Reviews

Ad Infinitum: A Biography of Latin, By Nicholas Ostler (Rated 4/ 5 )

A biography of a language which is arguably longer and more eventful than any other, Ad Infinitum takes the reader from its origins, before the Roman republic began in the Latium region of southern Italy (whence Lazio football club derives its name), to the present day.

Inside Reviews

How to Make a Tornado, ed Mick O'Hare (Rated 3/ 5 )

Sunday, 29 November 2009

This latest book in the New Scientist series (spawned by the runaway bestseller Does Anything Eat Wasps?), is Mick O'Hare's compilation of the outliers of scientific thought.

Prague Noir, By Sylvie Germain, trs Judith Landrye (Rated 3/ 5 )

Sunday, 29 November 2009

A slim volume of only 111 pages (and the ones between chapters are blank), this extended prose poem is nevertheless long enough for its length.

A Very British Revolution, By Martin Bell (Rated 2/ 5 )

Sunday, 29 November 2009

As a former MP and member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, Martin Bell is well-placed to write about the MPs' expenses scandal. The question is, does he have anything interesting to say?

Pelagia and the Red Rooster, By Boris Akunin (Rated 4/ 5 )

Sunday, 29 November 2009

Eye-popping stuff

Feet of the Chameleon, by Ian Hawkey

Sunday, 29 November 2009

When you're hot, you're hot; Duncan Hamilton, winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award in 2007, scooped the prize again on Thursday for his biography of Harold Larwood, the England fast bowler forever associated with the 1932-33 Bodyline series in Australia. As we reviewed it a few months ago, let's turn our attention to one of the runners-up in a very tight contest.

Everyday Drinking, By Kingsley Amis

Friday, 27 November 2009

Alcohol is customarily a pastime for writers rather than a topic, but Kingsley Amis wrote three jolly books on the subject. Gathered in this volume, his bluff musings ("Vintages – aargh! Most of the crap talked about wine centres on these") made the New York Times bestseller list.