Margaret

High adventure and derring do.

The book is narrated by the writer with embellishments including music and guest performances by Neil Gaiman and Felicia Day, amongst others. The embellishments really add to the feel of the piece.

Kushner writes full on and unashamedly queer fantasy. If that's not your cup of tea, try something else.

People who like bad accents, extreme verbosity and stereotyping.

If you are interested in this genre (i.e. supernatural spy thrillers) try Charles Stross's The Atrocity Archives (geeky humour) or Tim Powers' Declare (Le Carre with supernatural elements).

I made it through this. Just and with encoragement. I've read a lot of science history and it was an interesting check of famous names and conceps. But I won't be continuing. The text is turgid, there is very little plot and probably only two female characters with even brief speaking parts. I prefer his earlier work.

A most interesting book about the rise of globalisation and how it has changed the world and humanity in the last 600 years.

I like Neil Gaiman and some of the books he has chosen for the selection are great (Pavane, You Must Go and Win). However, I struggled with the Minotaur and am not sure I will finish it. The pacing is very slow and it is very verbose. I am half way through and finding this difficult.

This is a good read if you like reading popularist science and/or anthropology books. Somewhat similar to Jared Diamond or Tim Flannery, with a focus on the post-Renaissance world and possibly a more philosophical bent.