New Posts
LOVE-MAKING, TROLLOPE STYLE
A description of “love-making” in the 1867 novel “The Last Chronicle of Barset” illustrates the wit, wisdom and charm of underrated 19th century novelist Anthony Trollope. It also explores the pleasures – and dangers – of extra-marital adventures.
Rezensionen: hallo Deutschsprachige Freunde!
Am 12. April erscheint auf Deutsch mein neues Buch “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Diplomacy – Wie Diplomatie die Welt Erklärt” (Czernin Verlag, Wien). Ich habe einen Vorschlag und eine Bitte.
Russia-Ukraine War One Year On
The Russia-Ukraine war: one year on. Three lessons. 1. The war is not over. 2. The war is neo-colonialist. 3. Putin’s position is vulnerable. What you can do.
How to travel: adventures with leeches
How to travel in an age of global tourism is less obvious than it looks. Is your goal to see things? Meet people? Harvest experience? Tell us!
Komodo cruise – highs and lows
A Komodo cruise in the rainy season includes ecstatic highs as well as some pretty awful moments. Want a holiday you’ll never forget? This could be it.
20th Century Books: top 100
20th Century Books – one for each year from 1900 to 1999 – which would you choose? How many have you read? And do you agree with the ratings?
Barnaby Rudge – why it is relevant today
“Barnaby Rudge”, written by Dickens in 1841, depicts riots in London in 1780 that echo eerily the storming of the US Capitol in January 2021.
Does Duolingo work? Yes, but…
Does Duolingo work? A professional diplomat tries it out. The answer is “yes, but…” Find out why from a language-learning expert.
“Wolf Hall” and “Bring Up the Bodies”
“Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel, and its sequels “Bring up the Bodies” and “The Mirror and the Light” may seem intimidating. But dive in and you will find thrilling, engrossing writing.
Russia-Ukraine War: November update
The Russia-Ukraine war is far from over. As winter draws on, countries supporting Ukraine must maintain unity. That will be tough.
Microcourtesies
Microcourtesies are a counterweight to microaggressions. They are easy and life-affirming. Let’s embrace them.
Gender in fiction: a non-binary US president?
Gender in fiction: can you write a thriller without revealing the gender of key characters? Yes – and it may enhance your book. Here’s how.
The Shallows by Nicholas Carr – the internet and your brain
Nicholas Carr’s “The Shallows” explores why you should put your smartphone in another room and embrace a human being instead. You know this already. But “The Shallows” spells exactly how much harm the Internet is doing to us every minute of every day.
Self-publishing a paperback
Self-publishing a paperback is easy – but a bit more complicated than self-publishing an e-book. In particular the cover, manuscript and pricing need care. A step-by-step guide.
My reading in Vienna 22 October 2022
ll be reading from my Istanbul thriller Palladium in Vienna on Saturday, 22 October. Do put it in your diary if you are in or near Vienna that weekend!
What changes when you retire?
What changes when you retire? I finished as British ambassador to Vienna in September 2021, 42 years after starting work. What have I done since then?
Russia-Ukraine ceasefire: why not?
7 reasons why a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire would not be a good way to stop the horrific killing caused by Russia’s invasion of February 2022
Self-publishing your own book
Self-publishing your own book on Amazon is easy, but you may find a bit of help useful the first time. A simple step-by-step guide.
“The Latest Thing”: “Hotel Story” No.12
“The Latest Thing” is the 12th “Hotel Story”. Ms N, the world’s most brilliant, unpredictable and occasionally homicidal hotelier, must fight off a team of experts sent from HQ to “improve” her hotel…
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