Good Books...
The titles below cover a vast range of subjects & writing styles, and are in no particular order - of course, several themes which I find particularly interesting are prevalent. This list is something I have always thought everyone should do, first and foremost so that the titles can be shared with other people of similar taste, who are passionate about books. But I have also made this list so as not to forget the myriad of great books I have read over many years which are now lost or forgotten somewhere - a particular problem of the constant traveller.
If you enjoy the books below and would like to add a recommendation (there are no parameters on subject or genre - I do read some ficton, despite the overwhelming abundance of non-fiction in the selection below), please do contact me.
... should be shared
Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds
By Charles Mackay
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Economic bubbles, market psychology, superstition
- First published in the 1840s, Mackay's writing has surpassed the centuries and his beautiful style and wit remain a pleasure read. Mackay methodically examines various delusions - financial and superstitious - that duped large portions of society at various times in history; from Holland's Tulip Mania, to the bizarre beliefs and practices that arose out of Europe's Black Plague, the account is fascinating, often hilarious, and a poignant reminder of the nature of re-occuring societal follies.
Dying Every Day - Seneca at the Court of Nero
By James Romm
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Roman history, Stoic philosophy .
- Expecting perhaps a rather dry and factual account of Seneca's philosophy, I found myself comletely drawn in & unable to put the volume down. An excellently crafted account of life in the Roman court, and the precarious position of those favoured by the princeps. Alongside this scene of blood, intrigue, humiliation and scheming, Romm offers a painfully objective and humanising account of the man behind the renown sage's writings.
A Rage for Rock Gardening
By Nicola Shulman
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – The life of plant-hunter Reginald Farrer
- A beautifully written, unbiased, wry, often humorous look at the life and accomplishments of Reginald Farrer, a man full of conradictions, and markedly eccentric even amongst the colourful characters of the early 20th century plant-hunting world. A fascinating glimpse at a deeply flawed man, and his invaluable contribution to the world of gardening.
Peter the Great
By Robert K. Massie
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – The life & times of one of Russia's most extraordinary rulers.
- Once again, Massie is enthralling - although he presents his subject matter in a way which leads the reader to believe that any written account, however simplistic, of such a man would be enthralling. Peter the Great is revealed as a prodigy of raw intelligence, a brilliant - if reluctant - ruler who introduces Russia to European culture against significant odds, and an eccentric and ceaselessly inquiring mind. An immaculately researched account, and a wonderful story.
The Pleasures & Sorrows of Work
By Alain de Botton
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – work, activity, the human psyche.
- One of my favourite books by de Botton, second only to The Art of Travel. A wonderful account of the reasons we work, the way we work, and how we perceive our own work. The author is personable, but extraordinarily articulate. Far more intriguing and profound than the title (or the cover of this particular edition) hints.
Hallucinations
By Oliver Sacks
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Neurology.
- I count every single book Sacks has ever written to be among my favourite & most treasured books.
Hallucinations was especially striking, though, in its profundity. A frank look at the neurological phenomenon of various types of hallucinations, and a stark and overdue re-assessment of what these phenomenon are, and how often they occur. Highly readable and extremely interesting to anyone who wants to learn more about the brain.
Caliban's Shore
By Stephen Taylor
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Shipwreck, endurance, 19th century Africa.
- An enthralling account of the wreck of the Grosvener and the subsequent ordeal the survivors endured on the coast of Africa. Highly readable, and an extraordinary example of the limits of human endurance.
The Song of the Dodo
By David Quammen
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Island biogeography, evolution, natural selection, extinction.
- A great wealth of information on the rise and decline of various species in isolated environments. Quammen's work is scholarly and well researched, but also very easy to read. Thank you JESSE for recommending.
The Anatomy of Violence
By Adrian Raine
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Crime, violence, neurology, psychology.
- A concise and detailed account of various incidents and statistics pertaining to the neurological, genetic and environmental roots of violent behaviour. Fascinating and full of information, the author presents the facts to the reader to form his or her own opinion of the relationship between the various contributing factors and the occurrence of violent crime.
The Truth About Anna
By William Warren
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Travel, literature, South East Asia, food, history, culture.
- A treasure of a book, stumbled upon by chance. Very quick and easy to read, but well written. A collection of short essays about a fascinating range of subjects from South East Asian culture and history - the title piece being intriguing revelations and recently discvoered facts about the life of Anna Leonowens.
