pre WWII

“The ultimate effect of unceasing propaganda has now been to cancel out the effect of all news alike.”

A Chill in the Air: An Italian War Diary, 1939-1940 by Iris Origo

January 24, 2026 by GentleRain Leave a Comment

Another random bookstore find, as so many good books in my life are. It’s why I trawl through my favorite sections! A Chill in the Air: An Italian War Diary, 1939-1940 is what the title conveys. Iris Origo was an American born woman married to an Italian man (although she spent most of her life in Italy from childhood) and this is her diary of 1939-1940 as Italy slowly descends into war. Origo was a woman from a highly privileged background — her godfather was the […]

Highly Entertaining Diaries Full of the Worst Opinions You’ll Ever Read

Henry "Chips" Channon: The Diaries 1918-38 by Henry Channon (edited by Simon Heffer)

January 23, 2026 by GentleRain Leave a Comment

I’ve spent the last month or so working my way through this first volume of the diaries of Henry “Chips” Channon, and what a ride. My current opinion is that he’s the worst guy around but he is a great and entertaining writer who has never met a social ladder he did not want to climb, a royal he was unable to charm, and a cutting remark unsaid. He lived a really fascinating life where he knew every famous political and upper class English person […]

“I know you cannot be swept away from sanity by a popular movement which has so much that is bad about it, no matter how strong it may be.”

Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressman Taylor

January 28, 2023 by GentleRain Leave a Comment

A very slim but powerful read that I really enjoyed. This was a Christmas gift/recommendation from my mom, and I’m glad she did gift it to me, as it’s right up my alley of related interests. This book especially struck me because it was published before the war began in 1938, but it is so prescient and clear minded about the moral and physical dangers of the rising fascism in Germany. It has that timeless air to it of a book that saw the future […]

Maximoff
on Maybe Scrooge shouldn’t have offered that Smoking Bishop. Bob Cratchitt might have been better off.
This review is so spot on! This book could depress a hyena (sorry, been watching too many 1776 clips). Whilst...
Emmalita
on I really wanted to love this, but instead I was just a bit whelmed
i think this duology struggles more because a lot of the tension is outside the romantic relationships. There’s good stuff...
Maximoff
on “For as long as the axe has been in our hands, we have used it to kill.”
Had this book in my TBR plastic bin and after reading your review decided to pull it out and let...
Maximoff
on “For a quart of ale is a dish for a king”- William Shakespeare
Just finished this book and picking up the third. Loved your plot summary and character descriptions. You succinctly sum everyone...
Maximoff
on I agree; The Tempest is a horrible play to perform on an ocean voyage.
Interesting review. Run hot and cold with Cassie and her books however you have encouraged me to give one a...

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