Book

Missive #458 Published 8 March 2025

A hallowed place it may be, but No 5 Caper Court in the Inner Temple is riddled with rumour and uncertainty. The head of chambers is dying; there is a move afoot to leave the Temple for Lincoln's Inn; and Leo Davies, the QC with the charmed and amoral life, is about to take one risk too many. Behind him lie a failed marriage, a string of lovers, and a habit of seductive cruelty which, until now, has left him unscathed. But at least two chickens are coming home to roost:..

Missive #456 Published 5 March 2025

Luther Eustis runs off with and then murders Beulah, his much younger girlfriend. The book starts with his murder trial and his guilt is not in dispute. What makes this book entertaining are the character studies and back stories of the people who tell the story of this crime in alternating chapters. These chapters gradually reveal all of the circumstances surrounding the murder. We hear from the murderer, his wife, the victim, the murderer's defense lawyer, a reporter and others. It was very well written and the narration of the audio book by Grover Gardner was very good.

Missive #455 Published 3 March 2025

The Road by Cormac McCarthy is an awful, awful book. I have to consciously restrain myself from judging those of you who believe the book has merit. Don’t worry, the fact that I’m part of a very small minority in this regard (only the smartest 3% of my fellow Goodreads bibliophiles also gave The Road a one-star review) has not escaped me. I am nevertheless convinced of the objective correctness of my position… Edited customer review @ goodreads.com

Missive #453 Published 1 March 2025

Whoever wrote the dust cover should have written the book. The copious quotations that he speaks of were mostly in French with only a few of them having English translations. I understood the dust cover but very little of the book. I provide one quote from the book, if you understand it then you will probably like the book. I didn't understand it.

Missive #451 Published 26 February 2025

Master Hugh is asked to provide a sleeping potion for Sir Henry Burley, a friend and guest of Lord Gilbert at Bampton Castle. Sir Henry, (with his wife, a daughter by a first wife, two knights, two squires, and assorted servants), has outstayed his welcome at Bampton Castle. The next morning after Master Hugh provides the potion, Sir Henry is found dead, eyes open, in his bed. Master Hugh, the target of the wife’s wrath, is asked by Lord Gilbert to determine the cause of death.

Missive #450 Published 24 February 2025

I don't recommend this book. The author often repeats himself and the editor did poor editing. The book is also rather light on presenting any new information for anyone with a reasonably thorough education. I think the author is a globalist so you may, or may not, agree with much of what he says.

Missive #447 Published 19 February 2025

There Will Be War is a landmark science fiction anthology series that combines top-notch military science fiction with factual essays by various generals and military experts on everything from High Frontier and the Strategic Defense Initiative to the aftermath of the Vietnam War. It features some of the greatest military science fiction ever published…

Missive #446 Published 17 February 2025

The second book in Tim Severin's thrilling historical adventure series set in Saxon times.

This book was written more in the style of Severin's nonfiction travel books. It is historical fiction that was done well. A good book in a good series.

Missive #443 Published 10 February 2025

This book was long on providing a bio for all the players but short on some history. The Domican Republic insurgency merited one page with no explanation for why or how the US got involved. Tet was mentioned but was not explained, most people today would not know what Tet 1968 was all about.

Missive #440 Published 5 February 2025

The essential skill of creating and maintaining new businesses—the art of the entrepreneur—can be summed up in a single word: managing. Born of Grove’s experiences at one of America’s leading technology companies (as CEO and employee number three at Intel), High Output Management is equally appropriate for sales managers, accountants, consultants, and teachers, as well as CEOs and startup founders. Grove covers techniques for creating highly productive teams, demonstrating methods of motivation that lead to peak performance.