Laurence Westwood

New from Danny Orbach, due out Sept 2026 #histbookchat for the Japan specialists!!

I'll look out for Seven Men of Gascony!!

I think many would view the A Horseman Riding By trilogy as being dated, but the sheer storytelling power carries it along. Just wished I had Delderfield's facility with language LOL

I always assumed that was just a Neil Armstrong quote, having a certain number of heartbeats in one's life. I had a Life magazine from the Apollo 11 moon-landings (sadly vanished now), where Armstrong states he doesn't physically train as hard as Buzz or Collins coz of having a set no. of heartbeats

Glad to finally discover that you are responsible for planning everything in the US....😂

#histbookchat

#histbookchat #photofriday Romance and danger against the backdrop of the Indian Mutiny - some fiction from me this week!

800 pages!! 😲 Looks like an incredible book.

#histbookchat Great review by @jmchatwin.bsky.social of Frank Dikotters latest book, Red Dawn Over China

It's #WorldBookDay so I am sitting in the sunshine 😮quietly working on the 2nd draft of the third Philip Ye novel and hoping to finish before the world blows itself up....😂 #amwriting #CrimeFiction #histbookchat

Yes, definitely worth a look. I always meant to read then when I was young but picked up a few last year and really enjoyed them - great for naval action and as long as you don't mind instant romances.

I've had Ron Chernow's biography of Grant on my shelf since about 2017 and I have yet to get around to reading it...LOL!!

especially in relation to history of WW1 having been since reassessed, I think, but overall a wonderful evocation of rural life in South Devon between 1900-1964, an England long gone. Beautiful writing. 2/2

#histbookchat #photofriday Earlier this week I finished the final book in A Horseman Riding By trilogy which took us up to 1964. Really pleased I decided to read the trilogy based on a vague memory of a TV series from 1978. A few historians would have some quibbles with certain passages 1/2

#histbookchat

😂😂

New history of the Warring States period from Andrew Seth Meyer out 5th May from @academic.oup.com #histbookchat #sinology looks good!

#histbookchat

I guess everyone knows that this is being released on the 6th March, but just in case you didn't.... #histbookchat

I think they are considered old-fashioned these days, not cutting edge enough, or post-modern enough or whatever. Who wants to read about the social changes in a farming community from 1900-1960? But Delderfield's facility with language is remarkable and I have to say and really loving them.

I thought Ed Rasimus was still alive. Didn't realise he had passed back in 2013. I guess he crammed a helluva lot of flying into his life.

Like you I was really impressed with Robin Olds' memoir but never got around to reading Rasimus' own stuff.

it always amazes me how many thuds were lost over Vietnam!

#histbookchat #photofriday Just finished the second book in the A Horseman Riding By trilogy, which takes us through WW1 to the beginning of WW2 - fabulous stuff, great social history, even though my favourite character died just before the end of WW1...😭 #BookSky 📚💜

#histbookchat

EXPENSIVE new arrival! Governance of a Party-State by Ling Li (2025) from @universitypress.cambridge.org as supplied by Aunty Lesley of @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social
who, with her skirt hitched high and a pot noodle in her hands, is the first up to dance at any party #histbookchat #sinology

Not so humble!!

Take care on your walkabout👍😂

For the WW2 Japan specialists!! #histbookchat #Japan #WW2

#histbookchat #China #BookSky 📚💜 Latest arrival!! Cultural Mavericks: The Business & Politics of Indie Bookselling in China by Zheng Liu (2026) from @columbiaup.bsky.social as supplied by Aunty Lesley of Bridge Books @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social who is also one of a kind!

oooh, I have this book (in storage in the garage!!😂👍)

Yes, looking forward to it! Will definitely get around to it sometime this year.....

Impressive signature!! Doesn't seem shy at all!! LOL