This book very much meets the criteria set by its title, an exploration of the history of London via it's buildings, roads, bridges, statues, parks etThis book very much meets the criteria set by its title, an exploration of the history of London via it's buildings, roads, bridges, statues, parks etc. Starting in the City of London, chapter by chapter to different areas and Boroughs of London, this a mightily informative book that covers everything from Roman and Middle Ages London to the impact of the Millennium, yet somehow manages to include so much more such as referencing royalty, politicians, religion, celebrities, villains, heroes etc. There are also references to writers, publishers, printers, artists, musicians and more. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the multi-layered genesis of older cities, and of course especially London. Please note that this is history of a city tour-guide book, so was easy to put down; a read that merits a well deserved Four Star 9 out of 12 rating from me. [image] 2024 read...more
I do really enjoy this series, and here's my first look at the 1960s volume. Packed with often rare photography spanning the decade from science and pI do really enjoy this series, and here's my first look at the 1960s volume. Packed with often rare photography spanning the decade from science and politics via entertainment and celebrity and culminating with 'ordinary people' this may not capture a whole decade in 400 pages, but it has a bloody good try. Great photo of President Johnson and MLK: [image] Each chapter has a theme, and a paragraph about said theme, and there's a short paragraph for every single image in the book. There's a definite feel of being transplanted to another time. There are some amazing shots of Presidents, freedom fighters, sportspeople, space exploration, and also of tragedy, assassination, riots and other calamities. I give a Four Star, 8 out of 12 for this photo fest. Many of us in the UK feel like Twiggy epitomised the 1960s signifying the young generation, fashion, art, music, swinging London and more: [image] 2022 read...more
Selwyn Ford is really Alan Selwyn (Hollywood agent) and Derek Ford (movie director and writer) and together they leave no stones unturned in their decSelwyn Ford is really Alan Selwyn (Hollywood agent) and Derek Ford (movie director and writer) and together they leave no stones unturned in their decade by decade detailed look at the 'casting couch' when usually young women and girls are encouraged (sometimes expected) to sleep with mainly movie moguls, but also producers, directors, agents etc. to get into Hollywood. The book focuses on the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood but covers Hollywood's origins to the 1950s. Pretty much every starlet had to go through this process, the vast majority of them knowingly. I can imagine this is what starlet Ava Gardner belatedly thought of it: [image] With multiple sourced stories, quotes and court/police records as the foundation for the information and detailed shared this book does not hold back on the rampant misogyny, statutory rape, fragile male egos and overall abuse of power exerted by some of the biggest names behind the scenes in Hollywood over five decades and absolutely does not hold back names or police complicity. It maybe shock too many readers (it was to me) of the list of Hollywood actresses that underwent this process and/or had most of their careers dependent on whom they slept with. The clear reality is that many men abused their power to live this lifestyle which in turn for many led them to disrespect and disregard women even more than they did already. The book also doesn't hideaway the economic realities of the situation and of just how many women and indeed their own families' were complicit. [image] The HUGE takeout from this book is the final chapter which was reserved for Marilyn Monroe which puts forth a rationale and evidenced reason why she no longer wanted to live... a reason that has since this book's publication been validated! Marilyn Monroe was the perfect starlet for the casting couch system and Hollywood and other privileged men took maximum advantage, of that few can deny. All in all a book that frames Hollywood and it's obsession with young woman and girls in the reality that it was driven my the needs of the men in power. A extremely sad read that shatters the illusion Hollywood even now tries to portray and essentially in the 21st century underlines the importance of #MeToo. 9 out of 12. [image] 2022 read...more
