Staying true to its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, The Folio Society collaborates with British printers and craftspeople to ensure the preservation and flourishing of age-old book-making techniques. What sets this publisher apart is its unique support for a broad spectrum of artists, having commissioned the talents of 32 illustrators in 2023 alone.

Among the notable nominations, The Folio Society’s limited edition of ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit,’ featuring a foreword by Oscar-winner Emma Thompson, is shortlisted for Best British Book, while the limited edition of T. S. Eliot’s epic poem ‘The Waste Land,’ adorned with illustrations by Tom Phillips RA, is in the running in the Fine Binding & Limited Edition category.

A dominant presence in the Literature category, four out of five titles shortlisted belong to The Folio Society, including works like Wu Ch’eng-en’s ‘Monkey’ (illustrated by Mu Pan), Haruki Murakami’s ‘Norwegian Wood’ (illustrated by Daniel Liévano) which EF has reviewed, Michael Ende’s ‘The Neverending Story’ (selected as the 75th-anniversary title in 2022), and Zora Neale Hurston’s ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ (introduced by Zadie Smith).

In the Scholarly, Academic and Reference Book category, The Folio Society’s editions of Simon Sebag Montefiore’s two-part history tome ‘Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar’ and Carlo Rovelli’s popular science classic ‘The Order of Time’, introduced by Philip Pullman, are shortlisted.

The Folio Society continues its impressive showing with two out of four titles shortlisted for Best Jacket/Cover Design, including ‘Jaws’ by Peter Benchley (illustrated by Hokyoung Kim) and ‘Trainspotting’ by Irvine Welsh, (illustrated by Nicole Rifkin), which EF has reviewed.

Production Director, Kate Grimwade, says: “The team at Folio are delighted to be nominated once again for the prestigious British Book Design and Production Awards. To have ten titles nominated across five categories is a huge achievement and a recognition of Folio’s passion for the highest standards of book design and production.”

The Folio Society, having enjoyed success at the 2022 British Book Design and Production Awards, winning in all four nominated categories, aims to continue its streak of excellence. The 2023 awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 24th January 2024, at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London.

This London-based publisher, renowned for its beautifully produced, illustrated hardback books, offers these exquisite editions exclusively through their website, foliosociety.com. With 50 titles published last year, including nine limited editions, The Folio Society has proven its commitment to exceptional publishing, thoughtful art direction, and production innovation.

The British Book Design and Production Awards serve as a platform to highlight the outstanding quality of the British book design and production industry. The winners will be unveiled at the awards ceremony on January 24th 2024, in London.

From a single purchase to a lifetime of collecting, book lovers around the world can buy these exquisite editions exclusively from their website, foliosociety.com. Proudly independent for its 75-year history, in 2021 under the leadership of its CEO, Joanna Reynolds, The Folio Society became an Employee Ownership Trust. The Folio Society is committed to a progressive sharing of power and profit in publishing, and this is reflected in their new status.

The Folio Society publishes some of the best names in publishing past and present, across the globe in high specification, collector editions. Notable publications include Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’, Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, Andrew Chaikin’s ‘A Man on the Moon’ and Alice Walker’s ‘The Color Purple’ among many other contemporary and classic titles including a publishing partnership with Marvel delivering the world-recognised, iconic brand’s luxury editions.

For more information and to explore their extensive catalogue, visit foliosociety.com.

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The author gives details to his background that help readers to understand his personality. We learn what it takes to thrive in the army, to see and survive conflict and to recover from the immense physical and psychological trauma of warfare. Having put military life behind him, Pinner was motivated to volunteer his services with the Ukrainian Army due to his wife’s Ukrainian nationality. But as he admits, he had also struggled to find career satisfaction outside of the camaraderie and excitement of army life. Repeatedly throughout the book he emphasises that during life-threatening situations he didn’t feel fear. It’s hard for the civilian reader to understand this, but easy to take him at his word throughout an authentic account that needs no exaggeration for dramatic effect. Put simply: men like Pinner are a breed apart. By helping in the fight to liberate Ukraine, we can only be thankful that there are soldiers with both conviction and the courage to act on their principles.

If you’re looking for an insight into what it’s like to be at the heart of modern warfare, then ‘Live, Fight, Survive’ is a compelling first-hand account. There isn’t much that Pinner doesn’t experience. He describes the friendships he forged with Ukrainians and how he doesn’t have time to grieve for one young man whose death in conflict he learns of at a crucial moment. Having explained how essential it is for a British national, likely to be considered a mercenary, to avoid being caught, he is nevertheless captured by Russian soldiers during the siege of Mariupol.

The bulk of the book is taken up with the aftermath of Pinner’s incarceration inside an unnamed black site in occupied Ukrainian territory. There are many efforts on the part of the Russian military to destroy his morale. He is driven through local towns that he knew in peacetime that have been reduced to rubble. There is also the constant threat of torture and illnesses such as dysentery that come with malnourishment and ill-treatment. There is the mundanity of a life in confinement that could drive any person crazy too. In describing how to pass time and try to keep spirits up during months of imprisonment in brutal conditions, the book is like a modern day version of Solzhenitsyn’s ‘One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.’ One difference is that now, captured soldiers’ phones are confiscated and their photographs and social media accounts scoured to find ways to compromise them. The author paints a vivid picture of some of his tormentors, including ‘Mr Balaclava’, who comes across like a Bond villain’s henchman.

