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Post by The Doctor on Jun 20, 2023 20:48:11 GMT
I MAY BE SOME TIME by A Shit Author: the worst non-fiction book I have ever read.
WHY IS THIS A QUESTION? by Paul Anthony Jones. Mindblowing. I had no idea the concept of language was so complex.
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jun 25, 2023 19:05:19 GMT
My copy arrived this week. I'd spotted the 2001 pod with R2 domes back in the day but looking at it now there are lot more places in the book where the artists have "taken inspiration" from popular TV and film science fiction. The cover for a start.... I've even spotted the direct use of a 2001 photo in one place which I'm looking at and wondering if it was the same in the original book |
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Post by The Doctor on Jun 25, 2023 21:17:41 GMT
WHY ARE THESE LYING BASTARDS LYING TO ME? - Rob Burley. Account of working on shows that interview politicians. Interesting.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Jun 26, 2023 12:33:17 GMT
My copy arrived this week. I'd spotted the 2001 pod with R2 domes back in the day but looking at it now there are lot more places in the book where the artists have "taken inspiration" from popular TV and film science fiction. The cover for a start.... I've even spotted the direct use of a 2001 photo in one place which I'm looking at and wondering if it was the same in the original book Oh, now that is a blast from the past. I had that book when I was a nipper! Heck, I had it until well into my teens. Karl |
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Post by Pinwig on Jun 26, 2023 17:53:48 GMT
And that... is why Usborne are reissuing books like this.
You will be drawn in...
...you will be drawn in...
...you will be dr-
Nah. I bet the Kaptain can resist that kind of nostalgic nonsense.
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Post by Pinwig on Jun 26, 2023 18:08:42 GMT
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Post by legios on Jun 26, 2023 21:41:31 GMT
I was lucky enough to receive that as a present from another of our number a few years back. It is a beautiful volume. Love some classic Dare-verse Rocket Ships, and that book does a wonderful job of covering them. (And truly does the Anastasia - one of my Spaceship Crushes - justice).
Karl
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Post by The Doctor on Jun 27, 2023 20:51:12 GMT
ATTACK WARNING RED! HOW BRITAIN PREPARED FOR NUCLEAR WAR - Julie McDowall. Does what it says on the tin.
*builds shelter from doors*
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Jun 27, 2023 21:00:49 GMT
Oh jings... I remember all that stuff. We had those leaflets around the house, and even as a nipper I wasn't convinced that the advice in them was anything other than something to take people's mind off how in the event it had happened they would all have died of radiation poisoning cowering under their propped up doors.
*shudders*
Yeah, not sure I could read that without it bringing back childhood terrors I'd rather not revisit.
Karl
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Post by The Doctor on Jul 4, 2023 14:40:12 GMT
MUPPETS IN MOSCOW - Natasha Lance Rogoff. The producer of the Russain version of Sesame St recalls how they got the show off the ground. It's mad. Assinations! Car bombs! Gangsters! Armed raids! Staff going AWOL! Insurrections! Heavy drinking! Smoking! So much smoking! Sending faxes with guns pointed at the crew's heads!!!
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on Jul 7, 2023 9:21:59 GMT
MY SHAKESPEARE: A DIRECTOR'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE FIRST FOLIO - Greg Doran. Former Artistic Director of the RSC leads us through it. Impossible not to get caught up in the sheer enthusiasm of his recollections. In-depth prior knowledge not required.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Jul 7, 2023 14:02:55 GMT
The Diaries of a Cabinet Minister. The Right Hon. James Hacker MP; Lynn, Johnathan; Jay, Anthony (eds.) (aka The Complete Yes Minister). I'm not sure whether a rueful shake of the head, or a horrified grimace is appropriate when one realises that the satire in this is as on point now as it was then... Still, very funny stuff - and painfully well-observed (really, if you have had any dealings with government - local or national - so much of this is so very on point.
Karl
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Post by The Doctor on Jul 16, 2023 22:51:52 GMT
SAS ROGUE HEROES - BEN McINTYRE. Account of the early years, not avoiding tha nastiness of war.
-Ralph
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Post by Pinwig on Jul 17, 2023 19:57:21 GMT
That's what the recent BBC drama was based on wasn't it?
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Post by The Doctor on Jul 17, 2023 20:52:21 GMT
Yup.
