tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89511512490424988622024-02-20T01:33:38.298+00:00Writing The BlurbMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-69493730087369830702012-09-12T18:48:00.001+01:002012-09-12T18:48:43.075+01:00Mallard: How The 'Blue Streak' Broke The World Speed Record<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLQg1jL7G57c0wkX0lMnQ7duPSLBw3C8D-N5kVO2n-J40XDnmCJ5FhHPUDu3nGVHPD4F-TMskKSV0dxig7hh1zJCHsFofWKqq80o02WlnFHWFamFuBgrWcgbiG7b9hVZ-MSFod7PHlzA/s320/mallard.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Don Hale<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 166 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9781845133450<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1845133455?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1845133455"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
On the afternoon of the 3rd of July 1938 the streamlined A4 Pacific locomotive LNER 4468, better known as Mallard, was recorded travelling at 126mph; the fastest a steam engine had ever travelled before. Amazingly that world record still stands. In this fascinating book author Don Hale takes us through the full story of the development of Mallard and the record attempt itself.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-74160328339434236982012-08-20T13:21:00.001+01:002012-08-20T13:21:34.290+01:00The Gutenberg Revolution<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsJ9JABcBBTdlOpgvNgWulng_9ZYypFl34Ww3LzvGNEpCCALjxL9KhHuQI-ONZdSZaJHH23GubgGU7Gyl8WkWumsiQtxCmprZkHg-HJgsTizu0hpVkaZrQGQAM5TESh6qQrEmarsjJqQ/s320/the-gutenberg-revolution.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> John Man<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 289 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780553819663<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0553819666?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0553819666"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
No one can argue against the fact that the printing press revolutionized the world. In 1450 the small number of books to be found in Europe were all written out by hand. Just 50 years later they were printed and there were millions of them. This explosion in the written word had huge consequences as ideas, previously confined to a small area or a small number of people were set free. This book documents Johann Gutenberg's invention of printing and the revolution it caused.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-62138893338598029732012-08-20T13:15:00.002+01:002012-08-20T13:15:37.114+01:00Dave Gorman vs. The Rest Of The World<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GLG0xpmAog7Xvr9sSKq1NmWvC2xxy_a8r9B48jb4B6o4HZHy64bskNEBwKZdnO-axG_ru-4Ie_ZmJ9o22Fer9WqV8M7GP-T6lUO62Qw7RHvwgJgxrY_3jZBEIjp7I-hB_TWBn399aT4/s320/dave-gorman-vs-the-world.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Dave Gorman<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 343 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780091928483<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0091928486?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0091928486"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
Dave Gorman fancied playing a board game; unfortunately he didn't have anyone to play against. Of course being Dave Gorman he turned this into an adventure, criss-crossing the country, visiting total strangers, playing games he had never even heard of. If you like Dave's humour or are interested in the weird variety of British games then you will enjoy reading this.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-12974599631179330092012-08-20T13:09:00.000+01:002012-08-20T13:09:00.112+01:00Java Performance<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gVDXiS0ZX4J2nEXDROFocWnI8OGN1pE7NaT4DVNbejC7Ug8pPWMB3lKHfVh3kNDiuhOb4SI7aKMh5X4GhUV2bwu9MhwgZg4lzHO-XGUHeFEaPD7BQyv_yT48Pk9Ka97sA2xaTvC-iJI/s320/java-performance.gif" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Charlie Hunt and Binu John<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 693 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780137142521<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0127142528?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0127142528"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
While modern Java virtual machines are much faster than they used to be, when writing software where performance matters it is important to understand how to optimize your code and how to configure the JVM to get the most out of your hardware. Whilst highly technical this book is easy to work through and provides a whole host of invaluable performance tips. A must for any serious Java developer</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-68140940326703503252012-07-20T18:48:00.001+01:002012-07-20T18:48:32.626+01:00The Duchesses<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPPNqiHq3Rgkz5dD4aoOzSaFHbTAEpFip7MVFwolWNNMi9iu6CJMDZjb6pv03ccy04jXmUmxnoucJ37HQPVZmGXWSbpyqYfE2pAc6XtaRke5RDcxYqCpO1_a_687PWzm69KG55c5HoyQ/s400/the-duchesses.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Andrew Roden<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 237 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9781845135997<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1845135997?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1845135997"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
