THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ (EVER).
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- In this video your host discusses his favourite books in recent years.
The Remains of the Day: amzn.to/3QCnQkQ
The North Water: amzn.to/469rLuX
Endurance: amzn.to/469rNmz
Uncle Bill: William Slim: amzn.to/3uhoMTX
Moonraker: amzn.to/3st6z5p
Jack reacher: amzn.to/3R3WEwV
Harry Bosch: amzn.to/47bnpoK
If you would like to become a Patreon of the The Chap's Guide channel and help with the funding of future content, please consider becoming a regular contributor via the easy to use Patreon website: / chapsguide
If you would like to support future content, a donation would be deeply appreciated via the 'buy me a coffee' website - www.buymeacoff...
If you have a question to pose The Chap's Guide, please send it to: ash@chapsguide.uk
=============================================================================
Equipment used in this filming of this video (Amazon links):
Camera - Canon Eos 250D: amzn.to/3bFaY7F
Lens - Cannon EFS 24mm f/2.8 STM: amzn.to/3aFT0kd
Tripod - K & F Incept Tripod: amzn.to/3eR5BEy
GorillaPod - Joby: amzn.to/35cJW5d
Shotgun microphone - Rode Video Mic Pro: amzn.to/3aKoSEw
Lavalier microphone: amzn.to/3cOEuYM
Studio lights - Neewer dimmable 2-pack LED studio lights: amzn.to/2Y6BsLB
#chapsguide #ashjones #mensstyle
One is *not* truly a man until one has read "The Old Man and the Sea" by Earnest Hemingway. A close second, INO, is "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London. As for non-fiction, "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond is a must read to understand the foundation of inequality between nations and people groups. A close second would be "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell, the master of mythology who discovered the common themes in all great myths, from King Arthur to Star Wars.
The two first ones are great books. The others are not familiar to me. Don't forget John Steinbeck Cannery Row and Travels with Charley.
My reading is all over the place as I am a big fan of Bernard Cornwell's Sharps series and Gallows Thief and his book Waterloo. But I also love the classics. Such as Steinbeck of mice and Men. Hemingway's The sun also rises. Jack London The call of the wild. My favorite autobiography is scouting on two continents by Frederick Russell Burnham. I highly recommend this one for true adventure. I would also recommend the lost city of Z. Cheers Ron.
@@viclucyzia Bought Cannery Row due to your recommendation and will start it tonight
I am currently reading Moby Dick - which is a long hard slog with vocabulary from a different age! Next on my list (I use the Goodreads App to record books I want to read and books I have already read) is Bleak House by Charles Dickens.
The best book I have ever read is Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. Literally could't put it down. It deals with the horror of war in graphic detail but is also a love story. It gave me a better understanding of what life in the trenches must have been like.
Feed the mind - read a book
I've been interested in reading the classics, lately. I've finished Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Great Gatsby, and I'm on to Dracula. There's something to be said for a gentleman with an understanding of classic literature.
Absolutely. Read all those books. After Bram stoker go to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, after 20000 leagues go to 80 days around the world also by Jules Vernes. Robinson Crusoe maybe next. Classic books are beautiful. My father said 80% of books are garbage and a waste of time, life is too short so concentrate on the best books. He was right.
Btw the worse thing I have seen are classic books in comic style and adults read them. Now that is an aberration.
@@viclucyzia I agree 100% with your observations. I am 64 and grew up in Argentina reading wonderful classics. There was a collection/publishing house called "Robin Hood" in the 1960s. Their books were all 19th-century classic authors like Sir Walter Scott, Jules Verne, Emilio Salgari, Robert, Balzac, Louis Stevenson, James Fenimore Cooper, etc. By the age of 20, my English and French were good enough to read British and French authors in their language, life got even better!
