Bicara Buku

Berjalan di Negeri Suhad Neor Razak Hashim ITBM, Kuala Lumpur, 2015 386 muka surat Novel ini mengeksplorasi tema perjalanan dan pencarian jati diri.  Penulis mengajak pembaca untuk mengikuti perjalanannya yang penuh dengan refleksi dan kontemplasi tentang kehidupan dan makna di balik setiap langkah. Secara keseluruhan, buku ini memberikan pandangan yang mendalam dan reflektif tentang makna perjalanan, baik secara fisik maupun spiritual.  Neor Razak Hashim menggunakan bahasa yang puitis dan penuh perenungan, menjadikan buku ini lebih daripada sekadar sebuah novel biasa.  Novel ini cocok untuk pembaca yang menikmati karya sastera dengan tema-tema filosofis dan spiritual, serta bagi mereka yang mencari inspirasi dalam perjalanan hidup mereka sendiri.

"Man of War" by John Masters, published by Warner Books in 1998, tells the story of Bill Miller, a career soldier whose extensive service spans key historical events, including World War I, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II.  Known for his tactical brilliance and bravery, Miller faces not only the challenges of war but also battles within the military establishment that scorn his unorthodox methods and humble background.  The novel delves into his personal struggles, including strained relationships and a relentless drive for success.  This narrative serves as both a compelling portrait of a soldier and a fitting epitaph to Masters' distinguished writing career, offering a nuanced exploration of duty, class, and personal sacrifice.

Georgy Zhukov Robert Forczyk Osprey Publishing, Oxford, 2012 64 pages This biography , published by Osprey Publishing in 2012, provides a comprehensive and detailed account of one of the Soviet Union's most renowned military leaders.  Zhukov's pivotal role in World War II is well-documented, but Forczyk's biography delves deeper into his life, offering a nuanced portrayal that goes beyond his battlefield successes. The book is structured to cover Zhukov's life chronologically, starting with his humble beginnings, his rise through the ranks of the Red Army, and his critical involvement in key World War II battles such as the Battle of Moscow, the Siege of Leningrad, and the Battle of Berlin.  Forczyk's meticulous research is evident, drawing from a wide array of sources including Soviet archives, personal memoirs, and Western historical analyses.  This thorough approach provides a rich and detailed narrative, making the book a valuable resource for both g

Sembang Politik Melayu Ahmad Faris Penerbitan Mediarama, Kota Damansara, 2015 166 m/s Buku ini membicarakan tentang situasi politik Malaysia selepas PRU13 dan sebelum PRU14. Ulasan banyak berkisar tentang perseteruan antara dua parti terbesar orang Melayu iaitu PAS dan UMNO. Antara kebimbangan yang diutarakan adalah kuasa politik Melayu yang semakin terhakis ekoran konflik yang tidak berkesudahan antara PAS dan UMNO. Turut disembangkan adalah keperluan UMNO untuk berubah, politik perkauman yang semakin parah, Akta Hasutan dan keselamatan dalam negeri. Selain itu, penulis juga mengupas tentang isu-isu berkaitan PAS dan PKR serta perpecahan dalam Pakatan Harapan. Dalam gaya bahasa yang santai, penulis berjaya mengupas isu-isu yang agak berat yang masih relevan untuk dikaji dan disembangkan oleh penganalisis politik dan orang ramai.

Pioneering Space: Living on the Next Frontier James F. Oberg and Alcestis R. Oberg  McGraw-Hills Paperback, New York, 1987 320 pages This book provides an engaging and detailed look at the experiences of living in space, with a particular focus on life aboard Earth-orbiting spacecraft.  James Oberg, a spaceflight engineer at NASA's Houston Mission Control, and Alcestis Oberg, an author known for her work on spacefarers, leverage both American and Soviet astronaut experiences to paint a comprehensive picture of space life. The book delves into various aspects of daily life in orbit, including hygiene, sleeping arrangements, and the use of toilets, highlighting both the mundane and the challenging elements of long-term space habitation.  The authors also address the psychological stresses faced by astronauts, such as isolation and homesickness, and the technical issues like air contamination and equipment malfunctions. While the book is informative and enriched with pers

The American Henry James Penguin Books, London, 1995 325 pages Henry James' "The American" is a compelling exploration of cultural contrasts and the complex interplay between innocence and sophistication.  The novel centers on Christopher Newman, a wealthy, self-made American businessman who embarks on a European adventure in search of cultural enrichment and a suitable wife.  His straightforward, earnest demeanor and American pragmatism starkly contrast with the refined, tradition-bound world of the European aristocracy. James skillfully portrays the cultural divide between the brash, confident Newman and the sophisticated, sometimes hypocritical European aristocrats.  This tension is most evident in Newman's courtship of Claire de Cintré, a beautiful and tragic young widow from an aristocratic French family.  Their romance is fraught with obstacles, not the least of which is the vehement opposition from Claire's family, who view Newman as a crude ou

Title: Fahrenheit 451 Author: Ray Bradbury Publisher: Simon & Schuster, New York Year Published: 2018 Started reading: 8 July 2024 Fahrenheit 451, first published in 1953, is a seminal work of dystopian fiction that critiques censorship, conformity, and the erosion of individual thought. Set in a future where books are banned and "firemen" burn any that are found, the novel follows Guy Montag, a fireman who becomes disillusioned with his society's anti-intellectualism and seeks enlightenment through the very books he once destroyed. The novel's strength lies in its powerful, evocative prose and its prophetic vision of a society numbed by mindless entertainment and technological distractions. Bradbury's depiction of a world where critical thinking is suppressed and shallow pleasures are prioritized resonates deeply in today's context, where digital media often inundates individuals with superficial content. However, "Fahrenheit 451&

It is not true that Napoleon ever charged in person: he incessantly ordered his battalions to advance--to charge---to bear down upon the Enemy--he impetuously urged them forward--he inflamed their ardour by the recollection of past, as well as the prospect of present victory, and the promise of plunder and reward; but he never led them on to battle himself--he never once braved the shock of British arms. ( Footnote , page 25)  Title: The Battle of Waterloo Author: A near observer Publisher: Osprey Publishing, Oxford Year Published: 2015 (Originally published in 1815) Started reading: 31 May 2024