The choice of books to be read is decisive. There I need guidance. What do I need to know and what not?
At the moment I read a book about the British-French competition before and during WWI that led into the Middle Eastern disaster: the carving up of the Ottoman Empire.
Although it is very informative, all the little details about the personalities who made history, absorbs many hours. Do I really need to know?
Maybe others can afford to study such lengthy and rather detailed observations as a kind of entertainment - like watching movies in your free time. Do I have a right and more importantly, do I have the time to spend for such entertainment?
Without doubt, reading in itself is a meaningful exercise because it helps me to develop good style. But to which level should the expense go?