Very excited to be speaking at the Sonoma Valley Authors Festival next month. Much to talk about including 3 formidable women. Come join me! @svauthorsfest

Congrats Henry but I will miss your writing!

Aussies can now work live and study across the EU for 4 years. Tremendous news as I’ve just officially become one! 🥰Meanwhile the Brits - not so much.

I am proud, delighted, thrilled and frankly astonished that well over a million of you have now bought my biographies of Virginia Hall and Pamela Harriman (UK and US editions here)! I thank you from my heart and am thrilled that both formidable women are at last getting time in the sun. Hurrah!

Big – and very welcome – news for the local media industry today.

This piece includes quotes from my boss @davidfloydnews.bsky.social, who says: “I hope this fund is able to kickstart sustainable new models for local news that prioritise on the ground journalism that is valued by local communities”

Lyndal Roper: ‘Drastic’ cuts to UK humanities risk brain drain Newly crowned winner of Holberg Prize raises alarm over job losses and shuttering of courses across UK

"I’m very worried about what is being destroyed. We’re all extremely worried, because what we’re seeing is the ad hoc closure and drastic cutting of many, many departments across the country."

Historian Lyndal Roper in today's THE: bit.ly/4sqsfJ2 #Skystorians 1/2

The last three films I’ve enjoyed in the cinema have all been foreign language. Sentimental Value, Sirat and The Secret Agent. Can Hollywood come close for originality, character, thoughtfulness, compelling acting and visual impact?

I swear, if the British diverted just a little bit of the time and energy they spend discussing the likes of TV baking shows, animals on bank notes, Wagatha Christie and the weather then it would be the richest most dynamic country in the world.

This this this

An absolutely riveting history from @soniapurnell.bsky.social

A woman of no importance is 🔥

Virginia Hall was a force of nature- les étoiles dans les yeux

Highly recommended

Thanks so much!

Picking Mandelson as ambassador was based on totally wonky thinking. Especially as we had an excellent one already. Massive mistake by Starmer. But PM is not responsible for mandelson’s wrongdoing and other PMs eg Johnson have done far worse eg Covid. Is it really in country’s interest to oust him?

Collective amnesia of what we have had in recent years. A few highlights to remember: Dodgy meetings with Russians. Massive frauds. Murders of MPs. Industrial scale lying to Parliament. Trashing of relations with allies. Biggest con of public ever with Brexit etc etc etc

Nigel Farage tells GB News that Keir Starmer's decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador shows his judgement is "seriously wrong" and he should stand down as Prime Minister.

Here's what Farage said when Mandelson was appointed

Another v good article by @soniapurnell.bsky.social in this month's @bylinetimes.bsky.social
Anti UK propaganda is partly engendered by the UK! We must stop putting ourselves down. Stop posting right-wing media. We are still tolerant, inventive & humorous with fine cities & beautiful countryside

Thank you!

This this this

Aldrich Ames built a career on betraying trust The most senior CIA man to spy for Russia died on January 5th, aged 84

Spying appealed to his theatre-loving side, the disguises and the dissembling, the building and betraying of trust. Aldrich Ames enjoyed almost every part of the job

All these Reform defections are short term gains which undermine their core selling point - which is change.

Why would the country elect a party full of all the same washed-up, scandal-hit former Tory ministers they just kicked out of office?

Opens the space for both a Labour and Tory recovery

So looking forward to this. if you’re in San Francisco later this month come say hello!

Critic Campaign: it's time to admit that it was a mistake to abolish the Department if Culture. Keir Starmer should bring it back.

thecritic.co.uk/brin...

Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci - Podcast Episode | Global Player The Best Moments of Open Book 2025 Edition

Wow thanks so much Anthony Scaramucci @scaramucci.bsky.social for the lovely shout out on Open Book for my books. Even my sons are impressed their mum gets to be called “legendary”! You’ll be the first to know about my new book I promise. Happy New Year !
www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/epi...

Thanks so much!

The top half of a cat is concealed behind a gold curtain, its bottom half exposed.

David Attenborough [whispering]:

“Like a grain of sand in a vast desert, the predator blends seamlessly into its environment, nearly imperceptible to the naked eye.”

Merry Christmas from London to all my followers and readers wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. Thanks so much for your support! May the New Year bring you good health, peace and sweet contentment (Robert Burns via Cheryl)!

Also process where seemingly good people are gradually twisted into the dark side. Compelling and resonant

Also process where seemingly good people are gradually twisted into the dark side. Compelling and resonant

#TheLine on ITVX is gripping tale of occupied France in WW2. Small triumphs + large failures of Resistance, love with the enemy, collabos and heroes and a few who were both. Drama showing messy awfulness of war but also strength of human spirit. Setting for real life #VirginiaHall

For years I've been baffled at how so many YIMBYs are in denial about some of the basic environmental ABCs of UK politics.

But at this rate if Starmer and Reed fail to follow @luketryl.bsky.social's shrewd advice the Labour Party will get shredded by the Greens.
www.ft.com/content/f456...

How the Light Gets In – Byline Times Digital / Print Edition This time last year, I spent a memorable 40 minutes in a recycled whisky barrel buffeted by a brisk winter wind wearing nothing but a swimming costume and a woolly hat.

I wrote this from the heart Just a few of the marvels these island still have to offer. Http//:subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/81/how-the-light-gets-in/