The final part of the book gives an account of the part of the story that gained considerable media attention and brought Shaun Pinner’s name to international prominence. He stands trial in a Donetsk People’s Republic courtroom, accused of many things including treason. He knows full well that the kangaroo court is interested in finding him guilty, where the likely punishment would be execution. It is a stunning example of how, in warfare, the battlefield isn’t the only place where you can find yourself in mortal danger.

‘Live, Fight, Survive’ is a detailed insight into modern warfare and an eyewitness account of the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It will appeal especially to any reader who has a keen interest in current affairs and military operations. Necessarily, it is a male-dominated story and one with some choice language: two factors which may limit the book’s target audience. As a piece of writing, it is fascinating, and Pinner’s strength is in sketching out his emotional reactions to events, as well as giving readers a good idea of the characters of the men he was serving with or imprisoned alongside. It is fair-minded too. There is no attempt to demonise ordinary Russian soldiers. Pinner reserves his ire for those in authority.

In capturing a broad chronological sweep of his experiences, ‘Live, Fight, Survive’ does become repetitive at times, especially once Pinner has been captured and is moved between prisons, each time establishing a new and frustratingly limited routine. However, the final chapters are the strongest and most eventful in the book, and they come with a rewarding emotional pay-off. Readers will have these passages fresh in their minds as they reach the final page.

The audiobook version is narrated by Shaun Pinner himself. His no-nonsense and clear tone of voice is authentically militaristic, and therefore the ideal choice to convey the story. An actor would probably have made the prose too flowery. The downside is that there are fewer nuances in his vocal delivery than is common for audiobook readers. Nevertheless, the dramatic events of each chapter ensured that our attention held throughout ‘Live, Fight, Survive’.

Publisher: Penguin Random House UK audio Narrator: Shaun Pinner Publication date: 28th September 2023 Buy ‘Live, Fight, Survive’

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This is not The Folio Society’s first foray into the world of Murakami. Some of his most celebrated works have already been published for their catalogue, comprising ‘Kafka on the Shore’ in 2021 and ‘Norwegian Wood’ in 2022. ‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’ represents the third title in the range, adding perhaps the author’s most well-known and celebrated work. Stylistically, the three novels have been produced in similar ways, including retaining Columbian artist Daniel Liévano as the illustrator for all three. This approach ensures that the titles look aesthetically sublime on your bookcase.

Often considered Murakami’s magnum opus, ‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’ finds the author in a rich vein of form. The novel is full of his trademark stylistic literary techniques. The mundane, ordinary world of failing marriages, missing pets and unemployment are combined with the magical and the surreal. The author guides the reader through a labyrinthine story populated with weird and wonderful characters.

The hero is Toru Okada, a man approaching early middle-age. Love is disappearing from his marriage at the same time as his cat (bizarrely named after his wife’s brother, whom Toru despises) has gone missing. Kumiko, his wife, suggests he use his time to find the cat, since Toru has jacked in his job as a lawyer’s assistant and has little to occupy himself. At night, searching for his cat, Toru meets teenager May Kasahara. She introduces him to an abandoned house that contains a deep, dry well that she sometimes sits in. The house, and the well contained within it, prove to be a safe space for Toru as well as a portal to his past. His destiny becomes inextricably linked to it.

Typically, for a Murakami novel, a neat synopsis is a tricky task to pull off. The inciting incident – the hunt for the missing cat – proves not to be integral to the book at all. Toru’s problems really start when Kumiko leaves him and disappears without trace a third of the way through. Throughout the non-linear plot, Toru has plenty of interesting experiences and meets all kinds of intriguing people from a would-be clairvoyant to a World War Two veteran who is full of stories about the conflict he saw. Few of these encounters logically connect different strands of the story. Rather, Murakami’s style is to meander through dream-like sequences, creating and maintaining atmosphere, which becomes more important than the events of the story. Throughout it, there is but a tenuous connection to reality.

Regularly considered one of the most significant living authors, Haruki Murakami is an author of international significance and acclaim whose works continue to demand attention and accrue loyal readers. There’s no doubt that ‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’ finds at writer at the height of his powers. For a relatively long book, the prose is counterintuitively fresh and tight.

How engrossed the reader becomes in the story will be a matter of taste. As a reader who tends to favour books with a strong protagonist and plot, ‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’ didn’t grab me with any sense of urgency. Toru Okada is, in common with other Murakami heroes, ineffectual. I find it hard to warm to a drifter. Neither he nor his promiscuous wife Kumiko is especially sympathetic. A few elements date the book. One is the transcription of the conversation that estranged husband and wife conduct over the internet using a chat function. It would have been cutting edge when the book was published, but as always, rapidly-developing technology roots the book within a five-year window. The other aspect is the somewhat gratuitous descriptions of Toru’s sexual experiences. Perhaps, in Japanese society at the tail end of the Twentieth Century, such descriptions may have been groundbreaking and liberating. In today’s more sensitive and reserved times, they feel too on the nose.

