The Life and Times of Nick Crowson

Introductions to Book Reviews and Articles 2022

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Limitless (autobiography) by Tim Peake

Book Review, December, 2021

The work is of course most remarkable for the section covering Britain's foremost astronaut. (I almost said first, but he was beaten on that score by female astronaut, Helen Sharman who visited the Mir space station in 1991) This part features a protracted series of tests, medicals and interviews; reducing an application of over 8,000 to just 6 astronauts. This was my initiating interest. That said, there is a lot of other significant, varied and sometimes amusing content; especially related to the 'shenanigans' of army life. The work is insightful in terms of the strictness of officer training at Sandhurst and the nature of military operations in Northern Ireland, during the troubles.

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A Promised Land (autobiography) by Barack Obama

Book Review, December, 2021

Barack Obama was the first black President of the USA. The 44th in its history. This work outlines his upbringing and early career and studies, before successfully fighting for a Senate seat for Illinois. The next chapters chart his support and campaign to gain the ticket for the Democratic nomination for the 2008 Presidential Election; where he met the stiffest competition from Hilary Clinton.

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Leading by Sir Alex Ferguson with Michael Moritz

Book Review, December, 2021

The work is mainly subsumed within thirteen chapters. In addition, Ferguson introduces things and his co-writer pens the epilogue, with concluding lists of management statistics for Ferguson's managerial career and communications by letter highlighting aspects of his career dealings in the archive section. There is an occasional black and white photograph. Although the stats section is printed in colour, some of the information is lost because of the smallness of the print or graphical representations. This is the product of hours of conversations on the broad spectrum of management between the two listed authors. In his opening we are informed of his present business life, since retiring from Manchester United in 2013. He comments on his work and connection with the Harvard Business School as a tutor. He refers to his other publications. In 1985 he wrote on life managing Aberdeen for seven years. Then followed with 'Managing my life' in 1999 after winning the treble with Manchester United and then 'My Autobiography' in 2013, shortly after retirement.

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Step By Step (autobiography) by Simon Reeve

Book Review, January, 2022

Simon Reeve is best known for his award winning travel journeys in various locations round the world for television. This autobiography features his early years growing-up, before recounting tales, conversations and people encountered on his travel documentaries from what are now his first series. Future books feature specific adventures undertaken, such as Tropic of Capricorn.

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The Citadel by A J Cronin

Book Review, January, 2022

This work strongly represents the life and working environments of the author. The main character, Doctor Andrew Manson is Scottish, works in doctors' practices in both Wales and London and spends time analysing data surrounding lung disease, suffered by working miners - all of which Cronin came across in his working life.

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