@@viclucyzia I feel like this is how books made us all desperate for some more reading. You read The Master and Margarita and suddenly feel like you don´t really undestand it, so you grab Faust. You try Fahrenheit 451, then Orwell pops in your head. One can try Catch 22 with some notes about The Good Soldier Svejk in afterword. OK so Svejk is next. Cormac McCarthys Suttree-oh Faulkner...and so on and on.
I enjoy fictionalized history. Probably the best of this genre is "The Flashman Papers" series. They are well researched and extremely entertaining.
Other works by "manly men" such as Jack London (Sea Wolf), Hemingway, etc are a good way to spend a quiet evening by the fire, scotch in hand, a good dog at your feet.
This is amazing. As a librarian myself I allways search for something new to read or to offer, I will gladly try titles from the vid and from comments. My n1 is definitely King Rat by James Clavell.
King Rat and The Good Soldier Svejk are the books my grandpa, me and my father allways have around, its something like a cult in our family ♥
Thanks for the recommendations. I have read South, which is Shackleton's account of the 1914 to 1917 Antarctic expedition, so I will look for Lansing's Endurance that you recommend.
I read classical books in English, French and German (my late father also in another 3 more languages - he spoke 8 languages read in 6) from Moby Dick to Tom Sawyer, from Charles Dickens to Victor Hugo, from Dostojewski to Homer and from Herman Hesse to Miguel de Cervantes.. For newer books I always loved to read Agatha Christie crime books. Although Simenon and others have great detective stories as well just not as captivating maybe. As of newer books in English among a dozen that remain stuck in my memory due to the story and/or writing skill are: Roots by Alex Haley, Angela's Ashes by Frank Mccourt, The Chamber by John Grisham, Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King (the only non-horror book of him. It's a psychological book, entirely a monologue.) and on...
What about P. G. Wodehouse? His stories are a bit uneven in quality but, generally speaking, the series about Jeeves and Bertie Wooster is wonderful.
@@arslongavitabrevis5136 I have The Code of the Woosters. I read probably a third than stopped as I switched to another book. I remember my late father reading aloud to my late mother some passages and they were both laughing hard. The style of P. G. wodehouse is a bit hard to grasp but great gentlemanly humor.
Would recommend the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey-Maturin novel series - all 21 of them! Start with the first novel and you will either hate it or will be enthralled and buy all the rest! On the Antarctic Douglas Mawson's 'Home of the Blizzard' is, in my opinion an absolute classic.
Aubrey-Maturin novel series is amazing, loved it as a kid and I´m rereading it all from the beggining now being in my late 20s. I´m also collecting all those Sharpes book from Napoleonic wars era, even though I feel like B.Cornwell did better in his other stuff like Saxon chronicles, Fools and Mortals and such.
I do believe you would love the book Shogun by James Clavell. Really enjoyed that book recently
Enjoyed your literary recommendations . My favorite current book is a A gentleman in Moscow. It covers the life of a young aristocrat, who loses everything following the 1917 revolution, and nearly his life. For writing a pre revolution poem he is sentenced to lifetime banishment to Moscow's premier hotel, but in a barren, cold room under the attic. He copes with the isolation and danger like a true, heroic, gentleman, becoming a friend and mentor to those in need, looks after an orphan girl, and plans her escape to a better life. A good read for sure.
Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the tip
Sir, for a wonderful series of books, I recommend the Hornblower novels by C.S. Forester. He published the first in 1937 but they all remain a great read. In 1988, the A&E network produced a TV series based on the books, equally enjoyable and very well done.
I agressief 100%. I got this books from my father and I enjoyed them very much. Also the tv series. Thanks.
The Moon's a Balloon and Bring on the Empty Horses by chap David Niven is a must read. Highly recommendable and enjoyable!
Thank you for the recommendations. I’ve read the Shackleton book, an inspiring adventure story! I’ll be stopping by my local library soon to pick up one of the Jack Reacher novels.
Thanks again. Carry on!
Uncle Bill reminds me of my grandfather who returned to Britain to sign up for WW1 as a private, then signed up in the Canadian Army for WW2 as a CSM.
