John Sandoe Books

The horsemen of the title are those of the Apocalypse, the terrifying outriders of war, pestilence, famine and death. Dr Mayhew considers developments in several fields to argue that we are pushing back successfully these dreadful tides. It's a gripping, lively narrative that is surprisingly uplifting. We wish we could take credit for the inspired choice of introductory music for this podcast but, in this case, those laurels must go to Emily herself. 

Edited by Magnus Rena 

Music: Denis King, Black Beauty Theme (Galloping Home)

Helena's citrusy history of Italy, The Land Where Lemons Grow, sold by the armful when it came out in 2014. Her new book tells the story of one fragile instrument and its journey across Europe, from Wales to Cremona to Russia. We still have some signed copies (at the time of uploading); please get in touch by email or telephone to reserve a copy. 

Edited by Magnus Rena 

Music: Broen Ensemble with Greg Lawson, Shaloka (trad. Armenian)

In medieval Europe, literacy rates among adult males was only 25% in cities, dwindling to 1% in villages. At the same time in Florence it was 70%. So what made this city the literary hub of Renaissance Europe? After his bestselling Brunelleschi's Dome, Ross King returns to Florence to follow the life of Vespasiano da Bisticci, the first bookseller of modern Europe.

Edited by Magnus Rena

Not so much a sequel to ‘The Hare with Amber Eyes’, this short, superb and immensely powerful book is nevertheless complementary to his earlier book. Read it, give it, think about it; read it again. 

Edited by Magnus Rena 

Music: Claude Debussy, Deux Arabesques, performed by Alain Planès

Roland Philipps' new book, Victoire, is a gripping story of espionage, seduction and double-crossing. It follows Mathilde Carré, a spy in the intelligence networks of Occupied France. To discuss the book, Roland is joined by Daniel Lee, author of The SS Officer's Armchair which came out last year. 

Edited by Magnus Rena 

Music: Le Quartette Swing Émile Carrara, Le Charmeur des Serpents

... A Journey through Madness, Mania and Healing. Horatio talks to Arabella von Friesen about what he refers to as "one of the stranger journeys of a travelling life". Please email, telephone or order online to reserve a copy. 

Edited by Magnus Rena 

Music: John Martyn, Go Down Easy 

Simon Heffer, distinguished historian and editor of the diaries (the first volume of which is published today), is joined by Tim Bouverie. 

Edited by Magnus Rena 

Music: Jack Hylton & His Orchestra, Why Can't You 

A short, powerful memoir of a Jewish family’s flight from the Gestapo in Italy, 1943. Read by Arabella von Friesen. 

Edited by Magnus Rena 

Music: Ernesto Bonino, Strolling About 

... The Frozen Winter of 1962 and How Britain Emerged a Different Country... with moving parallels to our current situation. You can order a copy through a website here.

Edited by Magnus Rena

Music: Helen Shapiro, Walkin' Back to Happiness. 

Episode two of Ben Schott's spiffing homage. 

Read by John de Falbe, edited by Magnus Rena

Music: Cab Calloway, Minnie the Moocher