Consort of the Female Pharaoh

Consort of the Female Pharaoh by Eugene Stovall

Published by OPC

ISBN:  9781479344895

The action takes place around 1500 BC and chronicles the life and times of Hat-Shep-Sut, the female pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt.  The story begins when she is a young girl and very early on, she chooses who is to be her consort, a fellow student at the Royal School called Senen-Mut.  We follow the adventures of the pair throughout their lives during a turbulent period in Egyptian history.  The country and its wealth are coveted my many neighbours and a constant battle is fought to maintain their lands, or try to increase them by incorporating other peoples and tribes into their empire.

Intrigue abounds as the Pharaoh schemes and plots to make herself into the supreme being and 'she who must be obeyed' by all of her citizens.  She hates the fact that she lives in a male dominated society and strives to utilize her female charms and cunning ways to reach her goal of female domination.  She happily sentences any man to death who crosses her, or fails to obey orders, or just catches her in a bad mood.

The couple have one daughter, Neferu-Re, who grows into an exact copy of her mother, but with an even bloodier agenda in mind.  She seeks to share power with her half-brother and they plan to overthrow Hat-Shep-Sut, though she proves to be wilier than they suspect.  She has already tired of her husband and banished him to his own palace to study science and, as it transpires, he is able to create a powerful 'weapon' to aid his queen in her quest to remain on her throne.

The hyphenated names take some getting used to, and some characters are easily confused, but don't give up.  The book is well written and the content is educational and entertaining. 

Theft is Legal

Theft is Legal by Svetoslav S Elenkov

 

Published by Outskirts Press

ISBN:  978-1-4787-1569-6

The story begins in Bulgaria in the early 1990s, and even though this is a thin volume, it packs a big punch.  

We read the account of a young boy growing up with hyper-inflation in his country, informing us of the difficulties that he encountered in those times, but not telling his tale with any degree of bitterness.  

The chapters, on the whole, are small lessons in business and finance, or just how ridiculous capitalism / socialism / communism can be at times.  

The stories are amusing but also thought provoking, each one contains its own moral but is delivered in a pleasant manner. 

Examples include washing machines, rock piles, gardening and, my favourite, a currency island.

Although the title sounds like a guidebook for a criminal, it is an entertaining read.

The Bluffer's Guide to Wine

The Bluffer's Guide to Wine by Jonathan Goodall and Harry Eyres

Published by Bluffer's

ISBN:  978-1- 909365-20-9

Whether you are a Chateau Lafite sipper, or a supermarket plonk slurper, you can enhance your knowledge of wine with the aid of this wonderful book.  Pocket sized for convenience, don't leave home without it, as you never know when one of the many facts and figures it contains could be used to impress your friends and acquaintances. 

The many ways to taste, smell, and enjoy wine are covered in great detail.  The different types  of grapes and the different ways in which they are converted to wine are explained clearly.  The history of wine throughout the world, which is divided into new world and old world, is told in a straightforward manner.  The various processes used in wine making to produce different types of wine, ranging from the light and airy Zinfandel to the heaviest sherries and ports, are set out in easy to understand detail.  One interesting fact is that only champagne made in Champagne in France can be called champagne, and whilst other countries use the same method, they have to find another name for their end product.

Occasionally, there have been problems in the world of wine growing, Phylloxera vastatrix being one of the major ones.  This plague of aphids attacked and gradually destroyed much of the vine stock in Europe in the late 19th century,  greatly reducing the production of wine, especially in France.  Phylloxera resistant vines were imported from America to help the regeneration of the industry, but the aphid is a very hardy creature, and viticulturists are always on the lookout for it.

Wine is a wonderful drink, and with your in-depth knowledge of its many facets through reading this book, you will enjoy the pleasure of drinking it more thoroughly.

The Bluffer's Guide to Skiing

The Bluffer's Guide to Skiing by David Allsop

Published by Bluffer's

ISBN:  978-1-909365-00-1

The first thing you notice about this Bluffer's Guide is the size - it will easily slip into your pocket or bum bag so you can bluff 'on the piste', so to speak.  Small it may be, but it is packed full of helpful and interesting information, assisting the least proficient skier to appear experienced and knowledgeable.

There is detailed coverage of where in the world to find the best skiing, and this is helpfully divided into places where a bluffer could be most successful and also where a bluffer should definitely avoid.  All types of snow are explained (there are more than one, apparently), as are the essential equipment and clothing, plus all the dos and don'ts you are likely to need.

Each country has its strong points, whether it be variety of pistes, accommodation, olde worlde charming ski resorts or purpose-built monstrosities.  Most important of all, though, is the après-ski.

The many types of ski lift are explained, and also the many ways to avoid hurting yourself when mounting and dismounting these sometimes tortuous modes of transport.  Serious injury to body and ego can occur if this advice is not heeded, and you may look foolish to boot.

Appearances are very important - in some cases, the gaudier the better, but there are limits.  The newer the apparel, the more of a novice you will look, unless you are rich enough not to bother what others think of you.

Overall, for someone who wants to bluff their way into the ski set, this book is a must.  Keep it handy for reference at all times, but don't let anyone see the book's cover as you brush up on your etiquette, whilst waiting in one of the huge queues you are bound to experience at the more popular resorts.