Where should I spend my spare money?

[Zainub]

Got some extra cash left with me this winter, I thought it would be a good idea to spend it on an Ashes related book. If you've read any of the above, do suggest which is the best, I only intend to buy one. Alternatively, if you think all of the above our rubbish, suggest something else below. And quite on the other hand if you think I shouldn't buy an Ashes book or any book for that matter altogether, let me all know all the same. Also let me know if anyone has ordered a copy of the official Freddie 2006 calendar, if that's good, I'd like to consider that too.

Thank you.

[Mongoose]

Zainub, I don't know much about any of the books on the list, so I haven't recommended any. The best way to enjoy the Ashes is to watch it on DVD/video!

If you want to buy a book, there are plenty of good ones. For Christmas I will be getting 'A Little History of the World' by E.H. Gombrich. It's about practically everything that's happened in history, and I suspect it'll jump a few places in my 'to read' list, instead of joining at the back of the queue.

As to your having some spare cash, I think you should spend it on me. I still can't get a job (I'm either over-qualified or under-qualified) so I'm now thinking about applying to become a registered charity and going into Manchester with a guitar, blanket, scruffy dog and begging bowl. If I get charitable status, I'll let you know!

[Occasional Fan]

There's normally an opening for a Big Issue salesman somewhere, Mongoose.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

There's normally an opening for a Big Issue salesman somewhere, Mongoose.

If I'm gonna beg, I'm going the whole hog, not doing it as a quasi-salesman. I'll stop washing, shaving, combing my hair (I never do that anyway) and I'll borrow Derek Pringle's boots (with the holes in) to get the authentic look.

[greg]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

There's normally an opening for a Big Issue salesman somewhere, Mongoose.

Best Big Issue salesman i heard was in Manchester.It was pouring down and he said "You don't have to read it,you can make it into a hat.Tell me another place that lets you buy something with 2 free staples"

As for Zainub's books,can't help not got any of them yet.Though my wife is in deep doodoo if i don't get Vaughan's for christmas.

[Occasional Fan]

There used to be a bloke in Cambridge who used to tell passers-by: "Cheer up! At least you're not sellin' 'em!"

[Rachael]

I'd not bother with any of the above: the books have been rushed out in a hurry, mostly by former players, ghostwriters and journalists rather than people whose first vocation is wordcraft, and by and large they ain't going to tell you that much that you didn't already know and/or couldn't glean from a bit of digging around on the web.

When there are so many good books published each year.. and so many books rejected despite being more worthy of publication... it seems a shame to support those who look to cash in on people getting carried away!

[Vrock]

Zainub, put the money into a bank account. Get the insignificant amount of interest that you get with it. Then purchase a DVD/Book of England in Australia. Due to inflation the interest that you will have gained will be lost and no doubt a little bit more.

[smickel]

Buy a DVD so you can watch the test at Edgbaston (i think that was where England won by 2 runs) over and over again, it was great to watch, closest test I have ever seen.

[Irish Left Armer]

I would probably get the book by Simon Hughes if I was choosing from that list. Haven't read that particular one but I've read a couple of his other ones and they were both interesting and funny.