Tim Marshall (wiki: 'British journalist, author and broadcaster, specialising in foreign affairs and international diplomacy') uses ten maps as the foTim Marshall (wiki: 'British journalist, author and broadcaster, specialising in foreign affairs and international diplomacy') uses ten maps as the focus of ten chapters not only looking at the relevant geo-politics but also heavy underlining the geographical constraints, history and Climate Change ramifications in regards to Russia, China, USA, Western Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India and Pakistan, Korea and Japan, Latin America and the Artic. It's a truly riveting and highly informative read. The most shocking thing reading this in March 2022, is that almost the entire chapter on Russia is a warning about Putin's (and geography's) problem with Ukraine! [image] Essentially this superlative work if actually read (not sure many of them read anything remotely scientific or educational) by the Trump-publicans they would deem it 'Critical Race Theory', when in actuality it's simple real history, as not only is Marshall extremely informed he does not veer way from the genocide committed across the globe by the Imperial powers and more importantly the mostly geographical reasons why The USA and Western Europe have excelled and why most of the rest world have struggled; he includes the huge and real impact of Climate Change on the 21st century (strangled) development of Africa. It is such a joy to see a completely non-political book being a best seller being read by millions, daring not also to be an easy read, but to have listed and sourced facts! [image] I can't give enough praise for how Marshall explains and details the reality of the geography, history and modern politics of so many global hotspots! Having read 'The Power of Geography' first and really liked it, I had high expectations of this first book in the series, and hey were easily met. I can't help think that if I'd read this first it would have garnered Five Stars from me instead of the Four I have now given it, but then after writing that I just couldn't stomach not giving this Five Stars! 10 out of 12. [image] 2022 read...more
A no holds barred look back at how dance music, starting with acid house, changed the shape of clubbing and indeed maybe the UK itself, via the story A no holds barred look back at how dance music, starting with acid house, changed the shape of clubbing and indeed maybe the UK itself, via the story of the rise and fall of the super star DJs. With detailed stories and interview snippets with the likes of Sasha, Pete Tong, Danny Rampling, Fatboy Slim and many more, as well as documenting the emergence of Ministry of Sound, Cream and under super club franchises. [image] The dance music journalist Dom Phillips who put this book together, personally knows most of the big players, so a reader really gets the true inside track of how the acid house raves of the last 1980s mutated into the all conquering dance music scene of the 1990s creating millionaires DJs and clubs with global recognition! On a personal note, I was a house music DJ and promoter back in the late 80s, and it's interesting to see how this book can cover this part of clubbing history by mentioning only one person of colour in depth and only as a negative - Lisa L'Anson. From my personal experience this is just the elitists' part of the dance music story and it sort of side-sweeps all the amazing stories, clubs and DJs of colour that were part of this. He couldn't even get a few quotes from the likes of Frankie Knuckles, Carl Cox, Fabio, Grooverider? [image] Above: Carl Cox For anyone that 'went out' in the 1990s, or that likes dance music, the DJs, the radio DJs and or has an interest in modern cultural history this book is an absolute gem of a must-read though albeit through the lens of white males... although the Liverpool stories featuring mostly men from working class backgrounds rule this book! 8 out of 12 from me. Trigger warnings for a huge amount of talk of drug and alcohol abuse. [image] 2021 read...more
Jam-packed with direct quotes and recollections from over 150 people involved or previously involved with or against Marvel Comics, this is an in deptJam-packed with direct quotes and recollections from over 150 people involved or previously involved with or against Marvel Comics, this is an in depth expose almost from the birth, through the rise and fall, and rise and fall again, and latest rise of Marvel Comics from the Golden Age, through the mass sackings of the 1950s, the birth of the Fantastic Four, the Bullpen years, the losses of Jack Kirby and Steve Dikto, the Jim Shooter reign and Secret Wars, the takeover battles, the Uncanny X-Men's rise, the Image affair, and much much more... loved it! A must read for any comic book aficionados! 10 out of 12. Five Star Read [image]...more
Century spanning, insightful and highly informative political and American cultural analysis of the comic book industry and the accompanying shifting Century spanning, insightful and highly informative political and American cultural analysis of the comic book industry and the accompanying shifting attitudes towards pop culture, youth, violence, patriotism and the American dream… great read! 8 out of 12, Four Stars. [image] 2014 read...more
Awesome book on the history of Marvel and DC comics, as well as insight into legal battles, mergers, sackings, hiring and the cultural comic book inflAwesome book on the history of Marvel and DC comics, as well as insight into legal battles, mergers, sackings, hiring and the cultural comic book influences of the likes of Elvis Presley, Nicholas Cage, Martin Landau etc. to name a few! An absolute must read for anyone interested in modern culture. 9 out of 12. [image]...more
