Tag Non Fiction

Reinventing Democracy by David Kauders @SparklingBooks @palamedespr #politics #democracy #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Reinventing Democracy by David Kauders. I don’t read political books but this one caught my eye and I decided to give it a go. The author gives his opinion on the way British politics is and how it could be improved.

My thanks to Sparkling Books and Palmedes PR for arranging my copy of this book and for my spot on the Blog Tour.

90% of electors want political reform. But how to escape the mess? Britain should adopt a federal structure with a written constitution and an elected apolitical People’s Council replacing autocratic and ineffective bodies.

Growing concern about the relative economic deterioration of the United Kingdom led to realisation that the system of political governance is probably an unrecognised cause of British decline. Events over the last few years have provided a fertile supply of examples. All that was needed was some original thought, but nobody seemed to be facing facts.

At the centre of these ideas lie four major concepts:

  1. The People’s Council to replace the Privy Council, House of Lords, and some scrutiny functions of the present House of Commons.
  2. A federal structure, with sovereignty defined as sovereignty of the people of each nation instead of the Crown in parliament.
  3. Representation in United Kingdom-wide bodies to be determined according to the Fibonacci series, so that England can be outvoted by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined, thereby preventing England treating the other nations as colonies.
  4. The book includes a draft written constitution.

“The oldest democracy is now an obsolete model long overdue for replacement.”

MY REVIEW

I am not a fan of politics or politicians, but I do understand the need to vote for those who make the decisions for our country. In recent years though, it seems to me that politics has turned into a point-scoring competition rather than focusing on the policies. This was highlighted for me during the Brexit decisions. It was embarrassing to watch politicians trying to get one over another politician. Listening to what Brussels was saying and then to what our politicians were saying was crazy. Each politician seemed to be saying that if they were in charge they would make the best decision and would fight for a different agreement, when in actuality Brussels was saying, you want to leave this is what we have on the table. I may be wrong here and this is my own opinion.

What is also an opinion of this book and the author does mention this throughout the book. Often with phrases like “in my opinion”, or “according to others” and similar. The author gives a good account of the things that have worked for other countries and how they would benefit this country. I think most of us agree, that the British government is not what it used to be and that it seems to be getting worse. Watching politicians back-stabbing, changing sides, bickering between themselves and generally treating their positions as a right rather than for the benefit of the people.

As I read this book I found myself agreeing with many of the points the author makes. I was surprised when I found out that we do not have a constitution as a single document (I did mention that I don’t understand politics), instead we have a vast array of documents that have been amended over the centuries, yes, the centuries! This is why British politics can be confusing, so surely having one document that covers the country makes sense. Well, it does to me!

The author is based in Switzerland at the time of writing this book, and this gives him the perspective of someone looking in. He refers to things that happen in Switzerland and how some things differ and he also includes items from other countries. This adds to his argument and sort of endorses what he is referring to.

It was a couple of weeks ago, as part of a course I am doing, that I was asked what democracy was for someone living in the UK. I said that I thought it was when the people vote for politicians and government to run the country to the benefit of the people who elect them. I was then asked if I felt this was true. I had to say that I didn’t because who I vote for is not a person but a party and any problems I have in my part of the UK are not considered important when they are discussed in London. This was then discussed within our group and almost everyone else agreed with me.

This book is easy to read, there are some things that I didn’t understand but I think I went into this with the probability that this would be the case. On the whole, though, the vast majority did make sense. The author does mention that he does not expect that any party would ask for a single document constitution to be written up as it would not be in their best interests, even though it would be for those of us who have the power to vote.

If you are curious about politics or want to read something that gives a different perspective and also highlights some very interesting points in the way British politics is run. I don’t tend to read anything political, but I have to say I found this compelling and interesting. It is of course only one side of a huge argument, but it is one that makes some valid points and I would happily recommend it.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Hacked: The Secret Behind Cyber-Attacks by Dr Jessica Barker @KoganPage #NetGalley #technology #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Hacked by Dr Jessica Barker. I was intrigued when I saw this one and for someone who doesn’t really understand technology that much, I found it interesting.

My huge thanks to the publisher Kogan Page for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Hacked by Dr Jessica Barker

When it comes to cyber attacks, everyone’s a potential victim. But you don’t have to be helpless against these threats.

