UKC

Morning all,

I am looking for inspiration for my next book. I'm not a fan of fiction and have read pretty much nothing but expedition books and climbers autobiographies for the last year and a bit. Fancy reading something a bit different but am short of ideas (something about the history of the British empire maybe?).

Any and all ideas welcomed!!
Thanks
Chris

In reply to PebblePusher:

Have you read A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nicholls? The story of the 1968 round the world yacht race. It had me gripped and I still feel a little queasy when I see a certain shape of racing yacht.

In reply to PebblePusher:

I'd really recommend Helter Skelter. It's written by the attorney who prosecuted the Charles Manson case. Really gripping read and very well written. Probably the most absorbing non-fiction book i've read

In reply to both:

Well, that's why I asked UKC! I never in a million years would have thought of those but have read a couple of reviews and they sound really interesting.

Not sure if I'll go for the boating one just yet, I read (shocking confession here) the Bear Grylls book on crossed the Atlantic in an open RIB boat. Must say I thought it would be a struggle to maintain interest when all they have to descibe is a 360 degree view of water but he managed it and I thought it was a good read.

The Charles Manson book sounds fascinating.

Any more suggestions??

Cheers
Chris

In reply to PebblePusher:

We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch - it's about the Rwandan genocide and it's a brilliant book. As you'd expect, it's not particularly light reading, but it's definitely worth it.

Waterlog by Roger Deakin - a swimming journey round and within Britain.

In reply to PebblePusher: Achebe, things fall apart.

In reply to PebblePusher:

I really cant recommend it enough. Not at all the sort of book I'd normally go for, but I picked it up and literally couldn't put it down. The sort of book i'd sneak off on my lunch break to try and read a few more pages.

Also could go for Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell. It's a kind of autobiographical account of serving in the Spanish civil war. Gives are really unique insight into the war and into Orwell's life.

In reply to PebblePusher:

I thought The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant was good it covers the trial of The Great Franklin County Moonshine Conspiracy of the 1920's . Its not for the squeamish but it is well written & views it from two different perspectives so you get a good idea of what actually went on.

Nick Cave helped to adapt the story for it to become the film Lawless . He scored the soundtrack too which helped give it an authentic atmosphere I thought .

In reply to PebblePusher:


A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby.

A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor.

Into the Silence by Wade Davis.

In reply to PebblePusher: #
Just My Type - A Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield. Very readable book about a surprisingly interesting topic. Will literally change the way you look at the modern world...

In reply to PebblePusher:

I know you said you're not keen on fiction but give 'The Martian' by Andy Weir a try. It's only 77p for the Kindle at the moment and I'd highly recommend it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Martian-ebook/dp/B009IEXKXI

In reply to PebblePusher:
A short history of nearly everything - if school texts had been written like this we'd all be a little bit smarter.
Trawler - a war correspondent spends two weeks on a deep sea trawler, sounds odd but was a fascinating insight into a truly weird world.
Depending on your age/location; Pies & Prejudice. & Cider with Roadies. The former is an excellent love letter to the concept of The North (with the bonus of why the South has no soul) the latter is a must for anyone who was an adolescent music fan in the 80's & 90's.

In reply to Ramblin dave:

I *loved* that! Good call!

In reply to PebblePusher:

Thank you for all the ideas everyone, I have a nice list of books to go check out in Waterstones after work now.

Cheers
Chris

In reply to Kemics:

Hey Kemics, just to let you know thanks to you I am exhausted today! I bought Helter Skelter on Monday night and have not been able to put it down, have been reading past midnight every night this week. Thank god it's a short week as I might have fallen asleep at my desk after another night of little sleep.

So far it is one of the most gripping books I have read, information overload because of all the detail in it!

Thanks for a great suggestion.
Chris