Book Review: The Thirty-Nine Steps

I'd never really heard about this book before, but when loading my Kindle for holiday reading back in the summer, it came highly recommended by my brother-in-law. It was free, and so on it went, in the off-chance it would get read. I'm glad I did - for the rip-roaring tale is quite the adventure.

Set in the period just before World War One, the story is narrated by Richard Hannay, a man who has returned from service in South Africa and is seeking some adventure. In this case, what he wishes for comes true, with a bigger adventure than he would have expected. From his flat, where a mysterious visitor is murdered, the chase is on as Hannay flees from the law, discovering that he is in over his head in a fast-paced and funny spy thriller. London, to the Scottish lowlands, and back to the south coast of England, the action continues with mad-cap escapes, disguises, twists and life on the run.

Some of the language is a bit archaic, and the story can be at times a little overly inventive, but on the whole, it's a good tale well told, as the fugitive turned tramp Hannay tries to convince the Cabinet to strike and capture the German spies at high tide where the thirty-nine steps lead from the clifftop to the sea. Well worth loading onto your Kindlefor free!

Book Review: The Diamond Queen

It's a book that was written for this year, and had to be read this year as well! In 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has been celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, sixty years on the throne. Among the swathe of books to mark the occasion, I decided to plump for Andrew Marr's The Diamond Queen, having so much enjoyed his 'The Making of Modern Britain' (and looking forward to Modern Britain too). I think it was a good choice, as I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

As Marr points out early on:

This book is an attempt to tell her life story, looking at the influences on her, and trying to explain why she does what she does. Though the well-known tales of her children's trials and tribulations are included, as they have to be, this is not a particularly gossipy life story.

Rather, I think he achieves a powerful, colourful, loving and respectful bigraphy, with much to draw and hold the reader's attention. There will be much that the reader thinks they know, but also lots that they never realised before. The workload of the Queen is presented simply, and admirably. Again,

And honestly, the more you see of her in action, the more impressed you are. She has been dutiful, but she has been a lot more than dutiful. She has been shrewd, kind and wise. Britain without her would have been a greyer, shriller, more meagre place.

It was interesting to read of her faith:

She is a woman of faith. She stands atop the Anglican Church, that national breakaway from Rome hurriedly decided by her Tudor ancestor, the beef-faced and priapic Henry VIII. So she is called Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The former title is technically absurd since it was given to Henry by Pope Leo V before he rebelled. but the latter one certainly counts: the Queen appoints bishops and archbishops and takes her role as the found of Anglican respectability very seriously, addressing the General Synod and talking regularly to its leading figures.

Marr presents the story of monarchy in general from Victoria to Elizabeth, because to understand the Queen, you have to understand what has led to her and influenced her. Nothing is left out, from the difficulties of the 'German' appearing monarchy during the First World War, leading to the 'invention' of the Windsors, through to the abdication crisis of 'Uncle David'.

It's a good read, charting the history of this nation throughout my lifetime and before, with a close following of the story of the Queen's family right through to the marriage of William and Kate (whose pregnancy was announced yesterday - just as Marr had said, the pressure to produce an heir was on).

How do we assess the Queen's reign?

For most of us the Queen seems always to have been there. She has done her job so well it has come to seem part of the natural order of things, along with the seasons and the weather. One day, of course, she won't be there. Then there will be a gaping, Queen-sized hole in the middle of British life.

It's a well-written book with a good grasp of the course of British history through the last sixty years, and an intimate portrait of the lady who has been at the centre of each of our lives for that lengthy period of time. Pick it up and read it. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Book Review: The Making of Modern Britain

Another Kindle special offer; another book I really enjoyed reading. Having completely missed the first book on Modern Britain, and the accompanying TV series for both books, it appears I'm a latecomer to Andrew Marr's modern Britain history series. But it's definitely better late than never, if the other book is as good as this one.

In The Making of Modern Britain, BBC journalist Andrew Marr takes us from the death of Queen Victoria through to VE Day, surveying the scope of British history in the war years. The question being asked is this: How did Britain change from being an empire to the modern democracy we reside in today? As you would imagine, there's a cast of thousands, each playing their own part, and Marr marshals the facts superbly as he presents this popular history of Britain.

