Just Finished Reading: The Last Emperor of Mexico – A Disaster in the New World by Edward Shawcross (FP: 2021) [288pp] 

Many years ago, I remember watching a Western on TV and was confused more than a little when a bunch of American mercenaries ambushed some French cavalry (complete with shiny breastplates and lances) in Mexico. I couldn't help but wonder: what on earth are FRENCH cavalry doing in Mexico? I presumed that they might have been protecting French interests or maybe the French ambassador. Or that they might have been 'on loan' to the Mexican Emperor Maximilian who I presumed was Spanish... I was partially right. The French forces were indeed 'on loan' to the emperor who was, in fact, Austrian. The things you learn. 

I'll freely admit that my 'knowledge' of Mexican history was effectively zero (essentially things gleaned from some of the older westerns) until I finished this intriguing book. I think the biggest surprise was the actual nationality of the emperor himself. It turned out that he was the annoying younger brother of the emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire who was 'looking for a role' in the world. Maximilian's name came up in conversation with Napoleon III of France and, after some initial resistance, was thought to be a good fit for the position. Unfortunately, there were just a few problems. Firstly, no one had actually asked the Mexican ruling class what they thought (to say nothing of the people themselves). At that time Mexico was going through a slow-motion Civil War between Conservative and Liberal forces and the imposition of a new Emperor could be political dynamite or, as some hoped, the thing which managed to bring things together. A bigger issue was the Monroe Doctrine of the United States which prohibited any European power from interfering in America's backyard. The idea of an Austrian monarch ruling a neighbouring country and propped up by French forces would not exactly sit well in Washington.  

Fortunately, both problems seemed to have solutions. Firstly, Maximilian was lied to about his support within Mexico and Second, the US became engaged in a Civil War with the breakaway Confederacy. Pre-occupied at home it was expected that if the Confederacy won then the Monroe problem would go away and if the Union won (eventually) they would be weakened and presented with a fait accompli. As you might imagine these were far from solid foundations for a new regime. 

The saddest thing about the whole fiasco is that Maximilian had the very best of intentions regarding his new country. The problem (along with everything else mentioned above) was that Max was both incredibly naive and focused on ALL of the wrong things – for example detailed court protocol rather than boring finances. Maximilian expected that his very presence would be enough to stabilise the country and that the people would love him BECAUSE his was their emperor. Despite being clear that it was going to be a disaster from the outset it was actually mesmerising to watch an entire country turn into a train wreck month by month over a few short years. I only had the smallest of hints that any of this had happened, and the details regularly blew my mind. Quite fascinating and a must read for anyone with even the vaguest interest in Mexican/American history. 

['The Last' Project has (finally) started...! More to come.] 

The Last 10 Movies – July 2026 edition.   

Well, this is another SUPER long pause between movie watching. A part of that is that I'm re-watching Babylon 5 (series 1) between films and that (as I tend to watch movies late at night when I'm starting to tire) it can take 3-4 sessions to watch a single film. Oddly I can watch a 2-hour podcast in a single sitting which must mean something.... Anyway, the last 10 movies I watched were... [NEW movies – to me! - are in BOLD.] 

The Bridge at Remagen (1969) 

Classic 60's WW2 war film with a Vietnam 'vibe' as US troops are tasked to capture or destroy the last bridge over the Rhein. Interestingly both sides are shown sympathetically and both sides have fanatics. 

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (2010)  

I've been hearing about this movie for years and finally got the chance to see it. I can see why it's become such a cult classic, and I did enjoy it (mostly) but I'm still in 2+ minds on whether or not it was any good. 

The Vikings (1958) 

One of my all-time favourite movies growing up as Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis fight over a beautiful English woman during an invasion of England. The end fight and castle attack is especially good. 

Sink the Bismarck (1960) 

Totally classic British war movie that did exactly what it says on the tin. After reading more about the actual events I was even more impressed by its accuracy. Pretty good model work too (for its time).  