Despite a few reservations that stem from personal preference, I enjoyed experiencing ‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’ as a book that led me far from my comfort zone. The story is full of nuance and clever, intriguing ideas. It is a fine literary achievement that, especially for those who can orient themselves within Murakami’s chaotic realm of the imagination, rewards a close reading. Its power is in the story’s ability to keep re-inventing itself. Yet the third part ties up loose ends and satisfies readers – even if you’ve meandered so far off the beaten path you’ve forgotten where you started!

This luxurious hardback edition of Haruki Murakami’s ‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’ bound in blocked cloth is available exclusively from The Folio Society. It features single or double-page full-colour illustrations by Daniel Liévano that bring the text to life, and an introduction by the author himself.

Publisher: The Folio Society Publication date: 12th September 2023 Buy ‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’

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As Palin admits in ‘Great Uncle Harry’, he was aware of his great uncle’s personal affects, including his diaries that were returned from the Front to the safekeeping of the family, for some years before Harry’s story pushed itself to the forefront of his mind. There was a series of ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ to write and film, and then many other projects came along in a rich, varied and rewarding career that has also spawned countless travel documentaries and accompanying books.

Now the time has been ripe to delve into the archives and conduct his own investigative research into his family’s history. Palin has clearly relished his genealogical adventure. Although his immediate descendants were not public figures, their lives reveal much about recent British history. In ‘Great Uncle Harry’, Palin vividly captures the late Victorian and Edwardian eras as revealed through his relatives’ encounters with historical events. As just one example, he divulges his great grandmother’s experience of the Irish Potato Famine. He also brings elements of his own life into the narrative, such as comparing his memories of education at Shrewsbury with his great uncle’s time at the forbidding public school.

As Palin documents, his Great Uncle Harry was something of a free spirit, although another less generous interpretation might be a lost soul. Probably, like so many of us, Harry wandered between the two. Despite that, there were opportunities for him in the final decades of the British Empire, and Harry spends much of his young adult life abroad. First, he works in India, failing to make much impression, ultimately leaving just as the Monsoon season dries up. He later moves to the other side of the world and finds work as a farm hand in New Zealand.

However, as with so many young men who happened to be born at the end of the Nineteenth Century, he soon becomes caught up in international events as war breaks out. Serving with the New Zealand Division, Harry sees action in Gallipoli before being transferred to the Western Front. As he records in his diary, the Battle of the Somme saw the first use of tanks in warfare. Shortly after receiving a promotion, and finally having his talents recognised, Harry’s diary entries end.

Through his investigative research, Palin uncovers the truth about the fate of his Great Uncle, or at least the testimony of a friend and soldier who served beside him. The author retraces his relative’s steps and finds the location of his death to aid in the writing process. He records how it is a struggle to imagine the innocuous countryside as the hellhole that claimed Harry’s life just over a century earlier.

Palin’s ‘Great Uncle Harry’ neatly traces the societal changes from the buoyant confidence of the late Victorian era into which Harry was born through to the hell of the Great War. During Harry’s short life, society and the world utterly changed. Palin’s success with the book is to signpost these changes to his reader, never failing to tell the human story, never lapsing into a dry history lesson.

The first part of ‘Great Uncle Harry’ documents the jolly adventures of Harry’s father, Edward, which provides a contrast to the fate of one of his sons. By the chapter in which Palin wraps up his account of Harry’s life, the mood of the book has changed starkly. There is no anger in the author’s tone, just pity for the waste of human life, and immense compassion and sadness for the unimaginable grief that his forebears went through.

Palin creates such a compelling portrait of his great uncle that by the end of it, the reader can’t help but feel immense sorrow, and perhaps even shed tears. In so doing, the trauma of World War I is brought home by detailing the life of one soldier. From Harry’s romances to mundane details about military drills, it’s possible to see that he was just an ordinary man. Like everyone whose life was cut short by the horrifying events of war, often sacrificed as machine-gun fodder through the brutal orders of High Command, Harry had hopes, dreams, loves and disappointments.

Ultimately, readers will remember Harry’s journey through the war that Palin guides his readers through. The powerful closing chapters that pull on the heartstrings will live long in the memory after reading it. The introductory chapters, which are necessary to establish the family life that Harry was born into, arguably hold up the main narrative for too long, though Palin reveals his interest in telling at length the story of Harry’s father, Edward (whom the author later played in a film).

‘Great Uncle Harry’ is also available as an audiobook which is read by the author. A talented actor like Michael Palin brings plenty of nuance to his narration. There’s a warmth and an authenticity to his tones as well. As a masterful storyteller, Palin keeps listeners engaged as he leads them through myriad emotions on this deeply personal journey. Coming to the end of the story, the reader can only imagine that Great Uncle Harry Palin would be beaming with pride at the achievements of his Great Nephew, as well as feeling gratitude for presenting his all-too-short life as such a moving and compelling story.

Publisher: Penguin Random House UK audio Narrator: Michael Palin Publication date: 28th September 2023 Buy ‘Great Uncle Harry’

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To give away a spoiler: unlike the author’s account, King Arthur, he of round table and Holy Grail legend, is not historically accurate. That’s Mitchell’s opening gambit. He goes on to explain why the evidence for Arthur existing is slight to non-existent, before moving on to monarchs for whom there is an abundance of verifiable research to prove they really did once live.

