Down and Out in Paris and London - George Orwell

George Orwell – Down and Out in Paris and London (1933)
Autobiography – 210 pages – my copy (paperback; 1989) bought for £2 from a delightful bookshop in Exeter near Xmas 2010
#37 of 2011-12 - #158 of All Time
- 4 nods out of 5 -



George Orwell’s reputation continues to grow, year after year: the man of the influential and much read and quoted books Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four. But it is his non-fiction work in which his fans trumpet and hold dearest to their hearts: Homage to Catalonia and The Road to Wigan Pier. This book, Down and Out in Paris in London, came before all, bar one.

In short, this is the younger Orwell as a true down and out in these two capital cities during the late 1920s. He recounts his time scrubbing pots and pans in the dirty restaurants of Paris, existing on minimal amounts of sleep and food; before returning to Blighty to walk the streets as a hobo. Throughout it all, Orwell acts social correspondent, detailing the peculiarities and hardships which for many others were ignored or simply unheard. As the introduction to this volume – written by Dervla Murphy – notes: ‘It is this white-hot reaction of a sensitive, observant, compassionate young man to poverty, injustice and the callousness of the rich. It offers insights, rather than solutions; but always insights have to precede solutions’

Such insights are clearly noted in the London segment of the book: Orwell writes of the non-stop swearing and filth of homeless life, existing on a poor diet of bread and margarine. Orwell remains negative about the plight of the hundreds of homeless, until an encounter with the street philosopher, Bozo:

Orwell: ‘It seems to me that when you take a man’s money away he’s fit for nothing from that moment.’
Bozo: ‘No, not necessarily. If you set yourself to it, you can live the same life, rich or poor. You can still keep on with your books and your ideas. You just got to say to yourself, “I’m a free man in here”’ – he tapped his forehead – ‘and you’re all right.’

However, it is his time as an energetic plongeur in Paris that really excites the reader, as opposed to the grinding depression of his hungry sojourns on the London roads. It is in Paris where he writes about his friend Boris, an enigmatic Russian émigré, as well as his life at Hotel X:

‘It was amusing to look round the filthy little scullery and think that only a double door was between us and the dining-room. There sat the customers in all their splendour – spotless table-cloths, bowls of flowers, mirrors and gilt cornices, and painted cherubim; and here, just a few feet away, we in our disgusting filth. For it really was disgusting filth. There was no time to sweep the floor till evening, and we slithered about in a compound of soapy water, lettuce leaves, torn paper and trampled food. A dozen waiters with their coats off, showing their sweaty armpits, sat the table mixing salads and sticking their thumbs into the cream pots.’

And what of his acquaintances in the kitchen:

‘English, eh? He said. ‘Well, I’m in charge here. If you work well’ – he made the motion of up-ending a bottle and sucked noisily. ‘If you don’t’ – he gave the doorpost several vigorous kicks. ‘To me, twisting your neck would be no more than spitting on the floor. And if there’s any trouble, they’ll believe me, not you. So be careful.’

Yes, this was the life or Orwell as a plonguer; what he deems doing work that is ‘more or less useless’. Orwell writes on the matter: ‘I believe that this instinct to perpetuate useless work is, at bottom, simply fear of the mob. The mob (the thought runs) are such low animals that they would be dangerous if they had leisure; it is safer to keep them too busy to think.’

It is this humour (no matter how dark) coupled with the social commentary that makes this book such an intriguing and enjoying read. Orwell fans don’t need to heed the call to plunge into his back catalogue; but for the un-initiated, Down and Out in Paris and London is a perfect entrance into a point of view of the world that we may have missed.


Buy it here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paris-London-Penguin-Modern-Classics/dp/0141184388/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332511683&sr=1-1

Britain Under Thatcherism - Seldon & Collings

Anthony Seldon & Daniel Collings - Britain Under Thatcherism (2000)
Politics – 130 pages – my copy (paperback; 2000) borrowed from Plymouth University library during February 2012
#36 of 2011-12 - #157 of All Time
- 2 nods out of 5 -



Despite not assuming political power for more than two decades, Thatcher remains a heated and contradictory word. Modern day politics has, in effect, been defined by her term in office; whilst her journey from grocer’s daughter to become the first – and so far, only – female Prime Minister of Great Britain has been documented on television, and now in Hollywood film. Her name brings about wildly different responses: was she the Iron Lady, or rather the Milk Snatcher; was she determined and ready to lead the country to a better future, or rather what many deem, a woman from hell?