Upgrade (2018) 

Very silly Sci-Fi Cyberpunk horror/thriller about a paraplegic with an AI chip seeking revenge for the 'accident' that put him in a wheelchair and killed his wife. Had some moments, but few and far between. 

American Ultra (2015) 

Jesse Eisenberg is a failed CIA experiment who believes he's just a stoner working in a 7/11 until his masters decide to tie up loose ends – including him and his girlfriend. MUCH silly violence ensues. Silly, but mostly fun. 

Ice Station Zebra (1968) 

One of the better Alistair Maclean adaptations where a team of Americans (and some foreign spies) travel to the North Pole to recover a Soviet spy satellite. Most of the film takes place on a nuclear submarine and is very tense. Some great scenes and pretty good acting. I think its aged quite well. 

Zulu (1964) 

One of my all-time favourite movies. LOVE it to bits. Rather inaccurate (but not completely fanciful) account of the action at Roakes Drift in 1879 where around 150 British soldiers faced over 4,000 Zulu warriors. Tense and dramatic stuff and starring Micael Caine in his first major role. 

Nobody (2021) 

Yet another silly violent film when an ex-CIA type 'operator' who just wants a quiet life gets involved with the Russian mafia and has to 'take care of business' the only way he knows how: with LOTS of bangs, LOTS of guns and LOTS of blood including his own. 

Project Hail Mary (2026) 

Yet another adaptation of an Andy Weir SF novel. After enjoying The Martian so much I was really looking forward to this. That's probably one reason why I was a little disappointed by it. It's a LONG movie which honestly felt a bit flat. I also felt that the humour sprinkled throughout too often seemed out of place as if they (author or director) didn't really know just how serious they wanted to be. My favourite bits were any scene that involved Sandra Hüller who played the East German lead scientist. I thought she was brilliant. 

Hopefully my NEXT 10 movies list will arrive before Christmas. [crosses fingers]

Happy Birthday: Kristen Anne Bell (born July 18, 1980) is an American actress and singer. Her work includes both film and television, and her accolades include two Emmy Awards, in addition to nominations for three Golden Globe Awards. In 2025, Time included her in their selection of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Bell began her acting career starring in stage productions, while attending the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. She made her Broadway stage debut as Becky Thatcher in the comedy musical The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (2001) and appeared in a Broadway revival of The Crucible (2002). She then appeared in the action film Spartan and received praise for her performance in the television drama film Gracie's Choice (both 2004).

Bell had her breakout performance as the title character in the television series Veronica Mars (2004–2007), a role she reprised in the 2014 spin-off film and the 2019 revival. She also starred as Elle Bishop in the superhero drama series Heroes (2007–2008), voiced the titular narrator in the teen drama series Gossip Girl (2007–2012) and its 2021 standalone sequel, and starred in the Showtime comedy series House of Lies (2012–2016). She received nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her leading roles in the NBC comedy series The Good Place (2016–2020) and the Netflix romantic comedy series Nobody Wants This (2024); the latter also earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series.

During her time on Veronica Mars, Bell starred in the television musical film Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2005) and the horror film Pulse (2006). She has since appeared in a number of comedy films, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), Couples Retreat (2009), When in Rome (2010), You Again (2010), Burlesque (2010), Safety Not Guaranteed (2012), Stuck in Love (2012), The Lifeguard (2013), The Boss (2016), Bad Moms (2016), A Bad Moms Christmas (2017), How to Be a Latin Lover (2017), CHiPs (2017), Like Father (2018), Queenpins (2021), The People We Hate at the Wedding (2022), and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023). She received further recognition for voicing Princess Anna in the Disney animated films Frozen (2013) and Frozen 2 (2019). She is also the voice of Amy Rose in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

In 2006 and again in 2013, Bell was selected "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" on PETA's yearly poll. She was placed 68 on Maxim's 2005 "Hot 100" list, 11 in Maxim's 2006 "Hot 100" list, and 46 in Maxim's 2007 "Hot 100" list in which she was stated to have "single-handedly saved The CW from becoming the worst network ever". In 2006, Maxim also placed Bell at the top of the "Fall TV's Criminally Sexy Investigators" List. In 2008, she was ranked 59 on AskMen's Top 99 Women of 2008 List. Reflecting on her admitted popularity with "geeks", Bell was voted the fourth-sexiest woman on TV by the staff at Wizard magazine.