Hacked offers the knowledge and strategies you need to protect yourself and your business. In this book, cybersecurity expert Jessica Barker uncovers how hackers are weaponizing cutting-edge tactics and technologies to target individuals and organizations, before showing how you can safeguard yourself against any potential attacks and how to react if you do become a target.

Featuring expert commentary from world-leading cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers, this book uncovers the fascinating stories of the most insidious and notorious cyber attacks, including how the Mirai malware almost took down the internet and how a supply chain attack infiltrated the US government and other global institutions.

From social engineering and data theft to ransomware and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, there are numerous strategies that hackers use to target our finances and data. Uncover their secrets and learn how to safeguard your data with Hacked.

MY REVIEW

I am the first to admit I don’t know a huge amount about computers or how they can be used for hacking. When I saw this book I decided to give it a go and see if I could increase my knowledge so that I could understand more. I am aware of having strong passwords, not opening links in emails, if something is too good to be true then it is, and never giving details of PINs. As I said all very basic.

THis book was ideal for me as it gave the information and the facts in a basic way. I wasn’t left scratching my head and wondering what this was all about and feeling lost. The author gives the facts in a way that makes sense. So, yes, this is definitely aimed at the lower end of the tech-head ladder.

The author takes the reader through various things such as phishing, trojans, ransomware, worms, malware, cyber-attacks and a lot more. When she started to give numbers that were in the billions of dollars and how large companies could be held to ransom it was shocking.

From the very first bug to the latest attacks, the author explains the most significant ones and tells how criminals were able to get into systems. With the emergence of Bitcoin, this is a way of keeping things hidden.

The author has a great way of explaining her findings and the data citing various papers and articles all the way. This was an an eye-opener for sure and one that I also actually, really enjoyed reading.

If you have an interest in technology and how it can be misused and you don’t really have a tech background or understanding then this is one you may find useful I certainly did. Interesting and quite addictive, one I would happily recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

A Short History of Flowers by Advolly Richmond #horticulture #gardens #flowers #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of A Short History of FLowers by Advolly Richmond. This is a stunning book and a proper little treasure trove of interesting stories.

I received a copy of this via the Amazon Vine program and my review is my own.

Garden and social historian Advolly Richmond (of  Gardener’s World ) unravels the surprising histories of 60 flowers that shape our gardens.

Have you ever wondered where your favourite garden flowers came from? Where their names derived? Or why some cultivars go in and out of favor? Every flower in your herbaceous border has a story, and in this book Advolly Richmond takes you on a tour of the most intriguing, surprising and enriching ones.

Tales of exploration, everlasting love and bravery bring these beautiful flowers to life. Advolly has dug down to uncover the royalty, scholars, pioneers and a smuggler or two that have all played a part in discovering and cultivating some of our favourite species. From the lavish and exotic bougainvillea, found by an 18th century female botanist in disguise to the humble but majestic snowdrop casting a spell and causing a frenzy. These plants have played pivotal roles in our societies, from boom to bust economies, promises of riches, and making fashion statements. These unassuming blooms hold treasure troves of stories.  

With specially commissioned artworks from award-winning botanical illustrator Sarah Jane Humphrey, which sumptuously bring each flower to life – this is a beautiful compendium for every garden lover.

MY REVIEW

This is an absolutely gorgeous book about flowers, their origins and how some of them became a staple plant in our gardens. I love my garden and there are some plants I remember from my childhood that my Mum would grow and others that would only be seen in specialist gardens. Now, plants are more accessible and there is even more choice and variety with hybrids and new designs.

The author is a well-known face on the TV show Gardeners World and she has chosen some of the ones that have a story behind them, it could be a love story or a lonely expedition, but it is a story of how they became a favourite in our gardens.

This is a gorgeous book and one that has stunning illustrations of the flowers, the illustrations are the sort you would find in older horticultural books rather than the showy photographs that we now have. There are also black line illustrations scattered throughout that correspond to a story or tell about a naturalist.

I adore this book and it is one you can sit and read cover to cover, or just flick through. It is a treasure trove of facts, stories and trivia and is one for fans of horticulture, gardening and flowers. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen @TransworldBooks #science #apocalypse #nonfiction #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen. This is a fascinating and very accessible non-fiction book that I adored.

My huge thanks to Transworld Publishers for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

There is only one scenario other than an asteroid strike that could end the world as we know it in a matter of hours: nuclear war. And it could start in as little as 26 minutes and 40 seconds from now…

The first rule of nuclear war is that there are no rules.