Within the small space of 130 pages, the duo authorship of Seldon and Collings do a good job in giving a history of Thatcher’s rise to power (‘The Road to 1979’) and analysis of her time in 10 Downing Street. The major events are scrutinised: monetarism, the Falklands War, EC budget settlement, the Poll Tax, and the eventual demise of Thatcher and her “wet” cronies. The end of the era, 1989-1990, sees Thatcher’s right-hand men (Howe and Lawson) bail out on her vision of Britain. Challenges from beneath her (famously in the guise of Heseltine) led to seven years of the colourless Major governments.

Seldon and Collings attempt to assess Thatcher’s impact: an overbearing influence on the Conservative party post 1990; as well as constituting a major factor in the rise of Blair and New Labour. It is in within this assessment (from pages 65 to 95) in which the authors earn their pay as they set out to tackle some big questions: did the power of the cabinet erode away in this time?; were divides exasperated?; was Britain’s role effectively stunted by Thatcher in the 1980s?

Such assessment continues with the various summaries of the wide array of histories written on Thatcher: the right-wing perspective, the “wet” critique, the left of centre critique, the historical determinist thesis; and more and more. Even if Thatcher herself has been out of politics for a long time, there is no doubt the ink will soon run dry on analysis of her time in power. Furthermore, the reader is given access to the 1980s directly in the form of a wealth of contemporary documents, including the famous speech: ‘You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning.’

More than two decades have passed since Thatcher’s demise; yet her name and the term ‘Thatcherism’ remain loaded words. A reaction to her name will reveal just where a person stands: politically and socially. More and more histories will be published, and many of which will be of more heavyweight proportions than this small, rather modest book. For an introduction with clear analysis, it earns its place on the bookshelf of Thatcher fan and hater alike.

Buy it here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Britain-Thatcher-Seminar-Studies-History/dp/0582317142

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Mildred D. Taylor

Mildred D. Taylor – Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (1976)
Novel – 210 pages – my copy (hardback; 1987) bought for £1 from Shabby Chic, Plymouth, during January 2012
#35 of 2011-12 - #156 of All Time
- 3 nods out of 5 -



Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a children’s novel that manages to deal with some very grown up issues. Set in the American South during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the novel follows the story of a black family, the Logans. They are a peculiarity in their area: they own the land they farm on. However, resentful families are surrounding them, wishing to take it back and assert their control on those of different colour, as was the situation before the American Civil War.

The book is narrated by Cassie, the only daughter of the Logans: perceptive and thoughtful, she gives the reader an account of life in the south in this era. Through her eyes the author – Taylor- is able to weave together an interesting and thought provoking novel. As seen in his snippet:

“Cassie.” Mamma did not raise her voice, but the quiet force of my name silenced me. “Now,” she said, folding my hand in hers, “I didn’t say that Lillian Jean is better than you. I said Mr. Simms only thinks she is. In fact, he thinks she’s better than Stacey or Little Man or Christopher John…”
“Just ‘cause she’s his daughter?” I asked.
“No, baby, because she’s white.”
Mamma’s hold tightened on mine, but I exclaimed, “Ah, shoot! White ain’t nothin’!”
Mamma’s grip did not lessen. “It is something, Cassie. White is something just like black is something. Everybody born on this earth is something and nobody, no matter what colour, is better than anybody else.”

In many ways, the book follows the typical “coming of age” story; yet set in the sinister and threatening period of this era: Taylor allows this threat and suspense to grow and grow. Blood is soon coming, it is known and smelt: but the book’s ending manages to get in a twist, without the reader feeling cheated.

For all that, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, isn’t a heavyweight of fiction. But it is a good book to read if you wish to allow the “little guy” to prevail over “the man”. Its progressive, non-violent values makes it clear to see why the book is studied in schools. Taylor has other books, continuing with the Logan family tale (Let the Circle Be Unbroken and Song of the Trees): the Worm intends to read more of these books in the future, to revel in the trials and tribulations of the Logan family, as well as the triumph of equality.


Buy it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Roll-Thunder-Hear-My-Cry/dp/014034893X

30s & 40s Britain - John Guy / Plymouth: A Miscellany - Julia Skinner

John Guy - 30s & 40s Britain (2005)
History – 40 pages – my copy (paperback; 2005) bought for 80p from a charity shop in Cornwall during February 2012
#33 of 2011-12 - #154 of All Time
- 1 nod out of 5 -



30s & 40s Britain is just one in a series of short booklets on British History recently published. Its pattern follows double page spreads on features of life in these decades: the widely noted Devils Decade of the Great Depression, followed by the devastation of the Second World War, Britain’s eventual victory, and the austerity of the later 1940s.