For me, the classic books that I read over and over are 1984 (George Orwell) And Frankenstein or the modern Prometheus (Mary Shelley) . I loved the 4 novels from Carlos Ruiz Zafon (The Shadow of the wind, The angels game, The prisoner of heaven and The labyrinth of spirits). And this year I did read all 60 Sherlock holmes stories (4 novels and 56 short stories) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Agree with all sir
I’ve read several of these books and agree with your report. However I had never even heard of the book “The remains of the day” or the author. So I went to my local public library and it’s being sent from another library in their system. I’m very excited to read it. You’ve peaked my interest. One of my all time favorites is “Heart of Darkness “. Which was the inspiration for the movie Apocalypse Now. I’ve read it at least 4 times and always get something out of it every time…which for me is the sign of a good book. Some of my favorite books are ones that were a part of the story of another book which gets mentioned as part of the plot. Boom I get the book and I can relate. Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope I enjoy the story.
Great video Ash - thanks! Some interesting tips, there.
I read "2001 - A Space Odyssey" at least three times a year, totalling over 70 times...! Learn something new, every time!
Have also read "Red Alert" by Peter Bryant over twenty times. That provided the base for the film "Dr. Strangelove".
To ground myself I find the James Herriot "vet" series very good - they make me realise how relatively easy my life is...
Ash, Chappage,
I am not a prolific reader. I mainly read history books as reference aids to my interest in military history. I have at times though been swayed to read. Favourites have been, Kipling's Barrack room Ballards, Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers and the 39 Steps by Buchan.
I received a number of modern warfare first hand accounts books a few years ago. I was surprised to read of people I had encountered or been in (unknowing) close proximity to. Initially though, I was reluctant to read them in case they touched a raw nerve. I feel encouraged by your post about reading and may try something different.
*salutes
Confession time: I salute back in the same manor at the end of the videos 😅
Good stuff! I was hoping you'd share your favorite books at some stage.
👍👍
The way you describe Jack Reacher as a character actually reminds me a lot of the protagonists in David Gemmell's books.
I recommend:
Three Body Problem trilogy by Cixin Liu (Fiction)
Sapiens trilogy by Yuval Noah Harari (Non-fiction)
Thanks Ash for the recommendations. The book I've read most often and still go back to is Jupiter's travels by Ted Simon. About his travels around the world on a Triumph. More recently Raynor Winn's Salt Path series are also very uplifting.
If you like Endurance you'll enjoy An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean - Antarctic Survivor, he was on both Scott's and Shackleton's expidations. If you want a book about heroism it's all here.
I’ve just ordered Tom Crean. I live a bit of adventure
@@TheChapsGuide Slight spoiler but he had a pub in Kerry, well worth the visit during the summer.
great list...Love the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser....from these books I learned that "roger" can be used as a verb....
I love the Jack Reacher books. I stopped somewhere along the line and I need to revisit them.
My favourite books.
1 - Viktor Frankle with Mans search for meaning.
-Orwell wiith 1984 and Homage to Catalunya.
I read Moonraker about 45 years ago. I just finished the second reading. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm going to re-read all of the Fleming books in order. Casino Royale is next.
Have fun. It will be quite the ride.
I would like to suggest "Life on the Mississippi" by Mark Twain. I think youi would en joy it.
Thank you - I've just ordred 'Uncle Bill' from my local bookshop and I'm looking forward to some long, dark, cold nights to enjoy it.
You may already know of Shackleton's own account of the Imperial Transpolar Expedition, 'South', but I'd like to put a word in for Roland Huntford's 'Shackleton', which is superb (he also wrote 'Scott and Amundsen' which was later renamed 'The Last Place on Earth').
My dear Mr Jones....you appear to have omitted the good Count of Monte Cristo....there is a gripping novel if ever there was one
Thank you. Really enjoyed this one. I’ll recommend a book here, The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk.
I read Mutiny on the Bounty a true story but this one I haven't.