Until now, no one outside official circles has known exactly what would happen if a rogue state launched a nuclear missile at the Pentagon. Second by second and minute by minute, these are the real-life protocols that choreograph the end of civilization as we know it.

If a single nuclear missile is launched, it could provoke dozens in return. Frantic calls over secure lines work to confirm the worst as armoured helicopters are scrambled outside. Decisions that affect hundreds of millions of lives need to be made within six minutes, based on partial information, in the knowledge that once launched, nothing is capable of halting the destruction.

Because the plans for General Nuclear War are among the most classified secrets held by the United States government, this book takes the reader up to the razor’s edge of what can legally be known. Based on dozens of new interviews with military and civilian experts who have built the weapons, been privy to the response plans, and taken responsibility for crucial decisions, this is the only account of what a nuclear exchange would look like.

Nuclear War is at once a compulsive non-fiction thriller and a powerful argument that we must rid ourselves of these world-ending weapons for ever.

MY REVIEW

This is a book that I wish I could say was a science fiction or a fantasy, dystopian genre, but it isn’t it is a nonfiction and it is brilliant if terrifying reading.

The author uses her knowledge and experience from her previous books to bring a scenario we all hope will never happen. What if a nuclear weapon was launched and what would happen? Because she uses an almost fictional approach it is so easy to follow and this is something that makes this factual book so readable to the point that it felt as if I was reading a fictional thriller.

The book gives various points of information about the basics of a nuclear weapon, the tests that have been done, and the various types of weapons that various other countries have got. There is a piece toward the end of the book that suggests that some countries have almost copied in a “follow the leader” way and that if a third world war was a nuclear one, then the fourth one would be fought with sticks and stones, this is a quote from Einstein.

The author takes the reader through the various stages of an attack, how long a missile would take, what defences could be used, what the US responses would be and how the various protocols that are in place would potentially work… or not!

The main part of this book goes through a minute-by-minute account of what would happen, from the US and other countries. Another scary point that is made is that the US President would have to make decisions within 6 minutes. It would take just under half an hour from launch to destruction. What can you do in less than half an hour?

Obviously, once a nuclear attack has happened it is not just strategic sites that are affected, it is the billions of people around the world that are caught amid this end-of-world scenario. Many will not be aware as they will be instantly incinerated, but others will have the terrible lingering aftermath of illness, disease and survival.

While this is in some ways quite a horrific book to read, it is, nevertheless so addictive and mindblowing. It is such an easy non-fiction book to read and understand, there is some science stuff as you would expect but the majority is manageable for a non-science-headed person like me!
It is a fabulous book and one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Drawn to the Garden by Caroline Quentin #nature #garden #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Drawn to the Garden by Caroline Quentin. This is a fabulous book that the author has illustrated and shared her love of the garden.

I received this book for review from Amazon Vine.

Find solace in your outdoor space in this delightful horticultural journey with actress Caroline Quentin , as she draws on her life-long passion for gardening.

Through the pages of this gift book, Caroline shows how much joy she gets from spending time in her garden, whether it be grappling with the best way to grow plants and vegetables, or raising seeds in her potting shed. Though she now has a large following on her Instagram account, @CQGardens , her attitude to gardening is the same as it has always been – expertise helps but is not essential. Gardening should be fun and enjoyable , filled with the simple pleasures of planning, planting, harvesting and cooking . It is also a meditative and restorative pastime , and a great way to lift your spirits .

Written in a  warm and engaging way that reflects her personality , Caroline tells stories of growing chillies from seed in her greenhouse, berating the thieving blackbirds in her fruit cage, and swimming in her pond singing to dragon flies and flag irises. Over the years, she has come to realise that gardening, just like life, is a series of happy accidents, unplanned successes, and baffling and frustrating failures.

Illustrated by Caroline herself, this gorgeous book mixes personal stories of her life and experiences in the garden, with practical tips, recipes for food and drink, and even the occasional favourite poem. As she likes to misquote Dorothy ‘ Take to horticulture, it’s cheaper than a shrink ’.

192 pages, Hardcover

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous book full of all things nature and being in the garden, growing things, recipes and also illustrated by the author.

