More books VI

I've just finished reading Moab Is My Washpot by Stephen Fry. If you like a book that's a little mixed up, hilarious and very Stephen Fry, then this is the book for you. 6/10.

My second recommendation for the end of the year is the very sad book about Madeline McCann, called: Madeleine by her mother. It goes into every sad detail of their missing daughter and reveals the true heart breaking events that lead up to and since her kidnap. All proceeds from the book go to the charity which is helping to fund their search for Maddie. Let's keep the little girl in our prayers and please buy this book today. 10/10

More books V

Another eclectic list of books that I have read recently. I highly recommend all of these:

A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain: The author (Marc Morris) writes like a novelist and thus you are instantly hooked by the various intrigues and invasions that encompass the reign of Edward I. One recommends that you read this book first, before watching the film Braveheart again. Braveheart's history is so terribly wrong that it hurts. However it's a good film, and so I recommend you watch it afterwards, Braveheart [1995] [DVD]. 10/10 for the book; 8/10 for the film.

Richard III (Revealing History): Another good book, but not written in as good a style as Edward I above. Plus, it can sometimes be totally muddled. However, it is still a good book and I recommend anyone interested in this period to read this as an introduction. The author is not pro Richard III, but it is still a good read. 8/10.

More books IV

Here are some more books that I've read recently and what I think of them! The theme is history, but if you love history, enjoy. Here's the first...

The Year 1000: An Englishman's Year: I loved this little book, as it came out just before the year 2000, and was a good introduction to a thousand years ago. As ever, I have only read it now, but what a little gem! Most books about this era can be quite dry and dull, but the authors completely avoided being like this. Instead, they take each month of the calendar and discuss a theme set around that month, so the book ends up touching on hungers, riches, and every other spectrum of life in 1000. I highly recommend this book, because it gives you a rich and interesting take on the Year 1000. 9/10.

And the second...

The Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean: This book is truly a remarkable achievement, like the civilisations that lived along the shores of the Mediterranean. John Julius Norwich is an excellent historian and writer, and has seamlessly written a history of the middle sea from its beginnings to the Great War. It is truly an amazing book, and Lord Norwich manages to keep it fascinating and intriguing. I recommend anyone who wants to read a history of this fascinating sea to get a copy of this book as soon as possible - in it you will find out about so much: from the Ancient Greeks to the Romans; from the Pope to the King of Spain; from the Ottoman Empire to the Holy Roman Empire - everything is covered. Highly recommended. 10/10

More books III

Here is another eclectic mix of books that I've read recently. I hope you enjoy reading my recommendations and thoughts - please do let me know!

A Short History Of Nearly Everything: Bill Bryson is such a great author, because he can keep you interested in ALL things. His travel guides are simply amazing, but he's now taken to writing other books, and this one is a great example. I don't like science (or rather, I don't understand it), so I find it hard to read about it. However, Bryson cracks it with this book and delivers science on a plate so perfectly. I actually understand new things now - about dinosaurs; about space; about the stars, about geology. A very impressive and well needed book. 10/10

Rubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic: I am an Ancient Historian at heart and love it when a book is as passionate about these periods as I am. Tom Holland is a genius, who keeps on entertaining in this book, and what a subject! The Roman Republic was a very bloody, busy and interesting time. Once you have read this book, watch Rome - Season 1-2 - Complete [DVD]. 10/10 for this book, and 9/10 for Rome. Excellent work.

RIP Elisabeth Sladen

I've just seen the very shocking news that Elisabeth Sladen who played Sarah Jane Smith (a Doctor Who companion) has died. This is so soon after I reported the sad news about Nicholas Courtney's death (see here). This is all very sad, may she Rest in Peace. :(

More books II

As my busy life has taken over again, I've not managed to read as much as I wanted to. However, here's a selection of some of the books I've read over the last month or so, please do let me know your thoughts. Have you read them too? As ever, I have given my recommendations too:

Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years: These books are so brilliant and I can't recommend them enough. If you have not read Adrian Mole before, please do start here: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4. 10/10 for all of them so far. I will be reading its sequel next.

Wuthering Heights (Penguin Classics): This is such a good novel by Emily Bronte. It is her only novel and one dreams of what else she could have written. It's full of themes, such as violence and love. It is also a very sad love story, where love turns into hatred. The novel also includes some comedy in the form of the little bit stupid Lockwood. I highly recommend this book! 10/10

Wiped! Doctor Who's Missing Episodes: I love everything to do with this programme (as you may have been able to tell in previous blogs below!), but this really is an excellent book. One of the saddest things about being a fan is that if you didn't watch the early episodes the first time around, you are now unlikely to see them (ever) again. However, although this is very true, two more episodes were found since this book came out - but that doesn't make this book any less interesting. The book explains in great detail why the episodes are missing and then explains how many were found again. Highly recommended. 9/10.

