Probably Random

Shadow Project

Shadow Project Scott Mariani

A great thriller, featuring ex-special forces protecting a multi-billionaire businessman, with lots of intrigue and twists including the usual kidnaps, fights, ambushes as well as some re-discovered WWII Nazi special projects.

It was exciting and kept me gripped and wanting to find out more.  In places it felt a bit simplistic and thin but there was enough intrigue to keep me going,  entertaining none the less and, certainly worth a read if you like conspiracy thrillers.

Eight Lives Down

Eight Lives Down Major Chris Hunter

This is an astounding first hand account of Major Hunters time as a Bomb Disposal Technician.  The title refers to the fact the EOD technicians are nicked named Felix (the cat with nine lives) and the book is a trip with the Author learning where the first eight have gone.

He doesn’t hold back  and the book is a fast paced, emotional and exilerating to read.  Most of the book is based around his work in Iraq with stories of bomb makers out to get him, ambushes and the affect of such a high stress, dangerous and addictive job had on him and his family.  Whilst reading I felt that there could be more to come as there were allusions to other postings and happenings, with enough detail to get the message across, intrigue you but not make you feel like you were missing out.

The Naked Trader: How Anyone Can Make Money Trading Shares

The Naked Trader: How Anyone Can Make Money Trading Shares (2nd edition) Robbie Burns

I decided I wanted to know more about the stock market, with, perhaps one day, making a few trades myself… A friend recommended this book to me (and lent me a copy) and I’m so glad he did.

Robbie explains how it all works and why everything I thought would be a great ideas isn’t! I still don’t feel like I understand how it all works but at least I know I don’t know, and I think some of that knowledge will only come from trying.  I have however learnt enough that I could start trading today if I wanted to and I am hoping to start paper trading and doing the research work and watching that he recommends.

It’s a light hearted and easy to read book, it explains what he’s done and why, but it’s a my way is the only way get rich quick. he explains he’s made losses shows you where and why, and that it’s a long term game.

If you’re interested in knowing more about trading, whether you want to do any or not, or if you are going to do some and haven’t done any prep yet, this is the one for you!

Portrait and Candid Photography: Photo Workshop

Portrait and Candid Photography: Photo Workshop Erin Manning

Disappointing from the start.   If you have never used an SLR before and have no idea that photography is about lighting (photos – light graph – draw/write) then this could be the book for you, it’s very repetitive and basic.

Chapters 5-9 finally talk about taking pictures of people but again more repetition of the basics, and the instructions to go practice.  Most of it again is about how to take a picture with occasional comments like:  build rapport with your subjects…  hmm cheers for that insight.

The redeeming feature for me was the fact I have one of the same lenses, so it was nice to see that if I get it right I can take pictures like those (although I’d like to know ho she managed to take a picture at f2.8 on a lens which goes down to f4… or perhaps the captions are wrong).

So overall, if you are new to photography then this may be interesting, if you’re not then you’ll feel patronised and disappointed.

On Writing Well

On Writing Well (30th Anniversary Ed.)  William Zinsseer

It’s a daunting task to write a review of a book about writing, and I’m not exactly sure where to begin.  I have to say first of all that it is obviously very well written, so just the process of reading the book gives you a good understanding of writing.  The book four main section; Principles, Methods, Forms and Attitudes.  When I first started reading I couldn’t put the book down, the first section on Principles, really pulled me in a raced me along with real examples of what we should be doing and how.  It was at the third section however, where I started to slow and I think that was down to me trying to read the entire thing in linear form.  I didn’t feel that all the chapters were relevant to me yet I still tried to drag myself through them and this started to drag a bit, so I skipped a couple of chapters I knew weren’t for me (sports writing… okay not my thing) and on to Section 4 where my interest was instantly reignited.   The chapters; Enjoyment, Fear & Confidence and The Tyranny of the Final Product really feeling that they were helping not only with my writing but with attitude to business too.

I found this guide really useful, and I’ll certainly be rereading (parts of) it, and as I reread and practice I hope you’ll notice the improvement.