OV9

V8Granite wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 6:17 am SAS The Great Train Raid - a story about a French part of the SAS, how they were thwarted in their efforts to free the now released POWs after Italy flipped during the war.
Some very determined people, many from very privileged backgrounds doing some amazingly brave acts.
I didn't realise how split the Italians were with regards to helping the Germans and how free to roam the SAS were in Italy.

Dave!

Ha, I'm just finishing a different book on the exact same time and place:

The Glass Mountain by Malcolm Gaskill

He decides to research the story of his (now deceased) great uncle who was a POW in Italy. The story kind of meanders through the story of his uncle but splits out into a few other people as they are encountered and also people / connections he himself makes during the research. I've really enjoyed it, it's a gentle kind of book but very engaging and thought provoking.

Also recently read:

The Meaning of Beer (An Alternative History of the World) by Jonny Garrett

Really enjoyed this, if you like and are interested in beer you'll enjoy it too. After reading the book I discovered Jonny Garrett actually lives in the next town over from me and also has pretty good social media stuff (this also explains why the copy I bought from the local Waterstones is signed).

duncs500 wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 7:07 am Also recently read:

The Meaning of Beer (An Alternative History of the World) by Jonny Garrett

Really enjoyed this, if you like and are interested in beer you'll enjoy it too. After reading the book I discovered Jonny Garrett actually lives in the next town over from me and also has pretty good social media stuff (this also explains why the copy I bought from the local Waterstones is signed).

'Tis a great read that. My favourite bits were on the ancient history of beer, and the section on refrigeration and the role that beer played in its development. Always interesting to hear from archaeologists how bread played such an important role in the ancient human diet, but no one ever mentions beer!

Swervin_Mervin wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 9:29 am

duncs500 wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 7:07 am Also recently read:

The Meaning of Beer (An Alternative History of the World) by Jonny Garrett

Really enjoyed this, if you like and are interested in beer you'll enjoy it too. After reading the book I discovered Jonny Garrett actually lives in the next town over from me and also has pretty good social media stuff (this also explains why the copy I bought from the local Waterstones is signed).

'Tis a great read that. My favourite bits were on the ancient history of beer, and the section on refrigeration and the role that beer played in its development. Always interesting to hear from archaeologists how bread played such an important role in the ancient human diet, but no one ever mentions beer!

After having given up on lagers many moons ago, the book has given lager (particularly originating from Munich) a resurgence with me this year.

duncs500 wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 12:06 pm

Swervin_Mervin wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 9:29 am

duncs500 wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 7:07 am Also recently read:

The Meaning of Beer (An Alternative History of the World) by Jonny Garrett

Really enjoyed this, if you like and are interested in beer you'll enjoy it too. After reading the book I discovered Jonny Garrett actually lives in the next town over from me and also has pretty good social media stuff (this also explains why the copy I bought from the local Waterstones is signed).

'Tis a great read that. My favourite bits were on the ancient history of beer, and the section on refrigeration and the role that beer played in its development. Always interesting to hear from archaeologists how bread played such an important role in the ancient human diet, but no one ever mentions beer!

After having given up on lagers many moons ago, the book has given lager (particularly originating from Munich) a resurgence with me this year.

Same! And now I really want to go and tour some of the places mentioned and try it at source.

I've been lucky that for years we had a Booths supermarket nearby (a Northern chain, more upmarket than Waitrose) as they stock a lot of German and Czech beers. They're so much nicer, and they're also generally quite a lot cheaper than a lot of "craft" lagers.

I will big up Wiper and True's offerings though - very clean and crisp beers and they do some great lagers.

Swervin_Mervin wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 1:24 pm And now I really want to go and tour some of the places mentioned and try it at source.

HaHa, same.

Sainsbury's do Augustiner on 4 for 3, it's a lovely summer drink. Goes down very well.

2nd new series James S Corey "Faith of beasts" was better than the first but still a long way behind The Expanse.

Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky had some great moments but was so slow getting there.

Now reading early Neal Asher "Brass Man" which is pretty trash tbh.

Can recommend Edward Ashton's Mickey 7, and am currently enjoying the fifth and sixth Murderbot books.