This is a book that you can pick up and flick through or read from cover to cover. I did initially flick through but soon found myself stopping and reading through. The author brings her love of the garden through the pages with anecdotes, little tales and a lot of humour as she tries to win a losing battle with bugs, birds and other critters that like to throw a spanner in the works.

Being a gardener myself who grows fruit, veg and flowers there is also something new to learn or discover different ways of doing things. This book does not tell you how you should garden but it is one that just tells how one person does it and she tells of wins and failures.

Being in the garden is great, it feels very accomplishing when things grow and you can harvest things and eat them straight away. Taking time to stop and smell the roses, and other flowers is always relaxing. Sitting with this book has made me realize how much I have missed being out in the garden over the wet winter months and I am looking forward to getting back out there again.

This book is something that would make a wonderful gift or keeping for yourself. I adored this and it will be read outside in the sunshine with a mug of coffee and the birds singing in the background. I would recommend it for those who love being outside, have an interest in growing things or want an insight into the life and thoughts of the author.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Talking with Psychopaths – A Journey into the Evil Mind by Christopher Berry-Dee @Tr4cyF3nt0n @bonnierbooks_uk #nonfiction #psychopathy #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of Talking with Psychopaths

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of this book from the publishers – Bonnier Books.

LOOK AROUND YOU, BECAUSE THE PERSON SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU COULD BE A COLD, HEARTLESS MURDERER.

In Talking With Psychopaths and Savages, bestselling author and criminologist Christopher Berry-Dee takes readers deep inside the dark minds of some of the most pitiless and dangerous people alive. Having spent years interviewing imprisoned criminals – including notorious serial killers – he discovered that the lack of remorse these people showed was in many ways even more terrifying than the crimes they had committed.

Yet in the course of these conversations, the author also had the chance to interview his subjects’ psychiatrists and, in doing so, uncovered a terrible truth: a monster can be hidden behind a friendly face. Some of these experts, he found, proved to have more in common with their patients than he would ever have expected.

This book examines horrific crimes committed by some of the most remorseless and merciless people ever to have lived, revealing a mindset wholly alien to most people.

Talking with Psychopaths and Savages will inevitably shift the reader’s view of those capable of the most heinous murders, and in doing so reveals that horror can be much closer to us than we think.

A noted writer and criminologist of many years’ standing, Christopher Berry-Dee is also the author of the bestselling Talking to Serial Killers.

MY REVIEW

This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and he makes his books very easy to read. Not full of jargon, but instead more of a layperson’s view. The opinions in this book are the author’s own and he does make this very clear at the end.

This book looks at serial killers and what makes them tick. It is not a comprehensive look into each of those he has chosen to include, but a snapshot of their mindset and how they express themselves when asked for their account of the crimes they committed. The author has been in contact with serial killers in person and also through other forms of correspondence, he has also interviewed family members.

The author shares his findings and thoughts, he often refers back to earlier sections or forward to future sections. It may sound a little disjointed but it did actually help to highlight a key point he was trying to make. He does reference some of his other books as well.

This is an interesting book and one for those who maybe want to start reading about true crime as it does give several killers to look at. For me it is interesting from a morbid curiosity stance, wanting to know a little bit more about them how they could conceive of getting away with what they did and how they validated their crimes.

If you are looking for a more reference or researched book then this is not the one for you, although it is still good reading.

Interesting for true crime, and non-fiction readers and one I would be happy to recommend.

About the Author…

Chris was a former Royal Marine intelligence officer. He is now a criminologist who has interviewed over 30 serial killers.

Check out the other stops on the Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearse @LesleyPearse @ed_pr #autobiography #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearse. This is a candid book that which Lesley shares her life, loves and losses.

My huge thanks to Katie at ed public relations for sending me a copy of this wonderful book.

I would also like to wish Lesley a “Very Happy Publication Day”

One of the world’s bestselling storytellers, Lesley Pearse writes brilliantly about survivors. Why? Because she is one herself . . .Born during the Second World War, Lesley’s innocence came to an abrupt end when a neighbour found her, aged 3, coatless in the snow. The mother she’d been unable to wake had been dead for days. Sent to an orphanage, Lesley soon learned adults couldn’t always be trusted.As a teenager in the swinging sixties, she took herself to London. Here, the second great tragedy of her life occurred. Falling pregnant, she was sent to a mother and baby home, and watched helplessly as her newborn was taken from her.But like so many of her generation, Lesley had to carry on. She was, after all, a true survivor. Marriage and children followed – and all the while she nurtured a to be a writer. Yet it wasn’t until at the age of 48 that her stories – of women struggling in a difficult world – found a publisher, and the bestseller lists beckoned.As heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, Lesley’s story really is A Long and Winding Road with surprises and uplifting hope around every corner . . .

MY REVIEW

I have read a few of Lesley’s books and she is a wonderful author. This is not like her fictional works, but it is the story of her life.

Lesley was raised partly in an orphanage until her father remarried and she had a stepmother. Tensions were fraught and it did affect Lesley in later life, but it was not something she realised at the time.

Striking out on her own, Lesley moved and lived in various places, not very grand and often not very habitable. This was in the 60s and my goodness she has got a lot of stories from that period of her life. I get the feeling that even though she tells a lot there is a lot more that has been unsaid. Her time in this decade and the following ones read like something out of a fictional piece of the time or that you would expect to see on the screen. Lesley has had a colourful and also quite a frantic life and she is what I would call affectionately “a heller”!

Lesley has a wonderful way of sharing her story and it seems that she does not shy away from telling the bad as well as the good. I think the bad stuff has helped to shape her but as I mentioned earlier, it did not come without pain and future problems.

The author tells this wonderful tale of some of the best periods of her life and the things that have made her happy. Music was a big part of her life growing up and she does list various soundtracks that she reminisces over like milestones.

The young girl who was born during WWII has taken many different jobs and has lots of different talents and it seems she can turn her hand to most things. She has always been fond of stories and making tales up, but it took her until her late 40s before she finally got her first book published. This has led to some very unexpected doors being opened with some surprising entrances being made.

This is a wonderful book to read, it is full of fun and frivolity but balanced with more down-to-earth struggles of real-world problems. A real eye-opener for sure and one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author…

Lesley Pearse is one of the UK’s best-loved novelists with fans across the globe and sales of over 2 million copies of her books to date. A true storyteller and a master of gripping storylines that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end, Pearse introduces you to characters that it is impossible not to care about or forget. There is no formula to her books or easily defined genre. Whether crime as in ‘Till We Meet Again’, historical adventure like ‘Never Look Back’, or the passionately emotive ‘Trust Me’, based on the true-life scandal of British child migrants sent to Australia in the post war period, she engages the reader completely.
Truth is often stranger than fiction and Lesley’s life has been as packed with drama as her books. She was three when her mother died under tragic circumstances. Her father was away at sea and it was only when a neighbour saw Lesley and her brother playing outside without coats on that suspicion was aroused – their mother had been dead for some time. With her father in the Royal Marines, Lesley and her older brother spent three years in grim orphanages before her father remarried – a veritable dragon of an ex army nurse – and Lesley and her older brother were brought home again, to be joined by two other children who were later adopted by her father and stepmother, and a continuing stream of foster children. The impact of constant change and uncertainty in Lesley’s early years is reflected in one of the recurring themes in her books: what happens to those who are emotionally damaged as children. It was an extraordinary childhood and in all her books, Lesley has skilfully married the pain and unhappiness of her early experiences with a unique gift for storytelling.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Talking with Psychopaths by Christopher Berry-Dee @bonnierbooks_uk #nonfiction #educational #truecrime #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Talking with Psychopaths by Christopher Berry-Dee. This is the first time I have read a book by this author but I am glad to see that there are more for me to read.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my copy of the book from the publisher Bonnier Books.

The plea of insanity in criminal cases can be traced back at least to the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi, which dates from 1755-1759 BC. It is a complicated defence, and its origins in modern law lie with what are called the ‘M’Naghten Rules’ of 1843, formulated by British judges as a jury instruction in cases where a plea of insanity had been entered. Daniel M’Naghten shot and killed one Edward Drummond, believing him to be the British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel, and was acquitted on the grounds of insanity, and the M’Naghten Rules still exert considerable influence over defences today. Clearly, a plea of insanity in murder cases is of critical importance when the death penalty is still applied, and even today it may still be the difference between a life sentence in a high-security prison, or an indeterminate one in a secure psychiatric hospital. Meanwhile, 27 of the USA’s 50 states have retained or readopted the death penalty, and at least 54 other countries, including China, Russia, India, Iran and Saudi Arabia, also retain it. Naturally, a criminal who was liable to swing for murder could, and sometimes did, make every attempt to appear insane, and this book examines some of these cases, as well as trials in which the accused was indeed judged to be insane. The failure rate is high; of seven American serial killers who deployed the defence in their trials, only two were successful, ending their days in secure psychiatric facilities; two were executed, and the other three either died or were killed while serving full-life sentences, or are still in gaol.

