Title: Behind the Lines.
Author: A.A. Milne.
Genre: Poetry, WWII.
Country: England, U.K.
Language: English.
Publication Date: 1940.
Summary: A collection of 43 poems written as a diary of the first 9 months of WWII. Deliverance describes the impression upon the announcement of the beginning of WII. Adolf Hitler is a critical portrait of the German dictator. The Third String is a besmirching poem about Rudolf Hess. High Purpose is a poem about Hitler changing his mind and joining hands with Stalin. An Alphabet is an abecedarium in verse about the war. The Portrait Gallery is a parody of German citizens and characters. Black-Out is a poem about the black-outs that were so disturbing and annoying. Hausfrau Speaks is a poem about Mein Kampf and its meaning to the German people. The Sinking of The Winston Churchill is a poem in which Goebbels recounts the torpedoing and sinking of The Winston Churchill of the British Fleet. Song for a Soldier is from a point of view of a young, newly-enlisted soldier, who yearns to win the war for his mother. Unity is a poem about Hitler's meeting with his closest associates, of whom he is not a fan. In War Work, the author suggests how he would move around the local geography to help with the war. Information is a poem about how information and propaganda makes their way through the world. Farewell to Butter is an ode to butter, which was heavily rationed during the war. The Supermen is a mocking poem about the Germans being the Chosen Race. Safety is a humorous poem about safety pacts and their efficacy, the author taking as example recent pacts with Baltic States and the earlier one with Finland and Russia. Par Nobile Fratrum wonders who wold be better, Stalin or Hitler. In The British Communist, the author critiques Communism with the example of Soviet Union, where adherents were required to suddenly and drastically change their allegiances back and forth between vastly different "Communist" leaders. Travel is about the solitude and mystery of traveling with strangers, and not quite being sure when your station is. Class Distinction is a poem about class distinction, and how nothing actually changes after a workers' revolution when capitalism takes the stage. Hoares de Combât is a poem where the author reveals what he would do if he were Prime Minister and had to choose a Cabinet. Excelsior is the author's take on the famous Longfellow poem of the same name, in the context of the war, in which a young man travels through a mountain village at dusk, bearing the banner "Excelsior," and refuses to heed warning and take rest on his way up the mountain. Merry Christmas is a poem about the first Christmas of the war, and trying to keep it merry still. Obsession looks at Winston Churchill from Goebbels's and Germans' point of view, as the causer of all evils. Home Service is about the BBC Home Service, which is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 1st September 1939 and ended on the 29th September 1967. In The Bottle, the author, passing through a humble village, is surprised to stumble on a rare wine bottle only to find out people were saving it to celebrating Hitler's demise. In Weather Report, the author remarks how one of the things he misses most during the war are the weather reports and competing with other regions for worse weather. In Almost a Gentleman, the author mocks the phenomenon as a German "almost gentleman" addresses a typical British one. Sleep No More is the author's wish that Hitler is haunted by all those whose deaths he is responsible for, and is unable to sleep again. The Neutral is a poem about the dangers of political neutrality, and making others establish your values and beliefs for you. Talk is a poem about the author realizing every station on the radio is filled with political war talk and propaganda all over the world. Officers and Gentlemen is a humorous poem about three gentlemen and officers winning the war with the help of marmalade-making and financial finagling. Matilda, the author recalls his disappointment in Norway's occupation by recalling his meeting with an enchanting young lady named Matilda whilst sailing to Norway. Spring Offensive is an allegorical poem about a harsh spring. In Quid Pro Quo, the author defends war taxation, expressing pleasure to be able to contribute in some way, being too old to fight at the front whilst others die. Guests is a poem about refugees, wherein the author expresses they have been more pleasant and welcome company than most of his friends. The Patriot is about a German calmly proceeding to play golf and enjoying life as the war rages on. Old Soldier is a melancholy poem about an a veteran soldier struggling with yet another war, and finding he may not be a soldier any longer. Wishful Thinking is a humorous poem that criticizes those who criticize positive and wishful thinking. The Voice of Italy is a poem about Italy's threats and eventual entry into the war. To America critiques America's refusal to enter the war, and an urging to do so. The Conscientious Objector is a harsh critique of anyone who claims to be one, and an argument that even from a Christian point of view, the stance is not defendable. The Lost Generation praises the generation which was "raised by women" and made fun of during WWI, but went to war to the awe of WWI veterans during WWII.