Gotta admit it.... When Bugs put on a dress, he was one SEXY rabbit...... 

Apparently there's an 'Internet trend' to post pictures of phones from the date you were born. This is mine.... Needless to say that we didn't have one at the time and not for another 15 years or so. 

Just Finished Reading: The Darkening Age – The Christian Destruction of the Classical World by Catherine Nixey (FP: 2017) [263pp] 

I have long wondered why so much of the known ancient knowledge has been lost to time. So much of what we do know is presented in fragments or references in other surviving texts. If it wasn't for the texts and commentaries provided by Arabic scholars our knowledge of the ancient world would be sparse indeed. It's estimated that over 80% of ancient texts have not made it to the present. Why is that? 

Part of it is simply time. The roughly 1000 years between the fall of the western Roman Empire and the Italian Renaissance was not exactly a period of peace and harmony, so it's no surprise that delicate artifacts such as pre-paper books didn't make it this far. Likewise, art, artifacts and statues... But are time and barbarism enough of an explanation? This intriguing (and to be honest disturbing) book shows us otherwise. After the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made that belief the default religion of the Roman Empire there was a growing movement not only to promote Christianity itself but to supress ALL other religions and beliefs as both false and dangerous. Some of the effects were obvious such as the ban on professing public belief in the 'old Gods' including sacrifice at the numerous temples. Before long these very temples were closed and eventually destroyed including any statues of the gods. Likewise, as temples often held numerous texts and documents, such items were all too often burnt by the wagonload. It wasn't long before well-known pagans were targeted and given the 'choice' between conversion, exile or death. The one choice few had, however, was the retention of heretical or demonic texts by pagan authors. These had to be given up and destroyed in public. As you can imagine few survived. 

But it wasn't just targeted destruction of especially books that resulted in so few surviving. It was often simple neglect. Books, of all types, don't last forever. They need to be looked after, cared for, preserved. Most importantly at that time they need to be COPIED to be passed on to future generations. Leave them to rot, use them to start fires, refuse to copy them – in fact scrape them clean to produce yet another Biblical commentary – and they are soon lost. Just imagine the thousands of books, the temples that were the wonder of the known world, the art, the statues that were smashed into dust that are gone. Tragic just doesn't cover it. 

This was quite the eye-opener. It its desire to be THE (not just pre-eminent) religion of the time, the new Christian church authorities very effectively eliminated much of their opposition - both secular and sacred - by erasing them from the historical record. It worked. Written with a keen eye for detail and with a scattering of humour this gives a VERY different perspective on the ancient world and is something I'll definitely be following up on. The early years of Christian domination of the Roman Empire were most definitely not a time of rainbows and bunnies for those who held onto their beliefs of the old Gods (who, of course, had been worshiped for centuries or longer). It was increasingly a rough time to be a pagan and could, indeed, be a fatal one. Definitely recommended for those with a curious mind and for those who ever wondered why we don't know MUCH more about our ancient ancestors. 

Erm......

Just Finished Reading: Aliens – Earth Hive by Steve Perry (FP: 1992) [277pp] 

Corporal Wilks had faced them before and lived. He was the closest thing they had to an expert on the Xenomorph. They knew how dangerous they were and, after the loss of another colony something had to be done about their menace – permanently. With their apparent home-world now discovered it was time for payback. Together with hand-picked teams of marines, they were doing to find out as much as they could about the species then nuke them from orbit – it was the only way to make sure. If only things were that simple. Unknown to the marines their commanding officer had other, additional, instructions. He was being paid – handsomely – to bring a xenomorph back, alive, by any means possible. Meanwhile a rival corporation had sent a kill-team to ensure that no one or nothing came back alive. Meanwhile, on Earth itself, a xenomorph queen was under investigation in a Top Security installation, isolated, secure, and in total secrecy... Until it wasn’t.... 

