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nathanjhunt's reviews
213 reviews
The Savage Stone Age by Terry Deary
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
This was my 42nd book finished in 2024.
I liked this book as a kid, it's no wonder I grew up to be a commercial archaeologist.
So this book does a pretty bad job at defining periods of the "stone age", aka Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic. The "stone age" is a vast period of human history, technologies were so varied, and they're all just kind of smooshed together in here.
With such a vast period, I was surprised that some aspects of the book touched upon the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Medieval period. The Bronze Age and Iron Age could be their own books, there's so much to say!
There was also a lot of time taken to talk about the history of archaeology. As an archaeologist, I'm not mad about this, but again, this could be its own book.
My last point, is that there are a lot of sections with theories that are presented as fact. This is bad as theories change and evolve, and it can badly date a book that's already 25 years old. Everything in this book is a theory - we don't know for sure if humans did what they did, and the book should be more open about that.
I liked this book as a kid, it's no wonder I grew up to be a commercial archaeologist.
So this book does a pretty bad job at defining periods of the "stone age", aka Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic. The "stone age" is a vast period of human history, technologies were so varied, and they're all just kind of smooshed together in here.
With such a vast period, I was surprised that some aspects of the book touched upon the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Medieval period. The Bronze Age and Iron Age could be their own books, there's so much to say!
There was also a lot of time taken to talk about the history of archaeology. As an archaeologist, I'm not mad about this, but again, this could be its own book.
My last point, is that there are a lot of sections with theories that are presented as fact. This is bad as theories change and evolve, and it can badly date a book that's already 25 years old. Everything in this book is a theory - we don't know for sure if humans did what they did, and the book should be more open about that.
Angry Animals by Nick Arnold
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This was my 38th book finished in 2024.
I've had this book since childhood but never read it until now! It was actually quite funny and witty.
I thought it was informative and neatly layed out, but some parts felt like filler. The ending was predictable, but well-written for kids.
As other reviews have said, it was a shame it didn't include anything on invertebrates.
I've had this book since childhood but never read it until now! It was actually quite funny and witty.
I thought it was informative and neatly layed out, but some parts felt like filler. The ending was predictable, but well-written for kids.
As other reviews have said, it was a shame it didn't include anything on invertebrates.
The Villainous Victorians by Terry Deary
dark
fast-paced
2.75
This was my 36th book finished in 2024.
Back with another HH book, so I wondered how many pages it would take before reaching a fatphobic joke - about 5. But there were surprisingly fewer than usual.
So I didn't realise this book would focus solely on crime and punishment. Some bits felt spread out and overdrawn. It would have been better to read something slightly more varied, as it got a bit tiresome after a while of reading the same kind of things.
It was alright. Not the worst HH I've read.
Back with another HH book, so I wondered how many pages it would take before reaching a fatphobic joke - about 5. But there were surprisingly fewer than usual.
So I didn't realise this book would focus solely on crime and punishment. Some bits felt spread out and overdrawn. It would have been better to read something slightly more varied, as it got a bit tiresome after a while of reading the same kind of things.
It was alright. Not the worst HH I've read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
William III & Mary II: Partners In Revolution by Jonathan Keates
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This was my 66th and last book finished in 2023.
I have a fledgling interest in the Restoration Era, having read Samuel Pepys' diary, and a biography on Charles II. I too have an interest in the Georgian Era, having read a biography on George I. But, as the author states, there seems to be this forgotten gap between the two, marking the end of the Stuart era. I know a little about Anne, but what about Mary II and William III? The oldest English coin I own is a William III half penny from the 1690s, but I don't know a thing about the man.
This book serves as a good introduction. Of course this is just a summary of their lives, but it did feel a little fleeting. The book is about 20 pages shorter than others in the series, and I did feel like some things were just glanced over.
Generally, the author's writing style is fine, with nothing too confusing. But I did have to re-read some paragraphs in the opening chapter, as a lot of people had the same name, and it wasn't always obvious who the author was talking about.
To summarise, it seems true that their reign was short and quite unremarkable; no wonder British history has mostly forgotten about them. The author does an okay job of keeping the book interesting.
I have a fledgling interest in the Restoration Era, having read Samuel Pepys' diary, and a biography on Charles II. I too have an interest in the Georgian Era, having read a biography on George I. But, as the author states, there seems to be this forgotten gap between the two, marking the end of the Stuart era. I know a little about Anne, but what about Mary II and William III? The oldest English coin I own is a William III half penny from the 1690s, but I don't know a thing about the man.
This book serves as a good introduction. Of course this is just a summary of their lives, but it did feel a little fleeting. The book is about 20 pages shorter than others in the series, and I did feel like some things were just glanced over.
Generally, the author's writing style is fine, with nothing too confusing. But I did have to re-read some paragraphs in the opening chapter, as a lot of people had the same name, and it wasn't always obvious who the author was talking about.
To summarise, it seems true that their reign was short and quite unremarkable; no wonder British history has mostly forgotten about them. The author does an okay job of keeping the book interesting.
My First Aeroplane by H.G. Wells
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was my 54th book finished in 2025.
I initially thought I wasn't going to like this story, but then I started laughing out loud at it. I love how arrogant the narrator is, and nothing is his fault. I guffawed when he started killing pigs "because they were born to die" - any justification for his actions!
Sad that this is so obscure and unknown, it's a genuine gem.
I initially thought I wasn't going to like this story, but then I started laughing out loud at it. I love how arrogant the narrator is, and nothing is his fault. I guffawed when he started killing pigs "because they were born to die" - any justification for his actions!
