My Goodreads reviews

author: Erik Larson
name: Kim
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2020/04/28
date added: 2020/04/28
shelves:
review:
A fascinating read – highly recommended

It reads like a masterful novel, yet is a fact based account of the World Fair in 1893, interspersed with the story of what may well be the worst serial killer ever. Both narratives are cleverly conceived, based on an enormous body of research and both keep you turning the pages wanting more. As a one time resident of Chicago I learnt lots about The White City, and even why the magnificent city on the lake is called Windy City. It’s not what I thought…

author: Ian McEwan
name: Kim
average rating: 3.27
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2020/04/07
date added: 2020/04/10
shelves:
review:
Politisak satire at it’s very best!

At first you cringe, then slowly it dawns in you what’s happening, from then on it’s pure delight in a clever yarn so ridiculous it almost could be true. So much of it is…

author: George MacDonald Fraser
name: Kim
average rating: 4.38
book published: 1971
rating: 4
read at: 2020/04/05
date added: 2020/04/05
shelves:
review:
Flashman never fails to entertain

Not the best of the series, but enjoyed it nevertheless. As always the people whose paths he cross is so cleverly weaved in, especially loved his conversations with Abe Lincoln.

author: William Dalrymple
name: Kim
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at: 2020/03/25
date added: 2020/03/25
shelves:
review:

author: David Leser
name: Kim
average rating: 4.09
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2020/03/07
date added: 2020/03/25
shelves:
review:

author: John Le Carré
name: Kim
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at: 2020/03/03
date added: 2020/03/03
shelves:
review:
A good narrative ruined by silly ending

As always, le Carré spins a good yarn about the world of spies. I really enjoyed until the soap opera ending which seemed completely detached from the story, utterly unbelievable and felt like an amateur writer rushing to finish the book. Just plain silly.

author: Sally Young
name: Kim
average rating: 4.10
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2019/06/01
date added: 2019/09/07
shelves:
review:
I enjoyed every page of this book – a well narrated and throughly researched expose into the history of Newspapers in Australia, and in particular the men (and it was, and is, almost all men) that owned them and ran them.

Starting with the beginning of the 19th century Sally Young writes a wonderful yarn which depicts not only the history of the newspapers, but puts it all in a flowing historical context. It paints the picture of how media proprietors have had so much influence in Australia – making and breaking politicians as well as influencing policies to suit their interests and their mates.

It finishes with the Second World War. Can’t wait for volume II, due out in a year or so.

For my interview with Sally about her book and the current media landscape in Australia, click here:
https://kimwingerei.com/paper-emperor…

author: John Lyons
name: Kim
average rating: 4.42
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2019/04/01
date added: 2019/09/07
shelves:
review:
A wonderful read offering great insight into many world events as seen from a top rate journalist, and in particular into the Israel – Palestinian conflict. Lyons was subject to much criticism when the book was first published, mainly from the Australian Israel lobby who are masters at manipulating the public narrative in support of the often draconian stance of the Israeli Government.

It is impossible to be neutral about what happpening in the Middle East, and even harder to try to understand the historical, economical and cultural implications of a region which has not known peaceful coexistences since – well – forever. Lyons is not neutral, but his journalistic integrity and competence renders this a must read book for those wanting to understand. Highly recommended.

author: Peter Lewis
name: Kim
average rating: 4.37
book published:
rating: 0
read at: 2019/07/29
date added: 2019/07/29
shelves:
review:

author: Sebastian Smee
name: Kim
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at: 2019/06/23
date added: 2019/06/23
shelves:
review:

author: George Orwell
name: Kim
average rating: 4.53
book published: 1934
rating: 5
read at: 2019/06/09
date added: 2019/06/15
shelves:
review:
Colonialism laid bare

Written with much insight into the time and the place where the story is set, characters defined by a shared destiny, the surroundings so well describe you can smell it, feel it, taste it, touch it. The heroes are few, the villains all created by an unforgiving colonial system of privilege, oppression and above all suppression of the goodness of humankind, coupled irretrievable with the greatest fear of all, the fear of the unknown.

author: Bruce Pascoe
name: Kim
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2019/02/04
date added: 2019/02/04
shelves:
review:
Should be mandatory reading for all Australians.

Mind blowing expose on everything you probably didn’t know about our true history. Well researched, thought provoking without the author trying to be controversial – the subject matter speaks for itself. A very important book for anyone interested in trying to understand Indigenous culture.

author: Timothy Garton Ash
name: Kim
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2017
rating: 0
read at: 2019/01/20
date added: 2019/01/20
shelves:
review:

author: George Orwell
name: Kim
average rating: 4.35
book published: 1938
rating: 0
read at: 2018/12/28
date added: 2018/12/28
shelves:
review:

author: Hanif Kureishi
name: Kim
average rating: 2.75
book published: 2014
rating: 2
read at: 2018/12/01
date added: 2018/12/01
shelves:
review:
Well written – but kind of pointless

I came to this book from listening to its charming and eloquent author at the Ubud Writers and Readers festival, thinking I’d learn something new about “the human condition”. I left it an hour later (the time it takes to read it) feeling none the wiser, a bit cheated. The revelations – as they were – arrived in the first few paragraphs, to be regurgitated again and again without much additional insight. An hour lost, a lot less significant than the fortune lost by the author and the life of the protagonist.

author: Helen Dale
name: Kim
average rating: 3.75
book published:
rating: 0
read at: 2018/11/20
date added: 2018/11/20
shelves:
review:

author: A.C. Grayling
name: Kim
average rating: 3.79
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/01
date added: 2018/11/15
shelves:
review:
A C Grayling writes well, he is easy to follow, although at times a bit too academically “heavy”. He is logical and he puts democracy in context of history and of the times we live in. Understandably it is focused on the Westminster system and the UK, but much is also relevant to Australia. Where it falls a bit short is in proposing solutions, there are books that do that much better. There are blueprints for change, just sayin’…

author: Mark Colvin
name: Kim
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2018/09/06
date added: 2018/10/06
shelves:
review:
Even if you don’t know the name, you will remember the mellifluous soothing voice of the late Mark Colvin – ABC foreign correspondent for decades, including presenter on Four Corners, Lateline and many more. A legend of good old fashioned journalism at its best. He sadly passed away far too early in 2017. His autobiography – ‘Lights ad Shadow: Memoirs of a Spy’s Son’ is a terrific read.
From covering the American hostage crisis in Tehran in 1979 to the Rwanda genocides in 1992, Colvin reported first hand from some of the most pivotal moments of recent history. His anecdotes about those early days of his illustrious career are fascinating insights into how much technology has changed journalism and how the media works.
Like many other autobiographies by media people it is a bit light on personal insights, except for the at times fractured but enduring and ultimately loving relationship with his father, who was a spy for British Intelligence, but without Mark and his sister knowing until well after their dad was retired. It adds an extra dimension of intrigue to some of the dramatic world events that Colvin witnessed.
The book is as well written as you’d expect from a man who lived his by the word. I listened to it on Audible which added to the enjoyment as hours upon hours of listening to his voice is about as calming as it must have been for Americans to hear Walter Cronkite in the sixties and seventies. May they both rest in peace – we need more of their kind now than ever!