I’ve been meaning to read this set of books for some years now. I managed to pick up a few omnibus editions, and they’ve been sitting in a pile of books slowly turning into coal. As a HUGE fan of the sometimes-questionable franchise I knew that this would, or at least should, push most/all of my buttons. Unfortunately, it didn’t. Potentially it was going to be a good story – a slam dunk even. Colonial marines in full badass mode, LOTS of aliens on their (apparent) home world, BIG fight scenes etc... But some pretty poor writing and a questionable plot got in the way almost immediately. First there was ‘Wilks’ who was obviously a cut/paste Hicks from the Aliens movie – complete with young girl he had rescued from the destroyed colony they had been sent to... Then there was the ridiculous ‘love story’ element between Billie (the now grown-up girl survivor Wilks had rescued) and one of the marines... The fight scenes on the planet had their moments but never really got above average and there were FAR too many ‘callbacks’ to Aliens again. 

I think what made it worse for me (apart from the xenomorphs ‘psychic’ abilities) was the fact that there was a decent – indeed more than decent – story embedded in the barely average one! Whilst Wilks & Co where fighting on an alien world Earth was (slowly and then speedily) being overrun by Xenos. Even the brief bits we get of Terran forces trying to come to terms with that was MUCH better than the main ‘story’. Why the author couldn’t have focused on THAT aspect – especially considering the books bloody TITLE is beyond me. Not really recommended for Aliens or SF fans unless you are a completist. But as I already own the next few books (as well as being an eternal optimist) I will be reading more in the series. Oh, and I’m going to try to read more 21st century SF... Eventually... 

RIP: Sir Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill (14 September 1947 – 13 July 2026)

Happy Birthday: Yuliy Borisovich Briner (July 11, 1920 – October 10, 1985), known professionally as Yul Brynner, was a Russian and American actor. He was known for his portrayal of King Mongkut in the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical The King and I (1951), for which he won two Tony Awards, and later an Academy Award for Best Actor for the 1956 film adaptation. He played the role 4,625 times on stage, and became known for his shaved head, which he maintained as a personal trademark long after adopting it for The King and I.

Considered one of the first Russian-American film stars, he was honored with a ceremony to put his handprints in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in 1956. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

In 1956, Brynner received the National Board of Review Award for Best Actor for his portrayals of Rameses II in the Cecil B. DeMille epic The Ten Commandments and General Bounine in Anastasia. He was also well known as the gunman Chris Adams in The Magnificent Seven (1960) and its first sequel, Return of the Seven (1966). He had roles as the android "The Gunslinger" in Westworld (1973) and its sequel Futureworld (1976).

In addition to his film credits, he worked as a model and photographer, and wrote several books.

[One of my all-time favourite actors who starred in two of my all-time favourite films - The Magnificent 7 and Westworld.]

NAILED it...............

Just Finished Reading: The Race to the Future – An Adventure that Accelerated the Twentieth Century by Kassia St Clair (FP: 2023) [289pp] 

France, 1907. It all started as an idea to increase a newspapers circulation. The Parisian Le Martin would issue a challenge to any motor vehicle which could travel from Pekin (now Beijing) to Paris – the prize, world fame (and a trophy). After some initial problems, a little indifference and some well-placed scoffing at the possibility of such a thing, a total of 5 vehicles and crews signed up. Two, the favourites naturally, were a pair of French De Dion-Bouton motors with 10hp engines one of which was piloted by a famous French racing driver, another was a 15hp Spyker driven by an unknown who had managed to scam his way into the competition and one, a much more powerful 45hp Italia, was driven (and indeed financed) by an Italian prince – Prince Scipione Borghese. The outsider, although its driver firmly believed the opposite, was a tiny 3-wheel Contal Mototri producing an equally tiny 6hp. It was going to quite a trip running for 8,000 miles across mountains, desert, steppe with the hazards of flood, fire, bandits, an overly officious border guards. It was a test of both man and machine, of power, integrity, honour and technology. Advertised as a challenge as well as proof of a brighter future for the internal combustion engine it soon turned into a race for national pride and the triumph of western civilisation. 