My rating: 7.5/10
My review:

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Title: Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster.
Author: Svetlana Alexievich (translated by Keith Gessen).
Genre: Non-fiction, man-made disasters, politics, social criticism, conspiracy.
Country: Belarus.
Language: Russian.
Publication Date: 1997.
Summary: On April 26, 1986, the worst nuclear reactor accident in history occurred in Chernobyl and contaminated as much as three quarters of Europe. This book is the first book to present personal accounts of the tragedy. The author interviewed hundreds of people affected by the meltdown—from innocent citizens to firefighters to those called in to clean up the disaster—and their stories reveal the fear, anger, and uncertainty with which they still live. Comprised on interviews in monologue form, the book is crucially important and unforgettable in its emotional power and honesty. (Only Part 2 in this post, refer to PART 1 for the rest of the quotes.)

My rating: 10/10.
My review:

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Title: Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster.
Author: Svetlana Alexievich (translated by Keith Gessen).
Genre: Non-fiction, man-made disasters, politics, social criticism, conspiracy.
Country: Belarus.
Language: Russian.
Publication Date: 1997.
Summary: On April 26, 1986, the worst nuclear reactor accident in history occurred in Chernobyl and contaminated as much as three quarters of Europe. This book is the first book to present personal accounts of the tragedy. The author interviewed hundreds of people affected by the meltdown—from innocent citizens to firefighters to those called in to clean up the disaster—and their stories reveal the fear, anger, and uncertainty with which they still live. Comprised on interviews in monologue form, the book is crucially important and unforgettable in its emotional power and honesty. (Only Part 1 in this post, refer to PART 2 for the rest of the quotes.)

My rating: 10/10.
My review:

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Title: The Second Plane: September 11, Terror and Boredom.
Author: Martin Amis.
Genre: Non-fiction, fiction, essays, short stories, 9/11, politics.
Country: England.
Language: English.
Publication Date: 2001-2007 (this collection 2008).
Summary: A collection of 12 essays and 2 short stories. (Essays 8-14 in this post, refer to PART 1 for essays 1-5 and 2 short stories.) In What Will Survive of Us (2006), using the phone calls coming from United 93 shortly before it went down in a field, and reviewing Paul Greengrass's United 93, the author makes an argument that love is the last emotion of the dying. Conspiracy Theories, and Takfir (2006), examines the horrific coincidences that enabled Osama bin Laden’s progress from down­-and­-out cave-dweller, to the chief symbol of Islamist terrorism. Bush in Yes-Man's-Land (2006) is a review of the book State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III by Bob Woodward, which is extremely critical of Bush's conduct around 9/11, and Iraq invasion. Demographics (2007) is a review of the book America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It by Mark Steyn. On the Move with Tony Blair (2007) is an essay that the author wrote about following Tony Blair on his Farewell Tour, from England to Germany to the White House to Iraq. In An Islamist's Journey (2007) is a review of the book The Islamist: Why I Joined Radical Islam in Britain, What I Saw Inside and Why I Left by Ed Husain. September 11 (2007) talks about the naming of the disaster, and its symbolic meanings.