The Duchesses (officially the Coronation Class) were the most powerful passenger steam locomotives ever to work the British railway network. In this absorbing book Andrew Roden takes us through the history of these magnificent machines, from their inception through the record breaking trains the hauled across the country and right up to date with details of the three examples that survived into preservation. If you find steam engines fascinating then you will find this book just as fascinating.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-36074018085960602472012-05-05T16:26:00.001+01:002012-05-05T16:26:40.991+01:00The Disappearing Spoon<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuF2Y58sXpmaOoiuFqInccX-6mVB7YNr39EPEIja02Vb0JnsCIPJcLl4laFRmPqTdM29vWhAz08Hsr90LpiiTN93ef8OXsVfEXXN6R_TLACYUZM2M6zcZaTmtVSjZ1kl0XNLWGNRg-zM/s400/disappearing-spoon.jp" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Sam Kean<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 346 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780552777506<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0552777501?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0552777501"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
The history, discovery and use of many of the elements that make up our planer are vividly brought to life in this fascinating book by Sam Kean. From Gandhi to gold rush via the disappearing spoon of the title, this is no dusty science book but a collection of highly engrossing stories. Well worth a read even if you aren't usually interested in science.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-64675960697696515912012-04-06T11:11:00.000+01:002012-04-06T11:11:28.998+01:00The Serpent Pool<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EyOC8ykLrGlfryWdH-qQLhjvyMPxr2gmaWMLhhEU26dfXpxw4eQP1voK2Qj1pHoAOsSvkxOqN7qlkjtaGeBewQ6q0FTJXGdWeCMdLx3TRZmBig9PP37iQmz2XJeQUqn22tksf76kEy4/s400/serpent-pool.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Martin Edwards<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Series:</span> Lake District Mystery, Book 3<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 347 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 978-0-7490-0879-6<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0749008792?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0749008792"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
When DCI Hannah Scarlett moves house she starts to investigate an apparent suicide in the local tarn, the Serpent Pool. As Bethany was afraid of water, Hannah refuses to believe she would have committed suicide by drowning herself. When she discovers that her partner Marc Amos had kept quite about knowing Bethany, Hannah no longer knows who to trust, and turns to historian Daniel Kind for help solving the mystery. Before long they find themselves in real danger as they get closer to the truth than is comfortable for those with a secret to protect.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-21526215781791494922012-04-06T11:04:00.001+01:002012-04-06T11:04:36.992+01:00The Arsenic Labyrinth<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPK6rHq76qUWDTLcYDt9HjKi8CKLLiD6yMRX0-3z3N_BRwlok9rALaZ2O28UXiXMrdXv0sPoeG4V1F0topWn5AniOaQ-wt8tWbJ8ISTrej2dvPV1oLPVZuknWs-UWpgIt3pAK1SSrNvI/s400/arsenic-labyrinth.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Martin Edwards<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Series:</span> Lake District Mystery, Book 3<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 409 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 978-0-7490-8004-4<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0749080043?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0749080043"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
Years ago Emma Bestwick walked out of her cottage towards the fells never to be seen again. Did Emma simply run away, have an accident, or was she murdered. After the local newspaper receives a number of anonymous tips about her disappearance it isn't long before DCI Hannah Scarlett re-opens the cold case.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-54321535324607263162012-04-06T10:58:00.000+01:002012-04-06T10:58:09.879+01:00The Cipher Garden<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OGSOnW0OYc1szUsR4JXHhnvR11SCFlrNiuLx0d5BR1Qp11zKcjrSu5ussbWyks0SyORzoYOVGf70vAl7_-9qYnki8Vv5iiP-rLz0twYMS9vY8bo7z9dtkWXD2k8F0Xks35hXJD7kezE/s400/the-cypher-garden.jpeg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Martin Edwards<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Series:</span> Lake District Mystery, Book 2<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 343 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 978-07490-8135-5<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/074908135X?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=074908135X"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