Sad that this is so obscure and unknown, it's a genuine gem.
The Magic Shop by H.G. Wells
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This was my 53rd book finished in 2025.
I found this story very creepy and engaging. I really liked it, it gave me Doctor Who Celestial Toymaker vibes.
Also, hilarious: he wishes he was his wife so he could kiss his son in public without looking weird. Hah, wasn't the Edwardian period curious.
I found this story very creepy and engaging. I really liked it, it gave me Doctor Who Celestial Toymaker vibes.
Also, hilarious: he wishes he was his wife so he could kiss his son in public without looking weird. Hah, wasn't the Edwardian period curious.
Heart Of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
This was my 39th book finished in 2023.
Read as part of a duo with The Secret Sharer.
Hands down the most boring fiction book I've ever had the misfortune to read. Its only redeeming feature was its short length.
The writing style is horrendous. There was absolutely no need for a narrator. I don't know whether it was just my edition, but the pages were just a wall of text. The paragraphs were completely random, and it was so hard to follow who was saying what.
This book is trash, it doesn't deserve a longer review.
Read as part of a duo with The Secret Sharer.
Hands down the most boring fiction book I've ever had the misfortune to read. Its only redeeming feature was its short length.
The writing style is horrendous. There was absolutely no need for a narrator. I don't know whether it was just my edition, but the pages were just a wall of text. The paragraphs were completely random, and it was so hard to follow who was saying what.
This book is trash, it doesn't deserve a longer review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation
The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
2.75
This was my 37th book finished in 2023.
Read as part of a duo with Heart Of Darkness. I found this one in a book cafe in Hoi An, Vietnam. I left it in a homestay in Hue.
It was alright. I was just disappointed that nothing happened at the end. I was hoping for a big tense climax, but it didn't deliver. Maybe the other guy was the narrator? There were so many routes it could have gone down, but it did none of them.
Read as part of a duo with Heart Of Darkness. I found this one in a book cafe in Hoi An, Vietnam. I left it in a homestay in Hue.
It was alright. I was just disappointed that nothing happened at the end. I was hoping for a big tense climax, but it didn't deliver. Maybe the other guy was the narrator? There were so many routes it could have gone down, but it did none of them.
Full Circle by Michael Palin
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.25
This was my 35th book finished in 2023.
I bought this book in a second-hand bookstore in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I read it in Da Nang, Vietnam and left it in a book cafe in Hoi An.
Entertaining to read, especially after visiting the same places Michael did and comparing it to my own experiences, nearly 30 years later.
It definitely adds to the show. A little slow in places, and some of the language is a bit dated in the 2020s, ie use of "Indians" to refer to the native Andean people etc.
I bought this book in a second-hand bookstore in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I read it in Da Nang, Vietnam and left it in a book cafe in Hoi An.
Entertaining to read, especially after visiting the same places Michael did and comparing it to my own experiences, nearly 30 years later.
It definitely adds to the show. A little slow in places, and some of the language is a bit dated in the 2020s, ie use of "Indians" to refer to the native Andean people etc.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Colonisation
Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.5
This was my 4th book finished in 2022.
This book is entertaining, but full of so much unnecessary waffle.
I'm an archaeologist and when reading this, I get hooked being told tales of finding things in the mud, and the items being described to the reader - what they look like; where they come from; what they were used for. I am fascinated, but everything is ruined by the constant fanfaction Maiklem writes. The things she says are such a stretch. I want to know about the items, not about what she thinks happened 400 years ago.
Example:
"I wonder if the gatherer had been busy with a whore and was late for work, the performance begun at 2pm, avoiding the wrath of his drunken employer. The audience blasted him with foul breath from the raw garlic they'd have been chewing on".
It's such distracting drivel and is not needed in this book. It's every other page and really gets me out of it.
It gives a great overview, but lacks historic detail and specifics. It's like reading a stream of consciousness, it zig-zags all over the place and doesn't focus on the one thing she's talking about.
The biggest downside is lack of detailed maps and photos of the items. I can't visualise what is being spoken about. I know that there are a few photos in the middle of the book, but these are not anotated at all. There should be a photo for every item she's talking about. Maiklem doesn't go into great detail, so it's just hard to imagine everything she's writing about.
You can tell Maiklem isn't an experienced author, but I don't regret reading the book.
This book is entertaining, but full of so much unnecessary waffle.
I'm an archaeologist and when reading this, I get hooked being told tales of finding things in the mud, and the items being described to the reader - what they look like; where they come from; what they were used for. I am fascinated, but everything is ruined by the constant fanfaction Maiklem writes. The things she says are such a stretch. I want to know about the items, not about what she thinks happened 400 years ago.
Example:
"I wonder if the gatherer had been busy with a whore and was late for work, the performance begun at 2pm, avoiding the wrath of his drunken employer. The audience blasted him with foul breath from the raw garlic they'd have been chewing on".
It's such distracting drivel and is not needed in this book. It's every other page and really gets me out of it.
It gives a great overview, but lacks historic detail and specifics. It's like reading a stream of consciousness, it zig-zags all over the place and doesn't focus on the one thing she's talking about.
The biggest downside is lack of detailed maps and photos of the items. I can't visualise what is being spoken about. I know that there are a few photos in the middle of the book, but these are not anotated at all. There should be a photo for every item she's talking about. Maiklem doesn't go into great detail, so it's just hard to imagine everything she's writing about.
You can tell Maiklem isn't an experienced author, but I don't regret reading the book.