Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea - Jules Verne

Great science fiction often has at its heart a simple question, "What if.....?" and then the story follows the consequences of this. This simplicity will usually be disguised by the complex future worlds constructed as a setting, but its often there. Jules Verne was one of the first to ask this sort of question. In "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" it was what if there were tunnels leading many miles underground, what would an explorer find there. In this novel its what if someone constructed a submarine and lived his life exploring the oceans. What would he find?

The story itself is fairly straightforward. A strange and terrifying creature is causing problems in the sea's. Professor Aronnax joins a crew hunting the creature but discovers it is actually a submarine captained by the mysterious Captain Nemo. He holds him (and his companions) captive and takes him on a series of adventures around the depths of the worlds oceans.

The setting for this story is very Victorian. In fact, the day to day life on board the submarine feels like it could be a Victorian gentleman's house, with everything from servants behind the scenes running things, to a drawing room and library to relax in. Of course, much of this feels dated today just as many of Jules Verne's idea's for what would be found in the oceans have proved incorrect (such as his idea that a submarine could find its way to the South Pole). But this should not detract from what is a classic work as many of today's science fiction stories will one day feel the same.

This is definitely a classic early science fiction work which is well worth a read.

Englischer Fussball - Rapheal Honigstein

Having lived and worked in the UK for many years, the German journalist Rapheal Honigstein is in an ideal place to bring an outsider's perspective on the world of English football. This book is his attempt to do this, to try and explain and bring some understanding to the sometimes strange world of English football.

The book largely succeeds, at least in giving this reader a new perspective on our national game. He makes connections between the culture of the game in this country and the wider society, both historically and in the present day. For example, the fast pace to the game, its sometimes brutal physicality and the ideals of fair play built in are all explored. He manages to connect the attitude that you must 'get stuck in' to aspects of England such as the Victorian stiff upper lip, and the modern day attitude that you must be able to 'take your drink'. For Honigstein, these are all a part of a character trait within our society.

The media culture around the game is explored, using contrasts with his native Germany to illustrate several points. For example. the short deadlines in the British press compared to Germany (due to German working practice restrictions making the deadlines too early for midweek match reports) means match reports are instant rushes to judgement in Britain, but become thoughtful reflections when they appear in Germany a day or so later. In another example he shows how the intensively competitive British tabloid papers paradoxically leads to less diversity in the stories as reporters collaborate on what their 'story' will be after matches.

Overall I'd recommend this to anyone with an interest in the culture of football in England. An interesting perspective of our national game.