MT REVIEW

I like to read books about true crime, especially ones that look at cases from the past and how treatments were performed. The author has brought all these things together to look at cases from the past and also some of the more recent ones. American serial killers are most often represented on streaming shows and there is also a good amount from other countries as well.

I think there is an interest in how people’s minds work, especially those of serial killers, a morbid curiosity if you like. So this book looks at cases, treatments and how the plea of insanity is used in defense. Sometimes it works and at others, it does not, the author does ask at the end of each chapter if you think the killer is mad, insane or just evil.

The author has quite a laid-back way of presenting his findings, the cases, the treatments and also how the trials went with the outcomes. At times he has quite a jovial manner and this is actually quite refreshing and it does lighten the mood of what could be an intense subject. This does not mean he is joking about the crimes or the impacts though. He does not rely on the heavy use of jargon which again is good as it means the book keeps the readers’ interest as it is not to science or education.

This is the first book I have read by this author but I am aware of him writing others, these are referred to several times during the book. Others are also referred to and one of these I have read.

This is a well-laid-out book, it is the author’s opinions and he does have a good background to be able to make the observations he does. He has a background as an Intelligence Officer and has interviewed many serial killers. This is an author who would definitely make an interesting conversationalist as a dinner guest!

I liked this book a lot and I will be looking at reading more of his books.

This is a book that will interest those who have a, yes I am going to use the phrase again, ‘morbid fascination’ with serial killers, insanity pleas, and want a more relaxed approach rather than a technical or jargon-laden book. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post,a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

How to Wild Swim by Ella Foote #wildswimming #nonfiction #nature #mentalhealth #sports #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for How to Wild Swim – What to Know before taking the plunge by Ella Foote. Some of my regular readers will be aware that I started sea swimming last year and love it. When I saw this book available to review on Amazon Vine I knew it was one I wanted to read and review. Hopefully, some of you will take a look at the book and take the plunge yourselves 🙂

Practical advice and instruction to get the very best out of wild swimming.

The manual every amateur wild swimmer needs to read before diving in.

Whether you want to explore remote beaches and mountain lochs, improve your confidence in open water, refine your swimming technique, or have a race or long-distance swim challenge coming up, How to Wild Swim offers the perfect practical foundation to help you find your perfect adventure and achieve your goal.

This body conditioning sport is praised for not only making us stronger and healthier but also happier. Wetsuits are optional; in fact, no expensive gear is essential. Nailing the how-to, however, is key. Expert wild swimmer Ella Foote offers the ultimate guide to mastering the practicalities and techniques and answers your most frequently asked questions so that you can feel safe, have fun, and re-energize.

So no matter what your goal—short wild swims and weekend breaks, to full adventure swimming expeditions and off-grid vacations—dive right in and submerge yourself in the wild, watery pages of this fearless book.

160 pages, Hardcover

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous book for anyone thinking about Wild Swimming. I am a wild swimmer and I swim in the sea. Living on the coast means I am aware of the dangers of sea swimming, tides, currents, rips and also how things can go wrong quickly. This book gives a good basic grounding in what to expect, and things you should have and consider before “taking the plunge”.

When I first started swimming it was in October so already the temps were starting to drop. I have just got back from a swim this morning, it’s now February and I have learnt a lot. This book contains many things that I did not think about before I started and it also advises about the best way to go about wild swimming.

This book is well laid out, it does give a lot of information, advice and facts but not in a way that puts you off, instead, it is pointing out what you should know rather than putting you off.

Chapters include items you should think about buying such as gloves, boots or socks, having a tow float, whistle and dry warm clothes to change into. I did myself a tow float which is a buoyancy aid that is in a nice bright colour, I also invested in a whistle so that if I did get into trouble I could alert others and they would find it easier to see me.

This book is great, and it includes things that I had not come across so is useful for beginners as well as those who have some experience. It is a book you can dip in and out of or read from cover to cover.

