also recent..
giacomo casanova, adventures in venice
an extract of the memoirs (which are huge) with casanova growing up, having his first escapades, giving his first sermon and later ending up in jail from where he escapes, very amusing and well-written.
voltaire, candide
little novel/satire about mr candide who goes from living in the best of worlds (in ignorance, in love) to the world falling apart around him with ensuing hard lessons on the way to acceptance, among other places through el dorado where he is lavished with sheep and diamonds (the diamonds tucked inside the wool!) which he loses on the way back to europe.
kim philby, my silent war
the book that gave le carré all his good ideas, you can almost hear philby's genial
voice and stammer, very good if a little telegraphic and essential to anyone with an interest in espionage and the cold war.