Pete Brown - read November 2011
One man's search for the meaning of beer.
An entertaining read. Pete's journey round the world visiting places to to drink beer and reasons why those countries have a different attitude to drinking.
Not a let down after reading his "A man walks into a pub".
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Rifles
Mark Urban - Read October 2011
This book is a history of the Rifles regiment. It is mainly about the famous 95th Rifles regiment. I thought it was going to be a story based around the 95th but it was a history of the six years the rifles spent in Spain and Portugal ending with Waterloo. The rifles were a new regiment with a new weapon and tactics.
It was a bit hard going.
This book is a history of the Rifles regiment. It is mainly about the famous 95th Rifles regiment. I thought it was going to be a story based around the 95th but it was a history of the six years the rifles spent in Spain and Portugal ending with Waterloo. The rifles were a new regiment with a new weapon and tactics.
It was a bit hard going.
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Grow Your Own
Lawrence D. Hills - Read years ago and for reference
Fruit and Vegetables
Lawerence D. Hills was the "inventor" of organic horticulture. His books are clear and concise as are all his books.
Fruit and Vegetables
Lawerence D. Hills was the "inventor" of organic horticulture. His books are clear and concise as are all his books.
Made in England
Dorothy Hartley - Read October 2011 and for reference
This is a book about country crafts. It is a bit of a radom collection. It is made up extracts of other manuals. It is a useful reference books but not a definative guide to the crafts it covers.
This is a book about country crafts. It is a bit of a radom collection. It is made up extracts of other manuals. It is a useful reference books but not a definative guide to the crafts it covers.
Scull and Bones
John Drake - Read October 2011
This is the last in a trilogy based following on from Danial Defoe's Treasure Island. So, same characters, same buried treasure new story.
This is the last in a trilogy based following on from Danial Defoe's Treasure Island. So, same characters, same buried treasure new story.
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Man Walks into a Pub
Pete Brown - Read October 2011
A sociable History of Beer
This is a good read. A history of more than Beer. Pubs, the goverments coffers, social and political impacts of beer. Who knew Beer had such an impact on the world and especially England. Lots of interesting titbits and asides.
I enjoyed his another book "Hops & Glory".
A sociable History of Beer
This is a good read. A history of more than Beer. Pubs, the goverments coffers, social and political impacts of beer. Who knew Beer had such an impact on the world and especially England. Lots of interesting titbits and asides.
I enjoyed his another book "Hops & Glory".
Monday, 26 September 2011
Fencing with the Foil
Roger Crosier - Read July 2011 and for reference
Instruction and Technique
This book was given to me by Gordon Twigger who ran Hinckley Fencing Club from 1960 to 2010. Gordon retired from running the club after his fiftieth anniversary aged 75!
This book used to be the prescribed work for becoming a fencing instructor from 1951.
It is remains a good work on technical aspects of Foil fencing moreover it is a modern take on providing instruction of foil.
Instruction and Technique
This book was given to me by Gordon Twigger who ran Hinckley Fencing Club from 1960 to 2010. Gordon retired from running the club after his fiftieth anniversary aged 75!
This book used to be the prescribed work for becoming a fencing instructor from 1951.
It is remains a good work on technical aspects of Foil fencing moreover it is a modern take on providing instruction of foil.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
The God Beneath the Sea
Leon Garfield & Edward Blishen
A modern telling of the Greek myths of creation.
A modern telling of the Greek myths of creation.
Phil Drabble's Country Scene
Phil Drabble
A collection of his articles that where published in his column in the Birmingham Evening Mail.
Phil owned 90 acres of woodland near Abbots Bromley. In 2011, on a lager outing, went past the house he lived in.
A collection of his articles that where published in his column in the Birmingham Evening Mail.
Phil owned 90 acres of woodland near Abbots Bromley. In 2011, on a lager outing, went past the house he lived in.
Under the Hawthorn
Sybil Marshall
Country lore and country saw
A little book of country lore. Poems, sayings and rhymes.
Country lore and country saw
A little book of country lore. Poems, sayings and rhymes.
The Adventure of the English
Melvyn Bragg - read 2008
The Biography of a Language
This is a brilliant book. It traces the development of the English language since 500Ad to the new millennium and why English is a world language. The reason is not what you might expect.
The Biography of a Language
This is a brilliant book. It traces the development of the English language since 500Ad to the new millennium and why English is a world language. The reason is not what you might expect.
The English
Jeremy Paxman - read 2009
A Portrait of a People
It is an examination of what it is the be English or British and how we came to be what we are.
A Portrait of a People
It is an examination of what it is the be English or British and how we came to be what we are.
My Life on a Hillside Allotment
Terry Walton - read 2008
My Life on a Hillside Allotment
Terry Walton is the chap that does, what has become called "The Radio 2 Allotment". Terry was approached to do a piece on allotments. In no time he was doing a regular slot. The book tells of Terry's life. Another one of this planets dynamos.
Growing up in post-war Wales he was exposed to the industrialisation of farming, insecticides, biocides and fertilizers. He came to the "organic" table early and was able to use radio 2 to champion organic growing.
Some interesting points on how allotments work both from the gardening side and the operation of the society.
My Life on a Hillside Allotment
Terry Walton is the chap that does, what has become called "The Radio 2 Allotment". Terry was approached to do a piece on allotments. In no time he was doing a regular slot. The book tells of Terry's life. Another one of this planets dynamos.
