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Geboortedatum: 1956
Geslacht: male
Nationaliteit: UK
Geboorteplaats: London, England, UK
Opleiding: Oxford University
Korte biografie: Charles Jennings was born in London and was educated there and at Oxford University. He is married with two children, and lives in London. He writes for a range of newspapers including the Daily Telegraph, the Guardian and the Times

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Them and Us: The American Invasion of British High… door CharlesJennings

I have to wonder why the author wrote this book. It would make sense if he wanted to write an unbiased work based on the facts. However, what we have here is the author's contempt of both Americans and upper crust British society written across every page. I don't think I've ever read anything quite so negative in its appraisal of both "Them and Us".

Jennings' characterization of pre-Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Vanderbilt is misguided. He basically goes to say that her life before marriage was just one bed of roses. I can assure you, it was not. Her mother locked her away until she decided she would marry the man chosen for her. Her letters were intercepted and she was never without someone reporting on her every move. None of that is even touched on in the book.

Also, he is scathing in his opinion of William Randolph Hearst, who bought a castle in Wales (hence his inclusion in the book). Jennings accuses Hearst of thieving the art collections of Europe to enhance his own homes. He doesn't mention that Hearst purchased these treasures from homes/estates that were already destroyed and saved quite a number of things worthy of any museum. He calls his American home at San Simeon a "grotesque micro-city". I wonder if the author even bothered to visit. Not one person I know who has been there has anything but wonderful things to say about it.

I came away from this book wondering why the author had such a beef with his subjects and why write a book about people you obviously hate. With the possible exception of May Goelet, Duchess of Roxburghe, not one person mentioned in the book comes off with any sort of good character. One wonders of which Jennings was more jealous: that he wasn't born a wealthy American or that he wasn't born a British aristocrat.

Not worth your time. Move on if you want an unbiased view of Americans among British society.… (meer)

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briandrewz | Mar 18, 2022 |

Burning Rubber: The Extraordinary Story of Formula One door Charles Jennings

Whilst I enjoyed this, it a a broad brush history of F1 compressed into just under 300 pages. Jennings picks up on some details, but doesn't always expand on the really interesting bits.

I read the updated version, but it skates over the recent history of F1, where we have 6 world champions in the running.

Read if you're a F1 fan, leave if not.

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PDCRead | 1 andere bespreking | Apr 6, 2020 |

Up North: Travels Beyond the Watford Gap door Charles Jennings

Lots of fun stuff in that tongue in cheek way of the english Londoner... funny yes; pertinent no. whitty, gritty and fun - great vocabulary of Jennings to paint the images of these towns

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Brumby18 | Aug 25, 2016 |

Burning Rubber door Charles Jennings

very good book except for the fact that i was peeved many times when author tried to say multiple things in the same sentence which could have been nicely framed into multiple sentences.
that apart the book is very nicely laid out starting from before the start of F1 till 2009. the book doesnt go into much detail but gives a very nice picture of what the scene was like.
Must read for any F1 (or motorsport) fan.

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_RSK | 1 andere bespreking | Jan 26, 2016 |

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