A non-fiction about adventure would be "Sailing Alone Around the World" by Joshua Slocum, who was the first man to sail around the world single-handed. It is his autobiography. And another book of that story is "Alone at Sea" which is a biography of Slocum and his journey, and does an interesting job of weaving in the social political etc. context in which he was living, as it tales the story. I read the second one first and then the actual biography in Slocum's own words and it worked well in that order, I think. For those who like sea stories!
Here are twenty mostly literary works, in no particular order, that have improved me and shaped my thoughts in life:
1. Macbeth -William Shakespeare
2. Great Expectations -Charles Dickens
3. The Conditions of the Working Class In England -Frederick Engels
4. Moby Dick -Herman Melville
5. Frankenstein -Mary Shelley
6. Homage To Catalonia -George Orwell
7. Death Of A Salesman -Arthur Miller
8. Pygmalion -George Bernard Shaw
9. Ten Days That Shook The World -John Reed
10. Brave New World -Aldous Huxley
11. Dr. Zhivago -Boris Pasternak
12. Red Cavalry -Isaac Babel
13. Treasure Island -Robert Louis Stevenson
14. For Whom The Bell Tolls -Ernest Hemingway
15. Of Mice And Men -John Steinbeck
16. Time's Arrow -Martin Amis
17. Nineteen Eighty-Four -George Orwell
18. The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui -Bertolt Brecht
19. Klaus Mann -Mephisto
20. Pere Goriot -Honore de Balzac
Some really great options there.
Alone on the Ice (David Roberts) . Great pick of books Ash, I read most. Great taste in literature. National Geographic's top 100 adventure books. Top Marks Ash.
Hello Ash, my favourite fiction book is one I highly recommend “Sick Heart River”, by Sir John Buchan. Set in the “golden age of Chap’s” it combines adventure, introspection, and a journey of self-discovery as Sir Edward Leithen confronts his mortality in the Great Canadian Wilderness. John Buchan's storytelling skill and the vivid depiction of nature contribute to its appeal as a captivating Chap's read. John Buchan created some great characters in his novels such as Richard Hannay, Sir Archie Roylance, Sandy Arbuthnot and Lord Lamancha.
My favourite book is The Iliad by Homer - I love the story and the way it represents the transition from oral to written story telling and the bronze to the Iron Age. Most of my fiction reading is science fiction. I know that will put many people off but like most fiction writing, it’s all about the relationship between people - it’s just that the context allows the author to extend the bounds of possibility. Books I would recommend are Century Rain by Alastair Reynolds or anything by Iain M. Reynolds, especially Use of Weapons or Player of Games.
Of course I meant Iain M Banks
I recently came across an autobiographical series by a wonderful writer, George Millar, about his time in the French Resistance, for example, "Horned Pigeon." The books may be out of print now; I bought all my copies used.
Can’t believe Animal Farm is not on the list, if you want to understand life and the behaviour of man read Animal Farm
You should definitely look out CJ Sansom’s Sharlake series, almost anything by James Patterson, then there’s Alexander Kent’s Bolitho naval series from the time of fighting sail. Terry Pratchett and Bill Bryson of course. I also love the historical Roman fiction by Simon Scarrow and especially Robert Fabbri. Lastly, don’t forget to keep the old journal going because the best book is always the one you write yourself.
Gates of Fire by Steven pressfield
This book is on the cadet reading list at West Point
Wonderful selection, but having watched a number of your videos I wouldn’t expect less. If you like whales and whaling, one of our own writers here in America produced a book on the subject. Can’t recall the title but it begins, “Call me Ishmael.” Have you ever given it a try? Also, if you are, as you seem, interested in British military history and personalities, I can recommend “The Reason Why” by Cecil Woodham-Smith. It is the story behind the charge of the Light Brigade told from the perspective of two of the main protagonists, Lords Lucan and Cardigan. At times humorous, at times maddening, but consistently interesting. You might give it a look. I hope you feature more book discussions in the future: I like your obvious enthusiasm.
