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Replying To Lockjaw: "It's called Dictatorland: The Men who Stole Africa.
Covers most of the head bangers like Mugabe, Gaddafi, Mobutu etc.
It's simply diabolical what went on in that continent in terms of exploitation. Human rights atrocities on a par with the genocide in Europe during WW2. A shocking read." Good man Lockjaw, sounds like an interesting read, I'll stick it on my to read list.
I've recently finished the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass which I thought was excellent. It's only a short book written by an ex slave who managed to teach himself to read and write and eventually escape slavery, it was fascinating and occasionally heartbreaking stuff.
I got more interested in that time period from that book and I've recently started into Battle Cry of Freedom which is a comprehensive 1 volume book on the American Civil War. Haven't finished it yet but so far it's a good read, very detailed.
Also my grandfather fought in WW1 so naturally I have a big interest in that war (although apparently he never spoke about it, simply saying "it was the war that sound never have been") and I've read a few books and watched plenty of documentaries on it. The First World War, a ten part series made by Channel 4 in 2003 is very good, it's surprisingly unbiased for a British production as well, it's certainly not the triumphant crap you occasionally get. Definitely have a look if you're interested in WW1.
Finally I wanted to read something from a German perspective, so I bought The Great War from the German Trenches by Artur Boer. Again it's quite a short book and jumps straight from one thing to the next rather than transitioning, but in fairness it is a brief memoir rather than a long story, however it's still very intersting to hear from an average soldier on the German side in WW1.
Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8583 - 18/05/2020 11:26:02
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Replying To Htaem: "Good man Lockjaw, sounds like an interesting read, I'll stick it on my to read list.
I've recently finished the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass which I thought was excellent. It's only a short book written by an ex slave who managed to teach himself to read and write and eventually escape slavery, it was fascinating and occasionally heartbreaking stuff.
I got more interested in that time period from that book and I've recently started into Battle Cry of Freedom which is a comprehensive 1 volume book on the American Civil War. Haven't finished it yet but so far it's a good read, very detailed.
Also my grandfather fought in WW1 so naturally I have a big interest in that war (although apparently he never spoke about it, simply saying "it was the war that sound never have been") and I've read a few books and watched plenty of documentaries on it. The First World War, a ten part series made by Channel 4 in 2003 is very good, it's surprisingly unbiased for a British production as well, it's certainly not the triumphant crap you occasionally get. Definitely have a look if you're interested in WW1.
Finally I wanted to read something from a German perspective, so I bought The Great War from the German Trenches by Artur Boer. Again it's quite a short book and jumps straight from one thing to the next rather than transitioning, but in fairness it is a brief memoir rather than a long story, however it's still very intersting to hear from an average soldier on the German side in WW1." Good stuff. I really enjoy the historical stuff too. If you're into modern geo-politics I'd suggest checking out Tim Marshall's books.
I usually try and go for one "serious" book followed by a more easy going one. For example, after that African dictator one I got one by Dom Phillips called Superstar DJ Here We Go! Now, not everyone is into dance music but I was a big clubber back in the day. The book cover's dance music's evolution from the old illegal acid house warehouse parties to the rise of the superclub and superstar DJ. There were so many cowboys involved whether they be promotors, agents, club owners and the DJs themselves. They all rode the gravy train until they basically tore the arse out of it completely.
Some great anecdotes about parties and schemes. I don't know if many here would have heard of Sasha. But he was the definition of the superstar DJ in the 90s. An absolute mad man though. Some promoters bought him a car at one stage as a token of appreciation for all the money he was making everyone, and because he'd only recently learned to drive. He proceeded to go on a mad weekend of DJing and after parties. The following week they asked him how the car was going. He was like, "eehhm car?"
To this day noone knows what became of the car.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 7075 - 18/05/2020 12:49:30
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Replying To KingdomBoy1: "Wasn't it the British Army that came up with the idea of concentration camps during the boer war." Ceertainly used them.
I'm not sure that nobody else did before that though.
lionofludesch (Down) - Posts: 369 - 19/05/2020 09:37:37
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Replying To Lockjaw: "Hi everyone. I hope you and your families are keeping well in these difficult times. I thought I'd set up a separate thread away from the Covid Impact to Gaelic Games thread. It's getting a bit serious in there! I include myself in contributing to that. I suppose, like everyone I'm trying to stay optimistic but there are bad days as well when I really miss visiting my parents and friends.
Maybe we could use this thread to help each other out? I know everyone has different situations in terms of their work, family life etc. I'm extremely lucky that I am still working at full capacity from home and my wife is an essential worker. It's a challenge having the kids at home (both pre-school) but one we've just had to adapt to it.
In terms of staying stimulated I've been doing a lot of reading. Read a great book about the history of African dictators post-colonialism! What a shower of cowboys! It's absolutely despicable what the poor people of that continent have been subjected to over the years.
I've also been doing a lot of running by myself and walks with the wife and kids (something we never usually did unless on holidays). The kids have gone stone mad baking. Muffins, apple crumble and Rice Krispie Buns with a bit of help from Mammy. Just as well we're doing so much running and walking! Also like a lot of other people doing a lot of Zoom quizzes. If anyone has any ideas to add some novelty to these quizzes please let me know as I am up next as Quizmaster!
On Netflix, I've been watching the Michael Jordan documentary. A brilliant insight into that made one of the best ever sportsperson tick. For comedy we've been watching a bit of After Life, very poignant and sad in places but also very funny. I would also recommend Fauda - it's a brilliant drama about the Mossad/Shin Bet's constant battle with the Palestinian freedom fighters.
Anyways, stay safe everyone and maybe if we can contribute some tips and advice here we might just help each other out.
