Paul Cain United Kingdom

Not being an Apple fan boy this book (received as a gift) really interested me and wow it certainly dimissed a lot of the assumptions I had about the man. I enjoyed reading about his early University life and the things that shaped him. You get a real insight into why design was so important to him. After finishing the book I admire Steve Jobs but it does leave you thinking he often contradicted his own values, personal and business beliefs.

This is a great read from a Scottish based author - set between New York and Edinburgh (Scotland) it follows a runner-up in a TV contest as she trys to steal the Scottish Honours from under the Queen's nose. Full of fast moving action, interesting characters and good contrast between modern New York and historical parts of Edinburgh. The plot grips you from when the main character is set the challenge early in the book to the final drama. Well worth reading

I didn't know much about the Chartist movement until I read this book. Set mainly in Manchester it deals with the rise of the Chartists and their march on London and concludes with an interesting plot development (not wanting to spoil the story by giving too many details). Although fiction the author provides enough historical detail to provide an understanding of what the movement was about.