I like this book a lot and it is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Power of Ancient Wellness by Gill Thackray @GillThackAuthor @alisonmenziespr @OMaraBooks #nonfiction #selfhelp #nature #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for a fabulous book, The Power of Ancient Wellness by Gill Thackray is full of tips, advice, suggestions and recipes to aid in calming our busy minds. This book is due for publication on 28th December 2023 and can be pre-ordered HERE

My huge thanks to Alison Menzies for arranging my copy of the book from the publisher Michael O’Mara.

Do you want to reduce stress, ease burnout, boost your energy and immunity but don’t know where to start? Look no further than the power of ancient wellness.

The ancient world moved to a different rhythm. It was slower, more mindful and closely attuned to nature. The result? A harmonious connection between mind, body and spirit. Together with Gill Thackray, mindfulness teacher, coach and performance psychologist, learn the art of ancient healing: the perfect remedy for modern living.

Featuring over 25 nature-based activities, discover how to improve your sleep, boost your energy and treat everything from anxiety to the common cold and much more. Explaining the science behind what our ancestors knew intuitively, this essential companion will help you to create your own holistic toolkit to optimize your health and wellbeing, as well as overhaul your beauty regime.

Clear your mind with age-old breathwork techniques, restore balance in your body with the life-changing principles of Ayurveda and re-energise your soul with Reiki and more. From traditional tinctures to ancient superfoods, your healing journey starts now. Reconnect with the hidden secrets of our natural world and take care of yourself, the ancient way.

MY REVIEW

whether you believe in the power of therapy or holistic approaches to taking care of yourself or not, well it does not matter. But I do believe that in our chaotic world, we all need time to stop. I have mentioned this before with other meditation books I have read. Our heads are too busy and we forget to stop and just silence the business.

This book is a great read and it is full of tips, advice, activities and also these are backed up with some studies so you can see why they work and what the benefits are to yourself.

This book is 128 pages and it is broken down into three sections Mind, Body and Spirit. There is also an introduction explaining why our ancestors had a different pace of life due to their lifestyles being much slower. This is obvious, but there are things we can do to help slow our lives during the day.

There are simple things that can be done to help you connect with nature, taking off your shoes and walking barefoot in the grass or on a beach. Looking and listening to the surrounding area is a way of focusing beyond ourselves and instead on what is around us. There are meditation techniques, and while I know some will scoff at this, but, it is actually really helpful. Closing your eyes taking a deep breath focusing on your breathing and relaxing your shoulders, back, muscles and body is something so simple but it can give a wonderful sense of calm.

The message in this book is that we are always connected to some electronic device, not just smartphones and computers but now we have smartwatches that can notify you of messages and take phone calls. I have one of these devices and I made a conscious decision that I was going to use it as a device for my health and not as another way of me being contacted. I put my phone on silent at night and have the screen face down so that notifications don’t light the screen up. Simple things that allow me to focus on my own time and not be at the beck and call of others.

This book is a good way to make you realise how we have lost the connection to nature and ourselves, gives us ways to make time for ourselves and gives positive advice, tips and help. There is quite a lot in this book and there are recipes for balms and tinctures. I do use essential oils to help me relax.

This is a fabulous book and whether you partake in all or some of the things within it, there will be something that appeals to you or makes sense. A fabulous book that is not at all preachy or tells you that you must do so and so, but suggests and gives some ideas and inspiration.

This is a book for those who want to slow down their heads, to be calmer and less connected to technology and the busy bustling world around them. It is a book that I have found to be extremely useful and it is one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gill Thackray is an author and ghostwriter. As well as writing over 8 books including “The Mindfulness Coach” “How to Manifest. Bring Your Goals into Alignment with the Alchemy of the Universe” and “The Positivity Coach” her work has been featured in several international media outlets including The Guardian, Success Magazine, Woman and Home and Glamour Magazine. Her books have been translated into several languages and she has been interviewed by international broadcasters on her areas of expertise.

Her next books,“The Power of Ancient Wellness: Traditional Remedies and Activities for Modern Living” will be published by Michael O’Mara Books London in December 2023. ‘The Wellbeing Journal. Mind, Body, Spirit” will be published May 2024

Gill is a PhD researcher, member of the British Neuroscience Association, British Psychological Society and Association of Business Pychologists. She has taught and lectured at several academic institutions, retreats and cultural centres around the world.

(Information taken from Amazon Author Bio)

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