No comments about An Englishman Abroad.

No comments about Rio.

2 comments about Rebellion: The Growth of Football's Protest Movement.

1. It's difficult to know where to begin with this book, but the authors' statement that it was formulated in a pub after several drinks explains a lot. It is riddled with inaccuracies and irrelevant text, much of it in the form of quotes from novelists such as Remarque and Fleming, neither of whom were renown for their expertise on firearms. [Fleming disliked guns and had to have the workings of the Walther PPk pistol explained to him.]
   The chapter topics are curious as well, the death of Nelson [the result of a lucky shot by a French marine and not sniping in even its remotest sense] receives six pages, whereas the Great War, from whence came all current sniping knowledge, receives a scant four. Neither do the authors appear to understand even the basics of firearms technology - musket balls are undersized, not oversized. Priming powder does not fall out of the pan on flintlocks [the frizzen closes over it to prevent this]. Percussion ignition did not happen in the 1790's and British cartridges were never lubricated with animal fat, beeswax and tallow were used.
   The dismissal of the abilities of the Enfield P14 rifle are curious too, for it was not introduced as a sniping weapon until AFTER the Great War had ended, yet the widespread use of the Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield as the primary Commonwealth sniping rifle during the war is bafflingly ignored. There is even a little short story at the end of the book, possibly to make up for the lack of hard substance.
   One could go on, but frankly, life is too short to read bad books. Save your money, there are better publications out there.



2. I was a Marine Corps Scout Sniper for many years and am well read on the history of the subject. This book just isn't very good. It is historically inaccurate and plays fast and loose with the facts. The chapter on Zaitsev surprised me. Everyone knows the guy wasn't real and was made up for Russian propaganda mills. The author acknowledges the dispute but says he will assume Zaitsev was real and writes an entire chapter on a fictional person. He also says that Russian snipers with experience in Chechnya were hired as mercenaries by the israelis to shoot Palestinianse. Why? Because Israel doesn't have any good snipers. Yeah. I happen to have some personal experience in that area and all i can say is don't waste your time.

No comments about Upover and Downunder: Stan Rickaby.

No comments about Peter Broadbent: A Biography.

No comments about The Composite Guide to Track & Field (The Composite Guide).

No comments about Footballeur.

2 comments about A Seat in the Crowd.

1. I can't recommend this book stronger. For Manchester United fans it's the opportunity to follow a year with the side from the untainted by the PLC view of the supporter. For Reds abroad, it serves as the perfect reminder of home. For non-United or those not football supporters it's a chance to understand what we go through. Well written and personal, Paul and Linda have created a book you'll want to dip into time and time again.



2. This is a superb book. I couldn't put it down. Extremely well written and a must have for anyone interested in football from the fans point of view.

No comments about Paisley.

1 comments about Terrace Legends.

1. As an American perplexed by the phenomenon of English soccer hooliganism I purchased this book with the expectation that it would shed some light on this violent British subculture. Reading it proved I was wrong. All the authors have done is ask the same identical questions to a number of former hooligans and record their answers. After you have read the first few entries there is no need to continue as all the responses are similiar.
   
   One would have hoped for a better written explanation of the history and possible causes of this aberrant behavior but you won't find it in this book. A waste of money in my opinion.