Category Archives: Books

“Fear” by Bob Woodward

I am generally not a big fan of reading books on contemporary subjects, because books get better with a few years of hindsight. But for Bob Woodward’s book about the Trump presidency, Fear, I made an exception. Of all the … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Military, Politics, USA | Tagged | 4 Comments

“The Pastures of Heaven” by John Steinbeck

As if I had known how beautiful it would be in Venta Micena, Andalusia, I brought a book about a similarly beautiful valley to read during my stay: The Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck. In this early work, first published … Continue reading

Posted in Andalusia, Books, Photography, Spain, USA | 13 Comments

Random Thoughts (23)

Sure, World War II had some bad sides to it. But at least it got the Oktoberfest suspended between 1939 and 1945. Many times as I entered Israel, I was questioned thoroughly about the origin of my last name by … Continue reading

Posted in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Books, Economics, Germany, History, Israel, Romania, Terrorism, UK, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

“Munich” by Robert Harris

Robert Harris, an experienced writer of historical thrillers, has taken on the Munich Agreement of 1938, in which Germany and the United Kingdom agreed that Germany could annex parts of Czechoslovakia. At the time, people believed that such a concession, … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Czech Republic, Germany, History, UK, World War II | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

How to get excess baggage on the plane – for free!

Did you know that most airlines have an exception for the baggage weight limit? If you are a student and the excess weight is due to study-related books, they let you pass. It works every time. But of course you … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Travel | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Random Thoughts (22)

In 2017, I seem to have been a bit lazy. I did not run a single half-marathon. But with the risk of war rising, I want to become fitter again. Last weekend, I began by running a half-marathon near Pilsen … Continue reading

Posted in Bolivia, Books, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Sports, Travel, UK | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Random Thoughts (21)

For writers, it must be saddening to see how ill-informed some people buy books. There seems to be a little bit of corruption in Montenegro. When I returned to university to study history at age 42, some were wondering what … Continue reading

Posted in Books, History, Language, Montenegro | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

“60 Degrees North” by Malachy Tallack

Good idea, good writing, but somehow lost me halfway on its way around the globe. Not that any particular idea is needed to set out and explore the world, but, as far as ideas go, circumventing the planet following the … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Canada, Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Travel, USA | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Random Thoughts (20)

If you care neither about the deficit, nor about providing public services, it’s actually quite easy to cut taxes. When I saw books by Džon Grišam at the bookshop in Montenegro, I was happy that my name wouldn’t have to be … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, Books, Economics, Germany, Italy, Language, Montenegro, Politics, Romania, USA | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Two Books on North Korea

If there will be a nuclear war in 2018, it will most likely have something to do with North Korea. So you may as well use your last weeks alive to read about that country. Suki Kim pulled off a … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Economics, Human Rights, North Korea, Politics, Religion | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments