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
Sunday, 25 July 2010
The Murder Exchange by Simon Kernick
Yes, it's another Kernick book. This time it's his second book written in 2003 and published by Corgi. The story tells of a man who runs a business of protecting people when they're on their way to collect some illicit goods or maybe a celeb on their way to an event. While this business is purely crime free there is of course the possibility that something could go very wrong. And it does.
Now Max Iversson has to avoid the law along with taking a big risk of kidnapping one of London's most notorious criminals.
What follows is a journey through the underworld chasing murderers, police beaters and kidnappers. And quite a journey it is.
Unlike Kernick's other novels this is written from only two points of view in 1st person format only. Another difference is the chapter naming. Whilst all his other books are numbered chapters, this one goes by number of days before the main event and afterwards. A possibility for this is that the story lasts more than just a couple of days unlike the other novels. However, there is no problem in this concept and it works well.
I only recognise Tina Boyd in this story, the other characters don't ring a bell although crooked cop Dennis Milne was mentioned in small parts However, this doesn't matter as such as we are introduced to the characters again in each different book.
Normally I would have read this in a couple of days but damn internet thing has kept me away from books so it took 5 days instead.
As usual Kernick has written with his foot (along with a pen) pressed down hard to create a gripping thriller giving us an insight into what really goes down in the picturesque city of London.
Overall rating: 4/5
Now Max Iversson has to avoid the law along with taking a big risk of kidnapping one of London's most notorious criminals.
What follows is a journey through the underworld chasing murderers, police beaters and kidnappers. And quite a journey it is.
Unlike Kernick's other novels this is written from only two points of view in 1st person format only. Another difference is the chapter naming. Whilst all his other books are numbered chapters, this one goes by number of days before the main event and afterwards. A possibility for this is that the story lasts more than just a couple of days unlike the other novels. However, there is no problem in this concept and it works well.
I only recognise Tina Boyd in this story, the other characters don't ring a bell although crooked cop Dennis Milne was mentioned in small parts However, this doesn't matter as such as we are introduced to the characters again in each different book.
Normally I would have read this in a couple of days but damn internet thing has kept me away from books so it took 5 days instead.
As usual Kernick has written with his foot (along with a pen) pressed down hard to create a gripping thriller giving us an insight into what really goes down in the picturesque city of London.
Overall rating: 4/5
Friday, 16 July 2010
Murder.com by Christopher Berry-Dee and Steven Morris
'Shows how death can be only a click away' says The Sunday Times. And the Times speaks the truth. Murder.com gives a list of incidents in which people have used the internet to find people to satisfy their depraved sexual needs, mostly being S&M or the wish to torture/be tortured amongst the classic Russian Bride scams and another involving the palistinean and Isralean feud.
These are the true stories of the nightmares you have on being stalked through the internet.
I'm sure many readers will remember the story of the man who trawled the internet to find someone he could kill and eat or maybe the story of the 11 year old who killed her 12 year old friend in Japan after she (the friend) called the 11 year old something related to a fat joke.
Some of the stories described in this book I thought were only possible in films. However, being an internet user of 11+ years I know my way around and how to be safe although admittedly I have come across some rather worrying sites (tubgirl anyone?).
The accounts are well-documented and worth a read if you want to know what lurks behind sites like Facebook and Google. It is a book that will make you think twice before clicking on a website headed "Fall in love with your Russian wife here!!" so remember: This is the dark side of the web. Be careful where you click.
A good and informative read but nothing to rave about.
Overall rating: 3/5
These are the true stories of the nightmares you have on being stalked through the internet.
I'm sure many readers will remember the story of the man who trawled the internet to find someone he could kill and eat or maybe the story of the 11 year old who killed her 12 year old friend in Japan after she (the friend) called the 11 year old something related to a fat joke.
Some of the stories described in this book I thought were only possible in films. However, being an internet user of 11+ years I know my way around and how to be safe although admittedly I have come across some rather worrying sites (tubgirl anyone?).
The accounts are well-documented and worth a read if you want to know what lurks behind sites like Facebook and Google. It is a book that will make you think twice before clicking on a website headed "Fall in love with your Russian wife here!!" so remember: This is the dark side of the web. Be careful where you click.
A good and informative read but nothing to rave about.
Overall rating: 3/5
Monday, 12 July 2010
Slash by Paul Stenning
More than just a story of a man picking up a guitar, forming a band and becoming famous, 'Slash: Surviving Guns n' Roses, Velvet Revolver and Rock's Snakepit' is an insight into the life of the worlds most recognisable guitarst with his fluffy hair, permanent cigarette and black top hat. The book explores everything musical about the man from his first 1-stringed guitar to becoming a rock God.
The reader is told how and why the man learnt guitar, his journey of seeking fellow musicians, gaining fame and a life of excess. At the time of writing just 3 years ago this books was the only biography about Slash and one that seems to include everything about his life with the aforementioned rockstar lifestyle to owning over a hundred snakes and 18 cats. On the outside he may be a man of fame but on the inside he is a family man with a wife and 2 kids.
Beyond the music and family we are given an insight into his love for animals, the troubles he's had in life, the people he's known and his love for pinball.
Although the book is primarily about Slash it does have snippets of info about future band members of Velvet Revolver and Snakepit along with interviews with the band members regarding their music and lifestyle at the peak of G n' R.
Although I was rather informed of this man as it was, this book has given me more information into the life of the world's most recognisable six-stringer. However, there is a number of editing problems or mistakes which tend to cause slight confusion before reading them again. However, aside from that the book is certainly one to read if you are a fan of Saul Hudson.
Overall rating: 3.5/5
The reader is told how and why the man learnt guitar, his journey of seeking fellow musicians, gaining fame and a life of excess. At the time of writing just 3 years ago this books was the only biography about Slash and one that seems to include everything about his life with the aforementioned rockstar lifestyle to owning over a hundred snakes and 18 cats. On the outside he may be a man of fame but on the inside he is a family man with a wife and 2 kids.
Beyond the music and family we are given an insight into his love for animals, the troubles he's had in life, the people he's known and his love for pinball.
Although the book is primarily about Slash it does have snippets of info about future band members of Velvet Revolver and Snakepit along with interviews with the band members regarding their music and lifestyle at the peak of G n' R.
Although I was rather informed of this man as it was, this book has given me more information into the life of the world's most recognisable six-stringer. However, there is a number of editing problems or mistakes which tend to cause slight confusion before reading them again. However, aside from that the book is certainly one to read if you are a fan of Saul Hudson.
Overall rating: 3.5/5
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