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Finished Reading: Plots and Prayers – Malcolm Turnbull’s Demise and Scott Morrison’s Ascension by Niki Savva


Plots and Prayers: Malcolm Turnbull’s demise and Scott Morrison’s ascensionPlots and Prayers: Malcolm Turnbull’s demise and Scott Morrison’s ascension by Niki Savva
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Finished Reading: Ancient Rome by Eric Brown


Ancient Rome: A Concise Overview of the Roman History and Mythology Including the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire (Ancient History Book 3)Ancient Rome: A Concise Overview of the Roman History and Mythology Including the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire by Eric Brown
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

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Finished Reading: Ancient Greece by Eric Brown


Ancient Greece: A Concise Overview of the Greek History and Mythology Including Classical Greece, Hellenistic Greece, Roman Greece and The Byzantine Empire (Ancient History Book 2)Ancient Greece: A Concise Overview of the Greek History and Mythology Including Classical Greece, Hellenistic Greece, Roman Greece and The Byzantine Empire by Eric Brown
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

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Finished Reading: Ancient Egypt: A Concise Overview of the Egyptian History and Mythology Including the Egyptian Gods, Pyramids, Kings and Queens (Ancient History Book 1) by Eric Brown


Ancient Egypt: A Concise Overview of the Egyptian History and Mythology Including the Egyptian Gods, Pyramids, Kings and Queens (Ancient History Book 1)Ancient Egypt: A Concise Overview of the Egyptian History and Mythology Including the Egyptian Gods, Pyramids, Kings and Queens by Eric Brown
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

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Finished Reading: Lords of the Horizons – A History of the Ottoman Empire by Jason Goodwin


Lords of the Horizons A History of the Ottoman EmpireLords of the Horizons A History of the Ottoman Empire by Jason Goodwin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Unfortunately this book did not realise my expectations for it. That is perhaps the kindest way I can put it. I was hoping for a reasonably detailed chronological history of the Ottoman Empire, it rise and demise. There is a lot in this book, plenty of interesting detail and some amusing also. However, it is a little … too confusing for my like. It is all over the shop at times and just doesn’t ‘fit together’ enough for me. It is a useful read, but I doubt it will leave a lasting impression on me or an understanding of the Ottoman Empire with me.

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Finished Reading: The First World War – A Complete History by Martin Gilbert


The First World War: A Complete HistoryThe First World War: A Complete History by Martin Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Finished Reading: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain


Adventures of Huckleberry FinnAdventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

There are too many reasons to list as to why I didn’t like this ‘classic.’ I’ll happily be in the minority and don’t feel any need to go with the flow and rate it highly simply because it is a ‘classic.’ To say I didn’t like it – well, that’s a classic understatement. I hated it. In my view, it is simply rubbish.

I have no time for the racism throughout, but that is not my only criticism. Back in the day it may have been considered great writing, but I don’t see how it could possibly be considered that. Again, I am not back there. Still, I must consider it from my own perspective in this day and age. If it was meant to be funny (and I’ll admit to having a chuckle once or twice), I don’t think it really achieved it. If it was meant to be stupid – well, that it did achieve.

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Finished Reading: A Bigger Picture by Malcolm Turnbull


A Bigger PictureA Bigger Picture by Malcolm Turnbull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Though full of self promotion and adoration of self, I quite enjoyed this book. I don’t think it was a tough read, though the self-praise was a little tedious at times. The ex-PM’s views will not be to everyone’s liking (I for one don’t agree with him on everything), however, I do think the book is worth reading and considering – he does make you think about policy areas and that is eminently a good thing.

Though panned in some circles for his assessment of colleagues (if they can be called that), I don’t believe he has been that harsh in his assessment of them. Indeed, a good number probably deserve a more thorough expose than they get, as well as a greater evaluation of their worth – which would then be far harsher than is dished out here.

I think it is a very useful treatment of the period, though it would be unwise to accept this as the only source material in assessing the Turnbull government. As other material of the period becomes available, it will then be seen as to just how valuable this particular tome can be considered.

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Finished Reading: Lee – A Biography by Clifford Dowdey


Lee: A BiographyLee: A Biography by Clifford Dowdey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Finished Reading: The Road to Ruin – How Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin Destroyed Their Own Government by Niki Savva


The Road to Ruin: How Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin Destroyed Their Own GovernmentThe Road to Ruin: How Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin Destroyed Their Own Government by Niki Savva
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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