The chapter on King Alfred the Great is a good example of Mitchell’s irreverent, intellectual approach to retelling the history of England. He points out that, as Alfred pre-dates William the Conquerer, generally considered the first king of a largely unified England, he can’t be considered Alfred the First. Not only that but the moniker ‘the Great’ results from a contemporary hagiography, meaning that Alfred’s achievements don’t quite impress in the same way as others afforded the same suffix. There is a hilarious aside on why overly-sensitive historical revisionists wish to rebrand ‘The Dark Ages’ to cast them in a more favourable light. Commendably, Mitchell offers a robust defence of the traditional nomenclature.

Many names from opening chapters on the Dark Ages and Early Middle Ages may be unfamiliar to readers with but a casual interest in English history. Don’t worry, the author vividly brings every single one of the monarchs to life. Their stories are told with Mitchell’s trademark comic timing. There are even a few punning chapter headings, such as ‘See Next You Tuesday’ and ‘A Pair of Cnuts’, to provide a touch of cheeky schoolboy humour.

Mitchell takes each monarch in chronological turn, examining their reign and their contributions to history. They are humanised by their abundant weaknesses and character flaws. Edward I is unable to understand nuance; Edward II is too prone to pick favourites in the royal court, thus creating enemies, Richard II is vain and incapable of self-reflection. Others who are already considered rotters, like Richard III who is unable to escape Shakespeare’s Machiavellian depiction, are given a fair hearing (without actually being acquitted of being, in many ways, utter bastards).

At first glance it may be counterintuitive that the book ends with the long reign of Elizabeth I. After all, there have been numerous monarchs since. The point that Mitchell makes is that her successors were British rather than English monarchs, and, especially following the execution of Charles I and the Interregnum, their powers would diminish as Parliament’s grew. Therefore their contribution to our national story is less significant. It’s a fair enough point, but I enjoyed ‘Unruly’ so much that I hope Mitchell will write a sequel and cover the British monarchs up to the present day.

I cannot remember the last time I laughed as much as I did listening to ‘Unruly: A History of England’s Kings and Queens’. Mitchell’s take on history is unremittingly funny as well as insightful. There are so many exquisite turns of phrase but it would not be possible to do justice to them in a review and out of context. I had to stop listening whilst cooking for fear I’d drop red-hot pans, I was shaking with laughter so much. I couldn’t wait for any opportunity to shove the headphones back in and hear more. But there is a wider point that, in capturing so much history so effectively, Mitchell also proves his worth as a cultural commentator of considerable merit. If every history teacher in the land made his or her subject come to life in the way that David Mitchell achieves in ‘Unruly’, then the next generation would know our national history back to front and could probably give a potted summary of every monarch in chronological order.

Although Mitchell is eminently successful in his primary objective of making his reader laugh, he also never loses sight of the human stories behind the often tragic history. It is this historian’s critique that makes the subject so essential to keep alive. Although his own thoughts and feelings bubble to the surface occasionally, this is often to explain how some people achieved considerable power and what conditions were like for their subjects. It’s hard to disagree with Mitchell’s take in the final chapter that describes the burgeoning artistic scene culminating in the plays of Shakespeare. Truly, his conclusions make one’s heart sing.

I expect that ‘Unruly: A History of England’s Kings and Queens’ will prove to be an enormously enjoyable book when read off the page. I have never previously experienced an audiobook where the text and the narrator are so well-paired. David Mitchell reads his own words as if he is delivering one long anecdote. He has the perfect voice for humour: authoritative but at the same time self-effacing in that English way of not wanting to seem too cocky, educated without being off-puttingly posh or effete, and perhaps most crucially, able to inject a splash of acid whenever some human folly or malice really grinds his gears.

The audiobook version of David Mitchell’s ‘Unruly: A History of England’s Kings and Queens’ is the perfect marriage of text and narrator. If you like David Mitchell’s comedy and have an at-least-passing interest in English history, there’s a very good chance you’ll absolutely adore this book. It is witty, sparkling and enormous fun from start to finish. As an added bonus, you may even learn something too!

Publisher: Penguin Random House UK audio Narrator: David Mitchell Publication date: 28th September 2023 Buy ‘Unruly: A History of England’s Kings and Queens’

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This new book features over 75 recipes with a focus on bakes that are going to wow for special occasions. Fans who follow the sisters on social media will know what they’re in for, and across five expansive sections there are a wealth of mouth-watering recipes. If you’re new to Finch Bakery, then I should explain upfront and that Lauren and Rachel’s recipes are the epitome of indulgence. They combine plenty of different flavours, and share a plethora of techniques, to help you transform your baking skills and impress your family and friends.

The first section of the book is ‘Deep Pan Cookies, Cookie Pies & Cookie Bars’. It’s safe to say these aren’t your basic cookie recipes. Forget those one-bite-and-their-gone shop-bought cookies; these recipes aim to give you maximum satisfaction and they certainly don’t disappoint. The deep pan cookies in particular are a highlight of this chapter and they include flavours such as Jammy Dodger, Cherry Bakewell and Millionaire’s (a spin on Millionaire’s Shortbread). For these cookies you need crumpet rings so they hold their shape and once they’re baked, they are a real naughty treat to scoff.