My rating: 7.5/10
My review:

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Title: The Second Plane: September 11, Terror and Boredom.
Author: Martin Amis.
Genre: Non-fiction, fiction, essays, short stories, 9/11, politics.
Country: England.
Language: English.
Publication Date: 2001-2007 (this collection 2008).
Summary: A collection of 12 essays and 2 short stories. (Essays 1-5 and 2 short stories in this post, refer to PART 2 for essays 8-14.) The Second Plane (2001) is an essay written right in the wake of 9/11, detailing the impact and proposing solutions for going forward. The Voice of the Lonely Crowd (2002) is an essay about creative writing after 9/11, as well as the author's views on religion and religious ideology. In The Wrong War (2003), an essay, Amis presents why he believes America is going to war with specifically Iraq, and America's problematic foreign policy in the Middle East. In the Palace of the End (2004) is a short story from the perspective of one of the doubles of the son of a fascist dictator in an unnamed Middle-Eastern country. Terror and Boredom: The Dependent Mind (2006) is an unsparing analysis if Islamic fundamentalism and the West's flummoxed response to it. The Last Days of Muhammad Atta (2006) is a short story that follows ring-leader Atta and his inner-thoughts as he prepares for flight the morning of September 11, 2001 and continues until seconds following him crashing American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Iran and the Lord of Time (2006) expounds on the role of Iran in the conflict, and looks into the ways of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

My rating: 7.5/10
My review:

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Title: Wildtrack.
Author: John Wain.
Genre: Literature, poetry, politics, philosophical.
Country: U.K.
Language: English.
Publication Date: 1965.
Summary: Discontinuous in method, using a lavish and unpredictable variety of means (from highly-wrought lyrics to conversational semi-metre and prose) the poem builds from many materials—historical, personal, anthropological—a sustained meditation on the theme of human interdependence. Leans heavily on the poem The Twelve by Alexander Blok (written in response to the October Revolution of 1917, and describing the march of twelve Bolshevik soldiers (likened to the Twelve Apostles) through the streets of revolutionary Petrograd, with a fierce winter blizzard raging around them), as well as works by Swift and other major authors and works.

My rating: 8/10.
My review:

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Title: The Accusation.
Author: Bandi.
Genre: Short stories, politics, political dissent.
Country: North Korea.
Language: Korean.
Publication Date: 1989, 1993, 1995 (the compendium published in 2014).
Summary: In 1989, a North Korean dissident writer's stories, speaking of the horrors of the Kim Il-sung's regime and the lives of ordinary men and women facing the terrible absurdity of daily life in North Korea, were smuggled out of the country. This volume collects 7 short stories and 2 poems (in place of the Introduction and Acknowledgements). In Place of a Preface is a poem that serves as the mouthpiece for Bandi's belief of the evils of communism. In Record of a Defection (1989), a man describes the circumstances under which he and his family decide to defect - a shadow hanging over the whole family because of something his father had inadvertently committed many decades ago that grows ever darker and more dangerous as the man's nephew grows up. In City of Specters (1993), a successful family's life is jeopardized when, on the dawn of the National Day celebrations, their two-year-old son inexplicably develops an insurmountable terror of both the portrait of Karl Marx, and Kim Il-sung. In Life of a Swift Steed (1993), a man who is a decorated officer tries to preserve the reputation of his father's best friend as a Party member, when the older man violently refuses orders to cut down an elm tree growing in his back yard, which holds a special and ironic significance. In So Near, Yet So Far (1993), a man desperately tries to get back to the village where he was born and where his mother is now dying, despite the travelling regulations that forbid him from making the relatively short trek. In Pandemonium (1995), while a woman's husband and granddaughter are severely injured by being held in a train station for too long with too many people to allow for a First Class Event (the leader traveling down the given route), she has a shocking run-in with Kim Il-sung himself. On Stage is a story of a member's of the secret service, Yeong-pyo's, disillusionment with the state when he is informed his son's behaviour is found inappropriate, for it goes against the expected an constant outpouring of grief enforced by the state due to Kim Il-sung's death. In The Red Mushroom, a journalist tries to help a conscientious and hard-working man who, after ending a shortage of bean paste for the government, is chosen as the scapegoat to take the blame when the project fails due to environmental factors. In Place of Acknowledgements is a poem in which the author again warns against the terrible regime in which he lives, and urges people all over the world to heed his words.

