The Man Without a Face
The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin
Masha Gessen
Riverhead Books
[Second Hand Hardback]
This was a gob hanging open book, it was such a good and so educational. I am not sure how objective it was, however it was telling a side of truth that really needs to be told.
I was also delighted to learn that Masha’s quality of writing has dramatically improved since I read her Pussy Riot book.
4/5
Masha Gessen
Riverhead Books
[Second Hand Hardback]
This was a gob hanging open book, it was such a good and so educational. I am not sure how objective it was, however it was telling a side of truth that really needs to be told.
I was also delighted to learn that Masha’s quality of writing has dramatically improved since I read her Pussy Riot book.
4/5
A Time to Die
The Untold Story of the Kursk Tragedy
Robert Moore
[Second hand gifted paperback]
I knew how this book was going to finish before I started it, usually I would not read such a book, but it was gifted to me so I read it. I was pleasantly surprised, this book is a well written good-read and not too technical for lay people to understand.
3.5/5
Robert Moore
[Second hand gifted paperback]
I knew how this book was going to finish before I started it, usually I would not read such a book, but it was gifted to me so I read it. I was pleasantly surprised, this book is a well written good-read and not too technical for lay people to understand.
3.5/5
A Very Expensive Poison: The Definitive Story of the Murder of Litvinenko and Russia's War with the West
Luke Harding
Guardian Faber Publishing
[eBook]
Ummm, this was a fascinating insight in to the life and death of Litvinenko, it was also an eye-opening look in to the Kremlin and Russian politics. The book was well written and well presented, but with a fee spelling mistakes. At times it was a little hard to understand where the book was going, however overall it is still a very good book and one that I highly recommend.
Guardian Faber Publishing
[eBook]
Ummm, this was a fascinating insight in to the life and death of Litvinenko, it was also an eye-opening look in to the Kremlin and Russian politics. The book was well written and well presented, but with a fee spelling mistakes. At times it was a little hard to understand where the book was going, however overall it is still a very good book and one that I highly recommend.
Bible and 'Treary' or Bible and 'Treaty'
Missionaries among the Māori - A new perspective
Keith Newman
Penguin Random House
[kindle eBook]
A good book but poorly edited with bad service given by Random Penguin House.
For more information click here.
Keith Newman
Penguin Random House
[kindle eBook]
A good book but poorly edited with bad service given by Random Penguin House.
For more information click here.
Black Hawk Down
A Story of Modern War
by Mark Bowden
Signet
[Discarded library book]
This was a hard book to get into and a hard book to get out of. It was well written on a subject that I was only mildly interested in. There was too much death and violence for my liking, but I guess this is the reality of war. I would have liked to have gotten to know the people better. The highlight of the book for me was probably the epilogue.
3/5
by Mark Bowden
Signet
[Discarded library book]
This was a hard book to get into and a hard book to get out of. It was well written on a subject that I was only mildly interested in. There was too much death and violence for my liking, but I guess this is the reality of war. I would have liked to have gotten to know the people better. The highlight of the book for me was probably the epilogue.
3/5
Crucible of Fire: The Church Confronts Apartheid
by Jim Wallis (Editor), Joyce Hollyday (Editor), Michael Curry (Editor)
Orbis Books
[Secondhand paperback]
Fantastic and inspirational book embracing the intersection of South African apartheid and the liberation force of the Christian Church. The text’s various sermons and interviews spark freedom in to the yet (at the time) to be fulfilled dream of parity for the people of South Africa.
An encouraging read in hindsight and a must read for people still struggling within the grips of tyranny.
Orbis Books
[Secondhand paperback]
Fantastic and inspirational book embracing the intersection of South African apartheid and the liberation force of the Christian Church. The text’s various sermons and interviews spark freedom in to the yet (at the time) to be fulfilled dream of parity for the people of South Africa.
An encouraging read in hindsight and a must read for people still struggling within the grips of tyranny.
Going South
Colin Hogg
HarperCollins
[Paperback]
A soon to be old man having a wee ramble about his soon to be dead friend whilst exploring the geographies and emotions of their southern New Zealand histories. An excellent little read about very little and yet quite a lot.
4/5
HarperCollins
[Paperback]
A soon to be old man having a wee ramble about his soon to be dead friend whilst exploring the geographies and emotions of their southern New Zealand histories. An excellent little read about very little and yet quite a lot.
4/5
How to Write and Essay
A Brief Overview
Quinton Howitt
Quinton Howitt Publications
[Kindle eBook]
Well, naturally a somewhat boring, but also hopefully a very helpful book. It is written well and will be specifically helpful for those studying at Vineyard Institute.
3.5/5
Quinton Howitt
Quinton Howitt Publications
[Kindle eBook]
Well, naturally a somewhat boring, but also hopefully a very helpful book. It is written well and will be specifically helpful for those studying at Vineyard Institute.
3.5/5
Just Mercy
A Story of Justice and Redemption
Bryan Stevenson
Spiegel & Grau
[Kindle eBook]
I have always lacked understanding about the relationship between the USA and its minority people groups. The book brought understanding flanked with many more questions.
It is a lament of the American judicial system, I read it in a permanent state of shock and horror. Bryan is a defender of the poor. Though he spoke of his frustrations, I never felt him venting them.
This is by far the best non-fiction that I have read and it deserves more than its five star rating.