‘Celebration Cakes’ is a chapter that captures the essence of the Finch Bakery social media pages. Lauren and Rachel regularly share impressive cake designs that they’ve made for customers and they’re not helping their followers to bake up something truly spectacular too. One thing you can never accuse the Finch sisters of being is boring and the recipes here are truly unique. From the ‘Caramel Latte Cake’ through to a Malteser Christmas Pudding (it really shouldn’t work, but it absolute does), the sisters inject their endless creativity and deliver recipes that are going to challenge you but are worth the effort.

If cakes aren’t your thing then the ‘Puddings & Desserts’ section may be appealing. From ‘Biscoff Apple Crumble’ through to ‘Salted Caramel Ganache Pots’, there are a series of recipes here designed for individual desserts rather than one huge cake. ‘Tray Bakes & Loaf Cakes’ is similar, aiming for smaller bakes that you can share but that aren’t quite as labour-intensive as the bakes in the first two sections. The Finch sisters have a reputation for their absolutely filthy blondies and brownies, and this section is where you’ll find recipes such as ‘Cornflake Blondies’ and ‘S’mores Brownies’. I particularly recommend trying the ‘Churro Blopndies with Dulce De Leche Dipping Sauce’. My mouth is salivating just typing those words.

The final recipe section is ‘Party Treats & Sweets’ and there are some really interesting recipes here. If you love Nutella you’re going to want to try the ‘Giant Hazelnut Nutella Ball’, which is pretty epic to be honest, and there’s an innovative ‘Buttercream Grazing Board’, designed for those with a very sweet tooth. ‘Crème Brûlée Cookies’ have been all over social media and you know that the Finch Bakery recipe is going to be your ultimate go-to. There are also ideas for freakshakes in this section and some no-bake recipes too.

Finch Bakery: Disco Bakes and Party Cakes’ builds on the sisters’ first book and it delivers a truly stunning collection of recipes. Whether you’re a novice baker or someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, I can guarantee you that these recipes will be challenging but ultimately very rewarding. If you need to brush up on techniques, the sisters have you covered and provide information that will help you master core baking skills. If colour and extravagance is how you like to bake, then this book is the only one you need to add to your collection.

Publisher: DK Release date: 3^rd August 2023 Buy ‘Finch Bakery: Disco Bakes & Party Cakes’ now

This article contains an affiliate links. Purchases through this link may result in us earning a commission.

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‘HistoryHit Miscellany’ is exactly the kind of book you need if you’re looking for a bluffer’s guide to history. It will help you to brush up on your knowledge of the entirety of human civilisation. For interesting facts to break the ice at dinner parties or to impress a date with your depth of reading, the book will provide no shortage of talking points. Each easily-digestible page has splendid historical facts that can be committed to memory. Outside of a miscellany, where else would you find a list of all of the US Presidents who were assassinated or survived assassination attempts? Where does the name of Barry Hines’ classic novel ‘A Kestrel For A Knave’ come from? In which other kind of book could you learn both about the fall of the Roman Empire and about the world’s first recorded speeding ticket (spaced only a few pages apart)?

The book doesn’t just stick to modern or Western history. There are fun facts about the Feathered Serpent and the Iranian Revolution of 1979 as well as much else besides. As a whistle-stop tour through the history of human endeavour, ‘HistoryHit Miscellany’ offers insights into the achievements of civilisations from every corner of the globe and from every major epoch, touching on every system of government from monarchs to emperors via parliamentarians and Communist leaders. No topic takes up more than around two pages, and such focus is devoted only to truly exceptional subjects rich with anecdote such as Winston Churchill.

‘HistoryHit Miscellany’ will undoubtedly appeal to history buffs, especially those who digest the entertaining ‘History Hit’ podcasts. The book also aims to make history interesting, accessible and digestible to a lay audience. For those who prefer a deep dive into particular ages or civilisations, ‘HistoryHit Miscellany’ may provide only an amuse bouche to satisfy their hunger for knowledge. But the intention of the book is to leave the reader dizzy with fascinating facts. Not even the best-read historian can specialise in more than one or two disciplines. Even those who specialise may discover new and interesting facts. I studied Classical Civilisation and had no idea which Romans were responsible for the largest battle, which took place in 197. Those who prefer visuals to facts and figures can enjoy an infographic of Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow in 1812.

The book will make a great gift for the history buff in your friendship circle, or the colleague who likes to impress with their recherché knowledge of historical happenings. It will also appeal to the legion of Dan Snow’s fans and podcast listeners who would like a load of facts and figures in one place. I would have loved there to have been an index, as I read a load of interesting facts that I then couldn’t find again, but it’s a small gripe. As a diversion and a place to dive in to find an interesting fact, ‘HistoryHit Miscellany’ is likely to hit the spot.

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Publication date: 28th September 2023 Buy ‘HistoryHit Miscellany’

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Joining Brenda Edwards in this festive family favourite are the hilarious duo John Kimmons, known for his ventriloquism and comedy, as Baron Hardup, and Steven Dalziel who takes on the role of Buttons.

Brenda Edwards rose to fame in 2005 as the last woman standing on ‘The X-Factor’. Since then she has conquered the world of musical theatre with acclaimed performances in ‘Chicago’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Carousel’ and ‘Hairspray’. Her recent spellbinding portrayal of the Killer Queen in ‘We Will Rock You’ at the London Coliseum received widespread acclaim, solidifying her status as a musical sensation.

