41. Seven Types of Atheism, John Gray (2018)
John Gray is always worth reading. Solidly against any ideas of religious or humanistic 'progress' in human affairs, which is sometimes the resort of atheists. While discounting 'God', they advance ideas of societal progress. Gray resists all ideas of human moral progress. He's not a Christian but seems to have a sense of original sin, of the essential waywardness of humanity and the futility of working for a utopia or an idealized society.
42. Diary of a Hundred Days, Vols. I & II, R. S. Gormack (1975)
Fascinating account of student days at Canterbury College in the 1940's. One detail intrigued me - the number of times the author had 'oysters and milk' for supper. Lent to me by Graeme Kitto.
43. Ka whawhai Tonu Matou - Struggle Without End, Ranginui Walker (1990)
It's taken me a long time to read this book, from the Chartwell library, renewed twice. Demanding but rewarding reading. Ranginui Walker (1932-2016) was a teacher, a shy man drawn into activism and becoming a leading academic and activist for Maori. This is a great book. I read particularly carefully the section on the Waikato Settlement, pp. 304ff.
44. The Fire of Joy, Clive James (2020)
At a time when he was very ill, well into 'injury time, Clive James (1939-2019) compiled this collection of 80 poems 'to get by heart and say aloud', which was published posthumously. ('hieratic emphasis' said of Coleridge's Kubla Khan = highly restrained). Poems by Matthew Arnold, G M Hopkins, Rupert Brooke, W. H. Auden, Elizabeth Bishop, Ted Hughs and many others, each with a learned and often witty commentary from Clive James.
45. Fatal Discord Erasmus, Luther, and the Fight for the Western Mind, Michael Massing (2018)
A massive, impressive book. 'In Fatal Discord, Michael Massing seeks to restore Erasmus to his proper place in the Western tradition.'
46. Campo Santo, W. G.Sebald (2005)
A collection of great essays, concentrated on the island of Corsica. Author of The Rings of Saturn.
47. Prague Fatale, Philip Kerr (2011)
Excellent reading, riveting, with detective Bernie Gunther, trying to be decent cop in Nazi Germany in 1941. Amazing details, especially about Reinhard Heydrich. By Scottish author, Philip Kerr (1956-2018).
"It’s 1941 and Bernie is back from the Eastern Front, once again working homicide in Berlin’s Kripo and answering to Reinhard Heydrich, a man he both detests and fears. Heydrich has been newly named Reichsprotector of Czechoslovakia. Tipped off that there is an assassin in his midst, he orders Bernie to join him at his country estate outside Prague, where he has invited some of the Third Reich’s most odious officials to celebrate his new appointment. One of them is the would-be assassin. Bernie can think of better ways to spend a beautiful autumn weekend, but, as he says, “You don’t say no to Heydrich and live.” (From Books)
PEN
48. Escape, Barbie Probert-Wright (2006).
A story told through the eyes of a child - two sisters walk 300miles through Germany towards the end of WWII to find their mother. A lot to be learned about ordinary Germans at that time, both good and evil, and everything in between.
49.See you again Pyongyang, Travis Jeppesen (2018)
One of the best books I've read on North Korea. Insightful, amusing, with broad human sympathies and political realism from a youngish author.
50. Build your own Time Machine, Brian Clegg (2012)
Through this book I nearly understood some of the basics of modern physics and enjoyed stories of the great physicists. Apparently, we can travel back in time infinitesimally already. The speed of light is not, as I always thought, a rigid limitation. Clegg delves into the paradoxes raised by the idea of time travel and expounds on the physics that may make it possible. Very well written.