David Owen (2) (1938–)

I have to say I had not read the John Wyndham novel this book takes its inspiration from, nor the film Village of the Damned - and I am far from being a “young” adult, but don’t let any of this put you off - go out and buy this book anyway because it is a terrific read. The narration moves between the main characters and I found this really worked well - the tension rises gradually as we find out how each of the girls deals with the mystery of being pregnant. I am not particularly fond of science fiction or the supernatural but there is a reality and grit about this novel that makes you suspend disbelief. I felt involved with them. Towards the end I carried the book around the house with me in order to finish it. But what was really quite a shock was that I realised I had some of the same prejudices about these “alien unruly “ children as the other “ordinary” people in the block. I don’t want to reveal the end but it did bring a lump to my throat when I read how courageous these girls really were - and what it means to give people a chance and a choice. Brilliant book!… (mehr)

David Owen has a theory that hubris has afflicted a lot of leaders, this is his second book on the topic (first being The Hubris Syndrome); that they get cocky and then make mistakes because they think they're right. That absolute power can corrupt and that no leader should be left lead past 8 years. This book is divided really into four parts, the first is a quick run-through (almost gossipy) of the mental and physical health of a lot of 20th century leaders. Then he does an indepth (which I found kinda tedious) look at Prime Minister Eden; President Kennedy; Shah of Iran and President Mitterand. The part that had me skipping pages was part 3, Bush, Blair and the war in Iraq, I really didn't care. The lessons for the future should possibly be read by a lot of poliicians and political leaders.

Overall, it was okay, moments made me want to do more research, others made me gloss over the book. David Owen is a doctor as well as a politician so he knows a fair bit about medicine and illnesses, but he is trying to prove a thesis, which may be at least partially correct but the book really didn't do much for me.… (mehr)