Böcker av James Chilton

Following the original A Ragbag of Riches published in 2017, here is another bundle of funny, factual, thought provoking and charming entries to "e;mingle quiet music with amiable irreverance"e;. Not just witty, pithy quips and quotations but a diverse collection that have caught the eye or ear of James Chilton's enquiring mind and zany humour. Drawing from politians, scholars, artists, influential thinkers, jokers and the common man, from antiquity to the contemporary, they are partisan choices contributed to by Chilton's varied life as a soldier, traveller, singer, plantsman, author, painter, busnessman, designer and family man. It is the essence of the commonplace book but organised loosely into topics and enhanced by the sparkling illustrations of cartoonist Charlie Dunn. In addition and where possible, each author of the various entries has their dates added and a few relevant (and sometimes irrelevant) notes on their lives. From John Arlott to Boris Yeltsin (there is a useful index), from the trivial to the profound, from razor sharp criticism to poignant tributes, this is a book for all occasions. Each anecdote, musing, poem or prayer showcases humanity's variety. Whether to mine for speeches, to raise a smile in low moments, to inform or to entertain, Another Ragbag of Riches will provoke and delight. It is perfect for the bedside, for travel, for browsing and for present giving.

This collection of quips and quotes creates abook for the bower, the bedside, the bath and for browsing; a book at arm's length from the deck chair, for the tedium of travel but above all for pleasure. It is a haphazard collection: the Ragbag covering the rougher, even vulgar (but nevertheless witty) entries of graffiti, newspaper headlines and bumper stickers, the Riches being the poetry, prayers and prose of fine minds that inspire by their beauty, sincerity and sublime use of words. At the lower end, I love the astringency and ability of the authors to poke fun with the sharpness of a red-hot needle. At the top end, silver words and profound wisdom sometimes lead me to tears. So I invite you to wallow or skip lightly. I hope there is something in this salmagundi to make you smile or catch the affections of your heart; to mingle quiet music with amiable irreverence.

From Gabon to Guyana, Shangri La to Kamchatka, through rainbow markets and exuberant rainforests, across impressionist landscapes and a high altitude desert, author James Chilton's delightfully diverse collection of travel writing will whet the appetite and feed the imagination. The Last Blue Mountain takes readers far off the beaten tourist tracks and onto uncharted trails of natural beauty and cultural diversity. Chilton reveals his enthusiasm for travel - he's visited some seventy-eight countries to date - and his love of food, beauty, flora, fauna and, above all, the people he meets along the way. Witty, articulate and with sharp observations, his engaging and often humorous snapshots are illustrated throughout with evocative pen and ink sketches.