Great Political Eccentrics - Neil Hamilton

Neil Hamilton – Great Political Eccentrics (1999)
History – 270 page – my copy (hardback; 1999) bought for 50p from Plymouth Library
- 1 nod

Who better to write a book upon the eccentrics of our British parliament than a disgraced former M.P.? Neil Hamilton – the aforementioned disgraced M.P. – put pen to paper in this fast-tracked book; cashing in on the boom and bust of his short lived fame in the celebrity spotlight. It is cheap; it has errors a-plenty; it was never worth the £16.95 this hard book edition originally cost the poor fool of readers who purchased it.

Yet, with such a topic at hand, what could possibly have gone wrong? After all, Westminster has spawned many noteworthy maniacs in the course of three hundred years, from Winston Churchill to George Brown; along with many minor politicians included this volume, such as the deluded Green David Icke and the literary raving looney Screaming Lord Sutch.

Easily the most interesting biography within these pages centres upon Trebitsch Lincoln. An Orthodox Jewish Hungarian who moved to Britain at the turn of the twentieth century to seek his fortune in any manner he could; even it meant converting to Catholicism, to Protestantism and Irish Presbyterianism! He left unpaid bills behind, always on the run from bad debt and loans, before somehow – magically – becoming Liberal M.P. for Darlington in 1910. He was promptly kicked out in a later election in the same year, yet that wasn’t the end of Mr Lincoln. This ‘former journalist, ex-missionary, unfrocked parson, failed politician and bankrupt businessmen’ then decided his next career move was to be an international spy, putting out offers for Britain in the First World War, before moving on to work for the Germans, before double-dealing with them. Lincoln even wrote about his experiences for a New York newspaper in an article entitled: ‘Revelations of Mr Lincoln, former Member of Parliament, who became a German spy.’ He eventually moved to Tibet to become a monk before ending up poisoned – as rumoured – by the Nazis during the Second World War. Wow, what a life!

Yet Hamilton’s book fails in a lack of directorial control. The repeating of facts and sloppy mistakes show it for what it exactly is: a hastily put together collection of words. It has the feel of many authors, or more precisely, undergraduate researchers, who chuck and chuck paint upon the canvass until something sticks. The Worm – as his close friends know – is no supporter of Wikipedia; but the reader would do much better to type in a search of Churchill, Icke or Sutch onto its search engine than pick up Hamilton’s book (if, indeed, the reader can find an edition in the year 2010).

The Worm’s copy will promptly be discharged from its care and book shelf, joining the list of 1 nodder losers he has had the misfortune of meeting this year. Perhaps, just perhaps, it may find a home just yet in the unforgiving world of the political reader. The Worm does not hold his breath.

The Annals of Imperial Rome - Tacitus

Tacitus - The Annals of Imperial Rome
History - 400 pages - my copy (paperback; 1996)
- 5 nods

Gaze upon a list of the finest and most legendary of historians throughout time, and surely there amongst the names at the top will rest that of Tacitus. A Roman himself - unlike Gibbon and modern day commentators upon the period - Tacitus lived in the early second century of the new millenium. His history, influential throughout the centuries, takes the reader through the disasaster of the Judio-Claudian line of Emperors.

Such emperors have long been the stuff of Hollywood film and TV serial. This motley and murderous bunch include the stern and cold Tiberius, the manic Caligula, the frantic Claudius, and the stir crazed form of Nero (yes, he who married a horse). Throughout all, Tacitus notes the horror and upheaval, commentating his distaste for these successions and the corrupting power. He is under no illusions of the task at hand:

'What interests and stimulates readers is a geographical description, the changing fortune of a battle, the glorious death of a commander. My themes on the other hand concern cruel orders, unremitting accusations, treacherous friendships, innocent men ruined - a conspicously monotonous glut of downfalls and their monotonous causes.'

The historian is right on many things: the downfall and the seemingly cycle of their causes. A senator becomes a court favourite, wrecks havoc on his enemies, before ending up - with his family - upon the rubbish heap of history (most notably with Sejanus in Tiberius' reign). Yet it is an inescapable truth, and one in which Tacitus is the bearer of, no matter the pain nor sadness.

