Nonfictionguy's Books > Book reviews by Nonfictionguy

The Greatest Traitor: The Life of Sir Roger Mortimer, Ruler of England 1327-1330 review

Posted : 3 months, 1 week ago on 26 August 2009 04:37 (A review of The Greatest Traitor: The Life of Sir Roger Mortimer, Ruler of England 1327-1330)

This is an excellent non-fiction title that I cannot recommend highly enough. It is the first biography that reveals not only Sir Roger Mortimer's career as a feudal lord, a governor of Ireland, a rebel leader and a dictator of England but goes into the truth of what may have happened to the deposed King of England (King Edward II). To say this is just a biography may give the wrong impression, implying that its just boring historical facts and dates, it isn’t. Although historically accurate, the story of Sir Roger Mortimer is suitable for a blockbuster movie, with a great rise to power, the loss of everything, an escape from the Tower of London, becoming the lover of the King’s wife, invading England and removing Edward II in the first deposition of a monarch in British history. Even when ruling England for three years the tale doesn’t loose pace with absolute power clearly corrupting absolutely. I won’t ruin the ending, but if you know your English history you already may know it. It is also important to point out that with such a life, this book could also easily become some romanticised Hollywood version of history in which knights wear shining armour and the smell of old sweat and urine isn’t present, but all credit to the author he keeps it real and ensures a historical context is provided, so you don’t need to know your history to really enjoy this book or get a true sense of actually witnessing events. This isn’t a quick read book however with four hundred pages and small print needed to cram in one interesting life story, but equally it isn’t a book you’ll put down until entirely read. Anyone interested in non-fiction, history or just a thumping good tale will enjoy this book - I certainly did.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

The Greatest Traitor: The Life of Sir Roger Mortimer, Ruler of England 1327-1330 review

Posted : 3 months, 1 week ago on 26 August 2009 04:36 (A review of The Greatest Traitor: The Life of Sir Roger Mortimer, Ruler of England 1327-1330)

This is an excellent non-fiction title that I cannot recommend highly enough. It is the first biography that reveals not only Sir Roger Mortimer's career as a feudal lord, a governor of Ireland, a rebel leader and a dictator of England but goes into the truth of what may have happened to the deposed King of England (King Edward II).

To say this is just a biography may give the wrong impression, implying that its just boring historical facts and dates, it isn’t. Although historically accurate, the story of Sir Roger Mortimer is suitable for a blockbuster movie, with a great rise to power, the loss of everything, an escape from the Tower of London, becoming the lover of the King’s wife, invading England and removing Edward II in the first deposition of a monarch in British history.

Even when ruling England for three years the tale doesn’t loose pace with absolute power clearly corrupting absolutely. I won’t ruin the ending, but if you know your English history you already may know it. It is also important to point out that with such a life, this book could also easily become some romanticised Hollywood version of history in which knights wear shining armour and the smell of old sweat and urine isn’t present, but all credit to the author he keeps it real and ensures a historical context is provided, so you don’t need to know your history to really enjoy this book or get a true sense of actually witnessing events.

This isn’t a quick read book however with over four hundred pages and small print used throughout to cram in one very interesting life story, but equally it isn’t a book you’ll put down until entirely read either. Anyone interested in non-fiction, history or just a thumping good tale will enjoy this book - I certainly did.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Blue Red & Yellow

Posted : 5 months, 1 week ago on 21 June 2009 12:38 (A review of Winnie the Pooh Colours)

Teach your child basic primary colours with winnie-the-pooh illustrations by E.H.Shepard. This board book covers red, blue, yellow and the colours they can make in various combinations (green, purple and orange). A very basic book with not much to look at, but for classic Pooh fans, will that make a difference? My only gripe about this book is the order in which it deals with each colour. Orange, and how to make it, comes before readers have learnt about yellow, which is odd. Still a helpful book for young readers learning to paint with primary colours.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Toy time

Posted : 5 months, 2 weeks ago on 21 June 2009 04:34 (A review of Fun and Play (Words & Pictures))