Bryan Stevenson
Spiegel & Grau
[Kindle eBook]
I have always lacked understanding about the relationship between the USA and its minority people groups. The book brought understanding flanked with many more questions.
It is a lament of the American judicial system, I read it in a permanent state of shock and horror. Bryan is a defender of the poor. Though he spoke of his frustrations, I never felt him venting them.
This is by far the best non-fiction that I have read and it deserves more than its five star rating.
Nothing to Envy
Real Lives in North Korea
Barbara Demick
Granta
[Borrowed Paperback]
Impeccably written book. This story brings us into life the lives of the people of North Korea. It is well researched and in parts terribly sad.
4/5
Barbara Demick
Granta
[Borrowed Paperback]
Impeccably written book. This story brings us into life the lives of the people of North Korea. It is well researched and in parts terribly sad.
4/5
One Good Run
The Legend of Burt Munro
Tim Hanna
[Paper Back]
Perhaps not the best-presented or proof-read book, but Tim Hanna sure spun a lovely story. I really enjoyed this book and was glad that it was nothing like the film. I have a very limited understanding of motorcycles, but still managed to keep up with the details of this well-written story. Also thanks Tim for not dressing Burt up too much.
4/5
Tim Hanna
[Paper Back]
Perhaps not the best-presented or proof-read book, but Tim Hanna sure spun a lovely story. I really enjoyed this book and was glad that it was nothing like the film. I have a very limited understanding of motorcycles, but still managed to keep up with the details of this well-written story. Also thanks Tim for not dressing Burt up too much.
4/5
Our Journey with the Vineyard
Jan Bernard Struik
[Gifted hardcover]
I loved reading this book. On one hand the story read like looking through a family photo album full of our favourite people. On the other hand it was a simple personal story full of lots of tidbits on pastoring, church planting and kingdom living. From cover to cover Jan Bernard's writing is laden with the sweet and subtle presence of the Holy Spirit.
I will not give this book a rating. If I did it would be a 10 out of 5. Jan Bernard and Tineke are dear friends of ours and I cannot separate our love for them from the literary value of Jan Bernard's written journey.
[Gifted hardcover]
I loved reading this book. On one hand the story read like looking through a family photo album full of our favourite people. On the other hand it was a simple personal story full of lots of tidbits on pastoring, church planting and kingdom living. From cover to cover Jan Bernard's writing is laden with the sweet and subtle presence of the Holy Spirit.
I will not give this book a rating. If I did it would be a 10 out of 5. Jan Bernard and Tineke are dear friends of ours and I cannot separate our love for them from the literary value of Jan Bernard's written journey.
The Counterfeit Coin
Ngapaki Rose
[kindle ebook]
This autobiographical book was often a gripping read and a fascinating insight into life in a cult. However, in many cases it was sloppily-written and even more sloppily proof-read. In one case there was one wildly unsubstantiated claim and though an attempt to verify it was made, it still brought the whole book into question. I was unsure if the writer was getting her information from existing memories, hypnosis or mediums; the latter two, though maybe real, are very shaky grounds upon which to base a book.
I have to declare a conflict of interest here, I am distantly-related to people in this book.
1.5/5
[kindle ebook]
This autobiographical book was often a gripping read and a fascinating insight into life in a cult. However, in many cases it was sloppily-written and even more sloppily proof-read. In one case there was one wildly unsubstantiated claim and though an attempt to verify it was made, it still brought the whole book into question. I was unsure if the writer was getting her information from existing memories, hypnosis or mediums; the latter two, though maybe real, are very shaky grounds upon which to base a book.
I have to declare a conflict of interest here, I am distantly-related to people in this book.
1.5/5
The Innocent Man
Murder and Injustice in a Small Town
John Grisham
Dell
Nonfiction
[Discarded Library Book]
Excellent and gripping true story about a death-row prisoner and his fight for freedom. Even though I knew how the book was going to finish, I kept turning those pages. Grisham is wonderful writer.
4/5
John Grisham
Dell
Nonfiction
[Discarded Library Book]
Excellent and gripping true story about a death-row prisoner and his fight for freedom. Even though I knew how the book was going to finish, I kept turning those pages. Grisham is wonderful writer.
4/5
The Wars Against Saddam:
Taking The Hard Road To Baghdad
John Simpson
Macmillan
[Borrowed secondhand hardcover]
Factual, interesting and well written. Altogether a very good book that talks about the life of Saddam Husein and John Simpson's reporting from Iraq. The book came with some interesting insights on journalism and also seems to be quite balanced.
4/5
John Simpson
Macmillan
[Borrowed secondhand hardcover]
Factual, interesting and well written. Altogether a very good book that talks about the life of Saddam Husein and John Simpson's reporting from Iraq. The book came with some interesting insights on journalism and also seems to be quite balanced.
4/5
Words Will Break Cement
The Passion of Pussy Riot
Masha Gressen
Granta
[Borrowed paperback]
Good book with interesting material, giving wonderful insight into the Russian court and penal systems. However it read like a poorly translated disjointed newspaper. The books needs a story thread running through it.
For anyone wanting a critical account of Russian politics in general and specifically the Putin years, this is well worth the read.
2/5
Masha Gressen
Granta
[Borrowed paperback]
Good book with interesting material, giving wonderful insight into the Russian court and penal systems. However it read like a poorly translated disjointed newspaper. The books needs a story thread running through it.
For anyone wanting a critical account of Russian politics in general and specifically the Putin years, this is well worth the read.
2/5
