I am currently re-reading The Railway Man by Eric Lomax. I had previously read most of it in college, but I'm discovering it on my own accord this time. It's the story of his time serving in World War Two and his capture and life as a POW (including beatings and torture). It's a good book. Quite unsettling in some parts though. Sample text describing him being beaten with wooden bats by the Japanese:
I remember the actual blow that broke my wrist. It fell right across it, with a terrible pain of delicate bones being crushed. Yet the worst pain came from the pounding on my pelvic bones and the base of my spine. I think they tried to smash my hips.
The Christening today was enjoyable. It was at/next to The Priory church of something. Apparantly what stands of it is a thousand years old. Whatever the truth, it was impressive. Although I don't think I'm interested much in getting my own children christened now. The chants by the audience of 'With God's help, I will' ran a shiver down my spine. I'm not sure whether many of the people in attendance were actually religious and believed all that, but it reminded me of some kind of sacrificial cult. The BBC Panorama episode on Scientology came into my head during various points in the cememony.
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