Aku-Aku
By Thor Heyerdahl
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Exploration, archaeology, anthropology, Easter Island.
- An wonderful account of Heyerdahl’s 1955 - 1956 expedition to Easter Island to study the island’s history and the process by which the iconic statues were made & erected. Many of Heyerdahl’s theories and the exciting way in which he presents them caused some criticism from various other experts; some of the authors theories (such as some of his theories on Polynesian origins) long since been debunked. Howevr the volume remains a wonderfully written and endlessly fascinating adventure story.
Over the Edge of the World
By Laurence Bergreen
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Exploration, colonial history, Ferdinand Magellan.
- A well-written and exhilarating biography of Magellan and his famous last voyage. A fascinating glimpse into another time, and the character of an exceptional, stubborn, cruel, fearless, remarkable man - as well as a host of his staunch admirers and innumerable enemies.
The Dragon Empress
By Marina Warner
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Chinese history, Dowager Empress Cixi, colonialism, war.
- A very interested biography of the last empress of China. Warner creates an intriguing picture of this ruthless, brilliant, power-mad woman, and of China at one of the most tumultuous, violent and chaotic times in the nation's history.
The Jesuit & the Skull
By Amir Aczel
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Jesuit religion, paleontology, China.
- An excellent account of one of the most delightful and interesting characters of the 20th century. Aczel's perspective of the Jesuit priest and great scientist Pierre Teihlard de Chardin and his life's work is refreshingly un-biased. He gives the reader an extensive understanding of the man's travels, accomplishments and above all of his extraordinary character.
White Mughals
By William Dalrymple
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Colonialism in 18th and 19th century India
- An insightful and beautifully researched account of the love affair between a British Resident and a Mughal woman at a tumultuous time in India's history. The book offers a rare glimpse into Anglo-Indian culture prior to the nineteenth century; much of which has been forgotten or generally overshadowed by the centuries of thoughtless conquest, greed and racism that followed.
The Summing Up
By Somerset Maugham
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Creativity, writing, Maugham's personal philosophy
- The delightful reminisces of Maugham's life & work.
The Last Crusade - The Epic Voyages of Vasco da Gama
By Nigel Cliff
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – The history of Muslim / Christian conflict and the Age of Exploration
- Beautifully written & well researched, Nigel Cliff combines a concise, well ordered and compulsively readable synopsis of the crusades and a dazzling glimpse of fifteenth century European seafaring life in this fascinating account.Tracing the roots of tensions between Muslim & Christian communities since the inception of Islam, the author provides a great deal of insight into da Gama’s legendary expeditions, revealing them to be far more than simply commercially-driven trade journeys.An exceptional read.
The Influencing Machine
By Mike Jay
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – The life of James Tilly Matthews, the ramifications of the French Revolution, and the advent of modern attitudes towards the welfare of the insane.
- A beautifully written and well researched account of political peace-seeker Matthews' extraordinary and unfortunate life; from his early aspirations, to his schizophrenic delusions, to the workings of his incongruously lucid intellect.
The Art of Travel
By Alain de Botton
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Travel, literature, painting, meaning, authenticity, aesthetics.
- A beautiful written and profound work that examines various aspects of the human activity of travelling. De Botton uses painters, poets and writers as guides, and interprets their insights with great skill. Upon reading this book, I immediately set out to purchase any other works by the author I could find.
Sea of Glory; The Epic South Seas Expedition 1838 - 1842
By Nathaniel Philbrick
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Exploration, scientific investigation, Pacific islands, the Antarctic continent, the founding of the Smithsonian
- The fascinating story of Charles Wilkes, the unfortunate commander of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, and the aftermath of his controversial command. The long-forgotten voyage played a vital role in establishing the first major American natural history museum, and serves as a remarkable insight into the hardships faced by 19th century sailors, whether amid the iceburgs of the Antarctic or battling the ferocious tribes of the Pacific islands. From the same author of the exellent In the Heart of the Sea (see below).
Castaway
By ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ Joseph Cummins
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Exploration, adventure, endurance, islands, sea voyages.
- Castaways is a fast read - nicely, but certainly not brilliantly written. Nonetheless, the content of this book makes it absolutely enthralling. This book has been an excellent springboard from which I have gone on to learn and read and much as I can about the various characters, disasters and incidents briefly mentioned (the Japanese on Anatahan, and the gory events that unfolded on Clipperton Island being the most interesting, to my mind). Some of the most extraordinary and bizarre stories of adventure, murder, madness & survival in history.
