Short Review: RSPB Birdfeeder Handbook by Robert Burton (Hardback)

Short Review of Japanese Prisoners of War in India 1942–46 by T.R. Sareen Japanese Prisoners of War in India 1942–46: Bushido and Barbed Wire is a deeply researched and thought-provoking study that sheds light on a largely overlooked aspect of the Second World War. Drawing on archival material and firsthand accounts, Sareen examines the experiences of over 2,500 Japanese POWs held in India after being captured on the Burma front. (Hatchards) The book’s strength lies in its detail and originality. It explores not only the conditions and organisation of POW camps but also the cultural and psychological factors – particularly the influence of Bushido – that shaped Japanese attitudes toward capture, surrender, and survival. This adds an extra layer of…

Colchester in Old Photographs, compiled by Andrew Phillips, is a fascinating visual record of one of England’s oldest towns. Drawing on a wide range of black-and-white images, the book captures everyday life, changing streets, and local character across different periods, offering a strong sense of how Colchester has evolved over time. (OBNB) Rather than a narrative history, it works best as a pictorial archive, with brief captions accompanying each photograph. This straightforward approach allows the images to speak for themselves, making it particularly appealing to local historians, collectors, and anyone with an interest in the town’s heritage. While those looking for in-depth analysis may find it limited, it remains an engaging and nostalgic glimpse into Colchester’s past.

A critical review of Now I Call Him Brother by Alec Smith needs to grapple with two overlapping dimensions: the book as a personal spiritual memoir and as a historical-political document rooted in late Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. What follows is a balanced, analytical review that engages both… Critical Review: *Now I Call Him Brother Published in 1984, Now I Call Him Brother is a semi-autobiographical account of Alec Smith’s transformation from the troubled son of Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith into a born-again Christian and advocate for racial reconciliation. Written with the assistance of Rebecca de Saintonge, the book positions itself at the intersection of confession, conversion narrative, and political testimony. Narrative Strengths: Personal Honesty and Moral Urgency At its most compelling,…

A Mirror of Things to Come by Robert Lummis is a reflective and spiritual paperback inspired by SAMAKI, who is presented in the book as a guiding influence for inner awareness, meditation, and personal reflection. The book is designed to encourage readers to slow down, look inward, and connect more deeply with their thoughts and emotions. Rather than being a traditional fiction or narrative-driven book, it focuses on personal awareness, meditation, and spiritual reflection. The author invites the reader to become more conscious of their inner voice and to take time to understand what the mind and body may be expressing. The book explores themes such as inner guidance, positive thinking, meditation, and the idea of life continuing beyond physical…

The Day of the Lord: Eschatology in Quaker Perspective, edited by Dean Freiday and published in 1981, is a short collection of essays exploring how Quakers understand the idea of the “end times” or the “Day of the Lord.” (Biblio) Overall Impression This book offers a thoughtful but quite specialised look at Christian eschatology from a Quaker viewpoint. Instead of focusing on dramatic predictions about the end of the world, it presents a quieter and more reflective approach. — Strengths One of the book’s main strengths is its emphasis on “realised eschatology” – the idea that God’s kingdom is not just a future event but something that can be experienced in the present. (Friends Journal) This reflects a key Quaker…

First published in 1941, A Testament of Devotion is widely regarded as a classic of modern Christian spirituality. Composed of five essays drawn from lectures, the book articulates a distinctly Quaker vision of the spiritual life—centred on inward stillness, continual awareness of God, and what Kelly calls the “Light within.” (Google Books) Spiritual Vision: Depth, Simplicity, and Inner Transformation The book’s greatest strength lies in its compelling vision of inward devotion. Kelly argues that authentic spirituality is not confined to religious moments but should permeate every aspect of daily life. His central idea—that one can live simultaneously in the ordinary world while remaining inwardly centred on God—is both radical and appealing. Rather than advocating withdrawal, Kelly emphasises integration: worship and…