this was mostly interesting and definitely well researched. there were parts that i couldn't focus on or that i zoned out listening to. i think the really interesting bits will probably be different for everyone, and this is more than worth reading for those parts. i just wish the whole thing was on that level.

"'The law locks up the man or woman who steals the goose from off the common but lets the greater villain loose who steals the common of the goose.' -- Anonymous, 1821 ( )

I wasn’t sure this would be a worthwhile read, but Winchester draws you in with fascinating details of separate storylines that add up to an impressive whore. Strangely, some rather glaring grammatical errors throughout that seem to gather momentum at the end. Not enough to put me off to scent. ( )

Simon Winchester is my answer to the "dinner with anyone living" question. And, if he appeared at my door with a knock and smile, I'd gladly begin preparing a feast while he regaled me with his latest adventures.

The Professor and the Madman (his account of the Oxford English Dictionary's creation) is now a Netflix movie. His own organization style is equally nuanced, choosing to take a different approach in presenting history on myriad subjects.

His latest book, Land, looks at the notions of property, borders, and frontiers with an eye on how past events were shaped around these ideas leading into modern times.

I liked this book; however, my favorite is still Atlantic (pirates!). If you like history told by an engaging writer, Winchester is well worth a try. ( )

Plenty of interesting stories and some elegant language. Let down a few times by what looks like very light editing—repeated phrases and stories that could have been cut, and a few clunker sentences. ( )

Enjoyable and interesting look at land ownership in different places and times, and especially about the social disruption caused by changes in the systems, and of course also about the iniquities of various systems. Mostly told with a wry sense of humor; but once in a while there’s a bit more preachiness than I thought required. ( )