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14/11/2011
Top Christmas reads 2011
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Robert Tanitch’s Round Up of Christmas Books 5
FILM, TV, OPERA and BALLET
CINEMA: THE WHOLE STORY edited by Philip Kemp (Thames & Hudson £19.95). The evolution of international cinema, excellently illustrated with key works in every genre. Classic films are highlighted and analysed in detail. It’s a great book to dip into and very useful for quick reference for all film buffs.
Robert Tanitch's round up of Christmas books - No. 4
MRS OSCAR WILDE AND BIOGRAPHIES and AUTOBIOGRAPHIES of ACTORS
CONSTANCE by Franny Moyle (John Murray £20). The tragic and scandalous life of Mrs Oscar Wilde. Not her scandal, but her husband’s. The familiar story of his fall is told from the wife’s point of view, drawing on her unpublished letters. Strongly motivated, she wanted to protect their two boys.
Robert Tanitch's round up of Christmas books - No. 3
HISTORY, MAPS, TREASURE HUNTS AND COOKING
THE NEW ATLAS OF WORLD HISTORY by John Haywood (Thames & Hudson (£32). This is the first and only historical atlas to present global history combining state-of-the-art world maps with detailed illustrated timelines, giving an overview of history from six million years ago to the present. Splendid.
Robert Tanitch's round up of Christmas books - No. 2
Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austin, Noel Coward, Rumpole and Popes
SHAKESPEARE COMPLETE WORKS (Arden £18.99). If you are looking for a complete edition (and one that includes Double Falsehood), look no further.
CHARLES DICKENS will shortly be celebrating his 200th birthday. There are two books: CHARLES DICKENS A Life by Claire Tomalin (Viking £30), a first class biography, and CHARLES DICKENS (Andre Deutsch £30), which is of interest not for its text but for its facsimile documents and photographs from Dickens’ personal archive which has been researched by Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, his great-great-great granddaughter.
Robert Tanitch's round up of Christmas books - No. 1
Leonardo, Aestheticism, Modern Art, Photography and Churches
Have you been able to get into the Leonardo exhibition at the Royal Academy? The Phaidon Colour Library series is terrific value and LEONARDO by Patricia Emison (Phaidon £6.95) includes plates of all his master works and is a good, quick introduction. LEONARDO by Martin Kemp (Oxford £10.99) is for those who are more knowledgeable and want something more academic.
“TWO’S COMPANY: Love Again, a Woman’s Journey” by Helene Pascal
Helene Pascal's chronicle of her experiences of the dating world shines by its insights and humour as she relates her quest to find a partner in her sixties through the personal pages in national newspapers.
This account of her various attempts to find a good mate with whom to “talk, share, laugh and do things” is totally compelling and will resonate with many single mature women who, for diverse reasons find themselves on their own later in life, wish to share the many years ahead with a good man, and know they still have a lot to give.
"The Greatest Privilege" by Ann Frewer
Towards the end of last year, one of our readers and occasional letter writers Ann Frewer (who runs a network of friendship groups in Bromley) found herself featured in the Daily Mail. Her book, ‘Life, the greatest privilege’, has just been published and is making a huge impact on those who read it – myself included.
Call of the Camino
Planning a trip for next year? Take a look at these travel books!
THE TRAVEL BOOK. A journey through every country in the world. (Lonely Planet £40). Now is always a good time to be planning holidays and here is a huge book for the traveller who goes abroad and the traveler who remains in his armchair. There is a double page entry for every country and there are 229 countries. Decisions, decisions. Some double-pages whet the appetite for far-off places more than others; it all depends on the choice of photographs and sometimes the choice is a bit strange when there are only four pictures for each country. England gets a raw deal, for instance.
More books for Christmas - with something for all the family!
CONSTABLE (Phaidon £35). Constable Country is pure, unaffected, pastoral, nostalgic, nationalistic (very English), conservative and highly influential; this handsome book is a real eye-opener for those who perhaps know only his Haywain and Salisbury Cathedral.
More book recommendations for Christmas!
Robert Tanitch recommends more perfect gift books for Christmas
‘Get in There’ – the story of Tommy Lawton, ‘England’s greatest centre forward’
If you have warm memories of football as a tough, uncompromising but sporting physical encounter between two teams where muscularity and bravery as much as ball skill won the day, then you will know the legend that is Tommy Lawton. Because he enshrined everything that was great about English football in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Mature Times editor Tony Watts reviews a new, first class biography of his 'triumphs and torments'.
From Shakespeare to Sondheim - the best Theatre books
Indulge your passion for Theatre, with this selection of books for Christmas.
Film and TV books galore
From actions movies to The Archers - there's something for everyone this Christmas!
