Showing 1 - 10 of 28
Choosing your next book
Sunday Spotlight, Published on 26/06/2022
» By some measures, the book business is doing better than ever. Last year, readers bought nearly 827 million print books, an increase of roughly 10% over 2020, and a record since NPD BookScan began tracking two decades ago.
Evil personified
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 10/01/2020
» When the terms genocide and war criminals are mentioned, the connections that usually come to mind are the Third Reich and Nuremberg. Japan too, and the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal. Today a permanent process for prosecuting crimes against humanity has been established at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
America's saviour
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 18/10/2019
» Bill Clinton wasn't the best president of the United States of America, nor was he the worst. Nor was he the most oversexed. John F. Kennedy had more pillow-mates by far. Yet Jackie Kennedy and Hillary Clinton didn't make a fuss about it.
Boston thriller
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 11/10/2019
» Dipping my fingers into the book bag, out came yet another by James Patterson. Can this reviewer help that the Yank is one of the most prolific writers in the business? His co-author this time around is Candice Fox. Which of them came up with this plot, I wonder?
How honest are you?
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 16/08/2019
» Those finding a wallet or purse, particularly when stuffed with money or gems, have their honesty sorely tested when the owner's ID is included. Ought they notify him or her? They need the valuables themselves. Was it just luck? Didn't God mean for them to have it? Likely as not the loser is rich and shrugged it off to experience. Or not.
Ravens' feast
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 27/12/2018
» This reviewer's understanding of historical novels is that the authors do historical research on their topic, using actual figures and imaginary ones where need-be, to write essentially factual and hopefully interesting stories. But not all historical novelists follow this form. Some are more concerned about their own largely fictitious story than the actual events behind it.
George Lucas's tops Forbes list of richest US celebrities for Star Wars empire
Life, Published on 20/12/2018
» Filmmaker George Lucas's Star Wars empire -- the movie franchise, not Darth Vader's fictional galactic government -- planted him firmly atop Forbes magazine's third annual ranking of the wealthiest US celebrities, which was released this week.
A master storyteller, heir to the greats and entirely sui generis
Life, Published on 20/07/2018
» In a famous Hindu parable, three blind men encounter an elephant for the first time and try to describe it, each touching a different part. "An elephant is like a snake," says one, grasping the trunk. "Nonsense; an elephant is a fan," says another, who holds an ear. "A tree trunk," insists a third, feeling his way around a leg.
Targeted billionaires
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 08/06/2018
» When a rich man meets his maker, I pause for few moments, not to mourn his life but to wonder what becomes of his wealth. Of no use to him now, is it buried with him? Like the pharaohs, he intends for it to accompany him in his next life? Is it inherited by his son? To do what with?
Big city, small town
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 11/05/2018
» People are natural actors. Observe how they tell stories to their friends, passing on telephone conversations or what they saw or heard. They mimic and flap their arms for emphasis. Hoping for smiles or groans. Novelists aim to do the same with more words. Alas, only the better ones succeed. All too many try and fail.