Monthly Online Book Magazine - November 2008

  November 2008 Issue

PHILIP GLENISTER: THINGS AIN'T WHAT THEY USED TO BE (Sphere HB) Were the 70s and 80s all they were cracked up to be? Or have we never had it so good? Philip Glenister - one of our best-loved actors - takes a swig of Babycham, jumps on his space hopper, and heads off down memory lane to find out. Which Bond was better - Roger Moore or Daniel Craig? Was life better when we were served lashings of gravy, instead of a 'drizzle of jus'? And - most important of all - have Curly Wurlys really got smaller, or have we all just got bigger? Philip Glenister's Things Ain't What They Used to Be is a hilarious and affectionate look at the good, the bad and the ugly from three very different decades, that will have you laughing (and cringing) with recognition. If you're going on a nostalgia trip, you couldn't ask for a better guide. Right. I'm sitting here wearing my Gene Genie badge, watching Ashes to Ashes and from the corner of my eye I can see my two Life on Mars DVD sets, my two Life on Mars companion books, my Rules of Modern Policing and my Life on Mars calendar...obsessed with Philip Glenister? Well, I'm on record as saying that I firmly believe that Life on Mars is the best TV drama series - ever. I also watched CRANFORD and CALENDAR GIRLS, so I guess you could say I am in awe of Mr G and the Gene Genie, and this book is as good a testament as any to the fact that he is one of life's better entities. Born in Harrow in 1963, a fact that confirms my belief that he is a great actor, Philip's style of writing in "Things" suggests that he has a great deal in common with DCI Gene Hunt. It's possible, of course, that he had some help in dredging up all those fantastic reminiscences, though my own memories of the late 1950s/1960s carry the same amount of detail, so it's equally possible he didn't. Either way, the book is an absolute treasure. I'm pleased to see that he didn't do the Thatcher thing (in other words, I hope, he doesn't rate her that highly - in fact there are a couple of references to the fact that she stopped kids getting their school milk!). I'm in complete agreement with him on almost 100% of the subjects he covers in this book - the exception has to be, of course, his choice of football club - Arsenal. But I can forgive him that for being so entertaining and so fantastically talented. Read this and wallow in nostalgia. It's a fine piece of writing!

DCI GENE HUNT: THE FUTURE OF MODERN POLICING 1981 EDITION (Transworld HB) 'Once upon a time coppers were heroes; nowadays, telling someone you're on the force is likely to get you in as much trouble as dipping your tadger in the punch at a Royal Garden Party'. Policing in the seventies was simple: when a crime was committed you tracked a nearby blagger, 'persuaded' him to confess and sent him off for a good long stretch. Simple. Sadly, policing in the eighties is a completely different kettle of fish. In fact, it's a whole different kettle of shoulder-pad-sporting, bouffant-haired, foundation-caked, coke-snorting, race-rioting career criminals.For your average bobby on the beat "The Rules of Modern Policing" are simply no longer enough. Thankfully, however, DCI Gene Hunt is once again on hand to help his fellow officers, and so we have "The Future of Modern Policing". Packed full advice for all ranks, this an invaluable policing manual in which the Gene Genie discusses all the new issues facing the Met - riots, forensics, political correctness (whatever the hell that is), IT, drugs and advanced interrogation techniques that you just might be able to persuade the judge are legal. There are also some practical exercises at the end of each chapter, including a helpful 'Spot the Drug Addict' picture quiz, so, even if you really don't know your a*** from your elbow, you can at least learn to blag it. Gene Hunt may not be the most modern copper in the Met but he isn't a fool either. If you want to be one of the Met's top dogs, maybe you should buy his book, eh?

THE BEST OF BATTLE by John Wagner published by Titan Books ~ A product of the same keen editorial minds that revolutionised British comics with Action and 2000 AD, "Battle" is the greatest British war comic ever published! Now, episodes of "Battle's" most famous and acclaimed stories are reprinted in this value-packed bumper volume! Over 300 pages of relentless action are collected here, from the desperate dogfights of Johnny Red to the down-and-dirty Rat Pack, the reflective, critically acclaimed Charley's War and the uncompromising Hellman of Hammer Force!Created and drawn by some of the biggest names in British comics, including Pat Mills and John Wagner (co-creators of "2000 AD"), Joe Colquhoun ("Charley's War", "Johnny Red") and more, this is the ultimate gift for fans of blazing battle action!First published in 1975, "Battle" was developed in secret, behind the scenes, by 'young gun' writer/editors Pat Mills and John Wagner. An immediate success, the comic continued until 1988, absorbing "Action", "Valiant" and "Action Force" along the way, often leading to the comic being temporarily re-titled. Home to some of the finest British war stories ever told, and many of the greatest comics writers and artists of their generation, "Battle" still influences creators today! Publication delayed until late October - review will appear in the next issue

THE BUMPER BOOK OF ROY OF THE ROVERS published by Titan Books ~ Roy Race, England's most famous footballer, is back in a celebration of the wonderful heyday of British annuals. Collecting together - for the first time ever - 20 years worth of classic material from the Golden Age of British Annuals. Containing material sourced from "Roy of Rovers Annuals" from 1958 - 1971. It includes features on the legendary Wembley Stadium, the history of classic British soccer clubs, Roy's own personal tips on football and training techniques, along with advice on the Off-Side Rule, vintage puzzles, games and a guided tour around Melchester Stadium. Some of this artwork is being reprinted for the first time in 50 years. Publication delayed until late October - review will appear in the next issue

RICK RANDOM Edited by Steve Holland published by Carlton Books ~ Rick Random, Space Detective, was a comic book character who appeared in "Super Detective Library", published by Amalgamated Press, from 1954. His first appearance was in the "Super Detective Library" number 37 in a tale titled "Crime Rides the Spaceways". Random worked for the Interplanetary Bureau of Investigation, and among his arch-enemies was a futuristic bank robber, John Jolson, who used a matter transmitter in one story to steal gold from London's Interplanetary Bank. Random's female companion was Detective Superintendent Andi Andrews. Rick Random proved as difficult to kill off in the real world as he did in his sci-fi adventures. He was resurrected in the late seventies in 2000 AD, where he enjoyed a whole new audience. Now you can enjoy ten of Rick's original interplanetary adventures all over again, with the wonderful artwork of Ron Turner reproduced larger and more excitingly than ever before. Review copies not available at the time of publication.

HIGH NOON Edited by Steve Holland published by Carlton Books ~ Whooping Injuns, wandering cowpokes, grizzled prospectors, mysterious hombres in sombreros and masked outlaws - this is the untamed West of our childhoods, where the heroes are rugged and honest, the villains are yellow-bellied cowards and only the toughest survive. From the Great Plains to dusty Texan trails and lawless prospecting towns, every thrilling story in this book is jam packed with gunfights, jaw busting saloon punch ups, racing stagecoaches and tomahawk throwing varmints. So saddle up partner, grab your six-gun and prepare to ride into town. Review copies not available at the time of publication.