My rating: 9/10
My review:

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Title: History's Worst Decisions, And the People Who Made Them (Illustrated Edition).
Author: Stephen Weir.
Genre: Non-fiction, history, religion, social criticism, sociology, anthropology, war, romance, politics, political dissent, travel and exploration, WWI, WWII, ethics, animals, zoology, ecology, medicine, astronomy, cults, science, business and finance, biography, espionage, national disasters.
Country: U.K.
Language: English.
Publication Date: 2009.
Summary: History is a catalogue of errors, and this book shines a light on 50 of the biggest. It doesn't just point the finger at individuals; the actions of governments and corporations are also scrutinized. The motivations - often sinister, sometimes naïve - that led those responsible to commit their mistakes are unveiled, as is the lasting impact that their decisions have had on the world that we live in today. The books discusses: Adam and Eve, Menelaus and Helen of Troy, Hannibal and the avalanche, Cleopatra's men, Nero and the burning of Rome, Erik the Red's "Dream Island" (Greenland), Pope Sylvester II and the "end of the world", Pope Alexander III and the search for Prester John, George Podiebrad, Moctezuma and Hernán Cortés, Johan de Witt and Manhattan Island, Lord North and George III's Boston Tea Party, Napoleon's march on Russia, the War Office versus Florence Nightingale and disease during Crimean War, the War Office versus the Indian army and the mutiny over beef fat, Thomas Austin's rabbits, General Custer and Little Bighorn, King Leopold and the scramble for Africa, the Romanovs and Rasputin, lack of sufficient life-boats on the Titanic, assassination of Franz Ferdinand, Winston Churchill and Gallipoli, General Haig and the Battle of the Somme, Maginot's Line, Winston Churchill and the creation of modern Iraq, Stalin and the Great Purge, Shenton Thomas and the fall of Singapore, Suhrawardy and the Bengal rice famine, John Wakefield's peanuts in Africa, Mohammed Mossadegh and Iranian democracy, the British nuclear legacy of Maralinga, Sir Anthony Eded and the Suez Canal, Thalidomide, AIDS and the chimps of the Congo, Mao and da yue jin (Great Leap Forward), Robert McNamara and Agent Orange, Mariner 1 spacecraft disaster, the history of the island of Naru and its phosphate, Jim Jones and the Jonestown suicides, the Bhopal explosion, Robert Maxwell and The Mirror pensioners, Chernobyl, CIA and Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan, Gerald Ratner, the Bangladesh floods and the destruction of the Himalayan Rainforest, Lockheed Martin and the Mars mission, Y2K, Robert Mugabe's great Zimbabwe land grab, Enron, and the Boxing Day tsunami in Thailand.

My rating: 8.5/10
My Review: This is a fun surface-history/trivia study of all the atrocious, stupid, and unconscionable things that are most well-known throughout history. Volumes like this are useful, because they can give you the basic knowledge that you can then follow-up on in detail elsewhere. I enjoyed that for a general trivia-like book, it was well written - eloquently, but with humour, clearly separating fact and theory. The only problem I found with this book was that it's hard to take any history book seriously that starts with discussing Adam and Eve, and moves on to Helen of Troy. It would seem that this book is that of general human beliefs, and Genesis is surely a famous story that applies (by choice of their religion) to a lot of people, but I still find it distasteful finding such subject matter in a history book, side-by-side with major history events and personages. Other than that pet-peeve, however, I thought the book compiled a pretty accurate and thorough chronological list, and expanded on each topic just enough to give all the pertinent information, but wet the appetite for further research. (As a side note, this edition, though preferable to me because illustrated with historical photographs and relevant imagery, had more than one grammatical errors and rather bad editing.)

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