Book learning # 87 The Psychopath test by Jon Ronson.

Oh dear.

I really like  Jon Ronson.

He's brilliant on telly and I have thoroughly enjoyed some of  his other books.

This one even had a comment on the back " laugh out loud hilarious" or somesuch. 

That comment was from Will Self.

Rule of thumb?

Never trust a man who walks from airports.

Book Learning #86 Religion for Atheists. Alain de Botton

Oh cruel world!
Oh tortuous journey,
Oh voyage of wrecked dreams.

Where is the hope?
Where do the answers lie?

Such emotions , such questions are as old as the hills.
As a group, humanity has tried to answer them in a variety of ways.

Alain de Botton compares religion with secularism and draws some interesting conclusions.

I still enjoy the air of mystery that religion brings, even if I know that it's just not true.
He argues that you do not need to be a 'believer' to cherish the benefits of religion, especially as modern society has pretty much underperformed in meeting some of our basic human needs.

Also, it was an absolutely beautiful book to hold and to read.

Book learning #85 Team of rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

The first thing that went wrong was that I did not purchase this book when it first came out in paperback (remember I don't do hardback books). Had I invested back in 2007 I would have got the correct version, not the movie spin off edition.
I enjoyed what I read and ironically have just put it down for a few weeks as it gets good (or better).
Also, linked into the first point, I have had a number of people asking me to go and watch the movie with them. This will kill the book. Ask Harry Potter.
Is it me or do nineteenth century political books move rather slowly? I'm sure any one of us living now would go insane quite quickly were we deposited back into the 1860s.
I dearly hope I will gather this up again and complete it, I dearly hope to hold the Lincolnesque spirit close to my soul.
The problem with a lengthy book is that eventually, no matter how you try, you will be tempted by other, less committed relationships.
That's what happened in Waterstones this afternoon.

Book Learning # 84 What Happened by Scott McClellan

I found this book in a box whilst sorting out other books around the house. It was one of those low priority, nagging jobs that had been waiting about six months to get done.

I picked it up and sifted through. By no means the best written of political accounts I have ever read but engaging enough. I was interested by his move from democrat to republican (a move many made during the 1980s) and his impressive career rise (Press secretary before 40).

I am sure that when this was first published it made an impact, I am sure that his viewpoint was  pretty insightful and interesting.

Right now it reads as a dated account of history. The narrative is simple enough but doesn't really hold your attention too long.

It tells us a few straightforward things about GWBush that we had pretty much already known.

He is a straightforward type of guy. Not super bright but not dim. Deferred to those around him, especially Rumsfeld and Cheney.

File under 'I cant wait for the Christmas books'

Book Learning # 83 Chavs by Owen Jones

Data heavy yet thoroughly readable.
Challenged prejudices and assumptions.
Reinforced some misty, cloudy, put aside convictions.
Reminded me of some experiences I would much rather have forgotten.
Forced me to consider aspiration and that yes, it's really important.
Took me outside my comfort zone.
Even made me laugh a few times.

Book learning #82 Coming up for Air by George Orwell

Umm, Lets see?
Autumn?
Turning leaves?
Smoky hearths?
Warm beer?
Sweaters and corduroy?

Must be time for some Orwell.

I can happily claim Orwell as my favourite author yet I am also happy to admit that I have still
not read all his works.
There was much about this book that I just loved.
I loved the nostalgia.
I loved the moments when it simply reached out of the page and touched my consciousness.
I loved the slightly acidic humour.
I even loved the feel of the copy I was reading.

He has yet to fail me.

Book Learning. 'Let us continue'

I had to blog about this, Just had to.

I may not finish Robert Caro's superb account of LBJ's years in the Senate anytime soon. It may well be sometime into next year before you see my completed blog entry. I just wanted you to know how much I love this book.

I love this book so much that I had to slice it into three, in order to gain three times the possible enjoyment from it. The simple fact is that the published version is a touch too hefty for late night reading, especially as I have a habit of dropping books onto my face as I doze off.

I love this book because it has taken me almost ten years to not quite finish it. Normally that would be a problem, give it up. Master of the Senate is different, it's like the very best of friends. The best of friends you don't see for two or three years and then spend a brilliant weekend at the beach and it's just like you're back at college again. This book cares little if I read a dozen others between picking it up again, it's own brilliance will hold the day.

In terms of content, I will go into much more depth of the pleasure, discomfort, disgust and hope that this book has brought to me when I finally, eventually review it.