United Kingdom Books

Everything you never knew that you wanted to know about the oddballs, rogues, cads, scoundrels, footpads, and other non-conformists who made the "Sceptered Isle" what it is (and was). I got this book since I really enjoyed "The Henry Root Letters" and "Root Into Europe". Our old friend the 5th Duke of Portland is well represented(see "Ballroom, construction of one underground"), as are swindlers, the Krays, women who served as men in the Army, train robbers, etc. The list truly does go on and on. If you are familiar with "Lock, Stock, & Two Smoking Barrels", Lenny McLean, who played Barry The Baptist, and Vinnie Jones, who played Big Chris are both subjects of bios here, but although I mostly seem to be citing criminals in this review, there is far, far more to this book. I highly and unreservedly recommend this! (By the way, I recently learnt "Willie" Donaldson died. His obit in the UK press was WONDERFUL. A womanizing, drunken druggie....no wonder his entries about Keith Moon and Brian Jones sound so accurate!!)

Since leaving my home in England & moving to the USA 18 years ago, I've had problems finding typical English recipes, but thanks to Brian Turner's book, I have re-discovered all of my old favourites & more!
This is the only cookbook you will ever need, it covers everything.

This book is AN ABSOLUTE GEM for anyone with even the slightest interest in First World War aviation.

Ralph Barker has written a highly readable and comprehensive account of the development of Britain's Royal Flying Corps (RFC) between August 1914 and March 1918. From the first pages, the reader is made witness to the growing pains of an air arm which, from the onset of war, worked mightily to fulfil the roles given to it by the British Army in France. Whether it was in the areas of reconnaissance, artillery spotting, bombing, and later in the role of achieving aerial supremacy over the battlefield and beyond the lines, the RFC adapted itself well, and in the process, laid the groundwork for the establishment of the world's first independent air force, the Royal Air Force, on April 1, 1918.

This is not a dry history. Mr. Barker also provides through letters and diaries, vivid and poignant accounts from the pilots, observers, and ground crews themselves into what the war was like for them. Thus, the reader is given a full scope into the history and personalities who shaped the RFC. Highly recommended.

I generally like the book. The first part deals with the developement of the product which I find interesting. The second part deals with the operation which I really didn't care for (I'm not into pilot stories) but was well written nevertheless. Good photos and frankly well researched.

This is the fourth volume in a series. I contributed two chapters to this volume, so you might say I have a vested (but certainly not a financial!) interest. Anyway, this is a hugely important series on the history of Anglo-Japanese relations. At the time of writing this review (December 2004) Volume Five has just appeared, even bigger and (arguably) better! Anybody with an interest in the relations between these two island nations will enjoy and gain much from this book and the whole series.
The fifth volume is being officially launched by the Japan Society in London on January 18, 2005. On that date Sir Hugh Cortazzi is to lecture about the Japan Society's contribution to Japanese studies.

Ian Ruxton, co-author of "Japanese Students at Cambridge University in the Meiji Era", also available on amazon.com.

It is now 60 years since World War Two ended, and it is clear from this book that the relationship between Britain and Japan is much longer, deeper and stronger than the unhappy four years of war, 1941-45. This book is skilfully edited and divided into six main subject areas: Imperial personalities, diplomats, naval officers, businessmen, poets, long-term residents etc. Since I wrote one of the chapters (Ch. 6 about Suematsu Kencho) I am of course not without bias, but I strongly recommend this book as a must-have for anyone who is interested intellectually and/or professionally in Anglo-Japanese relations.

Ian Ruxton, editor of Sir Ernest Satow's Private Letters to W.G. Aston and F.V. Dickins: The Correspondence of a Pioneer Japanologist from 1870 to 1918 (Paperback), also available on amazon.

I first came across the '92 version of this book and have had many years of excellent use out of it. The updated 97 version was found by accident in a local book store.

The new version has been updated somewhat though sadly with the omission of an interesting Abbey in Wales. It does however still retain a captivating selection of unusual Hotels to stay in.

What seperates this book from crowd for me is the simple yet accurate descriptions of the Hotels. I have given it to many a visiting friend to help enhance their journey across this green and pleasant land.

Highly recommended.

Culture Smart is a "to the point" helpful book that anyone will appreciate when it comes to working and doing businesss in the UK. Even a visitor can garner lots of bite size pieces of helpful info to maket the British experience even more enjoyable. I loved the writing and the layout of the copy.
Great tool and great tips re: life in the amazing UK!

the working and living conditio

Britain And Barbary: 1589-1689 by Nabil Matar (Professor of English and Chair of the Department of Humanities and Communication at the Florida Institute of Technology) is the fascinating study of the many interesting occurrences of early modern England's relationship with the North African political front in the progressive time imperative to England's fundamental grounding during the 100 year span of 1589 to 1689. As an in-depth study significant to England's history, Britain And Barbary is a strongly recommended read for all historians, especially those seeking scholarly studies of the United Kingdom.