Title tells of UK's first spin doctor

The story of the UK's first 'spin doctor' should make for fascinating reading for anyone with an eye for communications...or  maybe those with a strong love/hate for PR. Former journalist-turned-author Richard Evans has written a book about the UK's first spin doctor, Sir Basil Clarke, the man to be credited for enabling the Alastair Campbells of the country.

That might be unfair, for the former sportsman Sir Basil intended to be a pioneer in founding the country's first PR firm. He succeeded in 1927, and the UK government made use of his "propaganda by news" - an approach which meant providing facts specific to a preferred story.

Indeed author Richard Evans explains to Hold The Front Page exactly how Sir Basil was key in bringing PR to our shores.

“Although PR was well-established in America, no-one had thought it necessary in Britain. The war changed all that because everyone could see the power of propaganda.

"When Sir Basil started in the role, it was a pioneering move and he later moved to Dublin Castle as the occupation of Ireland was deeply unpopular.”

Although he was knighted for services in Ireland, Sir Basil did come in for heavy criticism. As the author of a British response to 1920's Bloody Sunday, he was accused of conjuring fiction by Sinn Féin.

Evans though believes, "All the evidence points to it being a mistake". Adding, "As founding fathers go I think he did believe in the ethics of public relations and had a reputation for standing up to people.” Apparently now and again he would do that with his fists; not a man to back down.

The whole of Sir Basil Clarke's story may no longer be well known. Yet From the Frontline: The Extraordinary Exploits of Sir Basil Clarke at Dunham Massey seeks to lift the lid on the UK's chief crafter of comment.

Letters of Note book auction live

Letters of Note is welcoming bids for copies of Letters of Note and To The Letter, signed by performers from the most recent Letters Live event. Letters of Note has lifted itself from the ether of the Internet in recent times, turning the site founded by Shaun Usher into a self-titled book as well as a fledgling series of live events.

The most recent of these fine events took place on April 23rd, to coincide with the Reading Agency's annual World Book Night. It saw a host of readers including Stephen Fry, Lisa Dwan, Russell Brand, Louise Brealey and Andrew Motion all reading selected...well, letters of note.

Now, in a positive push to raise some funds for the Reading Agency, two books signed by the night's performers have been put up for auction. The details of the listings, still very much live, read:

One copy each of Letters Of Note and To The Letter were signed by: Stephen Fry • Caitlin Moran • Russell Brand • James Rhodes • Lisa Dwan • Matt Berry • Louise Brealey • Andrew Motion • Morgana Robinson • Andrew O’Hagan • David Nicholls at a World Book Night event in association with The Reading Agency, at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Wednesday 23 April. 

There's not a lot else we can add to that. The Letters of Note book auction will be live for the next four and a bit days, with the current top bid standing at £260.

So, if you fancy snagging the two titles - or just ensuring that the Reading Agency gets a fair sum of money (and you some excellent books in return) - head here.

Happy bidding!

Capital In the Twenty-First Century tops Amazon charts

Professor Thomas Piketty'sCapital In the Twenty-First Century has stormed Amazon, and is currently sitting at the top of the book giant's bestseller list.

We thought we caught a sense of something unique when sniffing the ether for the French academic's new work; now it seems that our initial thoughts were fairly sensible.

The 696 page title, released last month, deals with the central issue of economic inequality. And it is, Ryan Cooper of The Week believes:

...a brilliant, surprisingly readable work that synthesizes a staggering amount of careful research to make the case that income inequality is no accident.

Obviously some interest in economics will be needed to consider purchasing the title, but Capital has so far managed to impress critical reviewers and many readers with its unique and striking approach to capitalism and the inequality around us.

Admittedly, we're not particularly economically minded - indeed we're looking forward to reading the book ourselves! -  so here's Prof. Piketty explaining the title far better than we ever could.

The Young Atheist's Handbook sent to schools

Free copies of The Young Atheist's Handbook: Lessons for Living a Good Life Without God have been sent to every school in England and Wales by The British Humanist Association (BHA). The news, which first emerged in the TES, comes at a time when the former Archbishop of Canterbury has called Britain 'Post-Christian', as the debate about British religious sensibilities drives on.

