The theme of the possible treasure from Solomon's Temple in The Holy Land being immured at Rennes-le-Chateau or its environs has drawn authors, scholars and artists for centuries. There is much mystery about whether the treasure was 'discovered' in the late 19th century and 'spent' on public works by two clerics perhaps working in cahoots. So any book that seeks to delve into this topic, which has infinitely more substance than, say, the search for a so-called Loch Ness Monster, has a head start over the interested reader. That advantage evaporated within a handful of pages of the start of this awful text. It rambles, it gushes, it speculates without evidence, it seems incoherent in that it… Read more
HH have a solid reputation among sailors and I noted at a major marina on the South Coast recently that dozens of this item were in use in all classes of boat. Just one tip for buyers - make sure that you do the waist-strap up tight. I capsized in gusty conditions a number of times and cursed the fact that it wasn't as snuggly fitting on me as it should have been. My fault not HH's. Otherwise it did the job admirably and inexpensively. If you are less secure as a swimmer, go for the next levels up - this is a survival aid not a complete solution.
Ambler writes with precise economy - enough detail and colour to bring the atmosphere to life but not overwhelming the reader with redundant material. The characterisation is perhaps more stereotypic insofar as the countless films in this genre from the period and through to the late 1950's have inured us to the swarthy mittel-European secret service type, the oh-so-experienced Madame of some night-club where more than wine, women and song is to be had in a world of international conspiracy, political assassination and corrupt big business! This is vivid stuff and it's a rattling good yarn - just suspend your doubts about a modest university lecturer taking time out to get into a… Read more