John Kimmons embarked on his professional journey at the tender age of 15 as a children’s entertainer, eventually clinching the Children’s Entertainer World Championships at Blackpool Opera House in 2008. With an illustrious career as a comedy magician and ventriloquist, he has left audiences in stitches worldwide. John’s TV credits include ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’, ‘The Slammer’, ‘Dick and Dom’s Hoopla’, and the recent revival of ‘Crackerjack’!

Steven Dalziel, a versatile Scottish talent, currently takes the stage as the title character in ‘Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour’. His musical repertoire includes standout performances in ‘A Night at the Oscars’, ‘The MGM Story’, ‘News Revue’, ‘Grease’, ‘The Kissing Dance’, and ‘Seasons of Larson’.

Matt Powder, the General Manager at the Churchill Theatre, expressed his excitement, stating, “The Churchill Theatre is thrilled that the utterly magical ‘Cinderella’ will be taking over our stage this Christmas after our record-breaking panto last year! We’re looking forward to welcoming this hugely talented cast who are sure to put on a fabulous show, perfect for the whole family.”

‘Cinderella’, a production by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s largest pantomime producer and the driving force behind Churchill’s pantomimes since 2016, promises to whisk Bromley theatregoers on a magical journey this Yuletide. Audiences can expect to witness ‘Cinderella’s transformation from rags to riches, her clever triumph over her wicked stepsisters, and, with the assistance of her whimsical friend and a truly magical Fairy Godmother, her enchanting encounter with her Prince Charming.

Don’t miss your chance to experience ‘Cinderella’, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes. Secure your tickets to the Ball today and be part of this unforgettable Christmas extravaganza! Book now.

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The show begins with the arrival by boat of Anna (Annalene Beechey) and her young son Louis, the Captain (Sam Jenkins-Shaw) pointing out the lights of Bangkok in the distance. Culture shock kicks in as Kralahome (Sam Yo), the prime minister, arrives “half naked” and waiting people immediately want to see the mysterious shape of the English woman, wearing a floor-length wide-hooped skirt, as was the Victorian fashion. It’s a good job Anna has already taught her son to ‘Whistle a Happy Tune’ whenever she’s scared. Her strong character immediately objects to being lied to about their accommodation, of the broken contract between employer and employee, and the scene is set for many clashes between Anna and the King (Brian Rivera).

When we first meet the King, he’s anguished over the future of his country, with nearby Cambodia about to be protected by the French; lose their independence. The show is based on the 1940s novel Anna And The King Of Siam by Margaret Landon, who based her story about true events and people in Asia.   

A gift arrives for the King, from Burma, a young slave girl, Tuptim (Marienella Phillips), who will become his latest wife. Her escort, Lun Tha (Dean John-Wilson) is her secret lover, and their story mirrors events in the USA at the time. Tuptim asks Anna if she has the book about the little house in the woods where Tom lives; the 1850s anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Hariet Beecher Stowe, had a profound effect on attitudes towards African-Americans in America. Indeed, this book is the impetus for a turning point towards the end of the show, an intense clash of cultures, when Tuptim performs this play for visiting English dignitaries. 

The show has appeared on Broadway, with Yul Brynner playing the original role of the King, and in the West End, since the 1950s, and was made into a film in 1956, starring Brynner and Deborah Kerr, during the latter part of Hollywood’s Golden Age. 

The show really belongs to the future generation of actors, with the young performers stealing the limelight effortlessly, each time they’re talking, singing or dancing. Louis, the Royal children and Prince Chulalongkorn, are spot on with their dialogue, timing and sheer confidence on stage, the younger children owning quite physical comedic roles.  

The costumes of Anna’s hooped dresses, the Royal wives’ traditional dresses and the play-within-the-play outfits are absolutely breathtaking, helped to stand out even more by a simplistic set design, of which huge curtains and small stools are the rotating characters.  

The iconic musical numbers, including ‘Getting to Know You’ ‘A Puzzlement’ and ‘Shall We Dance’ were performed superbly, bringing smiles to faces and warmth to hearts. The developing affection between Anna and the King worked well on stage, as they began to understand one another.  

However, I did feel that the show was a little too long, at two hours and forty minutes, and it’s not for people who need to fidget. With the film, if not the pause button, there is more comfortable seating. The history of the story doesn’t really work for today’s audience, so there’s an element of appreciating this as a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein show, set almost two hundred years ago (give or take a decade) – the duo were responsible for shows which are still performed on stages today, including ‘Oklahoma!’ and ‘The Sound of Music’.

