Victoria Mather and Sue McCartney-Snape

The first time of reading was fun but I am now on the fourth dip into this, in bed, as it’s absolutely perfect for a last minute read before going to sleep. 

Not only is it a fun read but also contains two mind consuming games, the first being to identify the personalities you know who are described in the book and second to ascertain where you slot in!

Whilst the opening, praising Wellington is a bit slow, this was a sign of the times and the subjects of the book are extremely eclectic, ranging as they do from English heroes through to Guderian by way of Garibaldi and Sitting Bull. 

The list goes on and on but I suppose I cannot close the subject without a brief mention of George S Patton. 

She was a “Maid” to a “Piccadilly Commando” soon after the 2^nd World War. 

A fascinating insight into the demi monde, of which I have no knowledge.   At times greatly amusing, at times poignant and sad.  It is nice to know that Barbara, who died in 2009, left Soho, married, raised a family and became a very successful painter with an honorary professorship from Thames University.

I think one can add notorious to that, with lives ranging from the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War through to close friendship with Adolph Hitler;

the sisters were certainly a handful! 

  by Peter Rhodes. 

Essentially the story of the British Service man from the First War through to the present day and as British Journalism review comments “ You can almost smell the Cordite and the Blood”

by J C McKeown.  

This was a very interesting and quite light account of the vagaries of the ancient Romans.   Very much a pick up and put down book if you are the sort of person who can put a book down,  I find it difficult!

Which, whilst very interesting, I found somewhat heavy going as there is a great concentration on the Middle Ages, which never was my favourite period.

by Brian Moynahan  ...

The true story of Freddie Spencer Chapman. 

Some of you may remember that Chapman soon after the war wrote an account of his experiences entitled the Jungle is Neutral...

However, in common with  T E Lawrence he seems to have been adept at” embroidery “ as well as adventure. 

Undoubtedly he was one of the great British eccentrics,  what sort of boy at school asks his form mates  to hit him around the head with a cricket bat “to see if I can take it”.  This mind set seemed to haunt him throughout his life.

by Bill Bryson

Which is not perhaps the amusing travelogue one might expect from the author but instead  is a fascinating history of family life;

I heartily recommend it.