East and West by C. Northcote Parkinson. In fact, anything by Parkinson. It's an alternative view on what causes empires to rise and fall. The Snow Geese by Wi

East and West by C. Northcote Parkinson. In fact, anything by Parkinson. It's an alternative view on what causes empires to rise and fall. The Snow Geese by William Fiennes....just for the sheer perfection of the prose.