St Edmund's
A little light reading…
My old headmaster Mr Davies always urged students and staff “to read some good books” over the summer holiday.
In the interests of transparency, below I have given you a summary of my reading matter over the break.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about my state of mind!
Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
Brown details the history of the American West from the perspective of Native Americans. It is a harrowing read as Brown unfolds how Native American culture was eradicated by violence, deception and treacherous use (and abuse) of legal structures by the US Government. Time magazine wrote of the book “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee tallies the broken promises and treaties, the provocations, massacres, discriminatory policies and condescending diplomacy.” It is a deeply moving and thought-provoking study.
My Life on the Plains by George Armstrong Custer
George Custer is of course most famous for his defeat and death at the Battle of Little Bighorn in June 1876 at the hands of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. This book is his journal of military activities that he undertook as an officer in the Seventh Cavalry. The stories and writing style reflect Custer’s extravagant personality and it becomes increasingly clear as you read the book how his impetuosity would eventually be his undoing…
Putin’s Wars by Mark Galeotti
Mark Galeotti is one of the most erudite and insightful commentators on contemporary Russia – as this book demonstrates. Indeed, his podcast “In Moscow’s Shadows” is essential listening for anyone trying to understand the current Ukraine conflict or seeking to decode the activities of the Kremlin.
Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger
This is one of the most extraordinary novels of the First World War. It is Junger’s memoir of fighting in the trenches for the German army on the Western Front. As an account of human resilience in the face of industrialized warfare and unspeakable horror, Storm of Steel is unsurpassed.
My A to Z of Cricket by Henry Blofeld
By way of contrast from all of the above (!), this is an effervescent and brilliantly written analysis of all things Cricket by the Test Match Special commentator. Henry spoke at the St Edmund’s Festival last summer and I wanted to enjoy more of his wit and encyclopaedic knowledge of the game. The A-Z format makes this easy to dip in and out of at your convenience. Witty, irreverent and rich in anecdotes and amusing references, this is worth a look for all who love the game.