The author – John Guy – is an accomplished historian who covers the main issues and events of this time: ‘Food & Drink’, ‘Fashion’, ‘Health & Medicine’. Yes, each one rather mundane in itself; however, Guy’s touch allows the reader to embrace the lighter side of history during these heavily weighted times.

Of course, with such a short book, the writer is unable to fully capture the imagination. The reader is briskly taken throughout these decades, made to gasp, before being pulled along page by page until we are out of the door at the ending cover. Double the space could have provided double the nods; but in quickly encapsulating an age it provides the reader with more interest and entrainment than a search on Wikipedia or the internet.

Buy it here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/British-history-30s-40s-Britain/dp/B004ZKW97I



Julia Skinner – Plymouth: A Miscellany (2006)
History – 60 pages – my copy (hardback; 2009) a present at Christmas 2011
#34 of 2011-12 - #155 of All Time
- 1 nod out of 5 -



And we move onto the other book in today’s review: a miscellaneous collection of history and tidbits on the naval city of Plymouth. Its very cover lays out its stall: ‘Fascinating Facts, Quiz, Historical Photographs, Ghost Stories, Sport, Recipes, Regional Dialect’.

It is interesting to note the book actually has an author (or at least, an editor): its modest pages follow no set pattern – certainly no chronology – and even typeface and print size appear to change, page to page. Its “stories” are far too short to become absorbed in; whilst its self-acclaimed recipe leaves much to be desired (trout with almonds and cream, anyone?). Its saving grace are the glossy photographs from the Francis Frith collection; however, the small size of the pages mean even this highlight is stunted in enjoyment.

Such a book was always going to fail on the Worm’s stern nodder test; however, its purpose was never to thrill or remain in the memory, but rather do its job of being an hour’s long entertainment. In three words: Perfect Stocking Filler. Or rather, the perfect filler for local history enthusiasts and anoraks.

Get in early for Xmas 2012 and buy it here:
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/julia+skinner/did+you+know3f+plymouth/6726575/

The Great Crash 1929 - John Kenneth Galbraith

John Kenneth Galbraith – The Great Crash 1929 (1954)
History – 210 pages – my copy (paperback; 1975) bought for £1 from the Shabby Chic coffee-shop during January 2012
#32 of 2011-12 - #153 of All Time
- 3 nods out of 5 -



‘Some years, like some poets and politicians and some lovely women, are singled out for fame far beyond the common lot, and 1929 was clearly such a year. Like 1066, 1776, and 1914, it is a year that everyone remembers.’

And so begins Galbraith’s both excellent and humorous history on the events of the great Wall Street crash of 1929. This year has become all the more relevant in recent history, as the world battles in the midst of what could well become known as the Great Depression of the twenty-first century.

Initially written in 1954, and subsequently updated in 1975 (bringing forth an amusing account of the book’s originally publication, in the form of a preface to the second edition), Galbraith is a fantastic guide through the run-up to the chaos of 1929. Normally, economic terms can send readers into shut-down (the Worm admits to all, that he is such a reader); but at no point does the author threaten to over-burden us with technical terms, nor even patronise the lack of prior knowledge.

The lead-up to the crash is recounted – the countdown clock beating down, year by year, month by month, day by day – to the black week in October 1929; to the point at which Galbraith modestly acclaims: ‘Things Become More Serious.’ Analysed is the myth of boom and bust, as well as the enduring myth of suicides from the resulting fallout. Although Galbraith breezes by the actual nitty gritty of October 1929, for a book of a mere two hundred pages (a fast read indeed), what is contained is worthy and enlightening.

Entertaining and knowledgeable throughout, Galbraith’s history has its limitations. But for those who wish to step inside the world of the 1920s bull market, of the collapse of finance and the beginnings of what would become the Great Depression of the twentieth century, readers will be lucky to find a better book. And so we end on Galbraith’s warning of the use of history in helping us avoid our mistakes:

‘Yet the lesson is evident. The story of the boom and crash of 1929 is worth telling for its own sake. Great drama joined in those months with a luminous insanity. But there is the more sombre purpose. As a protection against financial illusion or insanity, memory is far better than law.’

Buy it here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Great-Crash-1929-financial/dp/014103825X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330859266&sr=8-1

Read an alternative review here:
http://reviewingbooksandmovies.blogspot.com/2009/06/great-crash-1929-by-john-kenneth.html