The Island of the Colourblind
By Oliver Sacks
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Neurology, botany.
- I count every single book Sacks has ever written to be among my favourite & most treasured books.
This volume is rather different from most of his other works, and allows the author free reign to express in depth his passion for botany in conjunction with his passion for neurology. It is a travel account of Sacks’ trips to Pohnpei, and then, on a separate occasion, to Guam to study unique neurological conditions in isolated communities. As always, he is full of insight and a pleasure to read.
The Malay Archipelago
By Alfred Russel Wallace
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – The flora & fauna of the Indonesian/Malay islands, adventure, 19th century scientific pursuit.
- Wallace's most famous work is packed with information and insight into his surroundings, yet often reads like an adventurous novel. A wonderful glimpse of the Malay archipelago at a fascinating time in history, and an intriguing closer look at the personality of one of the greatest scientific minds of the time.
The Case of the Midwife Toad
By Arthur Koestler
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Biology, lamarckian ideaology, inheritance
- An account of the life and works of biologist Paul Kammerer, including his study of the midwife toad; and the rabid expulsion from the intellectual community which followed speculation that some of his experiments were unsound. Koestler takes an unfashionable stance by not immediately condemning Kammerer – the book is an unbiased account of the experiments and the circumstances surrounding them. Very interesting to anyone wishing to learn more about a singular episode in the history of modern biology.
Oaxaca Journal
By Oliver Sacks
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Ferns, collecting, amateur botany
- The wonderful account of Sacks' 'fern foray' with other members of the eccentric American Fern Society to Oaxaca to observe and collect specimens. As always, Sacks love of his subject is contageous. Beautifully written, as always.
In the Heart of the Sea
By Nathaniel Philbrick
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – 19th Century whaling, Nantucket culture, sperm whales, shipwreck, survival at sea
- The true story which was the main source of inspiration for Melville's Moby Dick. The actual events are possibly more intriguing than the classic itself- certainly an occurance that has few or no paralells in recorded history. A well written and well researched account of the enormous whale that deliberately attacked and sunk the Essex. AD - This book has recently been made into a film of the same name which seems to reflect little of the authors style and research. The book should not be judged by the film.
Into the Silent Land
By Paul Broks
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Neuroscience, body & soul relationship, brain & mind relationship.
- A fascinating, easy-to-read and beautifully written account of various day-to-day occurrences in Broks’ practice and his own life. Broks reflects on several themes including the brain and mind relationship, and the alleged organic seat of the human soul.
The Sea, The Sea
By Iris Murdoch
Genre - Fiction
Themes – Theatre, literature, love, power, self deception, Eastern philosophy
- One of my favourite novels. The story of an aged theatre director who retires to isolation by the sea and is plagued by the passions and troubles he sought to banish. Wonderfully written, funny, profound, and a novel that can be read and enjoyed over and over.
Nathaniel’s Nutmeg
By Giles Milton
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – English/Dutch/Spice Island history, military conquest, colonialism.
- An intriguing account of some of the most crucial happenings in the Spice Islands at the height of hostilities between the British and the Dutch. Full of adventure, greed, horrendous torture, and the obsession with spice that prevailed at the time. Thank you SUE for recommending.
Cranioklepty: Grave Robbing & the Search for Genius
By Colin Dickey
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – An account of skull theft from the age of phrenology until modern times, centered of the story of the severed heads of Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Browne, Goya and others.
- A fascating and obscure book that examines our attachement to mortal remains, and how the values we have placed on these (skulls in particular) has changed over the last few centuries. An engaging insight into how phrenology itself was born; and its demise.
On The Move; A Life
By Oliver Sacks
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – An account of Sacks' extraordinary life
- It was with genuine distress and much sadness that I learned of Dr Sacks passing. On The Move is an account of Dr Sacks' life, written in a manner far more personal than his earlier biographical work Uncle Tungsten. Like all his other books it is excpetionally written, sensitive and profound - the personal reflections of one of the greatest minds of the last century.