Cast: Annalene Beechey, Brian Rivera, Cezarah Bonner, Sam Jenkins-Shaw, Dean John-Wilson, Caleb Lagayan, Sam Yo, Marienella Phillips, Josh Bortoloso, Fin Goodman, Louis Levy, Charlie McGuire and ensemble Music and Lyrics: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II Costumes: Catherine Zuber Sets: Michael Yeargan Musical Supervisor: Ted Sperling Directed by: Bartlett Sher Running Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes Theatre: Theatre Royal Plymouth Performance Dates: 19th – 23rd September 2023 

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This whistle-stop tour of monarchical history comes in at around 550 pages, so simple mental arithmetic shows that each chapter is short, averaging under ten pages. That’s around one year of history each half page. When you consider how many volumes have been dedicated to accounting for the life and influence of each monarch, ‘Kings and Queens’ by necessity gives only a brief snapshot of their epochs. These chapters are the edited highlights of their reign, achievements, occasional points of notoriety and their influence on world events. If you want a quick reminder of the broad sweep of English history since Anglo-Saxon times, then ‘Kings and Queens’ is the perfect place to start since the monarch invariably drove or was at the heart of significant events. Each essay is engaging and enjoyable. Sometimes they are provocative (with contributors like David Starkey who tackles Henry VIII and announces his subject as the first properly educated king in our history, what else might one expect?) But each section will, for the lay reader, liberally splash interesting and enlightening facts across its pages.

Although ‘Kings and Queens’ acts as an amuse-bouche, pointing keen readers of popular history to eras into which they may wish to delve deeper, it does provide some context to the broad sweep of English and later British history. This is in spite of every chapter having a different author. If nothing else, this unifying thread demonstrates that the monarchy has always been inextricably interwoven within the national story and the nation’s psyche.

In a book on kings and queens, the dreaded Interregnum is included. In a sense, the nation has never fully recovered from the execution of King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell’s subsequent term as Lord Protector of England. Even though the Restoration under Charles II occurred nearly four hundred years ago, its influence can be felt in the reigns of every monarch thereafter. Dr Kirsteen M MacKenzie contributes a short essay on Richard Cromwell, Oliver’s eldest son, who submitted his resignation to Parliament a full year before Charles II’s accession to the throne. The reinstitution of monarchy under the Stuarts brings with it a seismic shift, and a reappraisal of the respective roles and powers of the monarch and Parliament.

In their own rights, each story is dramatic, proving that recorded history is never dull and ever epoch has its share of big personalities or outright egomaniacs. I found it enjoyable learning about some names, like Canute, that are familiar but known only for the apocryphal story of his demonstration of the limitations of rulers’ power by commanding the tide to stop rising. It is intriguing to learn that Canute was a successful Viking ruler who won over the affections of the English. At the opposite end of the book, Queen Victoria, known for her long period of mourning for Prince Albert and for her austere demeanour, is humanised through an account of the men in her life, including servants, with whom she enjoyed close and affectionate friendships. Edward VIII is primarily known for abdicating the throne in order to marry a divorcee, but Damian Collins provides some details about his personality. This glides seamlessly into Jane Ridley’s account of his nervous brother George VI’s unexpected reign. She notes how “the chief reason why the King feared Edward was because he was pro-Nazi”. This can’t help but cast the previous chapter in a whole new light. Readers may wonder how different history might have been had Edward VIII not abdicated. We certainly would not have had the long, steadying and enriching reign of Elizabeth II (George VI’s eldest daughter), who was the one constant in the nation’s tumultuous times from Churchill’s post-war premiership through to the nation’s recovery from the Covid pandemic seventy years later. Julia Langdon ably captures the rapid national changes during her reign.

Part of Dale’s gift is being a unifying force and someone who delights in hearing a range of voices. His philosophy in life is in evidence in his selection of contributors. From the political left there are journalists and presenters including Matthew Stadlen, Julia Langdon and Harry Lambert. Among well-known media conservative voices are Tim Stanley, Camilla Tominey and Simon Heffer. You’ll find familiar historians such as Tom Holland, Michael Wood, Emily Fox, David Starkey, Dominic Selwood, Gareth Streeter, Annie Whitehead and Jane Ridley. Among politicians there’s Alex Burghart, Stephen Parkinson, Alexander Stafford, Nick Thomas-Symonds and Damian Collins. You’ll also find contributions from authors such as Justin Hill, Paula Lofting and Steven Veerapen.

Bringing together the thoughts and analyses of contributors from such disparate backgrounds, worldviews and professions ensures that ‘Kings and Queens’ is universally accessible to adult readers and has plenty of political balance. It will especially appeal to keen readers of popular history. For those, like me, who enjoy history but have large knowledge gaps, ‘Kings and Queens’ is a good place to absorb enough facts to bluff your way through. It’s light, breezy, entertaining, well-researched and eminently readable.

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Publication date: 14th September 2023 Buy ‘Kings and Queens’

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The comic and podcaster is set to cast her acerbic eye over everything from your children to her pretentious new alcohol-free life (the latter may now be a slightly revised lifestyle choice since the show’s first draft).

The show explores whether she may have mellowed a bit and the press release offers a hint that this tour could be your last chance to catch Rachel IRL before she disappears to the countryside with only joss sticks and taxidermy for company.

A staple of the Fringe since 2014, Rachel has performed six critically acclaimed solo shows and is also known for her podcasting prowess. Rachel co-hosts the worldwide smash hit podcast All Killa No Filla alongside Kiri Pritchard-McLean, which has over 250,000 regular listeners. Almost a year ago, she released Ghoul Guide, a podcast that explores truth and fiction in the world of spooky stories. If you missed this the first time, it’s something fully worth resurrecting this Halloween.

I caught up with Rachel right before her tour’s debut gig at Manchester Opera House.

