On Royalty - Jeremy Paxman

Advantages: a serious subject dealt with wittily
Disadvantages: not an original idea

...It used to be easy to define the English, they were "polite, unexcitable, reserved, and had hot-water bottles instead of a sex life," so begins Paxman. But then something changed. In this book Paxman asks varous questions about what it means to be English. There have been a spate of such books over the past couple of years as people have begun to question their sense of national identity due in part to the rise of Europe and devolution. Paxman's book is not too accademic and is easy to read. He has read widely but not obscurely and you will be familiar with the majority of his sources. Paxman looks at English attitudes to food, foreigners, sport, sex.. He explores the impact of our history and language. This clearly written book is often witty and is well worth reading. I would recomend it.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: funny and informative, thoroughly researched
Disadvantages: not everyone's cup of tea

...Jeremy Paxman is not to everyone's taste, although I always find his regular battles with Ann Widdecombe on Newsnight very funny. His most recent book, The English, is an excellent read. Paxman examines what it means to be English in the context of the UK's integration into the EU and the creation of Scottish and Welsh parliaments. A look at the index to the book shows the breadth of subjects covered, for example under P we find: painting persecution plumbing Portillo, Michael Powell, Enoch Preston Private Eye magazine prosperity prostitution I initially thought that the book may go over my head but I found it engrossing, each of the eleven chapters is very well researched and Paxman obviously has a great passion for the subject and a great fondness of many things English. Paxman writes in a different way than you might imagine... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Concise, well written and informative
Disadvantages: None

...Part political history, part psychological analysis of what inspires those we choose to lead us. The Political Animal looks at a wide range of politicians almost as though they were a completely different species; and in a way they are. Having been politically active since the age of 14, it didn?t take me long to realise that my interests and ambitions were somewhat abnormal. As I?ve grown older and met many more people involved in both local and national politics, I?ve come to realise that we are a very strange group indeed. And therefore, I was very interested, although somewhat apprehensive, when I started reading this book. Paxman has recognised this and poses the simple question: what makes politicians tick? What inspires people to seek power, and to do so in a manner which means putting yourself up for election every few years... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful