What book are you reading atm?? CHAPTER TWO

Just finished Atomic Habits, very good. Also Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the book QT just released as a sort of addition to the film, which i love. Was an enjoyable book, he's not a great writer and the amount of second mentions is hilarious. Anyone else read it? He still manages to get his weird foot fetish into the book.

The Great Cover-Up: The Truth About the Death of Michael Collins by Gerard Murphy

This book looks at whether Collins was unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time or if this was a well executed assassionation by opposing Treaty factions. This book does uncover who fired that fatal shot but does highlight some interesting findings.

Shackleton's Boat Journey by F.A. Worsley

Worsley was the captain of the ill-fated Endurance during Shackleton's expedition to the Antarctic in 1914 and this is his account of the 18 months that the crew spent fighting for life in the inhospitable environment of the Antarctic. I enjoyed this very much but for anyone interested in giving this a read, do note that Worsley's account starts after the Endurance was crushed and sunk by the ice packs. I would recommend reading Alfred Lansing's Endurance first to get the whole picture of their journey including the construction of the Endurance.

I've been busy this last while, but have a few books for the next few weeks, first up will be The Lady with the Little Dog and other stories, by Anton Chekhov

I've started back on the Sergei Lukyanenko Watch series, they're entertaining and have a few funny moments in them, five books so far, think there's a sixth but will get it eventually. Into the third book, different pace to the first two as the main characters are fleshed out. Very enjoyable

Every few months I start going back over the Alistair Maclean novels, they're my go-to books - some less strong than others but all his ones relating to the sea/ships are as good as they get for that time/genre

The Catalpa Rescue by Peter FitzSimons

I was absolutely hooked on this retelling of the daring prison escape of 6 Fenian soldiers from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia by a whaleboat. The book documents their activities in Ireland leading up to their arrest and subsequent transportation to one of the Penal Colonies, to the efforts by the IRB and Clan-na-Gael in America to raise the funds necessary to launch a prison break at the opposite side of the world and finally to the outcome of the breakout. It's a must read in my opinion.

All Things Made New: Writings on the Reformation

By Diarmaid MacCulloch

Very readable and insightful collection of essays and reviews

The Irishman: Frank Sheeran and Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa by Charles Brandt

(Originally published as "I Heard You Paint Houses")

It was interesting to read this confession of the notorious hitman utilised by the Italian mafia. Netflix turned this book into a movie.

The Cult of We: WeWork and the Great Start-Up Delusion

I am about 50 percent of the way through it's a big oul book but really interesting. I didn't know an awful lot about the company let alone it's history, but it's a wild ride so far!

Ranger 22: Lessons From The Front by Ray Goggins

Ray Goggins is a former Army Ranger in the Irish Defence Forces and the current chief instructor on Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week which airs on RTE. This book chronicles his life from starting out in the Irish Army, to joining the ARW, undergoing multiple training courses to be an effective operator to serving oversees as both a member of the Irish Defence Forces and a private contractor.

I really enjoyed this as it is both a humorous and honest account of both his successes and mistakes during his lifetime. It is also fascinating to be given a little more insight into the highly secretive ARW. Definitely up there as one of the best reads this year for me.

Genghis khan and the making of the modern world, by Jack Weatherford.

I have meant to read this for the last 10 or so years, just kept forgetting to start. It takes what some may think is a contrarian approach to the history of the Mongol empire and expansion. It turns the traditional view of Mongol hordes on its head and presents a well evidenced thesis that, quite the opposite to the European and Islamic powers of the time. That the Mongol empire was religiously permissive and socially adaptable. From Genghis Khan's abandonment of the Steppe aristocratic system in favour of a meritocracy. To the integration and promotion of conquered people's and allies (apart from the Han).

It also picks apart the myth of the 1241 and the Europeans turning back Mongol expansion. They didn't, the Mongols won decisively it Mohi and Legnica but a combination of factors, primarily the edge of the Steppe grasslands and the lack of pasture for the horses, and the death of Ogedei and the subsequent jostling for the Khanate.

The influence of 1241 and subsequent Mongol raids on Europe is outlined along with the reasons for the conquest itself halting at the edge of the Steppe.

Of particular interest is the power held by Mongol queen's/concubines and this is a matter of much discussion in this book. For a period of perhaps 20yrs women held the centre of the greatest Empire yet seen.

One of the things that did jump out to me from reading this book, are the similarities between the rise of Genghis and Mongols with the rise of Cyrus the Great and the Persian empire particularly regarding the meritocracy (tho the Mongols were far more in favour), religious toleration and the means of control adopted. Persians and Mongols often left ruling families in place with oaths and such.

A common theme of the Great Eastern empires? Would one count the Macedonians as eastern? Or just food for thought.

I've been reading Dune recently in preparation for the movie coming out and I've been thinking. These days you often hear criticism for Mary Sue characters. However, what is the definition for male characters who are portrayed equally the same? I remember when the Star Wars sequels came out and how many people hated the Rey character because some believe she was too much of a Mary Sue character. That being said, the character of Paul Atreides seems to possess Mary Sue traits in the sense that he is well above the level of a normal kid and moreso than a lot of adult characters as well. He's basically a Mentat with Bene Gesserit training. If he were a Jedi, he would already be a Jedi Master.

I guess since the book was written in 1965, Mary Sue wasn't really known at the time but it's something to think about next time someone has a go at a movie or book that has a strong female character.

The Voyage of the Catalpa by (2003)Peter F Steven’s is also a great book, reads like a work of fiction

That’s my next one lined up, thanks.