Historian Daniel Kind gets involved in solving another cold case when an anonymous tip-off to the lake District's Cold Case Review Team brings DCI Hannah Scarlett back into his life. Who would have wanted to kill gardener Warren Howe with his own scythe, and what secrets are hiding in the idyllic village of Old Sawrey.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-50870167281544830282012-03-04T16:37:00.000+00:002012-03-04T16:37:51.562+00:00Mr Briggs' Hat<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RALdfuNYITiHiG1qbLo7eMb0LPci44bD3eL2v4UDsv8UzPS_uMWNl1d1WVt96Vs2dH06NhtYC80gw3yH4XOkSLNqi4VHqR11RVoV-4HppLfI107lQ-IJFu7WqsgK1hTnw_ZyseLjFbM/s400/mr-briggs-hat.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Kate Colquhoun<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hardback:</span> 282 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9781847443694<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1847443699?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1847443699"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
Just before 10am on the 9th of July 1864 two bank clerks entered a first class train carriage only to find it spattered with blood. The carriage was empty apart from an ivory topped walking stick, and empty leather bag and a hat. Later that evening an unconscious and badly injured body was found on the railway line and although a doctor was called Thomas Briggs died and became the first person to be murdered in a railway carriage. The only clue to the identity of his killer was the hat, as it didn't belong to the victim.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-17380173373374002452012-03-03T15:39:00.000+00:002012-03-03T16:32:59.990+00:00The Other<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFwgi-Og56D2VdKlPICjniTFK1olFIqJiN_3miV2pNroYbDPwHC4LmHzD1SP2r2AnFO8euld6IStZ4oMvcRNEh2O77wbqSwfLnkDgw-86zpa2HJY_iRqU83l0QWNHADVczKX0RvDJYbc/s400/the-other.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> David Guterson<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 256 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780747596202<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> enjoyed<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0747596204?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0747596204"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
In 1972 Neil Countryman and John William Barry, two teenage boys from from different backgrounds, meet and start a life long friendship. As they get older Neil follows the American dream while John William drops out of society and makes a new life for himself deep in the woods. Only Neil knows where his friend has retreated to but will he keep the secret come what may?</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-85779520905354931782012-02-26T14:54:00.000+00:002012-03-03T16:34:05.114+00:00The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT18FjqBmF7DqCfUKY2vGQLAGOn1CgRPTx7KB2cxWJn-ROrJTgw0i24Y8wY5VPRE1azkY1Yg65ibSkjaXpLoQgpgBWAKYPW7QACw__qGXD4WJSt4sYOxuxweLzMI3xAeeSLXDqBkXVCs/s400/curious_incident.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Mark Haddon<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 280 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 978-0099450252<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> wouldn't recommend<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0099450259?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0099450259"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
Christoper is autistic, which affects his view of the world around him in ways that even he admits can seem strange. When his neighbour's dog is killed he sets out on a journey to discover the perpetrator. Having been told to leave it alone by his father and the police he decides to stop at nothing to solve the crime, even leaving the safety of his own street on his own for the first time.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-52493959543534791552012-02-26T12:56:00.000+00:002012-02-26T12:56:51.792+00:00Wild Fire<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5stPOdLuwvBYzwldS0tbL5qkLwGeR22SSvR66LBc5PufCTlZG14WMmiTGjD9MLTWfVZJ1rG9FbH8fHGbz25o_S4s1CKL0R9EUJwr4FpPEa4t5wls5Hxlu9ESMAvt07wG6GKcvw0fkxM/s400/wild-fire.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Nelson DeMille<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Series:</span> John Corey, Book 4<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 659 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780751538274<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> have read before<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0751538272?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0751538272"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