As well as presenting the facts, and introducing the characters (in every sense of that word), Marr also has an eye on what we can learn from our forebears: 'Looking back, we learn to see ourselves more sharply. Our forebears were living on the lip of the future, just as we are. Their illusions about what was to come should make us, right now, a little humble.' Or as he concludes much later in the book: 'If there is one thing we can learn from history it is that we rarely learn from history.'

I enjoyed Marr's writing style, as he began each chapter or section with a little cameo - describing a situation or a person, leading the reader on to discover who was being described, and how it related to the grand picture. His eye for detail and storytelling talent makes him an enjoyable tour guide on this journey through the past. This isn't just the broad sweep of things we probably already knew, but also a poke into the background, the minor characters, the life of the 'ordinary people', which makes it a rounder history than one just focusing on the 'greats'.

Life in Edwardian Britain, with its misery and terrible living and working conditions, is powerfully portrayed, while the build up to the Great War (what we now know as World War One) is dramatic in its inevitability. Similarly the aftermath: 'The consequences of the First World War amount to more than paper poppies once a year; they are all around us still.'

I was impressed with his section on the Ulster Crisis, with a significant amount of material on the Unionist cause and the nationalist push for Home Rule and independence. The Curragh Mutiny has much made of it, perhaps unthinkable these days, so Ireland has not been forgotten. That said, once the Home Rule crisis has been 'solved', Northern Ireland appears to be forgotten, apart from a mention during the Blitz, and also because it was the landing pad for the American troops joining the struggle in World War Two.

There are some lovely turns of phrase which will continue in the memory. One such example is in speaking of the Second World War, and the preparations for the German invasion: 'We were never invaded. Actually, we were. But we were invaded by our friends, the Americans. And that invasion has never quite ended.'

Also on the second World War, there was an important reminder to fight the battles that really matter: 'The country is beginning to say that he fights debates like a war and the war like a debate.'

While there is a lot of reading in the book, it's very enjoyable, and certainly readable. I learnt a lot from the stories highlighted, and also was able to better piece together the chunks of modern history I thought I knew. While I bought this from the Kindle store during the Jubilee special offers sale, it's available for £3.99 in the cheap bookshop opposite Easons in Enniskillen, and well worth the price.

Book Review: Such a Candle

For many Protestants, the main characters in the Reformation can sometimes be a little fuzzy. We know the names, we know a little bit about what they did, and perhaps a few of their words and writings. One such character is Bishop Hugh Latimer, he of the 'Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.' fame, as he was being burnt at the stake alongside Bishop Nicholas Ridley.

Beyond that famous line, I'm not sure I could have told you much more about him, to my shame. But all that has changed, having read the great little biography by Douglas C Wood, written in 1980.

Wood is an excellent guide as he surveys the scene of the slow and eventual Reformation in England, through the wranglings of Henry VIII's marriages, and the encouragement of reformers within and without the British Isles. Having carefully researched Latimer's life, he tells the story in a dynamic and gripping manner. From Latimer's childhood, through his studies and ordination as a priest, through to the conversion of his soul at the (human) leading of little Bilney by the pure word of God, and his discipleship on 'Heretic's Hill' in Cambridge.

At times the progress of the reformation seems slow, but at many of the key points both Thomas Cranmer and Hugh Latimer are centre stage. The political process and ebb and flow of fortunes may show that humanly speaking, the reformation was in a dangerous situation, but overall, God's sovereignty and providence was on control as the day dawned on a superstitious Roman church.

Latimer was well-known in his day as the best preacher in the land, and Wood helps the reader understand why that was, as he quotes from some sermons, and analyses his style. Forsaking the learned style in vogue, Latimer preached down to earth sermons in sometimes rough language, with piercing application targetted at his hearers' hearts.

Little wonder that when Mary became Queen, she had it in for Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley, leading to their martyrdom. The reformation period was a gruesome one, and this book doesn't shrink from the horrors on either side as many were killed by those in authority.

My one disappointment with the book was that Latimer's martyrdom and famous saying comes on the very last page. Perhaps it would have been useful to have a short epilogue showing how Latimer's dying prayer was fulfilled and the reformation again triumphed with the fall of Mary and the accession of Elizabeth. As it is, the book seems to end very abruptly.

All in all, this is a good book which helpfully sets out the story of the reformation and in particular the role of Hugh Latimer. It would be useful for anyone interested in learning something about the reformation and the issues involved, or for those wishing to explore the characters involved in more detail. Highly recommended.

Book Review: A History of the Gunpowder Plot

Remember, remember, the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.

