I remember listening to john Pienaar on Five Live years ago and a journalist explaining how she faced almost certain death in Afgahnistan and was asked by British soldiers 'if she had ever used a gun before.' I was totally encapsualted but moved then. I then heard Nick Robinson (BBC Political Editor) talking of the quality of journalism in this brave and unsung story, it was by someone called Christina Lamb.

I must admit the amount of comment in today's press can dilute into fact and wider news reporting but perusing some of Lamb's articles is reading something special by someone who has a real talent. Her book gives a complete review of her journey around the world in Afghanistan, Brazil, South Africa, Iraq, Portugal and Pakistan. A critical point is that Lamb has been on the ground in Afghanistan and knows the ideologies and stories behind these bandits. Extremely important in the current war we are fighting.

Lamb writes eloquently and gives great detail to the smaller, unsung stories. A real foreign correspondent and a real storyteller. I think this book would make an excellent holiday read, would certainly arouse a tourist's exploring skills.

I think it is easy to give American's a bad time over the past few years. Although much of American foreign policy has been decided by a select cabal, the hegemony of these administrations has inculcated much of the American psyche and destroyed the relations between Islam and the West. However, the story of Greg Mortenson (Dr.Greg) is inspiring and shows how fulfilling promises can forge relationships and break down invisible barriers.

The story of Mortenson at a delicate time in world history is very well written and very touching. Mortenson's perseverance is critical in a growing and fragmented world of the haves and have nots. Even if you are not interested in the region, the work and story of 'Three Cups of Tea,' is well worth reading.

It is easy to get lost in the current affairs section in a book shop. Too many topics and nothing stands out. James Harding's Alpha Dogs was not an impulse buy, I had read reviews in The Economist and Harding's paper The Times and had decided to splurge.

It covers the story of the American political consultancy firm, 'Sawyer Miller' and covers their journey through the decades on influencing and revolutionising political communications. The re-election of Kevin White in Boston, the spread of democracy in the petro-dollar influenced Venezuela and through Israel and the Phillipines.

Harding's description of context and the results is very easy to determine and the book's prose flows from chapter to chapter.

One frustrating thing we learn is that we learn that the old style of politics will never return and the Americanisation, neither ugly nor romantic has completely changed the world and how we perceive our politicians. Harding's greatest skill is answering the questions we want to know, he has obviously learnt a lot!

I must admit having read the eventual winner of the 2008 William Hill Sporting book of the Year, Marcus Trescothick's 'Coming back to me,' and Wilson's 'Inverting the Pyramid,' there is no question the judges got it wrong. Perhaps it is the unhealthy culture that exists within society about other people's lives that makes Banger's book the winner but Wilson's journey is very informative and interesting.

It is perhaps more likely to be a book for anoraks and certainly doesn't flow like an autobiography. That isn't a criticism, it is purely because his style covers all and that includes protagonists most football lovers are unlikely to have heard of.

More in the style of Glanville and covers topics that most readers wouldn't normally seek out. Brilliant sourcing and an incredible read. It's a shame there aren't many other books akin to 'Pyramid.'

Dowden does understand the nature of Africa and you can really sense his passion for the continent. I must admit learning the politics and history of some countries can be muddled and often irrelevent, looking at wikipedia can be helpful but doesn't exactly evoke integrity? Dowden gives snippets of personal stories, history and importantly his own assessments of past and future Africa. It is a long book but in a sense it could be longer, the treasure of it all is how he manages to inform you so well in so little time!

Didn't know too much about the author or Pantani but my opinions have transformed entirely. Everyone knows about the doping controversies within cycling but Rendell eloquently deciphers the science and the anatomy of why cyclists dope.

He is very honest and diplomatic about his opinions on Pantani. A troubled genius or just a fraud? It is no doubt we get a real feel of how Pantani was as a person and a sportsmen through the empirical research and interviews.

An easy read, though I found quite tough to read at the start. Worth a purchase if you are interested in cycling and doping within sport in general.

I had always been aware of the book but had never got around to buying it. Anyone who is a fan of Italian football will enjoy the the references to the players and others will enjoy it's humorous style.

It isn't written in endless chapters and technical jargon. I can honestly say I enjoyed every chapter, his opinion as a football fan and as an academic.

Don't think that because it was written in 2000 that it's obsolete. I read it in March 2009 and loved it.

Kuper is certainly one of the lesser known journalists among the mainstream but is definitely one of the best sport writers in the country. 'Football against the enemy,' Kuper's first book, was outstanding and a great read for football fans. David Winner's 'Brilliant Orange' gives us a better sense of Dutch culture and the history of the place but it's a bit tenuous at times. 'Ajax, the Dutch...' is more my type of book, it isn't garrulous and doesn't bog on about matches and tactics but talks about the human side and the deeper meaning behind sport. It tells a story but encourages the reader to reflect on Kuper's research. The Dutch have contributed so much to football and are an interesting bunch to analyse during the war. The title could easily have 'The Jews' inserted in the title and the story about their treatment by the Dutch is similar to that of Nazi Germany. If you like writers such as Ian Wooldridge or Simon Barnes then buy this. It's brilliant.

I have become interested in African politics for about 18 months now and looking among the hundreds of titles I picked up Wrong's 'In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz' and became entranced not just by the continent but its history and people. Wrong's construction and intricate prose gives the story a personal and authorative account to her subjects. Then a few months down the line I was in Waterstones and saw 'I didn't do for you,' I bought it straight away. I was aware of the country but not of its history and wealth of activity. Again Wrong is able to describe the Italian influence, the brilliant account of World War 2 and the armed struggle into a wonderful story. Wrong's journalistic background and her passion for Africa make it an excellent read. The other reviews have given this an average of 4 and Mr Kurtz a 5, I would say as an average that is fair because the story of Mobuto and Zaire/DR Congo's history is deeper and a more story people should be familiar with. I give this a five because as a journalist myself she opens new stories and a real sense of adventure to the place.

An absolute endearing story to a time were we were fighting for our lives. Geoffrey Wellum's account of his early life and training to join the so called 'few' is very heart felt. Details of romances, lost friends and stresses of the battle. A terrific book and easy read for those who are interested but do not know all the details about the Battle of Britain. I was 19 when I read the book, around the same age as Wellum when he joined the RAF. (60 years previously) I have so much respect for these men, who stoicly fought for a war that they gave so much too.