noted a couple of works by Max Hastings that I had rated them very highly.

His book, Retribution, was an outstanding treatment of the final year of the World War II Pacific theater. Vietnam, an Epic Tragedy, was equally as well done. That being the case, I purchased a couple of other Hastings works, including this treatment of the Falklands War.

One of Hastings’s strengths is his level of detail. Consider, Retribution, which deals with only the final year in the Pacific theater, clocks in at a hardcover 688 pages. His book on the Vietnam War extends for almost 900 hardcover pages. While this paperback book only spans 420 pages, it is the Falklands War after all. His work, The Korean War, a MUCH broader and more complicated conflict only extends for 389 pages, a substandard effort.

Hastings splits the writing duty here with a co-author, who handles some of the diplomatic history, but the work flows relatively seamlessly. I would have to imagine that this is the authoritative treatment of the Falklands War and the history behind it.

Having said all that, this book is FAR too detailed to be an enjoyable read. The diplomacy and politics are fascinating, but the details of the military aspect (which I understand are from Hastings) are eye glazing. To spend only 389 pages on the Korean War, and then 420 pages on the Falkland War is telling. It is a Goldilocks scenario. One is too short, the other is too long.… (more)

Jenkins' book could easily be subtitled "A History of London Urban Planning" and it would be accurate, as he spends probably two-thirds of the book discussing how the city developed street-by-street, square-by-square as the owners of the vast estates that made up London competed with one another to produce something profitable--and often great. He also spends long parts of the book talking about the destruction and rebuilding (almost always for the worse) of large parts of the city. In his estimation, the Nazi Blitz of the 1940s did less damage than London's soulless architects of the 1950s and 1960s. For a reader not interested in this aspect of London's history, this book won't have much value. But if you spend a lot of time in London and want to get some understanding of how it came to be, this book is ideal.

Given that London has had little self-government throughout its history, Jenkins doesn't spend as much time on politics, but he does cover the highlights, with a focus on how London has dealt with its poor through the centuries. He highlights some notable reformers along the way.

Reading the book, you'll be turning to Wikipedia and Google to take a look at the places Jenkins lovingly or loathingly describes, so this won't be the quick read you are expecting. You'll get no resistance from Jenkins' writing however; he writes very well and his prose is highly readable with the exception of an unknown Briticism here and there.

Definitely recommended for the serious tourist, expat, or parent whose daughter just started studying there :-).… (more)