Recommended Reads - August

2. Joseph Heller. Catch 22
A superb narrative talking about the futility and ludicrous nature of war.

3. Scramble for Africa by Antony Nutting
When we bemoan the perpetual desolation of so much of African politics, it is good to understand that the nature of European colonisation of Africa did so much to create the cause of the problems that still exist today.

4. Lakeland fells by Arthur Wainwright
I’ve walked all over the Lake District and the hand illustrated and written books by Arthur Wainwright are the essential guide to this wonderful area.

7. Waterloo. A near run thing by David Howarth
This book about the battle of waterloo and many others that I have read, describing this epic confrontation between two outstanding generals. We should avoid wars and battles at all costs but if we have to fight we need commanders like Wellington.

8. The seven pillars of Wisdom by (T)homas (E)dward lawrence
A description of a lonely mans love for a region and it’s people, of how he triumphed and of the irreparable damage that was done to him in the process.

9. Alexander McCall Smith. The No1 ladies detective agency
A delightful book about the triumph of goodness over evil and my introduction to both his African and Scotland Street novels which continue to delight me.

10. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
This and many other books about Russia have given me an insight into the nature of that complex country and of how it continually struggles to find a way to overcome both individual and national adversity

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