Operation Moonglow presents a unique angle on the space race. It is particularly well-conceived and meticulously researched. Muir-Harmony explores the psychological geopolitical strategy behind the US pursuit of scientific accomplishment in space presented as global collaboration and utilised as a diplomatic tactic. By carefully constructing and staging a global messaging that implied accomplishment by the US (as the dominant superpower) but was made explicit for the good of all humanity the US attempted to distract from domestic and international areas of contention. Muir-Harmony substantiates her hypotheses with extensive and original research. It is well-marshalled and delivered alongside comprehensive contextualisation that backgrounds the historical narrative and provides a series of nuggets that reward careful reading. What is consummately a work of research and an academically-leaning work is eminently readable and a significant contribution to scholarship on the space race. From the standpoint of the story arc, there is a real challenge in focusing on Operation Moonglow, the specific diplomatic sojourn by Nixon following the successful moon landing, which is chronologically situated about 75% of the way through the narrative. The bulk of the work is a buildup, and by that stage, the reader is probably thoroughly convinced by the author’s hypothesis. As a result, the main event itself comes as a bit of denouement. The actual itinerary and colour of specific events read in a very different fashion from the rest of the work. The same holds with the Giant Leap PR journey of the astronauts. Could the author have used a colourful recounting of the astronaut’s journey at the beginning of the book to foreshadow subsequent scholarly argument delivery? Possibly but that would be editorial decisions and may not be what works for everyone. All in all, Operation Moonglow is a fascinating read – enjoyable, engaging, and substantive – a great nugget of learning.
Using the Pera Palace (a special locality in a special metropolis), Charles King uses the hotel as a focus for an exploration of the birth of modern Istanbul. He tells a tale well and is an adept manager of tangents.
Using the Pera Palace (a special locality in a special metropolis), Charles King uses the hotel as a focus for an exploration of the birth of modern Istanbul. He tells a tale well and is an adept manager of tangents.
Daughters of the KGB: Moscow’s Secret Spies, Sleepers and Assassins of the Cold War by Douglas Boyd My rating: 3 of 5 stars The year is not over despite me starting to post summation articles on this blog. A gracious
Daughters of the KGB: Moscow’s Secret Spies, Sleepers and Assassins of the Cold War by Douglas Boyd My rating: 3 of 5 stars The year is not over despite me starting to post summation articles on this blog. A gracious
Just because I was tabulating the book club, I decided to avail myself of the data dump from GoodReads.com where I track all my reads and occasional reviews. Just for fun, I thought I’d rank my own reads for the
Just because I was tabulating the book club, I decided to avail myself of the data dump from GoodReads.com where I track all my reads and occasional reviews. Just for fun, I thought I’d rank my own reads for the
As I was compiling this year’s Book Club end of year considerations, I decided to add to some of our tabulating since starting the club. Next April will be out 10th anniversary and so it seems like time for reflection.
As I was compiling this year’s Book Club end of year considerations, I decided to add to some of our tabulating since starting the club. Next April will be out 10th anniversary and so it seems like time for reflection.
On what would pass a normal year, we always look forward to and end of year repast at a cosy cellar of the RIYC coutesy of one of our distinguished members. It’s a night of festive frivolity and likewise the
On what would pass a normal year, we always look forward to and end of year repast at a cosy cellar of the RIYC coutesy of one of our distinguished members. It’s a night of festive frivolity and likewise the
French Like Moi: A Midwesterner in Paris by Scott Dominic Carpenter This is a wonderful little collection of essays written as a cross between Mayle’s A Year in Provence and Clarke’s A Year in the Merde. It’s an enjoyable short
French Like Moi: A Midwesterner in Paris by Scott Dominic Carpenter This is a wonderful little collection of essays written as a cross between Mayle’s A Year in Provence and Clarke’s A Year in the Merde. It’s an enjoyable short
The Paris Hours by Alex George Stunning! Clever and exquisitely crafted, the minutiae of everyday life is performed in cinematic fashion. The brilliant interweaving of well known literary figures who are brought to life through their seemingly inadvertent interaction with
The Paris Hours by Alex George Stunning! Clever and exquisitely crafted, the minutiae of everyday life is performed in cinematic fashion. The brilliant interweaving of well known literary figures who are brought to life through their seemingly inadvertent interaction with
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline This book is getting absolutely trashed. Unfairly. People loved Ready Player One. I did too, and this one is a bit uneven taking a long time actually to reach tempo. It follows on from
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline This book is getting absolutely trashed. Unfairly. People loved Ready Player One. I did too, and this one is a bit uneven taking a long time actually to reach tempo. It follows on from
Troy: Our Greatest Story Retold by Stephen Fry My rating: 4 of 5 stars By far the very best of Fry’s Greek Myth’s stories. His retelling of Illiad+ is more cogent and more focussed than his broader works, in which
Troy: Our Greatest Story Retold by Stephen Fry My rating: 4 of 5 stars By far the very best of Fry’s Greek Myth’s stories. His retelling of Illiad+ is more cogent and more focussed than his broader works, in which
Ten Days in Harlem: Fidel Castro and the Making of the 1960s by Simon Hall My rating: 3 of 5 stars This is a 3.5 of 5. In 1960, Fidel Castro, relatively fresh from the overthrow of Batista travels to
Ten Days in Harlem: Fidel Castro and the Making of the 1960s by Simon Hall My rating: 3 of 5 stars This is a 3.5 of 5. In 1960, Fidel Castro, relatively fresh from the overthrow of Batista travels to