Thank you for the suggestions. I’m always seeking new and interesting reading material
“Remains of the Day” is a favorite of mine as well.
Surprised you didn’t list a single Le Carré book. In my opinion, Le carré was a much better writer than Fleming.
Lastly, I highly, highly recommend the book “Lonesome Dove”. Don’t be put off because it’s a western. It’s an absolute gem of a book with unforgettable characters.
Another great video from Ash - very straightforward yet inspiring
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good books. I recommend How to be a gentleman by John Bridges, Gentleman of Jazz : The Life of Ramsey Lewis, Mansfield ‘s Book of Manly Men by Steve Mansfield and Kingdom Nan by Dr. Tony Evans.
Ash, great vid. Please read The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by E.Lawrence , Mosher Dayan, The Story of My Life (autobiography) Lastly Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick.
In turn I will oder and read over Christmas Moonraker and Uncle Bill.
Shackleton what a leader.
Regards,
Starlight
For those who follow the history of world football, a must read is “The Ball is Round” by David Goldblatt. A huge tome that explains the game’s developments against the background of social and world events.
I read a graphic novel name “boxers & saints”.It’s a pair of books series that follows each other. The boxer focus on the boxer Rebellion & saints follows a Chinese catholic during the rebellion. The author is gene luen yang who also wrote American born Chinese which was also adapted into a Disney series. It’s an interesting read to say the least but also pretty bloody despite the art style being cartoonish. I also read “all quiet on the western front” , really good look on how ww1 was like. I like to read more fiction than nonfiction.
Yes, Moonraker is my second favorite Bond book. My favorite had to has to be Goldfinger. It is interesting how the Moonraker movie has absolutely nothing to do with the book except for the name of the rocket and the name of the main bad guy. 😀
Brilliant video as expected Ash. Have you considered doing a video on clubs? Hearing you were a member of the union jack club inspired me to become a member myself as im in the reserves.
Feel like it's not something many young chaps know about and maybe should. Plus they have that sherlock holmes vibe I love.
Ah, I love the UJC, it has been my London home for 30-years (almost). An oasis of wonder in the chaos of the metropolis.
My favorite book is Walden, by Henry David Thoreau.
I think that a military background is apt to promote an intentionally well-dressed man. Such a man is accustomed to keeping his uniform meticulously pressed, his brass shining, and his shoes spit-shined. When stateside, even his utilities are starched, and his boots shined. He is well-groomed and closely shaven. A military man is a material minimalist leading a spartan life. His belongings are contained in a foot locker and sea bag. A place for everything, and everything in its place. Such a materially minimalistic, spartan life is in many ways similar to the spartan, cerebral life advocated by Thoreau. Both are disciplined, focused, materially minimalistic approaches to life. Both are rigorous.
My favourite books are 1984 (George Orwell) and Heart of Darkness (Joseph Conrad).
Hi there just found you. I was never in the forces but my Dad was (Ceylon Nat Service) uncle was in Cyprus (GCHQI think) and i did time in Saudi Arabia became buddies with loads of former RAF guys on British Aerospace (did you serve on RAF Valley at all?) Anyway I agree with your choices. Remains of the Day is beautiful. Jack Reacher books are exciting, but I'd add Tom Clancy / John le Carre.
I have read a lot of words in books and understand their specific meaning but because my vocabulary was populated by the written word I am often corrected on my pronunciation when using those words in conversation. It's quite funny at times.
The ship Endurance was recently located and pictures
Are available on internet. Cold
Water preservation worked. An
Amazing book.
In case you have not read them, I think you'd enjoy the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell
Another great video. will definetly pick up moonraker now. A book i read recently which i really enjoyed was The story of a country town bu E. W. Howe A fascinating depiction of american life in the late 1800s.
Hi Ash,
Great list. Remains of the Day is a also one of my favorite books. As a fellow fan of arctic literature, may I suggest my all time favorite? Good. Here it is: In The Land of White Death. By Valerian Albanov. It is a true story that happened in 1911. Six months before Shackleton. It may be difficult to get your hands on a copy, but it's well worth the short read.
Cheers 👍.
Thank you for the books recs!
Seven Pillars of Wisdom T E Lawrence. Also the Flashman series! Have you read these? Highly recommended.
Great cilp
Learned much many and more
Keep posting and we will b keep learning
Last but not the leat thank u amego thanks very much sir
I really enjoy the Reacher books. I also enjoyed reading Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series.
My fav. Extraordinary popular delusions and the madness of crowds. Charles MaKay❤
All righty then, putting Moonraker on my list - as my first JB read. Lee Child I got to knowing 2 years ago. Swallowed The Midnight Lane and Worth Dying for. Liked both. And finallu two suggestions; Jack Londons The Seawolf and Stefan Zwieigs Maghellan (bio). Cheers.
Here's my list:
1. Thriller : The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2. Strategy (Politics) : The Audacity to Win
3. Self-Help : The Magic of Thinking Big
4. Spy / Assassin : The Bourne Ultimatum
5. Spirituality (Basics) : From Self to Shabd
6. Biographies : Steve Jobs (Isaacson) & Adventure of Faith (Liertz)
7. Fiction (Tragic) : The Kite Runner
8. Easy Reading : The Alchemist
Thank you sir
@@TheChapsGuide Thanks also for sharing your list sir. I'll definitely check-out Uncle Bill, Endurance, and Remains of the Day. Take care.
If you like politics/war and non-fiction - the two that bookend WW1 by Margaret MacMillian are both fabulous. "The War that Ended Peace" is how the war comes to pass, and "Paris 1919" is about the work after the shooting stopped. Both ones I have read more than once!
Huge fan of the Reacher series. Good choices.
I agree that reading is a vital aspect of a gentleman's development, but I only read fact books.
I also followed that path for many years, but a broader reading base really does promote more creativity of thought.
@@TheChapsGuide i know what you mean, but I find there are just soo many fact books I want to read, that life it just too short to include any fiction books.
Open question....was Shakelton's decision to deny Harry McNish the Polar Medal petty and unfair?...was it a travesty that he did not receive the medal?
Yes. I think there was a huge personality clash and McNish despised Shackleton for making him shoot his cat. But in spite of the clash, McNish was instrumental to the escape to St Georgia and his carpentry skills were called upon constantly.
Sir Ernest was an amazingly intuitive leader, but McNish really rubbed him up the wrong way and he felt his bickering and malignant attitude meant he was not worthy of the PM.
To be fair, whilst it is petty, he never bad mouthed McNish and kept his own counsel on the matter.
@@TheChapsGuide excellent response...if you ever happen to be in Greenock, there is a plaque honouring McNIsh, may be worth a visit. I hear there are people trying to get a posthumous award of the PM to MvNish
Sir Frank Forfolk's memoir "Forfolk's Sake".
Came for the fragrance reviews, stayed for the books!
The remains of the day was made into a film with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson in 1992.
Started with comic books, then to Rock Magazines, then to paperback fiction books, then to elegant type magazines, and currently conspiracy theories type of books from the Sam Pilger & Leo Moynihan collections.
Thank you for the great review.
One of the best episodes👍
Have you watched the Jack Reacher TV series? Not quite the same as the books, but well worth a watch.
Yes, the new Amazon Prime series is a fairly good film version of Reacher - the best so far!
I’m sorry to report that I put down Silent Key…My wife is an Insatiable reader and advises that if one isn’t interested by page 35, put it down. Instead I’ve started A Ride to Khiva and Bring on the Empty Horses (also going to revisit The Moon is a Balloon in anticipation of the lecture). There a simply to many books to get to and I don’t have the patience to trudge through the ones I’m not gelling with. Quitting is winning sometimes.
PS I think there’s a James Bond game series on Prime.
