The Bank Holiday List - 10 books you should read before you die

As we are now doing the top ten tweets in Barnet on a Saturday, I've been neglecting my lists. So as it's bank holiday here is my list.

1. The New Testament - Various
2. Behold the Man - Michael Moorcock
3. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire - Lawrence James
4. It's dicey flying Wimpeys over Italian skies - Maurice Lihou OBE
5. Shoulder to Shoulder - Midge MacKenzie
6. Pete Frames Rock Family Trees
7. Vulcan 607 - Rowland White
8. Anti cancer a new way of life - David Servan-Schreiber
9. The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer - Siddhartha Mukherjee
10. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - Phillip K. Dick

 And here's why

1. The New Testament - Various

So much of our culture has been influenced by this book. Whether you are an Atheist seeking to understand the world we live in, a member of a non Christian religion or simply someone with a curiosity as to why Western Civilisation has taken its current form, the contents of this book explains many of the reasons for the way our customs and traditions have formed. One aspect of the new testament that is much overlooked is that it is perhaps the only book from that period, explaining the views, superstitions and customs of ordinary people, living in an outpost of the brutal Roman Empire under a vicious religious regime. Whether or not you believe any of it, I happen to think that it is interesting to understand the motivations of the Jewish people at the time, waiting for a Messiah to deliver them from the oppressive Roman military machine. It is also interesting to note the collaboration between the local religious leaders and the Roman military government. In effect the book tells how a bunch of fishermen from Gallilee were influenced by a charismatic leader. Depending on your beliefs it all has either a very happy ending and we're all saved or a very tragic ending, which has had rather strange consequences for the world ever since.


2. Behold the Man - Michael Moorcock

This thought provoking science fiction novel takes a different slant on the story of the New Testament. The hero is a man who builds a time machine and goes back to biblical times. He is a committed Christian and he wants to meet Jesus. On arrival he finds that Jesus is not what he expected, so he takes on his role. He realises that without the character of Jesus, the world he lived in would never come to be. As he knows all the bible stories, he is ab;e to convince his followers that his reality is the truth. Considered by many Christians at the time of its release to be blasphemous, I found it a hugely entertaining and thought provoking read. To the blasphemy brigade, I say this. If your faith can't survive reading a sci fi book or watching the Life of Brian, you probably didn't have much faith in the first place.

3. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire - Lawrence James

This book is the definitive history of the British Empire. As we head toward Euro elections, where UKIP, an isolationist party look likely to win, I think we should remind ourselves just why Great Britain is such a wealthy country, and how we came to have such fabulous wealth. We should also seek to understand why London has become such a cosmopolitan city. The main reason why a damp, cold island off the European mainland has evolved into this fantastic place is largely explained in this book. Sadly my friends, the main reason is because we spent a couple of hundred years exploiting those far less well off. This book tells the story of little international crime spree (although not in those terms). Whatever you think of Imperialism, a great book.

4. It's dicey flying Wimpeys over Italian skies - Maurice Lihou OBE

Maurice Lihou OBE was a pilot in the RAF, based at Foggia Main airbase in Italy in 1944. This book tells the story of how these brave pilots flew obsolete aircraft to bring the end of fascism and nazism. This book details the privations of living under canvass, the pain of seeing colleagues not come back and the sheer bravery and commitment of the pilots. Perhaps the most interesting thing I learned was how the mining of the Danube by 39 & 40 Squadron brought the German war machine to an almost grinding halt, as this was the main freight channel. I spoke several times to Maurice Lihou before he passed away. A truly magmificent man and an inspiring read, if you can get hold of it.  It was disgusting that Maurice Lihou died without a campaign medal from Bomber Command.

5. Shoulder to Shoulder - Midge MacKenzie

Midge MacKenzie directed a TV series for the BBC in the 1970's called Shoulder to Shoulder, about the Suffragette campaign. These brave women brought the vote to over 50% of the British population who were disenfranchised. This book tells the story. If you care about justice, then you should read this book.

6. Pete Frames Rock Family Trees

If you love rock and roll, this book tells the story of all the most significant bands in a unique way. Absolutely fascinating. This is the definitive chronicle of the rise of Rock and Roll music.

7. Vulcan 607 - Rowland White

The story of how the RAF bombed Port Stanley airfield during the Falklands war. A magnificent and true tale. This operation was without precedent and made me feel very proud to be British. 

8. Anti cancer a new way of life - Dr David Servan-Schreiber

This book could  change your life and could save your life. Since beiong diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2011, I have tried to adhere to the lifestyle recommended. My PSA count was lower last time I had a test than when I first read this book. Sadly, by the time you get Cancer, you have already left it too late, read this toady, regardless of your cancer status.

9. The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer - Siddhartha Mukherjee

This book explains what cancer is, what causes it and how the treatment of the disease has evolved. I would make every school child in the world study this book. It is a fascinating read.

10. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - Phillip K. Dick

This book was turned into a film called Blade Runner with Harrison Ford. It is an eerie bleak book, which in some ways is a warning of just how badly things could go wrong for us, unless we start behaving as responsible citizens of Planet Earth. It is also a damn fine read

The time is ripe for Cornelius - The English Assassin!

Cometh the hour, Cometh the man. The time is a ripe for a change of leadership in Barnet Council. Before we examine who might be a credible candidate, lets have a little discussion about what happens when politicians lack courage.

If you are a Tory in Barnet, I have a question to pose for you. Why do you think that the Tories have been in opposition for so long nationally? You may have your view, but to me the answer is simple. They collectively lost their bottle. When they decided to give Maggie the chop, they had a choice between Michael Heseltine or John Major. One was charismatic, well known & poular nationally. The other was, well the other bloke. The other bloke won. Not because anyone thought he'd do a good job, but because he wasn't Heseltine. In an act of hypocritical cowardice, the same MP's who secretly whispered that Maggie must go, refused to back the knifeman, Heseltine. In came the weak and decisive Major. Luckily for Major, his first election was against Neil Kinnock. As Major was relatively unknown and the British public had already decided they'd never elect Kinnock, Major scraped in. Then his luck ran out. First John Smith stepped up. He used to use PMQ's as a bit of kebabing practise. Then there was "black monday" where the Major government decisively proved it couldn't run a Whelk stall. Then Smith unexpectedly died & Blair stepped up. He added a bit of youthful vigour to the weekly Kebabings. In 1997 the Tories were washed away.

I've always wondered what would have happened had Heseltine won? As he showed in Liverpool after the riots, he understood the problems and would splash the cash to solve them. He was couragous and a good commons performer. But for the lack of Tory bottle it might all have turned out different. Whatever would have happened, I don't believe the Tories would have been decimated in the way they were in 1997. I suspect they'd probably have lost, but without the huge landslide. I'm a Labour supporter, but I think huge majorities and demoralised oppositions make for poor governance. I think we'd have got a better Labour government. One which would have listened.

Anyway, I merely mention all of this to show what happens when politicians lack the cojones to do the sensible thing. What has this to do with Mr Cornelius in Barnet? Well he is the most credible Tory candidate to mount a leadership bid against the disasterous Freer/Hillan regime. He gives off the air of a man who knows what he's doing. Freer and Hillan know this and have been acting accordingly. The point is that politics are changing. There has been a massive sea change in the opinions of voters and the major parties will be punished. Fiasco's such as Iceland, Sheltered Housing Warden Cuts, Aerodrome Road overspend, TV's for Council officers, increased burial charges, etc may have been forgiven by loyal Tories before. As people find out about the huge allowances that go with Cabinet jobs, as they hear that Political Advisers to the cabinet get £60,000 a year, as they hear about officer junkets to the south of France for £5,000, they ask questions such as "why are they doubling the rent for Mill Hill Village Sports club, when they can afford all of this"?

Freer doesn't get it. Hillan Doesn't get it. I've heard through the grapevine that Cornelius does. Because he might, just might, rattle a few vested interests, there has been a concerted campaign to nobble him. If Richard Cornelius took over, he could quite easily solve all of these problems. Give the Officers Plasma Screen tellies to the local OAP's homes. Cancel all junkets. Sack the political officers. With the saved cash reverse the burial charges and reduce the Mill Hill Village cricket club rent. If he needs advice from a political advisor, ring David Miller at Not the Barnet Times. He'll tell him how to be a proper Tory free of charge.

Reports are reaching the Barnet Eye, that senior Tory Cabinet members have taken to emailing their colleagues, telling them how to do their job. Apparently these emails have not been well received and resentment and rebellion are brewing in even the most mild mannered of the Tories. The time has come for a Brutus in Barnet to start sharpening the knife. Maybe Richard Cornelius is the man to step up and claim the prize.

As an aside, I've always taken an interest in Richard Cornelius for the strangest of reasons. My Favourite Sci Fi author is Michael Moorcock. Amongst his many great books is one called "The English Assassin" featuring a character caller "Jerry Cornelius". He is described as follows in Wikipedia "Jerry Cornelius, secret agent, superhero, adventurer, all things to all men (and women). A figure of almost complete anarchy. Typically destroys repressive authority."

Barnet's Richard Cornelius came to promenance for a campaign to save a local library. Jerry Cornelius was noted for his favourite hobby of burning libraries down. The novel offers eight alternative catastrophes in a world of chaos and barbarous collapse. Jerry Cornelius is an agent of chaos, destruction and change.

I'm rather hoping that in the alternate world of Barnet, maybe Richard Cornelius, The Barnet Assassin, may be quite the opposite and save our finances, libararies and tax bills !