Tabhair aire mo chairde." its getting a bit serious in here now too. The bore war has kicked off again i see. And yes , the typo was deliberate
Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 947 - 19/05/2020 10:12:27
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Replying To lionofludesch: "Ceertainly used them.
I'm not sure that nobody else did before that though." I often wonder what history do they teach in schools in the UK, I wonder do they tell the thruth of what happened in countries they invaded or just things from their own point of view.
KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 11732 - 19/05/2020 10:56:37
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Here's my contribution Lockjaw
Traditional Tyrone recipe & method for dough used for making mince pies
8oz Plain Flour
2oz Icing Sugar
5oz Stork Margarine (Room temp)
1 Egg yolk
I teaspoon ice cold water
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Beat eggs+water+lemon juice
Sieve floor and icing sugar into a mixing bowl
Add in the marge and egg/water/lemon and mix to a firm doughy consistency
Place in fridge for one hour
Now everyday can be Christmas
Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 947 - 19/05/2020 12:21:38
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Replying To Lockjaw: "Good stuff. I really enjoy the historical stuff too. If you're into modern geo-politics I'd suggest checking out Tim Marshall's books.
I usually try and go for one "serious" book followed by a more easy going one. For example, after that African dictator one I got one by Dom Phillips called Superstar DJ Here We Go! Now, not everyone is into dance music but I was a big clubber back in the day. The book cover's dance music's evolution from the old illegal acid house warehouse parties to the rise of the superclub and superstar DJ. There were so many cowboys involved whether they be promotors, agents, club owners and the DJs themselves. They all rode the gravy train until they basically tore the arse out of it completely.
Some great anecdotes about parties and schemes. I don't know if many here would have heard of Sasha. But he was the definition of the superstar DJ in the 90s. An absolute mad man though. Some promoters bought him a car at one stage as a token of appreciation for all the money he was making everyone, and because he'd only recently learned to drive. He proceeded to go on a mad weekend of DJing and after parties. The following week they asked him how the car was going. He was like, "eehhm car?"
To this day noone knows what became of the car." Ha can't say I'm big into dance but I love a good story and that Dom Phillips sounds like it's full of crackers. Gas about the car!
For more easy going stuff I like to read biographies of people like Alex Higgins, Paul Carberry & John Daly etc. Granted they had their fair share of demons and it's not all easy reading but some of the stories are gas.
One of the chapter's in John Daly's book is titled 'All My Ex's Wear Rolexes', tells you everything you need to know about John Daly's life choices.
Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8583 - 19/05/2020 12:53:59
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Replying To Htaem: "Ha can't say I'm big into dance but I love a good story and that Dom Phillips sounds like it's full of crackers. Gas about the car!
For more easy going stuff I like to read biographies of people like Alex Higgins, Paul Carberry & John Daly etc. Granted they had their fair share of demons and it's not all easy reading but some of the stories are gas.
One of the chapter's in John Daly's book is titled 'All My Ex's Wear Rolexes', tells you everything you need to know about John Daly's life choices." Yeah there's a good few tales about D-Ream as well whose lead singer was actually from Derry. He completed the lyrics to their #1 hit Things Can Only Get Better on a white plastic bag while traversing the UK between nightclub appearances. It ended up being the anthem for Tony Blair's successful election campaign in the 90s. He went bananas on the success (the Dream lad) and was lucky enough to come out the other side.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 7075 - 19/05/2020 14:56:12
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Replying To KingdomBoy1: "I often wonder what history do they teach in schools in the UK, I wonder do they tell the thruth of what happened in countries they invaded or just things from their own point of view." The winner writes the history.
Our GCEs stopped at 1870 though. Anything after that wasn't historical enough. This was in the1960s, mind.
lionofludesch (Down) - Posts: 369 - 19/05/2020 15:29:48
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Replying To Maroonatic: "Here's my contribution Lockjaw
Traditional Tyrone recipe & method for dough used for making mince pies
8oz Plain Flour
2oz Icing Sugar
5oz Stork Margarine (Room temp)
1 Egg yolk
I teaspoon ice cold water
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Beat eggs+water+lemon juice
Sieve floor and icing sugar into a mixing bowl
Add in the marge and egg/water/lemon and mix to a firm doughy consistency
Place in fridge for one hour
Now everyday can be Christmas" Good stuff! My wife and kids made caramel chocolate brownies the other day. It's a great way for them to be creative. They love making the mess more than anything but sure in these times I can put up with that if it makes them happy!
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 7075 - 19/05/2020 16:01:01
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Replying To KingdomBoy1: "Wasn't it the British Army that came up with the idea of concentration camps during the boer war." Not exactly true, the name was thought to originate from what a Spanish Governor did in Cuba during a Cuban insurrection in the 1890's. Its believed that Field Marshal Roberts who was the British Commander during the Bore war adopted a similar tactic but didn't necessarily copy the Cuban one, it was one of his own. What I guess most people don't know is that FM Roberts was Irish or Anglo Irish if thats what sounds better - Dad was from Waterford and mums Dad from Tipp.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 982 - 19/05/2020 17:36:34
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Great news yesterday with no deaths recorded. It's always a bit lower on Mondays though as weekend statistics need to be collated fully. It'll probably be next Monday before we see any fallout from the last lockdown restriction being lifted as well. But it was still a very welcome piece of news all the same.
Hopefully everyone can stick at it now. I see some people on social media advocating a return to normality quicker than planned. e.g. Colm Parkinson. But I still think we need to be careful. If we opened up GAA facilities do you think the vast majority would use them responsibly in accordance with the rules? You'd like to think they would, but I have some doubts.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 7075 - 26/05/2020 10:29:32
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