Into the Land of the Blue Poppies
By Frank Kingdon Ward and edited by Michael Pollan
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Plant-hunting, Tibet, Northern China, Burma, natural history expeditions, Rhododendrons
- A fascinating account of journeys of Kingdon Ward. I was slightly dissapointed to note that this book was not the complete account that I was expecting when I purchased it - it is excerpts of Kingdon Wards writings, prefaces by Pollan about general themes and hardships of his collecting. Nonetheless it is a collection of fascinating accounts by a truly remarkable man.
Satan Came to Eden
By Dore Strauch
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Isolation, Nietzschean philosophy, pioneering life, Galapagos.
- A fascinating work ,stumbled upon by accident. Strauch recounts the details of her life with Frederick Ritter and their adventures and hardships in self-chosen exile upon the Galapagos island of Floreana. Strauch also gives her perspective in a serious of extraordinary events that became one of the most intriguing murder cases of the century in those islands. For a wider view, see also Margaret Wittmer's account Floreana; A Woman's Pilgrimage; and the newly released documentary The Galapagos Affair.
The Collected Short Stories of Somerset Maugham Vol. I - IV
By Somerset Maugham
Genre - Fiction
Themes – Innumerable…
- Wonderful, colourful, endlessly intriguing short stories. Some of the best of these were inspired by Maugham’s extensive travel in Asia and the Pacific and the charcters the met on his journey. The author's insights into human nature are what made Maugham one of the greatest writers of the last century.
Nicholas & Alexander
By Robert K. Massie
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – The life & times of the last czar of the Romanov Dynasty
- Spurred by Massie's excellent scholarship and style in Catherine, I imediately sought out further works. Nicholas & Alexander is one of the most riveting historical accounts I have ever read . It is compassionate, brutal, and colourful, ultimately presenting the story of Nicholas, Alexander & their children as the perfect tragedy while still maintaing a broad and objective view of early 20th century Russia.
Monkey Puzzle Man: Archibald Menzies, Plant Hunter
By James McCarthy
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Plant-hunting, exploration, botany
- An account of Menzies' life and work, with particular detail of his turbulent voyage in the company of Captain Vancouver along the North American coast. A fascinating glimpse into shipboard life in the late 18th century, and into the character of a great and indomitable plant hunter.
The Man Within my Head; Graham Greene, My Father and Me
By Pico Iyer
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Relections on travel, writing, & Greene's work.
- An accomplished travel writer, Iyer recounts how Greene inspired him, and how his father and his unique cultural heritage simultaneously influenced his work.
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a woman
By Robert K. Massie
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – The life & times of one of Russia's most rekarkable monarchs
- An enthralling account and a fascinating glimpse of life in 18th century Europe. The portrait of a woman of remarkable intelligence and patience, and her genuine, albeit occasionally misguided, attempts at benevelent autocracy. An extraordinary figure, reigning at a remarkable and turbulent time in history.
A Blast From The Past
By Mike Dash
Genre - Online Blog
Address - www.allkindsofhistory.wordpress.com
Themes – Essays from history
- This is the first and only entry on this page that is not an actual published book - however the merits of Mr Dash's writing simply cannot be overlooked, and I recommed this website to anyone with even a remote interest in history. It is an absolute treasure trove of fascinating, well researched bizarre chapters of history.
The Discoverers
By Daniel J. Boorstin
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Art, science, exploration, Western history.
- A wealth of information, full of interesting stories and incidents throughout history pertaining to invention, exploration and discovery. Extremely comprehensive but of fascinating content, this is a good bed-side book, can be read in various places like an anthology, and re-read many times over.
You Can't Win
By Jack Black (1871 - 1932)
Genre – Non-fiction, biography
Themes – Crime, vagabondage
- This is a very simply written, occasionally tradgic, often hilarious account of Black's life on the road and in and out of jail. It portrays scenes from a lost time and a lost 'hobo' culture, known only to most of us now from books and early hollywood films. A very unique book, and interesting insight into a very underprivileged life in very difficult times.
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
By Thornton Wilder
Genre - Fiction
Themes – Predestination, meaning, love, pride, death
- One of the most beautifully written, character-driven novels of all time. The story centres on the sudden and unexpected fall of a bridge in Lima, and the five persons crossing who met their death. Wilder’s characters are some of the most colourful, sorrowful, rich and remarkable I have ever met in fiction. WARNING – the recent film production of this book was disappointing, inadequate, and a very poor renditions of the book. Read the book; avoid the film.
