Category Archives: Literature

Book Review: James O’Brien ~ How they broke Britain (2024)

Posted on April 30, 2025 by odeboyz

James is a superb radio talk show host on LBC. He’s perceptive and insightful and listens to people who are uninformed in comparison to him. Although he’s combative he is prepared to discuss issues. A star no less. His book … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, History, Literature, Politics, Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Lucy Hughes-Hallett ~ The Scapegoat: The brilliant brief life of the duke of Buckingham (2024

Posted on March 26, 2025 by odeboyz

Lucy is a brilliant biographer. She uses her vivid writing skills to paint a picture of people and period. Her chapters range from a single page to full-scale analysis. The book includes stunning colour plates of some the 17th century’s … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Literature | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Alastair Puddick ~ 46% better than Dave (2019)

Posted on March 12, 2025 by odeboyz

In economics ‘Hedonic Treadmill’ explains that people believe who  believe  in recipes for happiness are doomed to failure. They’re on a ‘treadmill’ with entirely illusionary possibilities for happiness. Continuous pleasure-seeking feeds dissatisfaction. At its most extreme it is corrosive creating … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Literature, Review | Tagged | Leave a comment

Love Poem

Posted on February 24, 2025 by odeboyz

I see my future in your eyesMy destiny unfolding blissfullyWalks through mist clad South DownsSnow crunching beneath our bootsOur new born baby smelling sweetlyEyes shut with a loving smileMy destiny is in your eyesThere is nothing elseMy world is your … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Poetry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Lee Child ~ The Visitor (2000)

Posted on January 29, 2025 by odeboyz

Reacher novels mainline on ‘Smash, Bang, Wallop’. The Visitor is subtle, nuanced and very, very clever. It is the fourth novel in this book-a-year series and appeared before Lee Child transitioned into formulaic sado-porn. There are only two examples of … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Review | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Douglas Adams on War

Posted on November 27, 2024 by odeboyz

“Luckily they lived even further back in Galactic Time….when the Galaxy was young and fresh and every idea worth fighting for was a new one.” Life, the Universe and Everything (1982) p144

Posted in Humour, Literature, War | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Genie with a sense of humour

Posted on October 30, 2024 by odeboyz

I told my Genie, “I want to be Happy!” And now I’m working down a mine with six dwarves.

Posted in Humour, Literature | Tagged | Leave a comment

Book Review: M W Craven ~ Dead Ground (2021)

Posted on October 16, 2024 by odeboyz

This is a marvellous novel. The two principals are Sergeant Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw. The first is a no-nonsense *copper*. He’s diligent, very bright, intuitive, a ‘maverick’ and has a history of success. Tilly Bradshaw is from the Lisbeth … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Rory Stewart ~ Politics on the edge: A memoir from within (2023)

Posted on September 21, 2024 by odeboyz

Political memoirs are exercises in self-glorification. This makes them tedious unless well-written with colourful ‘assassinations’ that are stiletto sharp. Stewart’s book is successful. His critique of David Cameron and Boris Johnson is masterful. His pen portraits of fellow MPs doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Humour, Literature, Politics, Prison, Prison reform | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Roy Keane: the second half ~ Roy Keane with Roddy Doyle (2014)

Posted on September 4, 2024 by odeboyz

Two Irish giants coming together to translate the spoken word into an autobiography should end up with something great. Keane was a superb footballer playing at the highest level for 12 years at Manchester United. Roddy Doyle is an outstanding … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Literature, Review, Sport | Tagged , | Leave a comment