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Ed

Ed@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 4 months ago

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Ed's books

Henry Rollins: Get in the Van (2004) 3 stars

Get in the Van is a memoir by singer, writer and spoken word artist Henry …

Coffee Table Material

3 stars

Full of lots of great photos and flyers and journal entries from Henry. Not something I could read cover to cover, though some interesting snippets of life on the road.

reviewed American Prometheus by Kai Bird

Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin: American Prometheus (Paperback, 2009, Atlantic Books) 5 stars

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer is a biography of J. …

As Captivating as its subject.

5 stars

Didn’t not know much about him before reading and have not yet seen the recent movie. This heavily detailed book - I assume due to the amount of recorded information, was full of a cast of interesting personalities and iconic figures from the most turbulent period of the 20th century. Throughly enjoyable read.

Mark Bowden: Killing Pablo (Hardcover, 2001, Atlantic Books) 4 stars

Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw is a book by Mark Bowden …

Engaging counterpart to Narcos

5 stars

Good read that details the events and systemic issues that allowed Escobar to thwart attempts to see him captured. Not exhaustive but doesn’t drag or overstay - covers his rise and the events that led to the us becoming more involved, leading to eventual resolution.

Andre Agassi: Open (2009, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group) 5 stars

From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the …

Inside the mind of a tennis pro

5 stars

This book spends a lot of time in Agassi's head, illustrating how much of his game was mental as well as gruellingly physical. It's a very easy read, spending a decent chunk of time on the court in a interesting way.

Like all autobios it starts to taper off at the end. But doesnt outstay its welcome pretty much finishing off at the end of his career with a final chapter for afterwards.

He makes a point to state that is was a collaboration with a writer, structuring the book and the content based off their meetings, which means the book is highly polished. Its a good read even for someone who isnt into tennis (Im certainly not) and might be less interesting for people who don't remember the Agassi / Sampras Nike tennis ad, but was still a good read for putting you in his shoes on and off …

George Orwell: Homage to Catalonia (Paperback, 2013, Penguin Classic) 4 stars

[Homage to Catalonia][1] is [George Orwell][2]'s account of his experiences fighting in the 'Spanish Civil …

It looked at first sight as though Spain were suffering from a plague of the initials…

3 stars

Decent book about Orwells experience in the war. Limited in scope, but descriptive and personal.

Adam Higginbotham: Midnight in Chernobyl (2019, Simon & Schuster) 4 stars

Journalist Adam Higginbotham’s definitive, years-in-the-making account of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster—and a powerful …

An Engaging Immersive Book

5 stars

Well written fast-paced engaging book which covers the lead up and construction of the plants through to the present day. Does a great job following various people dealing with the crisis, explaining the dangers and challenges faced and the role the Soviet machine played.

Anthony Bourdain: Medium Raw (Hardcover, 2010, Ecco) 3 stars

The long-awaited follow-up to the megabestseller Kitchen ConfidentialIn the ten years since his classic Kitchen …

Medium Read

3 stars

As a follow up to Kitchen Confidential this felt like a collection of essays lacking the focus of the breakthrough. Not a criticism but I felt some of the chapters less engaging. He devotes entire chapters to specific people, and follow up on the whereabouts of certain characters from confidential. Was ok but I preferred the doco roadrunner as a follow up rather than this book.

Antony Beevor: Berlin (Paperback, 2010, Penguin Books, Limited (UK), imusti) 5 stars

Berlin: The Downfall 1945 (also known as The Fall of Berlin 1945 in the US) …

Dark and detailed

5 stars

Picked this up in a fleeting visit to the local library. First ww2 novel I’ve read focused on the German/Russian conflict packed with lots of detail on both sides. Enjoyed it. Well written without becoming a slog though took a while to get through.

Anthony Bourdain: Kitchen Confidential (2012, Ecco Press) 4 stars

A deliciously funny, delectably shocking banquet of wild-but-true tales of life in the culinary trade …

Classic for a reason. Fans of the tv show The Bear would enjoy.

5 stars

Read this when it came out and a third time now with my own copy. Bourdains visceral in the trenches writing style still engages, it’s also a quick read that doesn’t outstay its welcome.

I have no idea of the level of embellishment, or how his pirate crew fits 20 years later but he seems reasonably self aware through. A great enjoyable read.