-Ralph
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Post by Pinwig on Jul 28, 2023 13:41:32 GMT
I'm reading Pat Mills' book on the history of 2000AD. I've read the author's note, introduction and special edition introduction and am already grinding my teeth at his self-importance.
Let's hope things improve with chapter one.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Jul 28, 2023 15:44:11 GMT
They won't.
Now when Pat is on song as a writer he is marvellous, but Pat on ABC Warriors has been doing a Terry Nation for how many years now?
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Post by Pinwig on Jul 28, 2023 21:24:14 GMT
There are some interesting nuggets regarding the birth of 2000AD in the first section, but they're well hidden among all the moaning.
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 1, 2023 18:01:19 GMT
I think I've come out the other side of this book with Stockholm Syndrome. The poor man just needs a big hug and someone to tell him everything will be alright. I think I need to buy Space Warp now just to see what that was all about; he's utterly convinced it's what 2000AD ought to be. Even though it never got past the first issue.
There is merit to reading this it has to be said. It's a poorly edited and repetitive; some anecdotes are trotted out word for word several times, but he is as much about pushing the importance of recognition and royalties for all creatives as he is blowing his own trumpet. This does need to be read alongside similar books like Steve MacManus' one for balance though.
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 1, 2023 21:30:05 GMT
THE UNDEFEATED by UNA McCORMACK: splendid little short novella that gets in and gets out with no filler. It's never wise to create a slave race!
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 1, 2023 21:32:34 GMT
I think I need to buy Space Warp now just to see what that was all about; he's utterly convinced it's what 2000AD ought to be. NO, PINWIG, NO! I couldn't even get to the end of the issue. Utter shite. I usually charity shop/give away reading material I wont use again but this broke my rule. Straight in the recycling! -Ralph |
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 1, 2023 22:06:28 GMT
I remember very well your review at the time. But poor Pat... He needs the help.
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 2, 2023 7:28:00 GMT
You could be the tipping point that makes him think a second issue is a good idea!!!
-Ralph
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Post by paulbyrnex on Aug 4, 2023 13:48:23 GMT
Had a 2023 New Year resolution to read more comics from around the world. I've ended up with subscriptions to Journal De Spirou (France), fortnightly Eppo Stripblad (Netherlands), Fantomen, No 91, (both from Sweden) and the fortnightly Phantom comic from Australia comes every 2 months in a bumper package. I get some Italian Fumetti as well but Italy is really hard to buy from with their high postal costs. Still get my Beano, 2000 AD and Commando though and some USA stuff.
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Aug 26, 2023 18:06:25 GMT
Currently enjoying reading The Peripheral by William Gibson (having enjoyed the TV series earlier in the year) and also The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard.
Martin
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Post by The Doctor on Sept 1, 2023 19:41:41 GMT
AMERICAN PROMETHEUS: THE TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY OF J.ROBERT OPPENHEIMER - Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin. A beast of a book. Long, thick and dense. Will take a while to fully digest.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Sept 2, 2023 18:50:47 GMT
Currently enjoying reading The Peripheral by William Gibson (having enjoyed the TV series earlier in the year) and also The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard. Martin I really liked The Peripheral (and Agency, the following book),glad to hear that you are enjoying it. I have just started Amongst Our Weapons, one of Ben Arronavitch's River's of London books. I have a soft spot for these, there is something about the tone of them that I rather like - a bit of dry, tongue-in-cheek britishness to the humour goes a long way. (I snorted when I realised that the first three sections of this book are titled "Surprise", "Fear" and "Ruthless Efficiency..." Karl |
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Post by Fortmax2020 on Sept 2, 2023 19:45:53 GMT
I am halfway through Dark Eden by Chris Beckett. Really enjoying it and the you can feel the stifling nature of the environment vividly through the writing and pace of the events happening (or not).
Mrs M has read the Eden trilogy before but I'd not got round to it despite her recommendation. Met the author at a conference recently and he was a really interesting guy with a lot of diverse experience in his background. It really comes through in the way the book explores it's subject matter and world builds.
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Post by Fortmax2020 on Sept 5, 2023 22:00:53 GMT
Finished.
Enjoyed that and have already got the next in the series out of the library.
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Oct 4, 2023 16:54:13 GMT
I see Patrick Stewart's memoir is out. I'll ask for it for Christmas.
Martin
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