I found the author’s explanation of how technology developed to make the buildings stronger, very interesting. The historical fiction aspect was also engaging
In 1958 Mr. Aldiss was voted as Most Promising New Author at the Word Science Fiction Convention.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by Ian Fleming is a top notch thriller is the second of what has become the “Blofeld Trilogy”, preceded by Thunderball (book review) and concluded with You Only Live Twice (The Spy Who Loved Me was written in between but is not included in the trilogy).
Even though the novel is almost 300 years old (at the time of this post), it is still relevant and exciting. While the language does reflect the prejudices of the 18th Century, it is still a product of its time and well worth reading.
The novel touches on several subjects which are important even in today’s world. The division of Berlin, the relationships between the victorious Allied personal who are now trying to align themselves with the political wishes of their leaders as well as the German people and the effects of the Berlin blockade.
I enjoyed this novel as a fast, exciting read which is a lot of fun, lots of action and an interesting simple plot. The narrative flows, there are some interesting twists in the plot but nothing shocking or surprising.
Elizabeth Palmer Peabody (16 May, 1804 – 3 January, 1894) was an author and an education pioneer, especially for kids six and younger.
It seems as if Mr. Barry put great thought into the narrative of this book. Each of us, I’m sure, can go back and point to events which, in our opinion, were either a turning point or crossroads in our linear path even though we did not know it at the time – this is what McNulty is writing about.
The story is more of a romance and very predictable, I found myself skimming through the last half of the book.
John Tenniel (28 February, 1820 – 25 February, 1914) was a British illustrator and cartoonist whose work was prominent during the second half of England’s 19th century. These days Mr. Tenniel is remembered, in part, as the illustrator for Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Tenniel’s father, John Baptist Tenniel, was very athletic and worked as a dancing-master. The son learned fencing, dancing, riding and more from his father. However, at age 20 he suffered a cut which blinded his right eye. Tenniel concealed the injury from his father to spare him the guilt. At age 16 Tenniel’s paintings started to be exhibited at galleries. One of Tenniel’s first commissions was a fresco for the House of Lords. Tenniel had a photographic memory. John Tenniel worked as chief cartoon artist for Punch and his images were considered funny and radical. Tenniel drew 92 drawings for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There. Tenniel attended the Royal Academy but left in disgust at the quantity of teaching he received. Tenniel’s political cartoons played up the racial stereotypes of the time (Jews with hooked noses, Africans with thick lips, etc.). Tenniel was…