Library Corner

Murf reviewed Catastrophe : Europe Goes to War 1914 by Max Hastings

Max Hastings: Catastrophe : Europe Goes to War 1914 (2014)

Review of 'Catastrophe : Europe Goes to War 1914' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Having also read [b: The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914|18669169|The Sleepwalkers How Europe Went to War in 1914|Christopher Munro Clark|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1384804367s/18669169.jpg|21905061] by [a: Christopher Munro Clark|7792163|Christopher Munro Clark|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1426362492p2/7792163.jpg], I found 'Catastrophe' to be rather light on the lead up to war, particularly on the Serbian state and the personalities involved. Hastings excels once the war starts, his descriptions of the battles, full of colour and detail, are brilliant. He makes god use of first-hand accounts from the time, which really bring home the realities of not only trench life (and death), but the 'home' front as well. Most interesting are the descriptions of civil life in the occupied and fought-over areas, several of which evoke vivid impressions of the hellish experience of families caught in a warzone.
Well worth reading, but for a more in depth look at the causes and lead up to the declaration of war, …

Having also read [b: The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914|18669169|The Sleepwalkers How Europe Went to War in 1914|Christopher Munro Clark|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1384804367s/18669169.jpg|21905061] by [a: Christopher Munro Clark|7792163|Christopher Munro Clark|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1426362492p2/7792163.jpg], I found 'Catastrophe' to be rather light on the lead up to war, particularly on the Serbian state and the personalities involved. Hastings excels once the war starts, his descriptions of the battles, full of colour and detail, are brilliant. He makes god use of first-hand accounts from the time, which really bring home the realities of not only trench life (and death), but the 'home' front as well. Most interesting are the descriptions of civil life in the occupied and fought-over areas, several of which evoke vivid impressions of the hellish experience of families caught in a warzone.
Well worth reading, but for a more in depth look at the causes and lead up to the declaration of war, I'd recommend pairing this with Clark's Sleepwalkers.

Murf rated Paul Hollywood's Bread: 5 stars

Paul Hollywood: Paul Hollywood's Bread (2013)

Paul Hollywood's Bread by Paul Hollywood

Murf reviewed Diggers by Terry Pratchett

Review of 'Diggers' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I'd read Truckers years ago, and never got around to reading the rest. Diggers is just as good, a fun adventure that stays with you long after.

Murf reviewed The Sleepwalkers by Christopher Clark

Christopher Clark: The Sleepwalkers (2013)

Review of 'The Sleepwalkers' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A fascinating and highly detailed examination of the complex international political relationships between all the main actors in the tragedy that was the first world war.

Murf reviewed Nemo: The Roses of Berlin by Alan Moore

Review of 'Nemo' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Better than 'Heart of Ice', but not much. Again, I found it hard to warm to any of the characters at all, in the end I didn't care much who survived. Artwork is good, and really it's what kept me reading at all.

Murf reviewed Nemo: Heart of Ice by Alan Moore

Review of 'Nemo' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

Uninspiring tale that keeps trying to go somewhere and never does.
Artwork is good in places but doesn't feel up to the standard of earlier LoEG books.
Disappointing.

Murf reviewed Speccy Nation by Dan Whitehead

Dan Whitehead: Speccy Nation (2012, Create Space)

A tribute to the golden age of British gaming

Review of 'Speccy Nation' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

An enjoyable trip down memory lane, covering the greats, the groundbreakers and a good selection of oddities that you've probably never played! A few extra screenshots would have been nice, but the reviews are well written by someone who obviously remembers it all from the first time round.