Category Archives: Literature

Edmund Spenser: 16th century poet and murderous colonialist

Posted on July 24, 2023 by odeboyz

“Great force must be the instrument, but famine must be the mean[s], for till Ireland be famished it cannot be subdued.” Spenser knew exactly what he was advocating. This is his description  of famine in Ireland which he saw. “Out … Continue reading →

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Noel Coward* in World War Two

Posted on July 20, 2023 by odeboyz

“As the tour went on he got into his stride and the reception [by the troops] improved. The conditions did not. He slept in bamboo huts, keeping one eye out for snakes, witnessed the rudimentary medical care available for the … Continue reading →

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 Book Review: David McCloskey ~ Damascus Station (2021)

Posted on July 13, 2023 by odeboyz

This thrilling thriller reads like a CIA promo novel. It’s consistently on message presenting a compelling and unambiguous world view. The Syrians are portrayed as barbaric, merciless killers who’ll do anything for their nefarious ends. This includes torturing a CIA … Continue reading →

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A book for every decade: 1920 ~ 2020

Posted on July 3, 2023 by odeboyz

This list obviously flawed and contentious but put it down to boyish ambition if you will. 1920s All Quiet on the Western Front: Erich Maria Remarque (1929) The carnage of WW1 left a bitter legacy for which Germany was blamed. … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Aldous Huxley ~ Brave New World (1933)

Posted on June 19, 2023 by odeboyz

“….only pleasure has worth or value…” J S Mill Hedonism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)   Many years ago, a few friends and I wrote a list of five books, which must be read to satisfy the claim of being ‘well read’. … Continue reading →

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Boris Johnson in Downing Street

Posted on June 1, 2023 by odeboyz
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Aldous Huxley’s Wisdom

Posted on May 29, 2023 by odeboyz

“In Brave New World people were controlled by pleasure.” If you haven’t read it it is a ‘Must Read’

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An early Bob Dylan review

Posted on May 15, 2023 by odeboyz

Apr. 13, 1963 – Bob Dylan, a folk musician, gave a well-received program of his own compositions at New York’s Town Hall last night. Mr. Dylan is 21 years old, hails from Hibbing, Minn., and looks like a cross between … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Percival Everett ~ The Trees (2022)

Posted on May 4, 2023 by odeboyz

Background The 1955 depraved murder of Emmett Till, aged 14, by racists in Mississippi was shocking but not freakishly so.1 What was unique was his mother allowing mourners to see his mutilated body in an open casket. The outrage became … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Katy Brent ~ How to kill men and get away with it (2023)

Posted on April 17, 2023 by odeboyz

I fell victim to the dreaded Waterstone’s ‘Buy one and get one half price’ with this one.1 A catchy title and so-called reviews reeled me in like a fish. Describing it as ‘Darkly witty’, ‘Funny, outrageous and thoroughly entertaining’ and … Continue reading →

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