French Concession has an intriguing premise based on the politics and events of Shanghai in 1931. A treat for those with an interest in the era. Sadly, the writing (or the translation, not sure which) makes this a challenging book. The casual reader would be right to be put off by the two page List of Characters that promises a complicated plot with many players. The rest of us will soldier on only to be left with an ending that falls flat.

This book reads like a novel thanks to the skill of Howard Blum in moving the perspective from player to player to player. The timeline drives the narrative from Berlin to Tehran to Washington and back in the pivotal months of 1943 as the Second World War moves to its inevitable end. The writing is occasionally melodramatic and speculative but the care Blum has taken to validate facts is reassuring. An excellent book about a fascinating episode.

1945 helps explain a lot about why and how modern Canada is the way it is. Also explains how Canada arrived at 1945 with a truly weird prime minister, deeply-rooted racism and an economy so crippled by the Great Depression that war held the promise of better times. There are tedious sections that read like Stats Canada reports. Tiresome but necessary to make a point. A rich book with inspirational sections but skip the stats unless you need a nap.

This is a book that captures the emotional and cultural artifacts of war without the grand strategy and heroic leadership. Truly a soldier‘s view of so many personal themes of the First World War from a Canadian perspective. Who ever heard of the ‘Sammies‘, napoo and other uniquely Canadian observations of the Great War? Tim Cook tells all and more.

Disjointed. Repetitive. Ageist. The story has interesting elements but is ultimately beaten down by the clunky narrative. Barely worth the investment of effort and time.

Strong narrative and good attention to detail. Writing style is a bit convoluted in places. Overall a compelling story and well-told.