The Custer Hill Club looks, from the outside, like any other private members club for the rich and powerful. It isn't until an federal agent, tasked to do routine surveillance on the club, disappears that John Corey and his wife, FBI agent Kate Mayfield, decide to take a closer look. Of course John's smart mouth gets them into trouble, but not as much trouble as the world will face if they don't stop the Custer Hill Club from initiating project WILD FIRE.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-78934259923362869372012-02-26T12:48:00.001+00:002012-02-26T12:49:08.697+00:00Manhunt<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee-NhWCLxWYT1HYf4y0myiuQjd8-YGga5HaJarhLA-XtjlXknRXrio0_uAoA9-SBjTmEl4YinnnEkk_yk7eS1aufAhBkz32WpeRWjcvz5uou7eUt5fAugHNtlajY6X1kptUvo7d2RKGk/s400/manhunt.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> James Barrington<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Series:</span> Paul Richter, Book 1<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 486 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780330462709<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0330462709?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0330462709"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
After 20 years in the Navy Paul Richter is looking for a job, but he hadn't planned on getting mixed up with a deniable branch of the British security establishment. Unfortunately he needed the money and the job seemed straightforward. Unfortunately it isn't long before Richter realizes his new job doesn't have long term prospects as in reality he is the expendable bait in a complex trap involving British and Russian security services. Can Richter outsmart both sides and survive?</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-56973316027070266992012-02-26T11:50:00.002+00:002012-02-26T11:50:35.364+00:00Shroom<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJtIgHEzOWb92vYxJaXZWklPMFQIk2UzG0A4Nqw1LNxI4n8DoY1lPjX-jZ5oGlZQGruut7HG-C87tgAKscvF5OLUApaJbs83rnD51l6TDm2zaveApMdifFgngoiBniLTEGOwQnu3sY34/s400/shroom.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Andy Letcher<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 348 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 0571227708<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> enjoyed<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0571227708?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0571227708"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
Until the law was changed, in July 2005, it was perfectly legal to buy and sell magic mushrooms in England. Overnight this naturally occuring hallucinogen had gone from a recreational drug like alcohol to a mushroom the possession of which could get you arrested. This fascinating book takes us on a magical mystery tour from the use of magic mushrooms in indigenous ceremonies to more modern abuses. From the science behind the main active ingredient <i>psilocybe</i> to well documented historical intoxication. If you want to know about the history of magic mushrooms then this is the book to read.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-87807827871177544262012-02-26T11:28:00.001+00:002012-02-26T11:28:34.882+00:00Payback<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCX_FYgITnwbq608aLdDaaxbUJUJ0ncd3cruNqjeJHhvkRBUP1-tap_efrG8nxibONGEHYjrLeD6KsZLz2YyV4ghAZS7gphI5hXsAw2guFat_TzK47ZelA-sJULeA03Mqx7jGyNTSsss/s400/payback.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> James Barrington<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Series:</span> Paul Richter, Book 6<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 463 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780330462693<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommendation:</span> would read again<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0330462695?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0330462695"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
Paul Richter was quietly enjoying being on an exercise with the SAS when he is called back to work in order to investigate a man who appears to be able to predict terrorist attacks. What should have been a quick trip to Dubai to expose a hoax turns into a race against time to uncover a terrifying plot to destabilize the Arab world.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-80522749294258671052012-02-26T11:19:00.001+00:002012-02-26T11:30:10.372+00:00Did I Like That Book?When I first started this blog I made the decision not to give a star rating or any other classification to the books. It's not that I was being lazy but rather that rating a book in such a way is such a subjective task and I wasn't sure how relevant my ratings would be to anyone else. My hope was that my enthusiasm (or lack of) for a book would come through in the wording of the blurb I wrote. This probably works reasonably well for non-fiction, but it's harder to do when writing a blurb for a novel.<br />
<br />
