Russian lessons: new and improved war tactics

London Fields is a complex novel that combines elements of comedy and mystery, set against the backdrop of late 20th-century London. The story revolves around Nicola Six, who foresees her own murder, and the characters entangled in her fate, including Keith Talent and Guy Clinch. The novel explores themes of predestination, class, and the devaluation of human life, all while maintaining a darkly comedic tone.

The Rachel Papers is Martin Amis's first novel, published in 1973. It follows Charles Highway, a bright and egotistical teenager, as he prepares for Oxford and becomes infatuated with Rachel Noyes. The novel explores themes of adolescence, love, and literary ambition, often blurring the lines between reality and Charles's elaborate schemes. Amis's work is known for its witty humor and satirical take on youthful pretensions.

In 'The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood', James Gleick delves into the history of information technologies, from the invention of written alphabets and African talking drums to the modern era of digital communication. The book profiles key figures such as Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, Samuel Morse, and Claude Shannon, and explores how our understanding of information has transformed human consciousness. Gleick discusses the mechanical and meaningful aspects of communication, including the development of telegraphy, telephony, and the internet, and examines the implications of information theory on various fields such as physics, genetics, and sociology.