A little end of summer pick me up read

[Viajante]

On the Beach, by Nevil Shute. Wow. The sixty years since it was published only provide a better perspective to think about this story.

Except for Ron in BC, who is assigned to read The Trustee from the Toolroom, also by Nevil Shute.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Viajante

On the Beach, by Nevil Shute. Wow. The sixty years since it was published only provide a better perspective to think about this story.

Except for Ron in BC, who is assigned to read The Trustee from the Toolroom, also by Nevil Shute.

Good one and I've read both.

Ron

[Iowa Dave]

I remember having a list of books we could read and report on when I was in junior High school. I read Vance Packard’s “The Waste Makers” my best friend read On the Beach. He became a noted Pharmacist in California I was a brush hackey on a tree crew.
Iowa Dave

[camp4528]

I followed in my father’s footsteps and regularly read a Nevil Shute when the “need” arises.

A bit dated but still a really good read and there really aren’t any I dislike.

My absolute favourite is Trustee from the Toolroom.
Other must reads in my opinion
Round the Bend
Pastoral
The Legacy aka A Town Like Alice
No Highway
The Pied Piper

If you like Shute I also really like Richard Powell. My favourite titles from him
Whom the Gods Would Destroy
Daily and Sunday
The Philadelphian.

[Centex]

When I was in junior high my Dad first shared Shute with me, his last book published in 1960, Trustee from the Toolroom, I've been a fan since.

About 5 years ago I gave myself a Christmas present in the form of the complete works of Nevil Shute (Heron Books Collection published in 1998) in like-new condition from a bookseller in Ireland.

Nevil Shute being the pen name of Nevil Shute Norway (he didn't use his full name when he started publishing for fear his writing would adversely impact his career in aeronautical engineering), for those interested in this very talented man there's the Nevil Shute Norway Foundation website and within that a link to sign-up for a monthly newsletter for 'Shutists'.

Aeronautical engineer of some note, author of even greater impact, yachtsman .... a very interesting and highly opinionated individual, IMO. Every re-read of one of his books brings out new nuances for me, I don't think I'll ever tire of them.

I'd wish that his 1954 Slide Rule: Autobiography of an Engineer were required reading for all students of engineering. Though set in a very particular time, place, and engineering context, IMO it describes many timeless lessons best-heeded (but too often not) by folks in the profession even today.