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Yet another "life story" (but something a little different):- "The Show Must Go On : The Life of Freddie Mercury" by Rick Sky (1992).

Rick Sky was (and indeed, is) a journalist, so I wouldn't say the book is badly written. However, I found that it kept on repeating the same old stuff over and over; to an extent that I had to push myself a bit to actually get through it! Hence, only 3/10, I'm afraid.

Regarding the content - well, what can I say? Let's just remember that "We Are the Champions" was the theme tune of my little gang back in the mid-1980's.

Towards the back of the book there is a section that briefly summarizes the "history" of Queen from 1968 to 1991; listing recording sessions, record releases, major tours and concerts, etc.. What comes across is that Queen was not just "Freddie and his backing group", but rather that each of the guys were major contributors in their own right - for instance, many of the "hits" were written by other members of the group.

I've just finished off a couple of books that I read in parallel; a chapter of one, then a chapter of the other, as they covered more or less the same period, and events. This "cross-referral" technique seemed to work quite well.

"Storm Command" (1992) by General Sir Peter de la Billiere (subtitled "A Personal Account of the Gulf War") and "Gulf War One" (2010) by Hugh McManners (subtitled "The Truth From Those Who Were There").

As many will know, both authors are well-known in military circles, and both books were excellent. But I especially enjoyed the second one; it is written in (what has become) the "real voices" style, obviously based on interviews of those concerned. Not only most of the "main players" (commanders)* on the British side, but also some of the more junior blokes as well. Most of their recollections are quite candid (and a few don't pull any punches at all)!

As DLB's memoire was written shortly after Operation Granby concluded, his narrative comes to an end at that point. On the other hand McManners (who, by the way, had a very interesting army career himself) deals with some of the "aftermath", and touches on how, in some cases, blokes were apparently dealt with rather shabbily. Sadly, it seems it was ever thus (and probably continues to this day).

Put it this way:- any potential recruits (and they are sorely needed) may well end up "thinking twice" if they read McManner's book.

But for me - as books - they both warrant 9/10.

* A couple of whom I can recall as subalterns on the Tank Park in far off days.

There are some interesting passages regarding 32 Field Hospital (which was staffed mainly from BMH Hannover - although McManners does not mention this).

Needless to say, this was before "Princes of the Universe" came along!

Late last night I finished off one that had been lurking (partially read) for a while:- "Soldier I SAS" by Michael Paul Kennedy (1989). Having read a couple in the "Soldier A-I SAS" series (and there may be more by now, for all I know), I found this one to be particularly good. Even the QEMH in Woolwich gets a (accurate) mention! I'm giving it 9/10.

On the other hand, I seem to recall that "Soldier J SAS : Counterinsurgency in Aden" by Shaun Clarke (1994) was particularly dire (not to mention full of obvious errors); that one is not recommended! Only 1/10 there, I'm afraid.

Unfortunately, quite a few in the series were penned by Shaun Clarke; so I shall be giving those a miss. I don't bother with any of the SAS novels myself, preferring to stick to the "true" stories; I believe that - in the series mentioned - only "I" falls within that category.

Soldier "I" may have been Pete Winner - but don't worry about PERSEC, as all his stuff is in the Public Domain.

I have been more focused on writing my novel - not picked up a book in a while.

I have also been a bit behind with my reading duties, but last night I finished off Frederick Forsyth's "The Veteran" (2001).

This one is in fact a book of five short stories (of which "The Veteran" is but one). They were all good, with the first four being in Freddie's usual terse style.

But I especially enjoyed the last one (called "Whispering Wind"), which was also the longest. If I had not known it in advance, I probably wouldn't have guessed the author, as it deviated somewhat from the usual Forsyth style.

9/10 overall for this one, I think.

Someone gave me a copy of "Soldier Spy" (2016) by "Tom Marcus"*, and I have recently finished it off. The book offers a personal account of events in the life of a (now former) MI5 surveillance officer in modern times.

To be honest, I struggled a bit with this one. Perhaps I have become hardened to tales of good blokes suffering and dying in the line of duty because of (what I consider to be) misguided Government policies. I sometimes had to remind myself that the guy was talking about the U.K. (rather than the back streets of Aden, or wherever).

Anyway, some of the surveillance techniques outlined were interesting; as were the unusual (to my mind) radio procedures employed (lots of "please", and "thank you's", which all seemed a bit unnecessary to me). Lastly, I'm wondering why the Powers That Be allowed this book to be published at all; some sort of "agenda" at play, I should imagine (or maybe I've just read too many "spy" stories)!

The bottom line is that I would not recommend this book if you were looking for a light-hearted read for the weekend. 5/10.

* A nom de plume, obviously.

How's this for a diversion? "Maigret and the Concarneau Murders" (1) (1939)(2) by Georges Simenon (of course; and presumably translated by an unacknowledged (3) hand). Maigret cracks the case in his usual unhurried style. In fact, I lost count of how many times his pipe gets refilled! As this was a slender volume, I managed to get through it in a single sitting.

The style is quite refreshing - although there is by necessity a fair amount of dialogue, there is hardly any "he said ... she said"; but the way it is written (and what is being said) removes any doubt about who is being quoted. The prose is also realistic - lots of pauses, plus the occasional word in French (usually for emphasis)! A clever little story, and quite enjoyable. 8/10.

Deux Pernods, mon petit.

1) Also published over the years under different titles
2) Originally published in French in 1931
3) But probably by Geoffrey Sainsbury

I think Rowan Atkinson has made a decent fist of Maigret from a couple of episodes I've seen so far, good stuff.

And while on French literature, have you read Therese Raquin by Emile Zola, cracking read I think if not exactly cheerful!

I would say that Michael Gambon was a better Maigret (notice that I didn't nominate Richard Harris) - almost as good as Rupert Davies. Atkinson is far too skinny, for one thing!

But surely the real Maigret was Jean Richard, who played the Inspector* on French TV for twenty years or so.

Having just looked up "Thérèse Raquin", I think I had better "pass" on that one.

BTW we used to have a Traction Avant Citroën hiding in the nettles at the back of the farm when I was a youngster. I still recall the "gear stick on the dash" - all very weird to our eyes.

But whilst you're on, Dave - I've recently been looking at some stuff about General Monash, and wondered how it was that I had not come across that great man before. Is he still remembered Down Under?

* Actually a commissaire (or commissioner) of the Paris "Brigade Criminelle" (Direction Régionale de Police Judiciaire de Paris).