To be honest I picked this up because of its colourful cover and bought it because I thought it, at least in part, would cover the Italian ‘Futurists’ and their obsession with motor cars and speed – it didn't. However, this was FAR from disappointing, indeed it was a delight from beginning to end. Although primarily focused on the ‘race’ itself (and some of the odd-ball competitors) it also looked at the social and political conditions in China, Russia and Europe that the competitors travelled through on their way to Paris. Although there were many funny moments, I remember one in particular when they crossed the German/Russia border which (on BOTH sides) had “suspiciously well-maintained roads”. Honestly, this had me crying laughing especially knowing what was going to happen just 7 years later! Another feature I really liked was the interspersion of chapters on the development of the early car industry, the early processing of recently discovered oil in various places, the early focus on female drivers (apparently early cars for women were fitted with electric starters considered ‘too feminine’ for men who had to use crank handles), and the often-forgotten fact that internal combustion was only one of (and not always the most popular) choice for motor engines – the others being steam and electric. 

Despite not being (nor ever being) a ‘petrol head’, I really enjoyed this. Not only was it a detailed look at a long-forgotten event but it was FULL of fascinating details of the beginnings of a recognisable modern age. Definitely recommended, especially if you have any interest in early motoring, technology or racing. More to come...  

Oh.... I just LOVE the British...... [rotflmao] I *really* hope that he WINS!!!!!

Sorry... But this had me CRYING laughing..... 

Just Couldn’t Finish Reading: Cunning Women by Elizabeth Lee (FP: 2012) [365pp] 

Lancashire, 1620. Sarah Haworth lives with her family on the edge – the edge of the village, the edge of acceptability and on the edge of starvation. Forced to exist by any means necessary after the death of her father both Sarah and her mother use their knowledge to aid those who come in the night looking for relief from pain, from an unwanted pregnancy or an unwanted husband. But things are about to change. The local disgraced magistrate is leaving, and his replacement is on the constant lookout for troublemakers and problems. It’s only a matter of time before his baleful gaze turns in the direction of the remaining Haworth family. To add to their complicated lives, Sarah has formed a relationship with a local farmer’s son Daniel. Will this be the spark that ignites the villager's fury, or will Daniel be their saviour? Only time will tell. 

I had fairly high hopes for this going in. It was well written with a strong feeling for place and time, and the characterisation was pretty solid throughout... But, after around 140 pages I couldn’t bring myself to continue. Part of the problem I had was that the pacing was slightly better than glacial. There was a lot of character building (along with some world building) but little that I felt I could get my teeth into. There was a sense of menace, but it didn’t seem to go anywhere. But the biggest problem I had was the fact that this was essentially a teenage love story rather than the one I was expecting (and essentially what the blurb promised). There was SOME talk of magic, the Devil, spells and such but very much sprinkled in the gaps between the story of Sarah and Daniel. Personally (and it is just a quirky character trait on my part) I’m not a huge fan of the Romance genre – as you might have guessed by now. I don’t mind a romance element in a story. Afterall you can’t really expect realistic characters to be indifferent to each other especially where jeopardy is involved. Surviving a near-death experience might just result in feelings and even a slice of intimacy too... But what I don’t enjoy is when such things are the primary focus of the novel and the things I’m actually interested in are reduced (of necessity) to the background. So, whilst not a BAD book (as far as I could tell having abandoned it about one third through) this just wasn’t for me.  

Reading Plans for 2026 and Beyond- 6 Month Update 

Despite having plans and being reasonably well trained/experience in planning things (it was actually my JOB for the last 10+ years of my career) my READING plans each year are more... aspirations than actual PLANS. So, how am I doing in 2026? 

Following the Labels   

This is a bit more hit/miss and random so far this year. Although (obviously) some of the labels are getting ‘traffic’ others are still being politely ignored. I hope to address that a bit more consciously later in the year and AIM at getting as many as possible into double figures. 

