Capsule book reviews in 255 characters or fewer. Ish. A reading diary (1st Jan 2019 onwards) by Eamonn Griffin.
Another of Pressfield’s motivational books on creativity and overcoming barriers to getting work done, this time prioritising focus, place, and effort. The same but different: core messages from Pressfield’s other books are repeated, but the effect is cumulative. Plenty for those who think they’re struggling to be creative to reflect on.
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My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
Subtitled “The Story of Apollo 11’s Third Man”: a graphic novel biography of NASA astronaut Michael Collins. Brisk and efficient, conveyed in lovely artwork reminiscent of blueprints, concept art, and movie storyboards. A spotlight shone on a perhaps overlooked member of the Apollo mission team, and accessible to boot. Recommended for fellow lunar enthusiasts.
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My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
A possible diary in images and words of a year in the East of Lincolnshire. Can’t say more than that – and this isn’t a review, ‘cos family – but if you’re familiar with Maxim Griffin’s work then this is the motherlode to date. If you haven’t, then this is your departure point. Get on it now before the inevitable Werner Herzog/Ben Wheatley/Johnny Nice bidding war begins. Onwards, as Maxim is wont to say.
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My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
An NGO administrator in Chechnya is kidnapped: he spends the next months cuffed to a radiator. Low-key biographic study (of Doctors Without Borders worker Christophe André) of resilience: effective, moving, and at times hypnotic in its study of rhythm, of being alone, and of working up to take the opportunities and relish the details that even the worst circumstances may bring. Recommended.
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My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
Three episodes in the life of Ernest Hemingway, each involving recurring Jason character Athos the Last Musketeer. Jason’s laconic, deceptively simple style is, as ever, beguiling. The reader’s given space to think, involving them completely in the narrative, in Hemingway’s life, and the effect of the stranger on him. Recommended.
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My own books here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
An exploration of Ed Gein’s crimes and of the cultural impact of the case. Splendid monochrome graphic novel taking care to present this case history in context, drawing on court records and interviews, while being clear about its telescoping of matters to tell a story. Explains and contextualises without empathising. Recommended.
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My own books here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
The story of Laika (AKA Kudryavka), the first dog in space, plus those of her lab tech Yelena and of Soviet space programme chief Korolev. Excellent, touching canine biography, blending fancy and fact in detailed and intricate ways. A love story and one of Cold War pride, balanced with a plea regarding unnecessary animal experimentation. Recommended.
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My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
The Apollo 11 moon mission, retold in graphic novel format. A focus on the insecurities of each astronaut – and then-President Nixon – adds some nuance. Otherwise, this is a good-looking through straightforward account that doesn’t add much new, and is oddly-pitched, requiring some contextual knowledge for full appreciation. For moon mission completists, perhaps.
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My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
Three case studies of extreme wealth and power: Rupert Murdoch, the Koch brothers, Jeff Bezos. A confident blend of biography and polemic, clearly making the argument that power corrupts, and that money distorts. Lots to ponder on here, rendered in a chirpy and accessible graphic format. Recommended.
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My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
A personal account of the ill-fated 1996 Rob Hall-led Adventure Consultants expedition to climb Mount Everest. A classic of its type, if disputed in some of its assertions (discussed in this edition), Into Thin Air remains a detailed study of adventure tourism, obsession, survival, and hubris. Recommended.
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My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
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