I must admit to having a weakness for books. I scour charity shop's and second hand book shop's and you'll lose me for a day at car boot sales. My tastes are wide and varied, basically anything that takes my fancy, but i will list a couple of my favourites, just as an example.
The Devils Guard - George Robert Elford. This is a 'true' story about Waffen SS soldiers fighting for the French Foreign Legion in Indochina after escaping the allies. A absolutely rivetting book that i go back to time after time, or, at least i would do. I lent it to someone and nevr got it back. Keeping my eye out for a copy now.
The Good Life, up the Yukon Without a Paddle - Dorian Amos. Excellent book, well written (as is the sequel). A couple living in the South West of England decided to quit the rat race for an life in the Wilds of Canada. The second book is just as good with a third due out this year.
Anything by Robert Rankin. if Terry Pratchett interests you, you may be interested in this guy. He's a visionary. Well, actually he's a peripheral visionary (he see's the future, just off to the side!
) Ideal for anyone who does not like to take life too seriously. Such titles as 'The Fandom of the Operator', 'Web Site Story', 'Nostradamus Ate My Hamster' and 'Knee's up Mother Earth' should give you an Idea.
Cold Zero - Christopher Whitcomb. This fella joined the FBI and became a sniper in the FBI Hostage Rescue Team. It's not as 'Gung Ho' as it sounds. It's well written by a thoughtful, intelligent individual and is well worth a look, even if only for his unique experience of Waco and Ruby Ridge.
Native North America - Larry J Zimmerman. A wide ranging examination of the Spiritual traditions of the Native peoples of North America. Very readable and informative. Fascinating!
First Into Action - Duncan Falconer. An account of one mans life in the SBS. Dispels some of the Myths of the British Special Forces community and pulls no punches. a proud and humble man, Duncan Falconer is a bloke i'd like to have a chat with over a few beer's!
Soldier in Buckskin - Ray Hogan. A biogrphical novel about the life of Kit carson. Frontiersman, mountain man, fur trapper. His adventures with Jim Bridger etc. Maybe a little artistic license, but a good read non the less.
Nothing Remains But To Fight - Ian Knight. This book is about the defence of Rorke's Drift, 1879. Good read, brilliantly illustrated, in my view better than 'Brave Men's Blood' another of his books. I'm not really into the subject matter in a big way but i found this to be an informative and insightful book that complements the film 'Zulu' in as much as it really does fill in the gaps and back up the story. I particularly like the fact that Colour Sergeant Bourne eventually became a Lieutenant-Colonel, served in WW2 and, as the last surviving member of the Rorke's Drift garrison, only died in 1945. (Easy, Lad)
I can also recommend anything by Terence Strong (apart from Deadwater Deep, not his best), Bill Bryson, Wilbur Smith and a little known bloke by the name of Ray Mears. Predictable i know, but he has such an easy way about him.