The Young Atheist's Handbook was written by Alom Shaha, a science teacher, who relays his story as a child growing up in a strict Muslim community in SE London.  It's description tells:

Shaha recounts how his education and formative experiences led him to question how to live without being tied to what his parents, priests, or teachers told him to believe...

The report suggest the idea is inspired by Michael Gove's 2011 decision  to send copies of the King Jame Bible to schools - marking the book's 400th anniversary. Yet the idea clearly carries a significant additional point.

BHA's Sara Passmore has said the organisation wants to provide a "bit of balance", and that, "Alom's book will help schools to be places where pupils can encounter the broad rangeof religious and non-religious worldviews in modern Britain.”

We can't help but think that healthy representation of British religious and non-religious beliefs within schools is fair regardless of belief. Yet Trevor Cooling, professor of Christian Education at Canterbury Christ Church University, told the TES he thought the sending of the book was unnecessary:

The evidence suggests that most children’s understanding of science is already largely atheistic. The BHA itself says that most children have non-religious beliefs, so why do they feel it is so important to send out this book?

The BHA's chief executive, Andrew Copson, explained his thoughts about the decision by saying title could help young people "think critically about the world around them", while making it clear it is "possible to live a compassionate, fulfilling, and meaningful life without God or religion.

Win a signed copy of Heather Reyes 'An Everywhere'

Because it's Tuesday, and because we have a wonderful prize from the fine folks at Oxygen Books, here's our first competition. We're giving away a signed copy of Heather Reyes wonderful ' An Everywhere: a little book about reading'.

It's an inspiring book which delights in highlighting the joy to be found in books - even during the toughest of times.

Helen Dunmore, winner of the Orange Prize says of it:

I have so much enjoyed An Everywhere. It is a brilliant travel guide to the city of books: the city we hold within us, and the one we share with all its other citizens.

Reading it ourselves we couldn't agree more.

To be in with a chance of winning, write a paragraph on the most memorable journey a book has taken you on (real or otherwise), and send it over to us at wordsandmatter [at] gmail [dot] com.

We'll pick the winner from all entries by the end of Thursday, and hope to have the prize delivered by the weekend!

Ebury acquires Steve Davis autobiography

The autobiography of snooker player Steve Davis will be available in 2015, and published by Ebury, The Bookseller has reported. The sportsman is no stranger to seeing his name in print, and actually quite the deadpan character - in spite of the accepted view of his being one of British sport's less exciting personalities.

The London-born veteran of the snooker circuit has been known as "Interesting"  and the "Romford Robot" in his 36 years on the felt. But Ebury's deputy publisher, Andrew Goodfellow, is looking forward to producing a book rich on insight, and knows the man himself his well worthy of the deal.

“Steve, the man behind the ‘boring’ tag, has actually always been the sport’s smartest, sharpest and wittiest man – I’m thrilled to have him on board. He’s a bona fide sporting legend and I think his autobiography could become the defining book on snooker.”

In what is set to be both a key title about the world of snooker - and the definitive story of Davis himself - snooker and sports fans are likely to find an engaging and telling read.

Davis himself has said he is "excited" to be working with Ebury, although we're assuming his promise to reveal "what sort of chalk I was using in the '80s", as well as delivering, "a rollercoaster of unemotional analysis" won't be part of the marketing drive.

The book is expected in the Spring of 2015, to coincide with the Snooker World Championship.

Chris Hadfield: an author with global vision

Stephen King has written that books are a "uniquely portable magic". Yet some books force us to redefine the type and level of the magic which lay within their pages. Broadening horizons, educating and entertaining, the very best books bring us something unique. A magic to be taken with us, and a glow to last long after.

Ordinarily, perhaps historically, the news that the former Commander of the International Space Station was to publish a second book might excite a decent amount of people. It might not necessarily grab the attention some would feel such news deserves.

Yet the announcement that the former Commander Chris Hadfield is to publish his second book is most certainly attracting attention.

