It's been a while, sorry.

Just had one of those weeks where inspiration was lacking, not totally, just for blogging. I have done a new podcast, check it out, it's only 10 minutes long.

Been reading a bit, I have had 4 books dotted around the house and have nearly finished them all. The most enjoyable has been "Churchill, A life" by Martin Gilbert, this is the 3rd time I have read this book. It is much better than the version written by Roy Jenkins. Churchill is one of my heroes, he stood as a voice when no one else would listen and he led well in crisis, this book is a fascinating insight into the fluctuating fortunes of a man who thought he could do almost anything. Well written, concise, flowing text a great read for inspiration and historical information from specific perspective.

Someone left a book at ours called "The Beer Mat Entrepreneur" which is a good read makes starting a business and getting rich sound easy. I bet the guy who wrote it got rich selling the book on how to get rich. The short punchy chapters would make it easy to read on the toilet or an airplane, when day dreaming of riches.

Just finished Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday, enjoyed this immensely. Longish book, quite detailed at times, another power hungry man, who craved international recognition, lots of similarities with Churchill : driven, ruthless, moody, merciless and paranoid. Churchill definitely had these traits, it is more to do with how both men worked them out, Mao represents the dark side of super heroes and Churchill represents the light side of super heroes . This is a slightly more dramatic text, gets a little over consumed with detail although I would imagine that with any book on the leader of such a vast country, detail could drown most authors, I think they both stay well afloat on this one, and probably the detail is more reflection on this reader than the authors. Very interesting read, well presented and informative.

Finally I am reading "Gerrard, My Autobiography" by Steven Gerrad let's be honest here it's not a great book however as a Liverpool fan I have found it fascinating and enjoyable as a literary work it is utter crap. I know that footballers speak a certain way, but for goodness sake some could have asked him not to put F**k and C**t in so much. Actually thinking it's not just utter crap it actually made me think less of the man. Not good.

Reading back, thats probably not the most in depth book review you'll ever have read.
Maybe I can get some from Churchill? Here are a few of his quotes:

"A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen."

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. "

"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. "

"I always avoid prophesying beforehand, because it is a much better policy to prophesy after the event has already taken place."

"I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me."