Book Choice : From The Mull To The Cape

From The Mull To The Cape [A Gentle Bike Ride On The Edge Of Wilderness]

by Richard Guise

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The tale of a middle aged Englishman's Highland bike ride from the Mull of Kintyre in the South to Cape Wrath in the North.

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Here's the video to Colin MacIntyre's (ex Mull Historical Society) Cape Wrath. Don't worry, I wouldn't inflict Mull of Kintyre on you :)

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Book Choice: If I Die In A Combat Zone [Tim O'Brien]

I had never heard of this book until last week when I saw it for sale in the local Poundland store which is quite surprising as it seems to be classed as a classic of it's time (it was first published in 1973) and is still highly regarded now. It is quite a personal account of one man's tour of duty in Vietnam. What you get in the book is as far removed from the gung-ho bravery depicted in so many Vietnam war movies. O'Brien tells us all about the fear and anxieties he felt even before he landed in the war zone. It is surprising that he even made it to the frontline at all as he is quite honest in telling us how he planned to escape the soldier's life by fleeing to Sweden. All in all a brilliant read that may not be to the taste of anyone who shares the Hollywood view of the war.

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Jimmy Cliff - Vietnam

Book Choice : Driving Big Davie [Colin Bateman]

Whenever I'm looking for an 'easy' read I often to turn to Colin Bateman. To say that his books are an easy read isn't a put down. Sometimes I just fancy reaing something that speeds along at great pace without making me think too much about it. I found this book in a local charity shop the other day, hardback, mint condition and only £1. Opening it up the very first page mentioned one of my favourite songwriters, Joe Strummer. Well that was me hooked and within a night and a bit yet another Bateman book was read.

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read_this

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Book Choice : The Road To Nab End [William Woodruff]

A few weeks ago while out for a beer or two with some friends I got talking to someone at the bar, just the normal pub conversation which soon turned to music, films and books. My new aquaintance told me he had just finished a book called 'The Road To Nab End' and recommended I should read it. The town I live in doesn't have a decent book shop and I couldn't find a copy in the local library so it looked like I would have to order it online or wait until my next visit to Glasgow to purchase a copy. However a few days later while browsing in a local charity shop I found a hardback copy for £2. Result!
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The book itself is an autobiographical work telling the story of his impoverished upbringing in Lancashire during the Great Depression. The story itself tells us much about the social conditions of the time as families struggled to survive during some of the bleakest times ever. It really is a story of hardship but through this hardship there is always hope and above all love. There is a sense of family values that just don't exist anymore and although nobody could ever look back on those times with any great fondness there is a feeling that something special has been lost since those days. I found the book very illuminating and a fantastic piece of social commentary from that time.

Renegade : The Lives And Tales Of Mark E. Smith

Renegade is the latest book to hit the shelves about one of rock's most enduring characters Mark E. Smith. For anyone who doesn't already know, Smith is leader/vocalist with Manchester band The Fall. To be precise, Mark E. Smith is The Fall. The book has been described in various places as: A Riot, Unbeatable, Vicious and Hilarious. All of these descriptions are spot on and as well as describing the book could also be describing the man himself. The book itself is an 80,000 odd word ramble, taking in Smith's thoughts on everything from alcohol and drugs to footballers and ex band mates. At times the humour is laugh out loud. At times you don't even know if he's being serious or not. Throughout the book, as in real life, Smith pulls no punches. That's what makes this book such a great read.


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' A RIOT' / 'UNUTTERABLY FUNNY': Independent On Sunday


'UNBEATABLE' / 'REMARKABLE': Time Out


'VICIOUS' / 'ENGROSSING': Daily Telegraph


'HILARIOUS' : Scotland On Sunday


'MAY BE THE FUNNIEST MUSIC BOOK EVER WRITTEN' : Observer


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The_Independent


The_Guardian


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BUY_IT_HERE!!!


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Here's some Fall stuff to listen to while you read the book!

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01 Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul

02 Totally Wired

03 Rollin' Dany

04 Rowche Rumble

05 Container Drivers

06 Cruisers Creek

07 Eat Y'self Fitter

08 Rebellious Jukebox

09 I'm Into C.B.

10 Why Are People Grudgeful?

11 Bill Is Dead

12 The NWRA

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The above tracks are taken from various stages of the band's career. Track 03 was originally recorded by Gene Vincent. Track 10 is based on 2 reggae songs, People Grudgeful by Joe Gibbs and People Funny Boy by Lee 'Scratch' Perry. Please buy the original albums containing any of the above tracks.

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