Gary > Recent Status Updates

I'm about halfway through and Bendrix is discovering more about his former lover, having been agonising over her loss. He recognises that he destroyed the relationship himself in many ways but struggles without her. Her husband appears, on the face of it, blissgully ignorant of her affairs. This is another in-depth analysis of a relationship by an author who has great skill in portraying them.

Incredibly well researched and comprehensive social history of Germany after the war.

This is pretty amazing – a complete social history of Germany in the late 40s and early 50s. Well researched and explained – fascinating.

This is already gripping.

The Allies are about to execute Operation Market Garden and massively under estimate the Germans' ability to respond with power and precision – disaster to follow ... :-(

Mr Moorehead has given us a detailed description of the liberation of Paris, which is fascinating.

Moorehead was privy to a good deal of information during the war as he was accepted as a sound journalist by senior officers, whom he didn't criticise unfairly.

I am whizzing through this excellent book by Alan Moorehead. I recommend anything written by this author, who makes it all so real and human.

Wonderful stuff. It may be a children's book but I'm loving it just as much as I would have done at 12.

Charming and funny, this history of girls growing up is a modern classic. I am enjoying it very much.

About to begin Chapter 3, and there's been drama already!

I am thoroughly enjoying this funny book. The main character is Ted, a retiree living in a run down house in rural France (the rent is very cheap). He loves the music of a local musical 'hero' and the locals are very impressed that he can sing the songs in an authentic way ... so much so that they decide to exploit this talent on their doorsteps to make them all some money, much to the chagrin of his wife, Daisy.

The adulterers have murdered Therese's husband so they can be together, but they are totally torturing themselves with continual thoughts of him and his rotting face. Oh dear, it seems that crime doesn't pay. Who knew?

Mrs Raquin is already being naughty with her husband's friend, and they have wished aloud how good it would be if he was no longer around ... da, da, daaaah!!

Ive read the back story and now the plot is beginning to thicken. It's a slow burn but all the better for that.

Gabriel Oak has fallen on hard times but saving Bathsheba's hayricks from being burned to the ground has secured him a job – onwards and upwards!

... Such brave people.

1 The Paras have been dropped in the shit
2 The Germans have reacted with lightning speed to pile reinforcements into the Arnhem area
3 XXX Corps, the tanks/infantry supposed to 'drive like hell' 60 miles in 3 days to relieve the Paras, are dawdling. This means the resistance they meet gets progressively worse as the Germans get stronger. The plan was badly thought out and now it's being badly executed.
Bugger.

Oh dear. The paras have only just landed and things are beginning to go awry.

Blimey, what a cock-up!

I have read the background to what is happening in Holland – the Germans were retreating in disarray but are now getting to grips with the remnants of their armies and resistance is stiffening. This does not bode well ...

Peter McAleese went from a very tough and poor upbringing in Glasgow to the British Army's Parachute Regiment and Special Air Service (SAS) in a short time. He was a brave and dedicated soldier who later became a mercenary, fighting in several countries. I'm glad he was on our side. Mr McAleese passed away in March 2024 – RIP.

This is quite an intriguing book – social commentary surrounding the story of Arnault and his quest for stability and a place in the world after his release from prison in Paris. I am enjoying it.

It's incredible that these guys fought all the way from Normandy and are now just into Germany. They keep taking casualties and having their tanks blown up from under them – sometimes as many as 8-12 in a day, yet they remain mostly cheerful and confident they are winning, which they are. Amazing.

This is a terrific book – the history of the Sherwood Rangers Yoemanry, an armoured regiment in WWII. It tells the story of their war from D-Day to the end of the war. They were in the front line much of the time, suffered terribly and ended up the most highly decorated unit in the British Army, so you know they endured a lot of death and stress.

Stanley is A Squadron Commander and has now been through the North African Campaign. His regiment have fought the Italians and Germans all the way to Tunisia, and the Allies are finally victorious after suffering many losses and casualties. The Axis forces have now surrendered and/or been evacuated – North Africa is free!

Stanley is back in Palestine and is now Acting Major, though still being paid as a Second Lieutenant. He is now in command of A Squadron, which is beginning to be trained as an armoured regiment. He has just endured six months in the siege of Tobruk, being shelled and bombed daily, with prescious little water, millions of flies and flea-infested accommodation, so he is mightily glad to be comfortable and out of it.