A chilling “what if?” that isn’t alternative history but a realistic view on the present and the near future. A deeply researched account of the balance of the world order should Russia win their war of aggression #Booksky #NATO #Russia #Ukraine #China #USA #Europe
The 2nd of the pre-orders and this is such an absorbing story written by a master of narrative non-fiction @praddenkeefe.bsky.social. Deceptions that triangulate around a 19 yr old “oligarch’s son”, a bankrupt businessman and a gangster. A tragic tale with shady London at its core. Superb! #Booksky
Viz 355
Yeah plenty of the loose horses continued running for fun. I Am Maximus to have a record in the race of 1/2/1 and the last two of those were off top weight is phenomenal. He’ll be back next year all being well and it’ll take a well handicapped horse to stop him winning it a third time.
Paul Townend too. So many years the number 2 jockey to Ruby Walsh at Closutton but since his elevation to the top job his career is, and has been, phenomenal. The best jockey in the NH game bar none #GrandNational #Aintree #IAmMaximus
Willie Mullins. The best to ever do it. Some warrior I Am Maximus. First top weight and horse to regain his title since the greatest National horse, Red Rum. Some race #GrandNational #Aintree #Liverpool #IAmMaximus
A concise examination of the evidence in America’s history that has culminated in Trump in the White House #Booksky
The first of the books I’ve had on preorder this year and have been looking forward to for months. Anyone’s who’s read the author’s last book “Killing Thatcher” will understand the anticipation. It didn’t disappoint. The story of Roger Casement, Reginald Hall, WWI & the Easter Uprising #Booksky
With the casting news in recent weeks for the film adaptation, I had the urge to reread this. Heat is my favourite film from the 90’s and this prequel / sequel compliments the original perfectly. As for the film that’s coming, I can’t work out how they’ll do the post ‘95 story #Booksky #Heat #Heat2
I read Little Englanders by @alwynturner.bsky.social about Edwardian Britain last year. His follow up about the interwar years in this country is just as great. The anecdotes of social history are such an entertaining read from an era that’s overshadowed by the wars that bookended it #Booksky
Despite Macca being an executive producer this wasn’t a hagiography. A good watch #Wings #PaulMcCartney
Second Toughest In The Infants was released 30 years ago today. You will not hear a greater suite of music openning an album than the 16 minutes of Juanita: Kiteless: To Dream Of Love #Underworld
open.spotify.com/track/3FaOFE...
Definitely need to go from the front today at Cheltenham. Even on the Cross Country course it’s paid to make all or be bang there #Cheltenham #CheltenhamFestival
You won’t see a better ride than that all week that Harry Cobden’s just given Kitzbuhel in the Brown Advisory. Judged from the front to perfection #Cheltenham #CheltenhamFestival #Horseracing
A novel set in suburban England examining the lives of the residents of a of new build cul-de-sac. The titular bbq takes place on Saturday July 13th, 1985 - Live Aid. Really enjoyable with a well drawn cast of characters #Booksky #Fiction
I’m a fan of the @restisclassified.bsky.social podcast but this is the first of David McCloskey’s novels I’ve read. Intricately plotted across Istanbul, Tehran & Tel Aviv the action soon plunges us into the continuous warring between Israel and Iran through a captured Persian Jewish dentist #Booksky
Set in 1970’s Newcastle/Northumberland and 2000’s Andalusia, this is a novel with a tight narrative around a crime family coming to terms with the impact on them of a botched job. #Booksky #CrimeFiction
This new biography of Gordon Brown is a comprehensive and fascinating look at the great all-rounder of New Labour. Tremendously driven with conviction and purpose, Brown is someone I’ve always admired and since leaving office has arguably grown into an even more important voice #Booksky
Catherwood turns a seminal and critical decision of the Second World War into a slog in only 187 pages. Has the tendency to reference his own book throughout “our book” which is also frustrating. It’s not our book, mate, it’s yours. Own it! #Booksky #Churchill #Tito
I recently finished this. The last four years of the 1980’s in New York City, the final term of the city’s mayor, Ed Koch. Racial divides, AIDS activism, high profile criminal cases and colossal characters. Superb #Booksky #NewYork
Good riddance Frank
Frank sacked! To Dare Is To Do but hopefully not too late. The trigger needed pulling weeks ago #COYS
Horrific… and that’s just Shane’s punditry. The rugby is even worse #6Nations #SixNations #M6N #ITV
Presenting from the touchline adds absolutely nothing to the broadcast #SixNations #6Nations #M6N #ITV #BBC
Bridgerton S4: why am I watching an overt Cinderella copy? Not even subtle #Bridgerton #Netflix
The Don returns. This seems like an authors equivalent to when a band or artist release an album of b-sides and demos. 6 short stories of which the standout, I think, is “True Story”. Some are Winslow-by-numbers but still a great read if you’re a fan of Don’s (which I am). #Booksky #DonWinslow
Picked this up in the gift shop at the Churchill War Rooms. Despite the novel’s title, not a single mention of a box of dodgy VHS tapes! #Booksky
Castell Coch doing a sterling job as an Austrian castle in tonight’s Industry #Industry #BBC #iplayer #Wales
You say in the acknowledgments “I hope the book will be as much fun to read as it has been to write.” I can confirm it was! Really enjoyed it.
This revealing book by @guttmannaviva.bsky.social is an insightful examination of how much Mossad relied on European intelligence, specifically Club de Berne, to operate its covert #WrathOfGod assassinations. It’s superb. Read both this and The Revolutionists also released last year #Booksky