To mark the paperback publication today of Mr Barry’s War. Rebuilding the Houses of Parliament after the great fire of 1834, I interview myself on how it came about. Q. Hello readers. Today we’re with Caroline Shenton to talk about her new book, Mr Barry’s War. Welcome, Caroline! A. Thanks, Caroline, it’s a pleasure to be here [sips a […]
Publicising the Book
Moonlighting
Lots of people have been asking me about the striking cover of Mr Barry’s War (out in paperback next week) so here’s a little more about it. The painting belongs to the Government Art Collection (ref GAC 12453). I’d no idea where it hung when I suggested it as an image for the dust jacket but romantically liked […]
The YEAR Parliament Burned Down
Well, 2013’s been a year and half, that’s for sure. Thanks for sharing it with me. Here’s a bit of a recap for those not on the rollercoaster: January The Day Parliament Burned Down is shortlisted for the Longman-History Today Prize. I attend the jolly party, and while the book doesn’t win, I’m just delighted […]
Talking Books 1: My Patented Talk-Giving Pack
Having given over 50 talks in the last year or so, I now have packing for them down to a fine art. The perfect history book talk pack comprises the following for me: One small hard-sided suitcase with wheels – cabin baggage size. Mine is this one – yes, expensive but very hard-wearing, has an interior net on […]
Happy Anniversary, Great Fire of Westminster!
Yes, it’s 179 years since the old Houses of Parliament burned down. Last year there was the very successful real-time tweet of the events of 16 October 1834 (you can still see the story as it unfolded on Twitter), and this year there are more treats to mark the anniversary. Firstly, there’s a brand new […]
My Hot Date with Mr Turner
I’m currently on a lecture tour for the Royal Oak Foundation (Americans in Alliance with the National Trust), and a few days ago I had the opportunity to visit one of the great Turner oils of the 1834 fire – which now hangs in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. During the writing of The Day […]