How does it feel knowing your tour is opening at Manchester Opera House?

Very exciting. It’s a brilliant venue and it’s thrilling to be starting off there. I used to work round the corner from there so it’s quite surreal.

How does comedy culture in Manchester fare against its music heritage and what reception are you hoping for your show?

Manchester has an incredible comedy culture and heritage. Les Dawson, Jason Manford, Caroline Aherne, Steve Coogan, Justin Moorhouse to name a few. I’m just hoping people come along and have a really great night and a laugh.

Describe the motivations for creating the Showgirl show?

As much as I enjoy gigging in general at clubs up and down the country, there’s something more challenging about working on a new show. I have done three new hours in the past three years and I enjoy the process.

You’re embarking on a huge amount of tour dates. How are you feeling and have you got a tour routine?

I’m excited about it. I travel so much as a comedian anyway that the amount of dates isn’t daunting, I’d probably be away gigging in clubs anyway. I like to get to the place I’m gigging in early so I can have a mooch round and more importantly, see what charity shops there are.

You’ve recently given up alcohol, how have you approached ‘finding the funny’ in this for the show?

I stopped drinking in January and went alcohol free for six months. I’ve had about two nights out since then and I’m just not that into it anymore. I haven’t really got any material about it in the show, you write the blurb in January and perform it in autumn so things change. It’s been a very positive experience cutting back on booze so I’ve struggled to find anything cuttingly funny about it. I don’t really do positivity.

Why do you think your podcast All Killa No Filla alongside Kiri Pritchard-McLean has been so successful?

I think people are fascinated by the subject matter and we handle it in a respectful way. We try and find as much information on the victims as possible as they can be overlooked in true crime. I think the key to its success though is listening to a genuine female friendship with real interactions and conversations.

Who are your biggest comedy influences/where do you draw inspiration?

I find my non comedy friends funnier than anything and my mum is the funniest person alive. She’s so sarcastic and blunt it makes me howl. I’m a huge fan of Frank Skinner too. He’s been so good for decades now and gets funnier.

Do ghosts exist and can crystals protect us?

I’d like to say yes. I really would.

Catch Rachel at a town or city near you from 9th September 2023. Tickets can be booked at https://www.mcintyre-ents.com/live_shows/rachel-fairburn-showgirl/. Price: £13.50-£15.50. Follow Rachel on social media @rachelfairburn

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Saul Austerlitz is lifting the lid on the ‘Anchorman’ phenomenon with his new book ‘Kind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century’. The expansive book takes a deep dive into how the film came to be made, the casting process, the reception it received on release and the way its legacy has carried on since. The first part of the book digs into how director and co-writer Adam McKay and co-writer and lead star Ferrell got the film off the ground. There were many false starts along the way but by the time they got to auditions there were stars falling over themselves to be in the film. Austerlitz talks of how Bob Odenkirk (‘Better Call Saul’) lost out on the role of Brian Fantana to Paul Rudd by a whisker and how Veronica Corningstone, originally called Alicia, was in the grasp of both Maggie Gyllenhaal (‘Secretary’) and Amy Adams (‘Enchanted’) before the role eventually went to comedy vet Christina Applegate. One of the best gems in this part is when Austerlitz reveals that James Spader was considered for the role of Brick Tamland but lost out to Steve Carell when he didn’t want to have to audition.

In the second part of the book, Austerlitz looks at the production of the film and the influences that helped shape how it looked. He shines a spotlight on the character of Veronica, exploring who the character was based on and looks at what the rivalry between news teams was really like in the 70s. Fans of the film will remember that Ron’s crew, News Channel 4, had an OTT rivalry with their competitors, which played out in both of the ‘Anchorman’ films to hilarious effect. Austerlitz also explores the legacy of the film and the careful line the writers had to tread when it came to how the audience is supposed to feel about Ron and his friends. Some of the things Ron does in the film are shocking and the way Veronica is objectified and treated is uncomfortable, but the audience is never made to feel like the film is celebrating misogyny. Instead, there are plenty of laughs to be had at Ron’s expense. This section also touches upon the initial poor response from test audiences and the film ‘Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie’, which was created from outtakes from the ‘Anchorman’ shoot.

The third and final part of the book gives an overview of the film’s release and the critics’ reaction to it before looking at how ‘Anchorman’ changed comedy in Hollywood and paved the way for plenty of movies that struck gold at the box office but owed it a serious debt. Austerlitz takes time to discuss and shed some light on the sequel and the career Ferrell has enjoyed since his star turn as Ron Burgundy.

A nice addition to the book is a series of colour photos that show stills from the film along with early concept drawings of the characters. I’m always fascinated to see where the germ of an idea comes from and these drawings are a fantastic inclusion.

‘Kind of a Big Deal’ really is an exhaustive history of ‘Anchorman’. You may think that there’s not much to know about the film but you’d be wrong. Austerlitz’s attention to detail and thorough research is impressive, and while reading this book I fell in love with the film all over again. ‘Anchorman’ is a true American comedy classic and honestly, as I bring this review to an end I’m thinking about digging out my DVD copy and giving it a rewatch (again).

Publisher: Dutton Release date: 22^nd August 2023 Buy ‘Kind of a Big Deal’ now

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