naval – Cannonball Read 17

Shipwrecked on Daddington Island: A Naval-Gazing Adventure

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

November 20, 2023 by Halbs Leave a Comment

David Grann does it again! Page-turning history, filled with interesting trivia, exploration of the borders of the human capacity for greatness and darkness, and pontificating on what it all means. He’s the best at doing all of it at once. This piece of non-fiction is mercifully paced – only 257 pages. Buy this book for all the history nerds and dads in your life. You are welcome; your holiday shopping is complete. The Wager has two meanings – first, the eponymous ship was part of a […]

“Anyway, we delivered the bomb.”

In Harm's Way by Doug Stanton

February 26, 2020 by TheShitWizard 5 Comments

A lifelong Jaws fan, the most I ever really knew about the USS Indianapolis was what was related by Quint in one of my favourite scenes in cinema, so when I spotted this book, complete with its same-surname-as-me author, it was a must buy. It turns out – as always – that reality is far, far more horrifying than any Hollywood blockbuster could ever wish to be. For those who don’t know what happened to the Indianapolis and her men, a brief synopsis. Fresh from […]

Getting back where he belongs

The Letter of Marque by Patrick O'Brian

August 28, 2019 by TheShitWizard Leave a Comment

The Letter of Marque is the twelfth book in the Aubrey/Maturin series, and I don’t seem to be enjoying it any less as time – and the series – stretches on. Here we catch up with Jack after he’s been struck off the list of post-captains for a crime on the stock exchange that he could never have understood enough to commit. But he’s not without a boat, The Surprise having been surreptitiously bought by his now rather minted best friend Stephen, and given a […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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