On todays episode of Modern Notion Daily, our guest is Henry Hemming, author of The Ingenious Mr. Pyke: Inventor, Fugitive, Spy (Public Affairs, May 2015). Hemming discovered Pyke when he was reading a volume about English eccentrics—and Pyke certainly falls into that category. His crowning achievements include sneaking into and out of Germany during World War I, creating a radical kindergarten, and establishing Special Forces in the United States and Canada. Later in the hour, author Tristan Donovan takes producer Cheryl Brumley on a tour of Brighton, England, to learn about the animals that are running wild through our cities. Plus, contributing editor Mark Hay introduces us to Obamas butterfly highway.

Music this hour:

Chicken and Cheese 2 (Foot Village cover) by Tussle

“Elle va au Japon” by Nic Bommarito, from the album A Quiet Age

“Soldiertype (militarised)” by Ketsa, from the album What’s Without’s Within