A very interesting summary of the history of London on film with a foreword by Lord Attenborough. 7 out of 12, from this book with such interesting imA very interesting summary of the history of London on film with a foreword by Lord Attenborough. 7 out of 12, from this book with such interesting imagery. [image]...more
Morrison's more or less epic history and commentary on the world of the American superhero from the late 1930s' debuts of Superman and Batman to the rMorrison's more or less epic history and commentary on the world of the American superhero from the late 1930s' debuts of Superman and Batman to the release of The Avengers movie. An absolute must-read for likes of the genre with an in depth analysis decade by decade of the likes of Jerry Spiegel, Joe SchusterGil Kane, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Chris Claremont, etc etc. With some biographical content, the defining of the comic book 'ages', a look at censorship, the impact of 9/11 etc. nothing is left un scrutinised. 8 out of 12. [image]...more
The true story of the Orson Welles, Mercury Theatre production of HG Wells' The War of the Worlds on CBS radio in 1938 that led to panic in the New YoThe true story of the Orson Welles, Mercury Theatre production of HG Wells' The War of the Worlds on CBS radio in 1938 that led to panic in the New York and New Jersey areas, and resulted in real injuries, chaos and significant disturbances on the night which reverberated across the United States, Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy and around the entire world. A wonderful true story that demonstrated the reach and power of radio in the 1930s... as well as the genius of the man Orson Welles. 7 out of 12 [image]...more
Subtitled 'From the Grand to the Gutter: Modern Britain as seen beside the sea'. Admittedly I like what Burchill often has to say. This book looks at Subtitled 'From the Grand to the Gutter: Modern Britain as seen beside the sea'. Admittedly I like what Burchill often has to say. This book looks at the changing face of Britain from the viewpoint of Brighton (aka as London On Sea), with an interweaving of personal stories and experiences with greater themes / commentaries on class, sex, politics both local and national, music and the ensuing changes over the last quarter of a century. 6 out of 12 A bit of history with some commentary by Burchill....more
This historical documentary looks at the life and times of Nazi Women in Germany from the late 1920s through to the shattering final rape and pillage This historical documentary looks at the life and times of Nazi Women in Germany from the late 1920s through to the shattering final rape and pillage of Berlin in 1945. What this book helps to convey is just how misogynistic, and for lack of a better word, evil the Nazis were. A hard to swallow expose of the abysmal atrocities enacted against Jewish women, German children and even German woman by one of the so-called modern world's most evil regimes. 9 out of 12. Four Stars [image] 2012 read...more
In the words of Karl Jaspers"That which has happened is a warning. To forget it is guilt. It must be continually remembered. It was possible for thisIn the words of Karl Jaspers"That which has happened is a warning. To forget it is guilt. It must be continually remembered. It was possible for this to happen, and it remains possible for it to happen again at any minute. Only in knowledge can it be prevented". This is an exceptional book companion to the exceptional TV series, that pulls no punches and exposes the Nazis for the inhumane butchers they were, and also how callous, inefficient, dysfunctional etc. they were. The book destroys myths about how efficient they were at anything but killing and causing destruction. A collection of historical facts, with a huge array of verified sources and interviews that everyone should read and understand the truth about the Nazis, how they operated, how they killed and how they truly saw themselves as the Ubermensch. 11 out of 12, Five Star read. [image] NAZI death squad in the Ukraine 2012 read...more
The American Comic Book Chronicles continues its ambitious series of documenting comic book and graphic novel history decade by decade! [image] The 1980The American Comic Book Chronicles continues its ambitious series of documenting comic book and graphic novel history decade by decade! [image] The 1980s chapter, led by Keith Dallas covers the rise and fall of Jim Shooter at Marvel; the coming of Frank Miller as a comic book creator who has out together some of the most important works ever from his complete and unstoppable remaking of Daredevil to the genius of the Dark Knight! The 1980s also encompassed the first wholesale comic book universe reboot, which was done by DC with the now seminal Crisis on Infinite Earths; there was also a UK invasions from top talent Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, Garth Ennis etc. This series really gets into the nitty gritty of the comic book world from inside the pages to the machinations happening in the businesses themselves! 8 out of 12. [image] 2014 read...more
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