The format of this 2-volume autobiography/memoir makes it an expensive choice; but I was fortunate enough to receive it as a Christmas gift, and having only just finished poring over it, I can now report that I found it utterly fascinating. I believe the book will be of greatest interest to those who have followedContinue reading “Book Review: ‘The Lyrics’ by Paul McCartney with Paul Muldoon”
Category Archives: history
Cover Reveal: Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, due out from Amberley on 15 April 2022
Today I’m delighted to be able to share with you the Cover Reveal for my new non-fiction book, which will be published on 15 April 2022 by Amberley Publishing. On the front cover, from top left, you will see a statue of Warwick’s hero Guy of Warwick; the Bear and Ragged Staff insignia, whose originsContinue reading “Cover Reveal: Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, due out from Amberley on 15 April 2022”
A Visit to Compton Verney, Warwickshire, in December 2021
Compton Verney in Warwickshire is one of my favourite places; an elegant Georgian house set in a glorious landscape. A visit here and a walk through the Capability Brown parklands always gives me a feeling of bliss and tranquility. Capability Brown knew what he was up to when he rode through the grounds of theseContinue reading “A Visit to Compton Verney, Warwickshire, in December 2021”
Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire Cover Reveal Coming Soon…
It’s not long now till Christmas 2021, and I was delighted to receive the first proof of my forthcoming book Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, and of the cover design. I love the choice of photos for the cover, and their design and layout. I look forward to being able to share my Cover Reveal withContinue reading “Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire Cover Reveal Coming Soon…”
The stories of people who believe they have had strange experiences
Recently I visited one of the locations in my current work-in-progress, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire to be published by Amberley Publishing in 2022. The subject matter of the book varies widely but is largely about curious events in the physical world, based in known fact; however, the first chapter is devoted to strange and spookyContinue reading “The stories of people who believe they have had strange experiences”
A Visit to Stourhead National Trust: a Perfect Vision of an Idyllic Landscape and Lake; an Infamous ‘Romantic’ Encounter in the Temple of Apollo
Before visiting the gardens at Stourhead, Wiltshire the other day I looked forward to seeing for myself this ‘living work of art’, for I had created a brightly coloured, stylised copy of a photo of that iconic view just last year, during the first UK lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. When we visited the garden,Continue reading “A Visit to Stourhead National Trust: a Perfect Vision of an Idyllic Landscape and Lake; an Infamous ‘Romantic’ Encounter in the Temple of Apollo”
A Visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose, a perfect time capsule that transports us into another world
On a recent trip to Portsmouth, we were absorbed into the lives of the great ships there, and their rich histories. The Mary Rose Museum shone out for us with its immersive experience and its astonishing recovery of details of the sailors’ lives back in 1545. But HMS Warrior and HMS Victory also enthralled usContinue reading “A Visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose, a perfect time capsule that transports us into another world”
A Poignant Story from Charlestown, St Austell Cornwall
We recently visited Charlestown, a beautiful little Cornish seaport, which opened up several stories for me. Not only did we explore the moving and compelling tales of numerous historical shipwrecks and recovered artefacts in the Shipwreck Treasure Museum: but also I learned the poignant story of the man who created, designed and built Charlestown: CharlesContinue reading “A Poignant Story from Charlestown, St Austell Cornwall”
Book Review: ‘Miss Graham’s War’ by Celia Rees
Today I share my review of ‘Miss Graham’s War‘, the latest novel by Celia Rees, which has been released in a new edition, having spent some time on sale as ‘Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook’. ‘Miss Graham’s War‘ is a very complex and gripping account of life in Germany in the immediate aftermath of theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Miss Graham’s War’ by Celia Rees”
Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, and Director’s Cut: Works in Progress
Hello! On today’s blog I share what I’m up to at the moment – writing, researching, editing, promoting. I have two books on the go, which makes life interesting! Firstly, I’m working on my new non-fiction book for Amberley Publishing, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire. The fully completed manuscript has to be delivered by the endContinue reading “Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, and Director’s Cut: Works in Progress”
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