Non-fiction

Autobiography, Biography, History, Anthropology, Christian, Travel, Sociology, Political Essay, War, Medical, Botany, Biology, Horology, Theology, Collected Columns…

A

LEVI, Primo

If This Is A Man 1947 Autobiography

Potent witness testimony of eleven months in Auschwitz

FEYNMAN, Richard (ed. Ralph Leighton)

Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman 1985 Non-Fiction - Biography

A total pleasure. Deservedly an instant classic

REMARQUE, Erich Maria

All Quiet on the Western Front 1929 War/Autobiography

Powerful. Awful. Profound.

A-

DURRELL, Gerald

My Family and Other Animals 1956 Biology/Autobiography

Amusing recollections of an animal mad kid about his eccentric family

B+

ADAMS, Douglas & Carwardine, Mark

Last Chance to See 1990 Biology/Travel

Engaging narration of endangered species and their protectors

BRYSON, Bill

A Walk in the Woods 1997 Travel

Able narrative, good mix of research and humour

At Home 2010 History

Researching and cherry-picking interesting snippets of 19^th English lifestyle

DAHL, Roald

Boy 1984 Autobiography

Interesting, brief, readable autobiography of his childhood

DIAZ, Bernal

The Conquest of New Spain 1570 History

Incredible eye-witness account of Cortez’ conquest

FLANNERY, Tim

Throwim Way Leg 1998 Biology/Anthropology

Interesting PNG treks: biology and anthropology

HERRIOT, James

If Only They Could Talk 1970 Autobiography/Biology

Light and formulaic, but charming and amusing country vet recollections

Let Sleeping Vets Lie 1973 Autobiography/Biology

Light and formulaic, but charming and amusing country vet recollections

Every Living Thing 1992 Autobiography/Biology

Light and formulaic, but charming and amusing country vet recollections

GRIFFIN, William

C.S. Lewis - The Authentic Voice 1986 Biography

Interesting vignettes from all the years of Lewis’ life from age twenty-seven

MILLIGAN, Spike

Adolf Hitler – My Part in His Downfall (1^st of his War Memoirs) 1971 Autobiography/Humour

Silly drunken licentious farting about in basic training

ORWELL, George

The Road to Wigan Pier 1937 Autobiography/Sociology

Orwell’s personal testimony about miners, India, and marketing socialism

SOBEL, Dava

Longitude 1995 NF: Biography/Science History

Capable account of interesting history

WARD, Geoffrey C.

The West 1996 History

Fascinating illustrated individual stories in the American west since the 17^th century

WAKE, Nancy

The White Mouse 1985 Non-Fiction (Autobiography)

WW2 Australian woman in French resistance: amazing story, prosaic narration

YUN, Brother with HATTAWAY, Paul

The Heavenly Man 2002 Autobiography/Christian

Contemporary miracles, brutal persecution, and mass conversions in China

B

ALBOM, Mitch

Tuesdays With Morrie 1997 Biography/Self-Help

A nice book more than a challenging or inspiring one

CHABON, Michael

Manhood For Amateurs 2009 Collected Columns

Able, seductive, pretentious

COOK, Peter (Cook, William – Ed.)

Tragically I was an Only Twin: The Complete Peter Cook 2002 Humour/Biography

Some great moments, but better as a DVD

DAWSON, Norma

An Ordinary Woman with an Extraordinary God 2004 Autobiography/Christian

Honest summary rather than evocative interpretation

DICKSON, John

A Hell of a Life 1997 Christian Teen Apologetic

Contrived apologetics, but at least an attempt to connect

GUNDRY, Stanley (Ed.)

Five Views on Sanctification 1987 Theology

Able, clear, but not life-changing

HITCHENS, Peter

The Rage Against God 2010

Small personal epilogue more powerful than nostalgia and argument

JAMES, Clive

Unreliable Memoirs 1980 Autobiography

Very readable style, includes some discomforting seedy juvenile recollections

McGRATH, Alister (with COLLICUTT McGRATH, Joanna)

The Dawkins Delusion 2007 NF / Theology

Able, reasonable, readable

YANCEY, Philip

Disappointment with God 1988 Christian

Honest but still requires as much faith as it offers

B-

DURRELL, Gerald

Encounters with Animals 1958 Natural History

Video overwhelms text (here anyway)

HARVEY, Miles

The Island of Lost Maps 2000 History/Crime

Island of content in an ocean of padding

HAWKS, Tony

Round Ireland with a Fridge 1998 Travel/Humour

Whimsical comedian travelogue. Not as many chuckles as the Moldovans sequel

SACKS, Oliver

The Island of the Colour-blind 1996 Travel (Medical; Botany)

Sacks is only as good as his content. This isn’t good content.

WILLIAMS, Donna

Nobody Nowhere 1992 Autobiography

One tough story more than insight into autism

C+

JAMES, Clive

Snakecharmers in Texas 1980-88 Essays

Limited audience pieces (with a use-by)

POSTMAN, Neil

Amusing Ourselves to Death 1984 Social Commentary

Some valid attacks on TV undermined by absurd bias

C

FARRAR, Steve

Point Man 1990 Christian

Generally OK Christian advice wrapped in offensive glossy & stupid theory

D

DUNBAR, Robin

Grooming, Gossip and the Evolution of Language 1996 Anthropology

Ignorant, smug, crackpot pre-historical anthropology