From now on I'm going to rate each book I write about, however, I'm still not going to use a star rating. Books will now be categorized as either; wouldn't recommend, enjoyed, would read again, or have read before. Hopefully these broader categories will be more transferable to other people than a star rating system, especially as it will be easy for me to decided which category a book should fall into. Hopefully this will please those readers who want to know more about what I felt about a book, but if you think I should use different categories or have any other suggestions then please do leave a comment.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-72138635405254161332012-02-25T15:22:00.000+00:002012-02-25T15:22:09.566+00:00Jack The Ripper: Letters From Hell<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5HwZ1TytwQ9v_g-Fak25HtSypZ2ouMWLy5naktj9vMKK2uw2d80IKr3H-xA85oi-J79Hex-ATzycTw03142Yx1xi9gxhykJsYIkbPT3X593LS2FioEFB18Z7UCNqnN-iU7RZ4Ksyo40/s400/letters-from-hell.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Authors:</span> Stewart P. Evans and Keith Skinner<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 300 pages<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 075093770X<br/>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/075093770X?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=075093770X"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br/><br/>
Between August and November of 1888 six prostitutes were murdered and mutilated in London's East End. Whilst <i>Jack The Ripper</i> was never caught a large number of letters purporting to be from the killer were sent to newspapers and the police. For the first time this book collects together all of the Ripper letters along with expert commentary. A fascinating look at one of the worlds most famous unsolved cases.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-61202931020947271672012-02-25T15:05:00.002+00:002012-02-25T15:05:43.200+00:00Timebomb<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaexsMvRDEhrAX79xj9VBvYfKc9foXnjYFaDUmOAXaMWHHx8vougvZlEtx6cMJ8bxeQzcVd2iM0OArdVMz0VCNlDWf0-pRyQsMPasLGuCcFsWQgnNyrxTwSohskEQ5g__VM8fwO0tqha8/s400/timebomb.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> James Barrington<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Series:</span> Paul Richter, Book 5<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 444 pages<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780230014749<br/>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0230014747?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0230014747"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br/><br/>
After two operations to arrest terrorists in Geneva and Stuttgart go badly agent Paul Richter discovers that the terrorists are being tipped off. Unfortunately after the incident in Stuttgart Richter finds himself on the run from a murder charge. Can he discover what links these apparently separate terrorist cells before any other operations are compromised, or worse the terrorists succeed in their plans.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-24863497663165713232012-02-25T14:53:00.002+00:002012-02-25T14:53:58.908+00:00Fallen<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUhAdTzTwAEchPrX6XwMuQOEYL5WOcbBLWS3BsneA1TCFV6l7igI9By-XoHCQjTgIPjjVulh2HH1vXCe4WS2fBTClXgM0VVAlxw-L9uKqSr5N6WZSPcnsCk4Dft2vMyeIcu2GiQ74yx0/s400/fallen.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Karin Slaughter<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Series:</span> Georgia Stories, Book 11<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hardback:</span> 400 pages<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 978-1846057946<br/>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1846057949?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1846057949"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br/><br/>
Special Agent Faith Mitchell, of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, has left her baby daughter Emma with her mother, Ex-Atlanta Police chief Evelyn Mitchell, while she attends a training course. Faith arrives back at the house to find it has been ransacked. There is plenty of blood but no sign of her mother, while Emma has been locked in the outside shed. Can Faith and her partner Will Trent unravel Evelyn's past to find her before it is too late?</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-82905660844963514722011-11-06T17:54:00.000+00:002011-11-06T17:54:25.221+00:00The Dinosaur Feather<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV971ap9wMX-CBfp19s6gTPfaFPIn-q49q9gKoBmznL6OB8C5iaHnJvDul4RXDscxETfkCCXDR_-FDn8ZDM_V2-CuYpzD-YBT5j_KR4KdqkZlC_JiBSRkpSmZi6Sf8LAepHI1ysDv3FCo/s400/the-dinosaur-feather.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Sissel-Jo Gazan<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 536 pages<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780857380333<br/>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0857380338?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0857380338"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br/><br/>
