The Grouch hopes all our readers had pleasant Winter Holidays. But, the time for jollity is over and we must return to our regular pursuits. I think I’ll kick off by posting one more list of recommended books, actually, science books. And we can’t have too many of those now, can we? This list is from the London Telegraph
Science Books If the link to the newspaper’s site doesn’t work, use the link from Scitech Daily Review.
Daily

Since we’re mentioning the Telegraph,it’s only appropriate to note the death, at age 60, of Hugh Massingberd. Not a name to cause one to jump on this side of the Atlantic, but Over There, he was quite well known and his departure will be a cause for regret. Massingberd was the Obituaries Editor of the newspaper, and he turned that rather solemn posting, the very Fort Zinderneuf of journalism, into one of the most eagerly read items in the paper. His way of writing obits was quite different from the formula. Massingberd wrote obits that were funny, in fact, some of them are hilarious. He tried to gather materials about eccentrics of all classes but he favored the upper strata.. He also was famous for his dedication to the “warts and all” depiction of the departed, and his elaboration of a kind of code which, when decrypted, would say what had to be said. So, when the deceased was said to “give colourful accounts of events” this meant he was a habitual liar, “convivial” meant the guy was plastered most of the time, “a strong negotiator”, the dude was a bully. Several collections of his obits were published, and sold very well. So long, Hugh.