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Seven astonishing books to read which will change your understanding of the history of the world
If you were left a tad disappointed by your Christmas presents, you can console yourself with two things. Firstly, by reminding yourself that it really is the thought that counts; and secondly, by putting things right with one of these astonishing and eye-opening tomes, picked out by Barnaby Rogerson.
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Jason Goodwin: Naughty mandarins, the GIs who changed Chinese cooking and an app which almost beats reading
Our columnist picks not just his books of the year, but also his favourite app and YouTube video.
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Quentin Blake: 'Even in the age of the iPad and the smart phone, books offer things that they cannot'
Sir Quentin Blake reveals the inspiration behind his new exhibition, ‘Anthology of Readers’, in which he affectionately caricatures the bookish among us.
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Curious Questions: Have you been taking books off shelves the wrong way for your entire life?
The question of how to take a book off a shelf without damaging it may not be one you've ever given much thought to — but you owe it to your collection to do it the right way.
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Nine books about cooking that make perfect Christmas gifts for foodies, from Nigel Slater's latest to a book that 'deserves a Michelin star'
Leslie Geddes-Brown devours the latest cookery books to hit shelves, from a study of Italian food to a tour of Britain via the medium of cheese.
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The incredible tale of my father's escape from 'Italy's Colditz'
Today, we might think of spending a few months in a world heritage site in Southern Italy as an enormous privilege. During the Second World War, however, it was anything but.
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The photographs (and photographers) who shaped the English country house style from the 1900s up to today
To coincide with the publication of his new book illustrated from the archives of Country Life, 'English House Style', John Goodall considers the long tradition of the magazine’s peerless interior photography.
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A book that informs, inspires and surprises from a designer as engaging as a fantasy art-history teacher
Ashley Hicks' new book combines his own designs with the work of those who have inspired him, from Royal Pavillion glass to 17th-century Chinese lacquer cabinets in Wiltshire.
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The vast and audacious architecture of London's greatest theatres
Roger Bowdler takes a look at 'London’s Great Theatres', a new book by Simon Callow with photography from Derry Moore.
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Jason Goodwin: 'Coleridge never stopped talking... Wordsworth was more private, more reflective, and finally, more successful'
Jason Goodwin remarks on how tracking one's pet past the boundaries of one's home is comparable to Coleridge's 'This Lime-tree Bower My Prison'.
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The book that combats disposable culture with tips and tricks for the perfect restoration
Mary Miers applauds an evocative portrait of a group of London Georgian houses cherished back to life.
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A.N. Wilson's 'definitive biography' of Prince Albert, balanced, nuanced and challenging
Michael Hall commends the definitive biography of the man who did so much for Victorian Britain and transformed the image of the monarchy.
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Jason Goodwin: Forget what you were told at school — history is simply a cracking story that happens to be true
The education system did its best to put Jason Goodwin off history, but he came through unscathed — and thank goodness too, otherwise he might not have been able to recommend these summer reads.
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The latest update to Pevsner brings the 21st century update 'tantalisingly close to completion'
The work of updating Nikolas Pevsner and Ian Nairn's magnum opus on the buildings of England continues with a volume focusing on West Sussex. John Goodall takes a look.
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Bringing Mediterranean planting to Britain with the most wonderful gardening book of the year
Mark Griffiths explains why we value Mediterranean planting styles so highly, why he urges all to purchase Mr Filippi's 'Bringing the Mediterranean into your Garden: how to capture the natural beauty of the garrigue' and why he would never adopt the methods described within himself.
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In Focus: The Mansions of Cornwall, as they existed in 1846
A rare survey of over 80 Cornish country houses has been found and reprinted – Adrian Tinniswood takes a look.
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Judith Kerr: 'I walk about and look at people, out with their children, and I think do they realise how fragile it all is?'
Children's author Judith Kerr, who passed away this week at the age of 95, spoke to Country Life about her life and career.