The Aeneid (Penguin Classics): Everyone should read one or all of these mythological classics, whether it's an original Greek one like The Odyssey or The Iliad, or the Roman copy of both in the Aeneid. Virgil's Aeneid is full of love, sadness, adventure and so much more. I recommend you read The Odyssey first...

The Book of Lists: London: If you like lists and love London, read this today. Every possible list is in this book. Brilliant fun and really interesting. 8/10

RIP Nicholas Courtney

A very sad start to the week, because one of my favourite actors has died: Mr Nicholas Courtney.

In particular, Courtney played Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart throughout much of Doctor Who's early version (1963 - 1989) and then re-appeared in the Sarah Jane Adventures.

As this character, he played against most of the seven doctors on TV (Troughton, Pertwee - as one of the regulars, Baker T, Davison, McCoy, and Hurndall who played the 1st Doctor in The Five Doctors) He also played Lethbridge-Stewart in various Big Finish Audios, so that he was able to increase his tally to playing with McGann and Baker C.

I met him once when he was signing in Barking, and he was an extremely charming man. Rest in Peace, Brig. :(

Why not listen to his two best Big Finish Audios?



See the Telegraph Obituary: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/8343786/Nicholas-Courtney.html

More books

As life has taken over again, I've not managed to read as much as I should have done. However, here's a selection of some of the books I've read over the last month:

The Subterranean Railway: How the London Underground Was Built and How it Changed the City Forever - I love London history, but this is so fascinating. It's a well written, well researched, well sourced masterpiece. I can't recommend this enough - fascinating. 10/10

The Scions of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara) - I have read all of the first three in the trilogy over the last month (Sword, Elfstones, and Wishsong) and have now moved onto this book. AMAZING. I was so impressed with Brooks writing in the first three; but this is even better. I read it in three sittings - it was that good. 10/10

Reading II

Dear readers,

I promised to let you know what I had managed to read over the last few weeks. If you remember, I have purposely said that I will try to avoid TV for one day of the week, so that I can read something. Otherwise, I'll never get round to it!

Here are some of the books that I've read (and I've even included a number out of ten to help with some recommendation!). Each book has a link to Amazon, so you can get one yourselves (if anyone reads this!!):

The Sword of Shannara: Shannara 1 (Shannara Series) : this is a really excellent book by Terry Brooks, and is the beginning of an AMAZING set of books. I've read this before, but I had to read it again, and I am so glad I did. 10/10. If you want to start these fantasy books, please start with the Sword of Shannara. Simply the best.

A Christmas Carol (Puffin Classics) : As I was reading lots over the Christmas period, I decided that I had to finally read this classic. And it really is a classic and a lot more detailed that those Disney or Muppet movies!! Well worth reading - whatever the time of year. 8/10.

QI The Book of the Dead : If you love QI and a bit of history, you'll love this book. I did. It was full of great well-known people; and the not so well-known people of times gone by. Well recommended. 9/10.

Whatshisname: The Life and Death of Charles Hawtrey : I really enjoy the Carry On films, and I am always curious about the stars long since dead. Here's one of the stars who had a very sad life, and one who is often forgotten by biographers. Charles Hawtrey was an enigma and this book shows there was more to Mr Hawtrey than getting drunk and liking young men - read it if you like the Carry On films. 8/10.

I think I did pretty well this month, I am now reading another Shannara book (The Elfstones of Shannara: Book Two of the Shannara Trilogy (Shannara Series)) , but I'll leave my thoughts till next month. I've also got another couple of books I want to read too. Until next time, enjoy these books!!

JJW Griffiths

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my friends and readers (though I don't doubt I have friends, I do doubt I have readers! C'est la vie!). 2011, hey? Who would have thought it possible during the Cold War or during the World Wars, but here we are.

As I write this, it is totally tipping it down in rain, but I am much happier about that than the recent snow we have had. Even in London. Rain isn't too cold; rain doesn't make you slip up (well, not if you're careful); rain doesn't stop services (well, not in England); and rain is what this country needs sometimes - freshen up the trees and plants.

I'll try and blog a bit more over the forthcoming year, but may I wish you a very happy new year.

JJWG