Blogs

Have you ever wished that someone would explain exactly how the banking crises happened without having to read the small print? Your wish is granted. This award winning documentary 'Inside Job' does exactly that. It is a well paced easily accessible account, through narration and extensive interviews with financiers, ex-government staff, academics and Chinese factory workers! It won an Academy award in for Best Documentary in 2010.Let's start joining up the dots with a podcast available on Dublin City Public Library website. This talk by Simon Carswell explains how Anglo Irish bank "broke Ireland". Another very good example is Fintan O'Toole's book, 'Ship of Fools', which is a very readable account of the the property bubble in Ireland. While looking at reviews for this book I came across a very interesting website called Irish Left Review, if you have time click on the Irish Shadow Banking System.Now the dots keep joining and the plot sickens! Another great documentary available in our Libraries is 'The Corporation'. Also an award winner this was made in 2003 and uncovers the most unsavoury facts about corporations and the dangerous influence they have on governments and politics. Through interviews with CEOs of corporations, Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein and fired Fox reporters we see how our choices as consumers have an impact in the world.And talking of consumers, do you ever ponder how the human race became so fascinated with gadgets, perfume and trendy clobber? Or why we are assaulted with ad's in the middle of our favourite TV show? Well here's how. The Century of The Self is an amazing documentary by Adam Curtis revealing how our consumerism flourished and corporations and governments control the masses by using Sigmund Freud's theories. The person foremost responsible for applying them is Freud's nephew Edward Bernays known as the father of public relations and propaganda. He was named as one of the 100 most influential Americans of the 20th Century by Life Magazine.After joining these dots up myself I have come to one conclusion: "Live simply so that others may simply live" Gandhi.

If like me you have been following Wimbledon over the past few weeks and will soon begin to have withdrawal symptoms why not pop by to your local library and learn some more about your favourite players. We have a range of books and also some DVDs which document the lives of some of the greatest players of all time, as well as some of the current tennis pros.  John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova have been hailed as two of the greatest tennis players in the world. John McEnroe Game, Set, Match is a DVD which “captures the vividly colourful life of one of the greatest tennis players in the world”. The film shows some of his greatest matches as well as some of his famous on-court outbursts. The DVD Martina Navratilova: Her Story looks at Martina’s life and career as “one of sports true superstars!”Read all about this years Wimbledon men's champion Roger Federer in a biography by Chris Bowers called Roger Federer spirit of a Champion. The book documents Federer’s career highs and lows as well as other aspects of the Swiss stars life including his family and the work he does for charity.    In his book, Andy Murray - Coming of Age, this years Wimbledon men's runner up, Andy Murray, one of Britain's most successful tennis stars, gives a warts and all description of his tennis career to date including the highs and lows, the triumphs and the near misses. It has been described as honest and unassuming and is a must read for anyone who wants to get to know the real Andy Murray.For the fifth time, Serena Williams became this years Wimbledon women’s champion. In 2009 she released her autobiography called My Life: Queen of the Court. This autobiography not only follows Serena growing up and becoming a tennis star, it also follows her career into the world of fashion, television and film. Another one of the worlds greatest tennis stars is Andre Agassi, who‘s career has seen eight grand slam wins. Open an Autobiography is a real treat for any Agassi fan. Following his life from the age of seven in Las Vegas to his last tournament in 2006 this haunting autobiography tells the story of a life “balanced precariously between self destruction and perfectionism”.Finally, why not go to our online catalogue and do a keyword search for your favourite star and see what the libraries have to offer.

Doc Watson was the best American Folk guitarist that lived. He died on the 29 May 2012 at the age of 89. He was born into a musical family and lost his sight before his first birthday. Although he never had a hit record or was in the American Billboard chart, he was a leader of the American folk music that became commercially popular particularly through the Coen Brothers film, "O Brother Where Art Thou?". His distinctive style was born out of playing fiddle parts in a country swing band. Before that the guitar was a background instrument to the ukulele and fiddle. His lightening quick finger and flat picking style is a pleasure to listen to as it accompanies his mellow voice filled with sincerity.He has won seven Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award.The Album Trouble in Mind is a compilation of performances and background of the earliest folk and blues songs that inspired him while growing up.I think if you are new to his music then The Essential Doc Watson Volume 1 is a great place to begin. Both of these titles and more are available in the Music Library. There is also a biography available called Blind But Now I See.If you are a fan of the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss album Raising Sand, then you are familiar with an original Watson song, Your Long Journey. Just go to www.youtube.com, and type his name in, enjoy!

Rachel Allen’s new cook book 'Easy Meals. Over 180 Delicious Recipes to get you Through your Life' is now available to borrow from Dublin City Public Libraries. Included in her new book are lots of quick and trouble-free recipes and plenty of great ideas such as her one pot recipes and recipes that have just five ingredients.As always her book is full of colourful pictures and has lots of interesting and original combinations of ingredients for example Pork, Chorizo, Haricot Beans with Red Wine and Chickpea and Aubergine Salad.Some of my personal favourites include her; Oreo Chocolate Fudge Sundae, Cinnamon Baked Apple, Bacon and Potato Gratin, Tarragon Chicken and Lemon Pasta with Crème Fraiche and the Baked Mushroom Risotto. Rachel has an extensive collection of cookery books and DVD’s which are available to borrow from Dublin City Public Libraries.Other Rachel Allen titles available in Dublin City Public Libraries include: Entertaining at homeHome cooking.Rachel’s Favourite Food at home.Rachel’s Favourite food for living.Bake. or alternatively, her DVDs are also available:Rachel’s Favourite Food.Rachel’s Favourite Food at home.Rachel's Favourite Food for Friends.