Amazon Throne
By Bertita Harding
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Portuguese/Brazilian history, colonialism.
- An out-of-print and extremely difficult to find book, I stumbled upon an old copy by chance – one of the best and most interesting historical accounts I have ever read. Full of characters and incidents stranger than fiction, the author tells the story of the Portuguese in Brazil neatly and articulately.
Invisible
By Hugh de Montalembert
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Blindness, art, travel.
- This is a very short book, and the writing style is not my favourite. Nonetheless, the content of the book is incredble. The true story of a horrific crime which resulted in the permanent blinding of the author; his road to recovery, and the extraordinary adventures he undertook. A very remarkable man.
The Man who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
By Oliver Sacks
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Neurology, the brain, the mind body relationship.
- The first book by Sacks I ever read - after which I promptly went out and bought everything else he ever wrote. One of the most fascinating books of all time, easy for the layman to read, beautifully written and endlessly intriguing to anyone interestedin the workings of the brain.
Irrational Man
By William Barret
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Existenialism, the history of western philosophy, greek thinkers, modern art, modern society
- A very old favourite, introduced to me a very long time ago. Barret’s writing is engaging and approachable, and the content fascinating. Principally a close examination of existential philosophy, Barret also writes with great insight about religious ideology, Greek philosophy, and the history of art. Interesting and readable,over and over.
Love & Hatred - The Stormy Marriage of Leo & Sonya Tolstoy
By William L. Shirer
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Tolstoyan philosophy, marriage, love,
- A very interesting and little known side of the great writer, who was clearly a very difficult man to live with; a description which also fitted his unhappy wife. A fascinating, often disturbing glimpse into Tolstoy's life and personal philosophy.
King Leopold's Ghost
By Adam Hochschild
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – Slavery, Congolese history, Belgian history, colonialism
- The appalling true story of Belgium's colonization of the Congo, and the establishment of the slave trade thereafter. A frightening chapter of history, and an alarming insight into the person of Leopold II. Thank you JEN for reccomending.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Genre - Fiction
- The greatest novel ever written.
Monumental Bali
By A.J. Bernet Kempers
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Balinese History, archaeology, anthropology, religion.
- A marvellous and highly readable book of information about various monuments and artefacts, both ancient and modern. Full of practical information pertaining to the location, dimensions, and known history of such places and objects, as well as the history of their discovery.
The Age of Absurdity; Why Modern Life Makes it Hard to Be Happy
By Michael Foley
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – The human condition, Western thought, the modern era
- A light, interesting, occasionally profound and often hilarious look at joy and contentment, and the factors that contribute to these states, or lack thereof. An unapologetic view of modern man's attitude, expectations and capacity for self deception. Thank you SUE for recomending.
The Discovery of Jeanne Baret
By Glynis Ridley
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Exploration, botany, the South Pacific, Bougainville’s voyage.
- An account that has to be read to be believed. The remarkable story of a female stowaway who disguises herself as a man - her life prior to and on-board a ship exploring the South Pacific, her contributions to botanical discoveries, and the gruesome incidents surrounding her discovery. Thank you ZELL for recommending.
Overland through Asia; Pictures of Siberian, Chinese, and Tartar Life
By Thomas Wallace Knox
Genre – Non-fiction
Themes – 19th century travel, Russia, Siberia, China, general information.
- A fantastic and obscure, often hilarious volume, stumbled upon by chance. Knox is no conqueror, scientist or poet - he is merely an exceedingly interesting traveller. His account is delightful, extremely witty, and offers invaluable insight into a world that no longer exists in anything like the form in which he experienced it.
George Forrest; Plant Hunter
By Brenda McLean
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – An account of Forrest's life & work
- A wonderful anthology, complete with numerous images of Forrest, his native field assistants, and his family; as well the original photographs that Forrest himself took in China on his expeditions. The account of Forrest's travels into southern China, with details of the incredible hardships the explorer suffered, as well as the remarkable botanical trophies he secured. A brilliant tribute to an extraordinary man.
Pacific
By Simon Winchester
Genre - Non-fiction
Themes – Modern history, warfare, espionage, the rise and fall of empires, environmental impact, plus many more.
- Intriguing stories on a wide range of subjects, from the origin or surfing to deep sea exploration, the rise of the Japanese Sony business empire, to the birth of the nation of North Korea. Well written and well researched, a fascinating eclectic collection of stories.