I struggled with Silent Key. I read it to the end and felt a bit cheated on the horror front. It was not the edge of seat stuff I was led to believe. However, I will be sharing my latest book haul with the patron team on the weekend. I have selected my festive reading material and I am genuinely excited to get started (I have already begun my first Xmas book).
I'd like to read at least one book a week.
Would you have a procedure to form this habit?
I mainly read about programming, finance and games.
Built reading into a daily habit. I personally read every night prior to sleep (it is great for sleep hygiene). But also keep your book near to hand, that way you can pick it up and read a few pages when the opportunity arises - lunch time, waiting at the dentist, traffic jam, etc.
@@TheChapsGuide You suggested reading 10 pages a day. How much time per page do you recommend?
Where to start...OK, I'll begin with a few thousand titles, and take it from there.
THE BROTHERHOOD OF WAR by W.E.B. Griffin, along with his books on Philadelphia Police, THE CORPS series about US Marines, and related.
For non-fiction, would you believe MAINTENANCE AND CARE OF HAND TOOLS, TM 9-867, a US War Department manual from April 1945. This book, while basic, explained some missing parts of my wood working background, and keep in mind I've been butchering wood in one form or another for over 60 years.
Three books relating to motorcycles, A TWIST OF THE WRIST, ME MOTO FIDEL and THE PERFECT MACHINE (can't remember the authors). Techniques, experiences, much to see.
Fiction series '1632', where a modern (year 2000) town in West Virginia is slapped into the midst of the Thirty Years War by mischievous aliens. and the resultant intermixing of cultures, religion and humanity that results. I'd often wondered what it would be like to see something like this, and here ya go. Imagine a small town of some 2000 people, slap-dab into chaos and violence, repeating firearms and technology against matchlocks and horrific superstition and witch trials. I'm NOT kidding.
INCIDENTALLY, if you immerse yourself in the book's many volumes, you might try submitting stories in this universe of tales, they have a large fan community, and a wealth of background for you to peruse.
That's all for now...
And I applaud the Reacher series, and yes, they DO tend to weaken after times passes......
Lord Jim - Joseph Conrad
Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
A Tale of Two Cities - Dickens
For a series, it’s gotta be Le Carré’s George Smiley, no????
I can't read Conrad without a dictionary by my side. Considering he was a native Polish speaker, his command of the English language is even more remarkable.
Tom Cruise starred as Jack Reacher in the movie
Poorly.
True! The Amazon Prime version of Reacher is great@@TheChapsGuide
Dan Simmons The Terror
A good book by Reza Aslan is :
"God, A Human History".
For serious reading: “The History of Warfare,” by John Keegan. It’s actually a history of the way warfare technology has influenced social structures throughout our time as a species. Endlessly thought-provoking. ASH MUST READ THIS BEFORE HE DIES. For light reading: the early novels of Len Deighton. His spy-procedurals feature a working-class intellectual who does his own cooking and takes the bus to work. They’re brilliantly crafted and often savagely funny in their take on the “old boy” network that resulted in the “Cambridge spy” scandals. Michael Caine starred in the resulting film series that took the whole Bond worldview and stood it on its head.
And it goes without saying that you haven’t had a genuine education until you’ve read Homer. Just about every adventure novel, and certainly every Hollywood movie, features one of two kinds of hero. There’s the lone crazed avenger whose best buddy gets it so he heads off for the final showdown. That’s Achilles. (And Sam Spade and Wyatt Earp.) Then there’s the lovable scoundrel who outwits his foes and goes back home to the girl he left behind him. That’s Odysseus. (And Tom Jones, Leo Bloom, Amis’s Lucky Jim, and every hero in every rom-com ever, starring Cary Grant, William Powell, or Tom Cruise.)
Be advised, John Keegan and his school of thought has been disastrous for American foreign policy ;and has been/is a major contributor to America's decline.
J Keegan's judgment and insight on the history of warfare is suspect at best.
Just sayin'