Recommends: A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka – great fun, an ideal holiday read. My maternal grandparents, originally from mid-Europe, lived through WW2 as did some of the characters; the book contained poignant and funny personal resonance. Being an engineer myself, I enjoyed the actual history of tractors and other engineering pontification, woven into the well told, engaging and spirited, thought provoking tale. The politics are well balanced and capture, at the same time, the pain and progress of our western way of life, in historical context. The humour made me laugh out loud and chuckle a lot.