Though Tacitus is wrong about the lack of glory within these pages. There are plenty of battles, from Germania to Israel, and commanders to applaud to - none no more so than the great Germanicus. His work is stunning throughout, and it is with the greatest shame to the historians and readers of today in that there are chunks of his work missing; including the whole reign of Caligula. Yet what remains of the text endures and fascinates, and has done so for almost two thousand years. At the heart of this is Tacitus' honesty and determination to tell the past as it happened. The Worm thoroughly applauds this, and looks forward to further reads on this great historian.

Why Vote Green Shahrar Ali

Shahrar Ali - Why Vote Green (2010)
Politics – 120 pages – bought for £6.99 from Plymouth Waterstones pre-2010 General Election
- 2 nods

The recent General Election has captured the attention of the public like none other for a whole generation. Political commentators had been predicting a rumble in the parliamentary jungle in the months leading up to the D-Day of May 6th, resulting in a plethora of books upon the shelves of all good bookshops, ranging from the throw-away (see previous review on X Marks The Box) to the specifics of a particular party. One such interesting series was Why Vote, incorporating the big three of Tory, Labour and Lib-Dem, as well as the minor of UKIP, the SNP and my own particular chosen path of Green.

So, why vote Green? It is the task of Shahrar Ali to speak to Joe Public and convince them of the radical, Green way forward. 'Radical politics' is the feature of the first part of this short book, with emphasis on trust, direct action and those at the grassroots. Ali asserts the Greens are different and fresh; a real choice of change (yes, another change slogan to add to the barrel of all other parties!), with the party actually practicising what it preaches (unlike Mr Clegg, who does a good job of talking the talk).

Of course, the author tackles 'Climate Change', but in the hope of making the connection with the reader that they are part of the environment, that their needs and wants dictate the future path of our planet. This responsibility is followed up on other policy issues, including education, equality and the local services around us; before ending on the wrongs of war, leaving us with - oh yes - another Iraq War reference.

The Worm wholeheartedly agrees that the Greens offer a radical politics; unfortunately, Ali's book is not similarly refreshing. Although a gentle introduction for those of the Green persuasian, it is, ultimately, another throw-away to the add to the pile of this year's electioneering literature. But with their first MP in Parliament - in the shape of the formidable Caroline Lucas in Brighton - the Greens have a future of many further books published on their success.

Virtual History - Niall Ferguson

Niall Ferguson – Virtual History (1997)
History – 450 pages - bought from the Oxfam Bookshop in Ealing Broadway, sometime in 2008
4 nods

The publication of the "what-may-have-been" books of history have found a strong and hungry market in recent decades. Yes, we all know the heroes of history - but what of the losers? The persistant dominating image continues to be the Nazi swastika flying from London's Big Ben. There has long been debate about the merits of such writing: is it simply a parlour game or rather an argument of greater weight worthy of research?

Niall Ferguson made a name for himself in this genre of history; his edited collection Virtual History is an addition at the higher end of the market. No simple articles mocked up by hack historians, but instead well weighed arguments, interestingly researched, topped off with good, exciting prose.

The reader is treated to 'England Without Cromwell', the possibility of no American Revolution, and the what if scenario of Kennedy living beyond his assassination. Furthermore, there are more meaty topics in store, such as Home Rule being enacted in Ireland in 1912 and the continuance of Communism. Of course, there is the addition of the Nazis, fantastically written by the joint efforts of Andrerw Roberts and Niall Ferguson: 'Hitler's England: What if Germany had invaded Britain in May 1940?'. Bleak, devastating and scary; and all the more thankful for the Allies actual triumph.

All of which is crowned with Ferguson's introductory essay 'Virtual History: Towards a "chaotic" theory of the past': impressive yet also daunting for an entrance to such a book. Ferguson might over-egg the pudding, chucking into the mix all he could possibly find to justify this genre's worthiness; but for certain, it proves this collection as a heavyweight. Virtual History is recommended for all those with a thirst for history and a curious mind.

