This is a compelling novel about The Gambler, Alexey Ivanovitch, who is working in the household of a Russian General – he was only promoted to this rank on his retirement – who is staying in a hotel in the fictional town of Roulettenburg in Germany. The others in the General’s party include the FrenchmanContinue reading “The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky”
Category Archives: books
The Death of Ahasuerus by Par Lagerkvist
This book is rather different from other books you’ll read. It’s the third novel in a series that began with Barabbas and The Sibyl. Ahasuerus is mentioned in certain Old Testament books such as Esther and numerous scholars have proposed theories as to who Ahasuerus represents – most identify him with Xerxes I. However theContinue reading “The Death of Ahasuerus by Par Lagerkvist”
Book Review – The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
A lovely book that is easy to read in the way that Agatha Christie’s and Georges Simenon’s books are. The investigations are fun and engaging without the excessive periods of self-contemplation that characters endure in other books that are deemed intellectual or ‘deep’. Precious Ramotswe is a straightforward character who likes to help people solveContinue reading “Book Review – The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”
Northern Ireland and Scotland
My new book is called: Travels through History – Northern Ireland and Scotland Belfast and the Causeway Coast has been rated best region in the world to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet praised its “timeless beauty and high-grade distractions – golf, whiskey and some of the world’s most famous rocks. The region mayContinue reading “Northern Ireland and Scotland”
Best travel book of the year: Kapka Kassabova’s Border wins Stanford’s award
A timely account of a fraught part of Europe has won Stanford’s book of the year. Here, one of the judges heralds a master storyteller and gives an overview of the nominees
A whale of a time: a Moby-Dick marathon in Massachusetts
Fans gather in a non-stop reading of Herman Melville’s entire masterpiece at an annual winter festival in New Bedford, where the idea for the novel was born
Turtle Rinsing in London
It’s a little known fact that every turtle that swims up the River Thames past Tower Bridge into the Pool of London becomes the property and responsibility of the monarch. This rule is part of the Common Law of England and dates back to the time of Queen Matilda in the 12th Century. The RoyalContinue reading “Turtle Rinsing in London”
Skipping around the windmill
The concept of the Village Idiot is a long-held tradition that was refined to its highest degree in rural Somerset in the 1300s. At that time the position of Village Idiot was an official job title and had a salary, though it was paid in acorns. Both men and women could apply for the roleContinue reading “Skipping around the windmill”
Walking the Weasel
According to the Lindisfarne Chronicles, “Walking the Ways All” was an annual tradition in all Anglo-Saxon towns. The third Thursday in July was set aside for the townsfolk to walk along the common pathways and re-establish their right to frequent these paths. According to the English Common Law, if this annual reclamation wasn’t performed theseContinue reading “Walking the Weasel”
Pyramid Racing – Part 2
Each year there are roughly 5,000 entrants for the race who make their way to Cairo at their own expense. They are given a thorough medical by the race organizers and those who pass have to sign an insurance waiver and provide proof they have adequate medical insurance for repatriation to their own country. IfContinue reading “Pyramid Racing – Part 2”
Julian Worker Travel - A few ideas for your next trip in every direction 