Anna, already stressed by her upcoming PhD defense, is suddenly plunged into the middle of a murder case when her supervisor Professor Lars Hellend is found murdered. Now as well as finessing her argument that birds are modern day dinosaurs she has to fight the demons from her past before the entire university department disappears or turns up dead.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-9828758562194375982011-11-06T15:18:00.001+00:002011-11-06T15:18:22.931+00:00Puppets In Yorkshire<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ki6t0ZZfOHHc0sekqzOGslj5RvQbKCfK9BRuuJiJ9VIWYxiKUxOto6WIRhGqDhpv9zkIjCAQNUH6rfPxpW6o61zyyUINOUa0x_uK3FosytCUpsvuqu-IAYjp4SqXVcN9Q473hr6NSoc/s400/puppets-in-yorkshire.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Walter Wilkinson<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hardback:</span> 245 pages<br/>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000RYCT80?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B000RYCT80"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br/><br/>
During the 1920's and 1930's Walter Wilkinson toured his Punch and Judy show throughout England and the wider world. In this delightful little book he recounts his travels one summer through Yorkshire. After having journeyed from London via train he alights at Gainsborough before pulling his show north to Hull, then East to York and North to Richmond. Whenever a village green presents itself out comes the show to entertain the locals. A fascinating window onto a long forgotten past.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-44100902445978631172011-11-05T17:36:00.001+00:002011-11-05T17:41:12.168+00:00The Maul And The Pear Tree<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGgglBJc3XRAZ9QOeAm0K2VxdbY4Cdt5GemfMHEA1qKjsZS24nmSZGgfliNhHRUJ3Zq035ug-EBoOIkrbqLFxIxo9VKOhMmn9MP9kf3ZSbr6EUQFgfCqh3OEDnFb2TUM9dh7fAw5aUOI/s400/the-maul-and-the-pear-tree.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> P. D. James and T. A. Critchley<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 372 pages<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 9780571258086<br/>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0571258085?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0571258085"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br/><br/>
P.D. James is best known as a writer of crime fiction. In this interesting book, along with T.A. Critchley, she turns her eye to solving a real murder case. During December of 1811 two households were rocked by violent murders. With the public baying for blood the police arrested seaman John Williams. Williams was convicted of the murders and executed. While no other murders occurred the evidence against Williams was circumstantial at best. Was he the killer, or just another victim?</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-605808029326674792011-10-23T15:13:00.001+01:002011-10-23T15:54:51.066+01:00The Cobra Event<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd8ajwmv3JW6QZPGWKHZE74o0Y8EaWg5P7yixEbjw70P7PP8mjJGWjjHg_sG-vvVn20pY0Ef5TTtmNnVF1_4fkIdX-lszF8QvmzAzdWhjQU8NklARogKOvdQKhbTDO-6DfoRhbSWZOkU/s400/the-cobra-event.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span>Richard Preston<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 440 pages<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 0752817124<br/>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0752817124?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0752817124"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br/><br/>
When Kate left home to go to school she thought she was getting the flu. Four hours later she is racked by convulsions and starts to chew on her own fingers. Fortunately, within minutes she is dead. Shortly afterwards a dead homeless man is discovered who also seems to have bitten himself. Before long it is clear that a new and deadly virus is at large. Alice Austen, has never seen such an efficient killer, but can she, and the rest of the CDC task force, unravel it's secrets and track down it's source before it is too late?</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951151249042498862.post-59313254077293146892011-10-01T13:57:00.000+01:002011-10-01T13:57:10.865+01:00Germs: The Ultimate Weapon<img class="bookcover" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT38ExCiyLrFKy7mUfs6MamkrBOSPhwFAzyy_10OP_TLZJ1EeVV9c8nGjumRhf9IHcfKiqZ7DKViBRbmD2xSuoxSUPijMWFBjutuOQ8cEwQJNtoef25v-s4p94OBTdgyae31PeGDbuDW0/s400/germs.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blurb"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author:</span> Judith Miller, Stephen Engelberg, William J. Broad<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paperback:</span> 384 pages<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">ISBN:</span> 074323071X<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/074323071X?ie=UTF8&tag=blurbs-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=074323071X"><img src="http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/%7Emark/blurbs/amazon.gif" alt="Buy from Amazon" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
A fascinating yet terrifying look into the history of germ warfare. From small scale trials by terrorist cults to large scale manufacture by rogue states and Cold War adversaries this book details what has, until recently, been classified work into one germ based Weapons of mass destruction. Some of the examples would seem more at home in a thriller novel, but all have been proved to have happened at some point or another in the worlds recent past.</div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418527698793489162noreply@blogger.com0