Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 09/10/2026(with apologies for squealerising your timelines) "If things were completely different then we'd have won" seems like vintage Squealer. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Introducing the 16 year old to "Le Relaid de Venise". Been a while for me but still glorious. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Finally on the subject of "in event of war, break glass" characters, I'm reminded of the George MacDonald Fraser short story "Captain Errol" (4/4) 100
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026It's possible the "shelf-of-the-unread" is getting a bit out of control. 110
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 21/07/2026A Singapore Sling in the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel with "The Complete Raffles" 110
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Up to page 35 and we've had "whited too many sepulchres", "aliquid amari" and now "Earl Godwin's piece of bread". This will be an education and chances are I shall be speaking like a naval officer of the Napoleonic wars in the office ere this book is done. 010
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026Next up, another @warmovietheatre.com inspired read. This could be the start of an expensive habit. 020
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026"Wounds" - @fergalkeane.bsky.social. An account of the Irish rebellion and ensuing civil war and the lasting impact they have had, told through the history of his family and the area they lived in. By turns enraging, saddening and always thought provoking. 210
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026"Agent Zo" by @claremulley.bsky.social - the biography of the truly exceptional Elzbieta Zawacka, WW2 Polish resistance spy and much more. Covers the Warsaw uprising about which I knew little (one cannot despise Stalin enough) and the oft ignored role of women in the polish resistance. Expertly told 210
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026JR: Two excellent history books- "Agent Zo" by @claremulley.bsky.social and "Wounds" by @fergalkeane.bsky.social. HT to @warmovietheatre.com for bringing both to my attention. 121
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 26/06/2026Not so sure, they seem to be blind to the death threats prevalent on this platform: 010
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 15/12/2025JR "Sceptred Isle" by @helencarr.bsky.social, an excellent history of the 14th century chock full of brutal and or narcissistic kings, intrigue, overpowerful courtiers abusing a weak monarch, revolting french and plague. So nothing like modern times at all. Heartily recommended. 110
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 08/11/2025Good moanng Amazon, this looks like it could be an innovative take on the JB Priestly play. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 03/08/2025JR "Blood and Treasure" by @duncanweldon.bsky.social. Engaging, well written account of 1000 years of conflict and the changing incentives behind it. Mr Weldon knows his military history and his economics and writes an excellent book. 171
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 21/05/2025Just read "John and Paul" by @ianleslie.bsky.social. A fantastic biography of Lennon and McCartney delving into what drove them rather than what just happened. Made me revisit the back catalogue and hear old favourites anew. 2151
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/05/2025Ok @ftweekend.com, while certainly plausible, I'll need more than two data points before I accept this claim. Maybe a log chart too. 110
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 31/03/2025If he'd been in power 10 years ago, I suppose we'd have had a government drive on the importance of washing faces. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 23/03/2025To my uneducated ear, John Williams is a god among film composers. TIL of this anecdote that makes me love him more. 021
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/03/2025Don't think I'd have used the word congratulations. 120
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 31/10/2024JR "the war of the worlds" by HG wells. Prior to this I was really only familiar with the Jeff Wayne adaptation, the book however turns out to be worthy of the tag classic. Wells' description of the rout of London is stunning. 120
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 30/10/2024If you see this, post a photo taken in the mountains 110
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 04/10/2023Of all the names you could have picked, you went with the one whose acronym is CDO. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 30/09/2023From one of today's crosswords:"Mystery Play"; also one of the most disappointing school trips ever as a bunch of 9 year olds discover there are to be no detectives in the theatre performance they've been taken to. 000
