Just read that Terry Pratchett has been made a Knight as part of the UK’s New Years Honours list.
I’m delighted to see that he’s getting the recognition that he so richly deserves for both his writing and his recent campaigning for more research into dementia.
I’ve read practically the entire Discworld series, along with most of his other non-Discworld books, and I’ve enjoyed every one of them.
Well done Terry, and thanks for the years of enjoyment!
Today sees the first post from George Orwell’s diaries to go on-line. Exactly 70 years after they were first written, you now have the opportunity to follow the daily thoughts of the man that gave us 1984, and Animal Farm.
Terry Pratchett has just released the news that he has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease. Despite this shock, Terry has asked his fans to stay optimistic, and that there’s a few more books left in him yet.
I’ve read nearly everything that Terry has written, (I’ve just ordered his latest novel – Making Money), and this news is a bit of a shock. Here’s to you Terry, I’m sure that I’m not alone when I say I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed.
For all the Potter fans the last book in the series was released on Saturday morning. Easons in Limerick had a launch party, which by all accounts was pretty spectacular. One of my friends attended to get her hands on a copy, and I haven’t seen her since.
I know some people are going to laugh at this while others will be thrilled. But for better or worse, here it is. The dust jacket for the final Harry Potter book.
Enjoy or ignore at your will.
Click the image to enlarge.
Over the last few months I’ve developed a fascination with ancient history: Ancient Greece, the city states of Sparta & Athens, and most of all Ancient Rome. Specifically anything to do with the Roman Republic and it’s transition to the Roman Empire. I’ve been devouring any and all books I can get my hands on. On one hand it’s amazing to read about real people such as Pompey, Julius Caeser, Cicero, Scipio, Cato, etc., and on the other hand it seems almost too fantastic to be true. These events which shaped Western Civilisation happened in a time so removed from human memory, that they’ve become legends.
“The Book of General Ignorance” is a spin-off of the BBC comedy show QI, a show which prides itself on being intellectual and educational as well as funny. While I don’t have BBC where I live, I do try to catch it whenever I can. The basic idea behind the show is that accepted wisdom is regularly incorrect, and that people in general are far more ignorant than they believe.
Hosted by the erudite Stephen Fry and backed up the less erudite, but equally comedic Alan Davies, QI stands out from the usual quiz based comedy shows.