Firmin - Sam Savage

Sam Savage – Firmin (2006)
Novel – 230 pages – scooped from the bookcase in Plymouth Starbucks
3 nods

The novelist, Sam Savage, wrote this – his first – novel in his sixties. His own personal history is rich and diverse, itself reading as something from fiction: a philosophy student, a bicycle mechanic, carpenter, commercial fisherman and letterpress printer. The Worm can deduce from such activity that Savage was rarely bored.

Firmin is the story of a rat born in counter-culture America in the early sixties. It follows Firmin himself, as he is neglected and eventually isolated from his brothers and sisters, his quest to find acknowledgment in the world of books, right through to his demise at the book’s end. The narrative certainly lives up to the book’s subtitle: ‘Adventures of a Metropolitan Lowlife’.

As well as being a critique on our own human relations (as too often in fiction, in tends to take a non-human to celebrate our qualities: such as Dumbo, the alien from E.T., and of course, the brave little toaster), Firmin is also a celebration of our history of literature. Firmin himself is born upon a copy of Finnegan’s Wake, the rat stating: ‘I was birthed, bedded, and suckled on the defoliated carcass of the world’s most unread masterpiece’ (p.12). He feeds himself upon a diet of Nabokov, of Lawrence and of Austen; he references the greats, always himself wanting to be one of these 'Big Ones'.

This is Firmin’s ever enduring agony: his awareness of the great, big world around him and his inability to ever fully take part. As well as being entertaining, the novel is a moving one, notably in Firmin’s encounters with humankind. He loves Norman, the book-shop owner, who sees the rat as a pest to be eradicated; he has a strong bond with Jerry, who in returns sees him as an innocent, silly plaything. Ultimately, Firmin is alone, and even sadder is his actual realisation of this loneliness.

The book is an entertaining read – made all the more worthwhile due to the oddity of the central character. It will not change the reader's world, and it is not a book to place alongside the 'Big Ones' - yet for a few hours, it will succesfully and comfortably transport them away into Firmin's mindset. An engaging first novel from an interesting author.

Dylan On Dylan - Jonathan Cott

Jonathan Cott – Dylan on Dylan (2006)
Music – 440 pages – borrowed from fellow student of Dylanology, Jay
- 3 nods

Who, these days, can oppose themselves against a man such as Bob Dylan? The true hero of the 1960s, when other bands and figures remain divisive (think Mick Jagger, think Paul "Macca" McCartney, think Herman’s Hermits) Dylan remains a living legend. His 1960s period is one now widely acknowledged as "super cool", of untouchable songs and lyrics – whilst the modern Bob continues to reap the plaudits on recent albums such as Time Out of Mind. If Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, Bob Dylan is surely the Caesar of all Songwriters.

Jonathan Cott’s book upon Dylan is a succession of articles, taken from the 1960s to the modern day. It shows Dylan’s progression from unknown folkie, to leader of a movement, his shying away from the limelight, his surprise Christian revivial, the awkward eighties to eventual consolidation as the Man of the 60s.

However, many of the articles are a simply waste of good reading time. There are Dylan’s web of ridiculous lies – which is mouth was prone to spout when hitting the big time in 1965-1966 – coupled with sycophantic writers praising Bob as the son of God (the Worm realises his own sycophantic praises…but the Worm is not a rock biographer). Yet despite this, there are some real gems and treats in store for the Dylan fan, none more so than A.J. Weberman’s psychotic meeting with the man in the early 1970s. Weberman, self-proclaimed ‘Dylanologist and Minister of Defence of the Dylan Liberation Front’, accuses Bob of betraying his counter-culture roots.

Other highlights include Nat Hentoff’s 1964 interview, in which we catch a glimpse of (perhaps) the true Bob during the recording of Another Side of Bob Dylan; as are the eighties interviews with Rolling Stone and Esquire, showing Dylan on the road to his current comfortable status in 2010. For the truly laughable, however, all the reader must do is turn to Dylan’s religious period (1979-1982); no words can do justice to the songwriter’s warped and confused mindset.

Cott’s collection of articles is one for bookcases of all Dylan fans – and, of course, Dylanologists. A book that can be dipped into from time to time, to quote and muse over; without ever seriously competing with Dylan’s actual recordings.