Growing up in post-war Wales he was exposed to the industrialisation of farming, insecticides, biocides and fertilizers. He came to the "organic" table early and was able to use radio 2 to champion organic growing.
Some interesting points on how allotments work both from the gardening side and the operation of the society.
The Agecroft Story
W.A.Locan - presented to me in 1984
The First Hundred years of the History of Agecroft Rowing Club - 1861 to 1960
I was presented this book by the Club captain upon completing my first year as Men's Captain. The office of Men's captain had been not been necessary for many decades. With the resurgence of interest in the club generated by Kevin Maynard the offices of Men's Captain was restored and Ladies Captains office invented.
I might have not been a very good captain but I opened the way for others to come forward and in that sense I was happy with my tenure. I am immensely pleased to have my name recorded on the roll of officers of the club. I am part of history. Agecroft is the last Rowing club on the River Irwell in Manchester.
The book, as the title suggests, chronicles the first 100 years of the club. Agecroft was founded by Ishmael Lithgoe in 1861 at Littleton Road, Salford 7, "as place place to keep his boat and where he and his friends could row and enjoy themselves". As the preface records " These men [of Agecroft] of Victorian and Edwardian times may not have made a starting impact on the rowing world. But they certainly knew how to get something out of life and [had] a nice taste in claret".
The First Hundred years of the History of Agecroft Rowing Club - 1861 to 1960
I was presented this book by the Club captain upon completing my first year as Men's Captain. The office of Men's captain had been not been necessary for many decades. With the resurgence of interest in the club generated by Kevin Maynard the offices of Men's Captain was restored and Ladies Captains office invented.
I might have not been a very good captain but I opened the way for others to come forward and in that sense I was happy with my tenure. I am immensely pleased to have my name recorded on the roll of officers of the club. I am part of history. Agecroft is the last Rowing club on the River Irwell in Manchester.
The book, as the title suggests, chronicles the first 100 years of the club. Agecroft was founded by Ishmael Lithgoe in 1861 at Littleton Road, Salford 7, "as place place to keep his boat and where he and his friends could row and enjoy themselves". As the preface records " These men [of Agecroft] of Victorian and Edwardian times may not have made a starting impact on the rowing world. But they certainly knew how to get something out of life and [had] a nice taste in claret".
A Manual of Beekeeping
C. de Ribeaucourt - read 2003 and for ideas
A Manual of Rational Beekeeping
This book was first published in 1877. It is mainly to do with the beekeeping in Switzerland. It was translated by Arthur F.G Leveson Gower, a fellow member of the BBKA. At this time beekeeping was having "modern" industrial principles applied to the subject of Bee keeping. No longer was the use of skeps and the inability to manage Bees for Honey production to be allowed to continue. In 1876 the book laments the previous three years as poor years for bees suggesting a re-think in the ways Bees are managed for a crop. The "rational" approach is a hive of wood into which the Bee master can access the brood to mange his Bees. This pretty much is the mechanism of removable frames seen in modern hives, albeit with differing sizes.
Switzerland has special climatic conditions that do not prevail in the British Isles however there are parallels and lessons. We might have to consider them as the climate changes in the UK.
I found it interesting as a bee keeper. The language was interesting too.
A Manual of Rational Beekeeping
This book was first published in 1877. It is mainly to do with the beekeeping in Switzerland. It was translated by Arthur F.G Leveson Gower, a fellow member of the BBKA. At this time beekeeping was having "modern" industrial principles applied to the subject of Bee keeping. No longer was the use of skeps and the inability to manage Bees for Honey production to be allowed to continue. In 1876 the book laments the previous three years as poor years for bees suggesting a re-think in the ways Bees are managed for a crop. The "rational" approach is a hive of wood into which the Bee master can access the brood to mange his Bees. This pretty much is the mechanism of removable frames seen in modern hives, albeit with differing sizes.
Switzerland has special climatic conditions that do not prevail in the British Isles however there are parallels and lessons. We might have to consider them as the climate changes in the UK.
I found it interesting as a bee keeper. The language was interesting too.
Guide to Bees and Honey
Ted Hooper - read over and over again and for reference.
A Guide to Bees and Honey
This book is required reading for the BBKA [British Bee Keepers Association]. However I bought it many years ago in a second hand shop. It is my first port of call on this Bees.
A Guide to Bees and Honey
This book is required reading for the BBKA [British Bee Keepers Association]. However I bought it many years ago in a second hand shop. It is my first port of call on this Bees.
Billy Ruffian
David Cordingly - read 2004
The Bellerphon and downfall of Napoleon
The Bellerphon was a ship of the line in British navy. She affectionately known as the Billy Ruffian. This a historical novel with the Billy Ruffian at it's centre.
A good read but no in the same league as O'Brian.
The Bellerphon and downfall of Napoleon
The Bellerphon was a ship of the line in British navy. She affectionately known as the Billy Ruffian. This a historical novel with the Billy Ruffian at it's centre.
A good read but no in the same league as O'Brian.
Foil Fencing
Prof. John "Jes" Smith - Read and for reference since 2005
The techniques and tactics of modern Foil fencing
It is a book about fence with a Foil. Jes is one of foremost authorities on Foil.
The techniques and tactics of modern Foil fencing
It is a book about fence with a Foil. Jes is one of foremost authorities on Foil.
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