Category Archives: Journalism

The return of socialism

Posted on September 18, 2008 by acb

I have been saying for years that the FT was the best left-wing newspaper in Britain: just look at today’s issue which proclaims the end of Thatcher/Reagan capitalism. Just as New Labour, built on the rejection of Clause Four (for … Continue reading →

Posted in British politics, Journalism, USA | 8 Comments

Old-fashioned journalism

Posted on September 17, 2008 by acb

I was taken to lunch at a good London club earlier this week and suddenly I can see the point of being rich (and male): champagne before the meal; pouilly fumé with the oysters and very nice burgundy with my … Continue reading →

Posted in Blather, Journalism | Comments Off on Old-fashioned journalism

Good Rowan

Posted on September 17, 2008 by acb

I have finished my review, and am sitting on it for a night to decide whether it could not be softened or improved; in any case, here is a passage where Rowan is actually doing what he sets out to … Continue reading →

Posted in God, Journalism, Literature | Comments Off on Good Rowan

Reading and sleeping

Posted on September 11, 2008 by acb

I have made it almost to the end of the Dostoevsky book by getting up early and allowing myself to fall asleep while I read it, waking refreshed for another ten pages or so. Is this a sign of a … Continue reading →

Posted in God, Journalism, Literature | Comments Off on Reading and sleeping

Snippets

Posted on September 11, 2008 by acb

You can induce egglaying in frogs (Not safe for frog lovers) by injecting them with human hormones: I learned this indirectly from a letter this morning about my column on wikigenes, which turned out to appeal to an Oxford researcher … Continue reading →

Posted in Blather, Journalism, Science without worms | Comments Off on Snippets

Shorter Rowan Williams

Posted on September 8, 2008 by acb

You are what you waffle

Posted in God, Journalism | Comments Off on Shorter Rowan Williams

Spectator Review

Posted on August 30, 2008 by acb

An amusing review in this week’s Spectator, with one quote that’s going straight onto the paperback cover: “as perceptive as Bill Bryson—and, often, just as funny” I will make a page of reviews tomorrow.

Posted in Journalism, Literature, Sweden | 3 Comments

An infinitely gloomy picture

Posted on August 26, 2008 by acb

Comes via John Naughton: it shows the bloggers’ room at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, and half the comments seem to be people saying “Look! We’re just like real journalists!”. The accredited bloggers are penned with their laptops in … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Net stories, USA | Comments Off on An infinitely gloomy picture

Tour dates

Posted on August 17, 2008 by acb

I will be performing on the radio tonight, when the Viking slavery programme that Louise and I made is featured on Radio Four’s Pick of the Week: this would be your chance to learn why every smart Ukrainian family would … Continue reading →

Posted in Blather, Journalism, Sweden | 1 Comment

FT review of Fishing in Utopia

Posted on July 14, 2008 by acb

Another gratifying review, from the Financial Times, where Hugh Carnegy, the executive editor, likes Fishing in Utopia,a lot, though he thinks, god knows why, that I am “a melancholy soul”. It is the window on Sweden that gives this book … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Literature, Science without worms, Sweden, Travel notes | 3 Comments