The title pretty much gives away what the book is about but it is still in need of a review. Ferris' book gives the reader a history of sex from the late 1890s to 1993, it's published year. It gives info on how sex was frowned upon by almost anyone except soldiers fighting overseas in WWI. How the feminists would bash any man who mentioned that he'd recently had sex, the fact that self-pleasure would result in a prison sentence and that anyone found owning pornographic "propaganda" would be arrested and the propaganda being burnt.
Surprisingly, even the London Rubber Company were embarrassed to produce condoms which were highly frowned upon until the late '80s.
Many of the rules of sex 60 years ago will make anyone aged 20 wonder what the hell they were thinking back then when even a badly-drawn cartoon of a half-naked woman would be pulled off the shelves instantly.
For a book that could be classed as British history (a subject I don't take a huge interest in) it is one which anyone would find interesting (even those 22 year olds who can't or refuse to read). When I started reading the book I didn't know what to expect - possibly the fact that it might turn out to just be another of those generic textbook-types. However, over the years Ferris has undertaken a lot of research and interviews to produce a book that will entertain, shock and humour.
Like they say, sex sells and this book shows proff that this statement is very much true.
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Saturday 28 August 2010
Wednesday 18 August 2010
The Iliad by Homer
One of the classics on Greek mythology The Iliad focuses on the Trojan war between the Acheans and Trojans. And quite a war it is with spears going through stomachs and arrows going into necks.
The basis of the story is that in the sky on Mount Olympus there are many gods who control the earth and it is these who control who will win the war. It's hard to describe the story as there is so much going on that it could be put into 3 books if reworded. Put simply, however, it is a document of the mythological war.
Although not for the light-headed The Iliad is an interesting book with many bloody scenes. Perfect for those fans of "Gladiator" or "Braveheart". This one took me longer to read than a book of a larger size purely due to it's writing and riddles. However, Homer's writing is well done and thought out with extensive plots and full descriptions of characters, although some of the details seem a bit irrellevant to the story itself.
This book is not one which you would casually pick up and expect to read in a day. It is one for those who appreciate literature rather than laugh in it's face.
Neddless to say I did enjoy the book but it probably won't be something I'd read again unless it was set for academia.
Rating: 2.5/5
The basis of the story is that in the sky on Mount Olympus there are many gods who control the earth and it is these who control who will win the war. It's hard to describe the story as there is so much going on that it could be put into 3 books if reworded. Put simply, however, it is a document of the mythological war.
Although not for the light-headed The Iliad is an interesting book with many bloody scenes. Perfect for those fans of "Gladiator" or "Braveheart". This one took me longer to read than a book of a larger size purely due to it's writing and riddles. However, Homer's writing is well done and thought out with extensive plots and full descriptions of characters, although some of the details seem a bit irrellevant to the story itself.
This book is not one which you would casually pick up and expect to read in a day. It is one for those who appreciate literature rather than laugh in it's face.
Neddless to say I did enjoy the book but it probably won't be something I'd read again unless it was set for academia.
Rating: 2.5/5
Monday 9 August 2010
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
Having never read a war novel before I didn't know what to expect of this one. I was pleasantly surprised however to find it was a just below average read but not something I'd want to read again.
The story tells of an American-Italian war veteran who falls in love with a British nurse and, after suffering serious injuries, decides it's time to leave the army and settle elsewhere. However, as with all such stories, it doesn't come without complications to the protagonist.
Normally, I quite like the characters in any book I've read. This one, however, is different. The British woman is beyond annoying and someone I would happily tell to shut up with her whining and repetitive questions. Our American-Italian is another person who needs to learn when to shut up. That's not to say they're badly-written characters, just very, very annoying and possibly a purposeful move or Hemingway may have had a similar experience in his time up the front.
Hemingway's life experience and research are other things adding to the non-fictional roots of this story. It is also what makes the book well-written and easy to read. Rather than deep philosiphical explanations and sentences the writer sticks to the point. If one is interested in reading a war novel this may be one the best starters.
As mentioned before this book is well-written but not to everyone's tastes, including my own. In my opinion I'd have to give this book a 2.5/5.
The story tells of an American-Italian war veteran who falls in love with a British nurse and, after suffering serious injuries, decides it's time to leave the army and settle elsewhere. However, as with all such stories, it doesn't come without complications to the protagonist.
Normally, I quite like the characters in any book I've read. This one, however, is different. The British woman is beyond annoying and someone I would happily tell to shut up with her whining and repetitive questions. Our American-Italian is another person who needs to learn when to shut up. That's not to say they're badly-written characters, just very, very annoying and possibly a purposeful move or Hemingway may have had a similar experience in his time up the front.
Hemingway's life experience and research are other things adding to the non-fictional roots of this story. It is also what makes the book well-written and easy to read. Rather than deep philosiphical explanations and sentences the writer sticks to the point. If one is interested in reading a war novel this may be one the best starters.
As mentioned before this book is well-written but not to everyone's tastes, including my own. In my opinion I'd have to give this book a 2.5/5.
Friday 6 August 2010
1984 by George Orwell
Well, what a book this was. A mix between confusing, enjoyable and downright weird, Orwell's 'prediction' of our country in 1984 was strangely accurate. The story tells of a country which is controlled by 'Big Brother' - a governmental person/scheme which determines how everything should be and how books and newspaper articles are written. A person dies, they are removed from history, an event happens, it is put into history.
The story shares some strong similarities to other films and books I've seen/read but the most notable one is Fight Club - one of my all-time favourite films. From the way Jack (The Narrator) creates a whole new person to his brainwashing schemes it appears that 1984 could be one of Palahnuick's books. Even the protagonist seems to become as screwed up as Jack.
Another possible prediction was that of the Lottery which is mentioned at one point in the middle of the book.
Well-written but a twisted storyline and strange ending '1984' is a book which anyone interested in politics, The Illuminati concept or general fucked-up writing should read. Throughout the book the reader is constantly changing his guess of the climax. Even if you hate books you might just enjoy reading this. However, you must remember that in this type of literature "breast" very rarely means "tits".
Another one of those "read again" books, 1984 gets a rare 5/5
The story shares some strong similarities to other films and books I've seen/read but the most notable one is Fight Club - one of my all-time favourite films. From the way Jack (The Narrator) creates a whole new person to his brainwashing schemes it appears that 1984 could be one of Palahnuick's books. Even the protagonist seems to become as screwed up as Jack.
Another possible prediction was that of the Lottery which is mentioned at one point in the middle of the book.
Well-written but a twisted storyline and strange ending '1984' is a book which anyone interested in politics, The Illuminati concept or general fucked-up writing should read. Throughout the book the reader is constantly changing his guess of the climax. Even if you hate books you might just enjoy reading this. However, you must remember that in this type of literature "breast" very rarely means "tits".
Another one of those "read again" books, 1984 gets a rare 5/5
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