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Ed

Ed@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 10 months ago

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Ed's books

reviewed Dune by Frank Herbert (Dune, #1)

Frank Herbert: Dune (Paperback, 2006, Hodder) 4 stars

Dune is a 1965 science-fiction novel by American author Frank Herbert, originally published as two …

Ok so that was that.

3 stars

Read the book after seeing the movies. While the world building in the book was well done things just seemed to happen in the book without much tension.

Peter L. Bergen: Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden--from 9/11 to Abbottabad (2012) 4 stars

Covering the bases

4 stars

Didn’t know much about the subject before reading, but after randomly watching a movie about it was intrigued by the idea of a search for someone who didn’t want to be found.

Provides a good general overview of events without being bogged down in too much detail but so an easy engaging read but not a definitive account I imagine.

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) 4 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.