The old school children's rhyme about the Gunpowder Plot sticks in my mind, and yet, to my shame, while I could give a vague overview of what happened - Guy Fawkes, the Houses of Parliament, gunpowder, in 1605, that may be as far as I could go. So when I saw this little book a while back, I purchased a copy to be better informed. And so, last week, running up to the anniversary of the plot's discovery, I decided it would be an opportune time to read about the events in London and the attempt to assassinate King James I (and VI of Scotland).

Philip Sydney's book has been extremely well researched, with access to the original records in the British Museum and the Public Record Office. While fascinating reading, I'm not sure that this volume was intended for the general reader seeking an introduction to the events, but rather it is a fairly detailed and passionately argued position in distinction to previous histories of the plot. I noticed this particularly at the start, where the introduction was fairly short and sharp, almost immediately we were being introduced to the main conspirators without really having enough background to draw us in to the story.

Perhaps what was assumed in the general reader was too much, or else I was just starting further back than the author's intended readership! Similarly, the motivation of the plotters was almost skimmed over, and again, perhaps assumed rather than explained. Having said that, there are lots of the original documents consulted and quoted, which helps us hear from the people involved.

In numerous places, the writer is keen to disagree with and refute the suggestions and conclusions of other historians writing on the plot, particularly those of Jesuit sources, which suggests that the old battle of religion rife in Britain and Ireland in the 1600s is still alive and well in the historian's world as books and articles are written and argued.

Another slight disadvantage for me, although perhaps understandable and beyond the author's remit, was the almost complete ignorance of Ireland - it would have been good to see how events in Ireland around the end of Elizabeth's reign and the beginning of James' contributed or informed what happened.

All in all, if you're interested in the history of the period, then this will be a good book to get your teeth into. If you're looking for an introduction, or something slightly more accessible, I don't think I would recommend this book, but then I'm not sure what other book I would recommend. Any suggestions, do leave a comment!

Excluding Northern Ireland

Residents of Northern Ireland have long been accustomed to seeing the words 'Excluding Northern Ireland' in Television and Newspaper advertisements, particularly in adverts promising discount car insurance deals. The bargain prices seem attractive, but then those magic words appear meaning that they don't apply. You do get used to seeing them, such that you don't even get interested in ads.

Normally, the words are excluding residents of Northern Ireland. Yet in one instance, the words are giving the Northern Irish something that people from other parts of the United Kingdom aren't. McDonalds have their Best Chance Monopoly promotion at present, and to claim prizes, a purchase is necessary, 'except in Northern Ireland!' This means that you can send a sae (self-addressed envelope) and they'll send you a token or voucher for free!

It makes a change for something to be only available for Northern Ireland, rather than us being excluded! Saves you from having to eat the McDonalds cuisine too...

The Christian Institute

Last night at our prayer meeting, we were privileged to have Callum Webster from the Christian Institute speaking. Living so close to the seat of the local government of Northern Ireland, we were reminded of the need to pray for our politicians as they frame the laws of the land, and also to keep an eye on such legislation.

One such issue was the attempt to introduce abortion by choice into Northern Ireland in late 2008. While unsuccessful, the campaign for such a move continues to lobby and work towards their goal. Christians need to be active against the legalising of murder.

Please be praying for the work of the Christian Institute, and especially Callum as he travels across Northern Ireland speaking about the work.

Flag Day

This morning I dropped Lynsey round to work in the Hospital, and noticed the Union Flag was flying. Strange, I thought, I haven't noticed that before - was it always there and I was too sleepy to notice in the morning, or was it only there today? My confusion lasted for a moment or two, until I remembered that it is His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles' birthday today! Which got me thinking on several different lines.

1. The Flag Days in Northern Ireland (and across the United Kingdom), on which the government buildings fly the flag. I found more information on it from the NI Assembly website, and the 18 days which are designated as specified days for the flag to be flown. On this, his 60th birthday, is Prince Charles really bothered that the Ulster Hospital is flying the Union Flag for him?

2. Prince Charles has had a long wait to be king. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second has held on for quite a while, leaving Charles to remain in the Prince of Wales position. This is just a bit of fun, but can you imagine Charlie leaping around Buckingham Palace gardens singing this:



(I just can't wait to be king - Disney's The Lion King)

Flags or no flags, king or no king, a very happy birthday to HRH The Prince of Wales.