Young children love spotting and naming things, so this first words and pictures book aims to provide readers with sixty-four 'everyday' images. That said, the choice of images and objects used is a really weird mix. For example, I wonder how many Wizards will a child see everyday? Animals aren't everyday pets, nor are they real, instead photographs of toys are used and they aren't the same type either. Camel, Hippo and Zebra are hard plastic toys and as such are well defined, whilst Lion, Tiger, Monkey, Gorilla and Giraffe are cheap plush toys. With so much better competition in the first words/picture category this isn't a book I'd recommend.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

There's no such thing as a Gruffalo

Posted : 5 months, 2 weeks ago on 16 June 2009 04:59 (A review of The Gruffalo)

Aimed at 3-5 year olds, I cannot recommend this book highly enough to all parents. It has wonderful illustrations throughout, lovely paced rhymes, which even younger children will enjoy listening too and at its heart a lovely tale of the small but very cleaver mouse, who manages to outwit all the other animals of the forest, which would otherwise eat him up. This timeless book will remain in your library forever for good reason – classic!

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Tuff Justice

Posted : 5 months, 2 weeks ago on 16 June 2009 04:46 (A review of Police Car Power (Tough Stuff S.))

If you want your children to learn that driving fast is cool, that dogs are dangerous and road safety isn't important when you are a criminal on the run or policeman in hot pursuit, then this is the book for your ignorant offspring.

This book tells the tale of police in a patrol car who chase a stolen F1 racing car around the streets, until crashed, then the police sets their dog on the criminal when he tries to run. It ends with an arrest.

A waste of paper!

Illustrated throughout.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Transport Illustrations

Posted : 5 months, 2 weeks ago on 15 June 2009 05:23 (A review of Monster Machines)

Monster Machines is a picture book aided at 3-5 year olds, showing transport in a number of different forms - all technically illustrated in full colour.

Sadly the 'monster' aspect is just a catchy title to appeal to kids and the reality of this book doesn't stand up to any adult scrutiny. For example the second vehicle featured may be the largest steam locomotive ever built, truly a monster machine, but five vehicles later we are looking at a really tiny four seater propeller plane - hardly a monster even to a three year old!

Despite being first published in Great Britain in 2003, this book has a very strong American bias at least in a couple of vehicle choices. Instead of a British Steam train there is a Wild West Train and the cement mixer has the traditional long engine at the front synonymous with American models.

Each illustration is accompanied by a brief description of the vehicle, and a question for younger readers to answer - such as where is the bell? Where is the steering wheel? etc.

Despite a few drawbacks this book is a real favourite of my 18 month old son - who loves to point at the Modern Tractor and shout excitedly "tac-ta".

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Free Zoo Gifts

Posted : 5 months, 4 weeks ago on 6 June 2009 07:25 (A review of Dear Zoo: Lift the Flaps)

Only sixteen pages long, few words and very basic coloured drawings, yet since its launch in 1982 it has become an absolute children's favourite, mostly due to the simple flap on every other page, each one revealing an unsuitable animal from the Zoo. The peek-a-boo element offered by this book, keeps very young children amused and eager to discover just what the next page offers. Well thumbed and torn flaps will ensure that this isn't a book that will be passed down the generations, but you can still be certain this is a book that you'll buy for your grandchildren - if Mum & Dad don't beat you to it.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

I've voted for your list and wrote this for you!

Posted : 10 months, 3 weeks ago on 11 January 2009 07:45 (A review of Yes! 50 Secrets from the Science of Persuasion)

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in selling something, be they a marketing executive wanting to make a killing nationally or a waiter wishing for bigger tips. For a ‘science’ book, there isn’t any jargon contained within its pages - its just plain old common sense being examined in a scientific way and put to the test. Many of the fifty ‘secrets’ are not great surprises, those who have had any experience in advertising will have already utilised most of them. However what is new and interesting is the factual results of tests on current marketing practices. Many cases are given where tweaks to message structure could double performance, in other cases tests prove that current marketing practices actually don’t have the impact advertising agencies believe. Sadly fifty secrets are very quickly read and this book isn’t worth packing for a holiday, you will easily read it before you even get through airport security! But for the time conscious, you’ll really enjoy this book, learning what makes humans tick and how to influence people, in a nice way of course.

N.B. I'll reset the vote counter daily as this review is proving quite popular!

2 comments, Reply to this entry