The third part in a series of eleven book reviews. From the 1930s to the 1950s Raymond Chandler penned a stylish collection of short stories and novels within the crime fiction genre. Over the coming months I’m rereading his work and writing reviews. More details about the who, what and why are explained here in […]
The second part in a series of eleven book reviews. From the 1930s to the 1950s Raymond Chandler penned a stylish collection of short stories and novels within the crime fiction genre. Over the coming months I’m rereading his work and writing reviews. More details about the who, what and why are explained here in […]
When you hear the name Raymond Chandler it may sound faintly familiar or simply not register. That’s understandable as this great American author belongs to a bygone age. However, from the 1930s to the 1950s Chandler created a fine selection of short stories and novels within the crime fiction genre. These were hard-boiled tales of […]
Here are six novels with such power and clarity that they remain a constant in the memory. Three of them have only been read once, but will be read again in the future. The others have been enjoyed several times (*) and their brilliance remains undimmed. It was tough to get the list down to […]
Letters from a senior devil to a junior. A review of C. S. Lewis’ satirical The Screwtape Letters. Review Number: 5 Review Date: 5 April 2015 Title: The Screwtape Letters Author: C. S. Lewis Country: United Kingdom Publication Date: 1942 Genres: Epistolary Novel / Satire Let me lead you into temptation. C. S. Lewis’ concise […]
A review of Adolf Hitler’s autobiographical manifesto Mein Kampf (My Struggle). Review Number: 4Review Date: 5 November 2014 Title: Mein KampfAuthor: Adolf HitlerCountry: GermanyPublication Date: 1925-1926Genres: Autobiography / Political Theory “And so I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator. In standing guard against the Jew I […]
The book examined. A review of Islam’s sacred text. Review Number: 3 Review Date: 23 October 2014 Title: The Qur’an Author: Muhammad (Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib ibn Hāshim) Country: Arabia (present-day Saudi Arabia) Publication Date: 609-623 AD Genre: Religious Text What compelled an atheist like myself to read the Qur’an? […]
A review of William L. Shirer’s stunning and comprehensive account of power, corruption and lies. Review Number: 2 Review Date: 17 August 2014 Title: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich Author: William L. Shirer Country: United States Publication Date: 1960 Genres: History / Non-Fiction This astonishing work recounts how the birth of one […]
This is the first in a series of book reviews on works of literature that are worthy of some time, words and discussion. There are some books that resonate strongly, stick in the memory, make you laugh out loud, or entertain and enthrall. This doesn’t happen with every single book I read, but when it […]