Hatfield, now retired, achieved his dreams and probably more than he ever dreamed about. As a boy he watched the moon landing and wanted nothing more than to following in the footsteps of his heroes. He joined the Canadian astronaut program in 1992 and flew into space aboard the STS-75 shuttle three years later.

In April 2001 he first visited the International Space Station, embarking on a space-walk to help install the 'Canadarm2' - a crucial bit of equipment for logistical and maintenance operations, otherwise known as the Mobile Servicing System.

As if to better enhance and brighten his later glorious views of Earth and space from orbit, he suffered a problem. While working to attach the Canadarm2 Hadfield went temporarily blind. In both eyes. Due to an anti-fogging agent Hadfield temporarily lost his sight while on a space-walk. It sounds absolutely terrifying, although he has recently said such issues are prepared for in training.

Twelve years later Hadfield would see beauty and capture imaginations on a global scale, sharing pictures of his views from space with us on Earth. Having joined the ISS on expedition 34 in December 2012, he became Commander of the Station in March 2013.

Clearly things are just a bit more eye-catching from space, and Hadfield made full artistic use of his time:

Naturally, space provides a simply astounding view on things; something the former Commander has conveyed wonderfully since his return to Earth:

"It's an entirely different perspective, you're not looking up at the universe...you and the Earth are going through the universe together.

And you're holding on with one hand, looking at the world turn beside you.

It's...roaring silently with colour and texture as it pours by just mesmersingly next to you."

It's that colour and texture, shown through the many beautiful images posted to his Twitter profile, which have captured the attention of millions. Pictures of deserts, lakes, cities and fault lines shown as only an astronaut sees them. Yes, space is different. "You see a sunrise or a sunset every 45 minutes", Hadfield told the audience at a TedX talk.

Some of what he's seen - in many photos the world has yet to - will make it into his second book, You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes. The title will be the follow up to 2013's An Astronaut's Guide To Life.

Pan Macmillan's Jon Butler imprint has acquired UK and commonwealth rights and, just as King wrote, we can expect some "uniquely portable magic". Perhaps magic like no other. The book will feature stunning images, as well as engaging and - hopefully - captivating commentary.

Now unfortunately Chris Hadfield was unavailable for comment for this feature. Because we didn't even try to get hold of him.

We know he's busy in any case. After all, he has a lot of exquisite and awe-inspiring images to work through.

Pelican Flies Again

Penguin Random House has seen fit to let the iconic Pelican imprint fly once more, as the above short video neatly tells.

Founded in 1937, Pelican was (and still is) renowned for delivering intelligent non-fiction works at smart prices. Its founder, Allen Lane, put this perfectly writing:

 ‘We…believed in the existence in this country of a vast reading public for intelligent books at a low price, and staked everything on it.’

We believe in it too, and it's great to see Pelican returning on May 1st after an absence of 30 years.

Initially there will be five titles on offer, and topics include Economics, Revolutionary Russia, Human Evolution and The Domesticated Brain.

£7.99 is the - quite reasonable - price for each. Yet for those wanting a better bargain, Waterstones has a pre-order code here which cuts the price by £2. Not bad at all!

A readable book on economics?

Economy-focused titles might generally be thought quite inaccessible.  But Professor. Thomas Picketty is apparently challenging the norm The French professor's new book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century isn't a short one, but its pages are said hold the burden of an economic revelation.

That is, as Picketty has told The Guardian, "I have proved that under the present circumstances capitalism simply cannot work."

If that seems like a read which might not be up your street, you may yet be convinced. New Yorker contributor Branko Milanovic (formerly a senior economist at the World Bank) believes the title is "one of the watershed books in economic thinking".

Not the most persuasive perhaps, but that the title is currently causing a stir in academic and wider circles, hints at the strength of a book which The Guardian's Andrew Hussey calls "surprisingly readable".

And that's a relief. At 640 pages, and costing £30 in its hardback form, it's probably not a book to tempt everyone. But Prof. Picketty does hope it will reach more than the usual audience for economics-themed titles:

"I did deliberately aim the book at the general reader", Picketty has said. Adding, "although it is obviously a book which can be read by specialists too, I wanted the information here to be made clear to everyone who wants to read it."

Because here's  a man who knows inequality simply won't do.