The ‘Knowledge Streams’   

The streams are doing reasonably OK – again mostly with unplanned additions at this point – but, especially with the US 250th (TODAY!) I’ll see if I can focus a bit more on USA:WTF and looking at the PRESENT (or would that be PRESIDENT) insanity later in the year. I might even make a bit of a splurge of US history/Politics in the run-up to Christmas/New Year [muses] 

Rolling the Dice   

I’m still rolling them dice after every completed book. I think I’ve added 3 extra reads this year. It’s good to add just a bit of randomness to my reading. 

Finishing/Progressing Series    

ZIP on this so far this year. With luck and a fair wind, I *might* manage to move forward with either the Dune or Foundation series. 

Classics and Re-Reads   

I’m still (slowly) working my way through the twin Classics boxsets and have even managed to sprinkle a few larger classics in there too. As predicted, I’ve also managed some Cyberpunk re-reads. More revisiting of ‘classic’ SF to come. 

Deep Dives   

Zero deep dives so far this year but I do have a few in the pipeline. It’s just finding a chunky enough slot to cram them into. They are, as always, from a wide variety of topics. I’ll see if I can fit in at least ONE by the end of the year. 

Ukraine and the Middle East   

I’ve managed ONE book on each this year but really want to do more. I have a deep dive (4 books) on the US & Iran that I’d like to get to and a stack of about 15 books on Ukraine. Maybe THIS year! 

BIG Project    

I’ve been planning a BIG (if somewhat silly) Project for this year – actually intended for LAST year – and the good news is that I’ve actually started it. First results will be in about 2 weeks. Just don’t get your hopes up TOO high...  

Coupling and more   

I’m definitely ‘coupling’ more and enjoying it. Much more of that to come plus a scattering of sandwiches. It’s fun going through my stacks and putting them together in odd little bunches... and then going back and putting some into slightly different bunches... 

Philosophy & Sci-Fi   

STILL haven’t managed any Philosophy reading but at least ONE will drop (probably) before New Year – maybe. I’m AIMING to read some modern (post-2000) Sci-Fi too but I don’t actually have that much to pick through. I’m rather out of touch with the genre these days. I’ll see what I can dig up. I’m also going to try to read at least one belief-based book before the end of the year (over and above one I’ve just finished). It’ll probably be something around Christianity, but I haven’t decided yet...  

As usual, if I actually get HALF of that done, I’ll be both pleased and more than a little amazed....  

Happy Birthday: Marvin Neil Simon (July 4, 1927 – August 26, 2018) was an American playwright, screenwriter and author. He wrote more than 30 plays and nearly the same number of movie screenplays, mostly film adaptations of his plays. He received three Tony Awards and a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for four Academy Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards. He was awarded a Special Tony Award in 1975, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1991, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1995 and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2006.

Simon grew up in New York City during the Great Depression. His parents' financial difficulties affected their marriage, giving him a mostly unhappy and unstable childhood. He often took refuge in movie theaters, where he enjoyed watching early comedians like Charlie Chaplin. After graduating from high school and serving a few years in the Army Air Force Reserve, he began writing comedy scripts for radio programs and popular early television shows. Among the latter were Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows (where in 1950 he worked alongside other young writers including Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart and Selma Diamond), and The Phil Silvers Show, which ran from 1955 to 1959.

His first produced play was Come Blow Your Horn (1961). It took him three years to complete and ran for 678 performances on Broadway. It was followed by two more successes, Barefoot in the Park (1963) and The Odd Couple (1965). He won a Tony Award for the latter. It made him a national celebrity and "the hottest new playwright on Broadway". From the 1960s to the 1980s, he wrote for stage and screen; some of his screenplays were based on his own works for the stage. His style ranged from farce to romantic comedy to more serious dramatic comedy.

Overall, he garnered 17 Tony nominations and won three awards. In 1966, he had four successful productions running on Broadway at the same time, and in 1983, he became the first living playwright to have a New York theatre, the Neil Simon Theatre, named in his honor.

Erm.... It's SATURDAY. *Very* few people are @ work today. But enjoy your Independence... WE certainly are!