June 2013 in Review

This is an index and summary of the things I’ve talked about over the last month. Links for multi-post subjects go to the first post (even if it’s before this month), you can follow the internal navigation links from there.

Books

Fiction

“The Alternate Asimovs” Isaac Asimov. Original previously unpublished versions of the novels Pebble in the Sky and End of Eternity, and of the short story Belief. Part of Read All the Fiction, boxed up.

“Pebble in the Sky” Isaac Asimov. Asimov’s first novel, originally published in 1950. Far-future science fiction. Part of Read All the Fiction, boxed up.

“Foundation” Isaac Asimov. Far future science fiction, the start of Asimov’s most famous series. Library book.

“Foundation and Empire” Isaac Asimov. Far future science fiction, part of Read All the Fiction, boxed up.

“Second Foundation” Isaac Asimov. Far future science fiction, part of Read All the Fiction, boxed up.

“Life After Life” Kate Atkinson. Part historical fiction, part alternate history, part historical fantasy – the story of a woman growing up in the early 20th Century over & over again. Library book.

“Shift” Hugh Howey. The sequel to Wool, post- and immediately pre-apocalypse. Library book.

“Flash” L. E. Modesitt Jr. Science fiction political thriller set a few hundred years in the future. Library book.

“Blackbirds” Chuck Wendig. Urban fantasy/thriller about a young woman who can tell when & how people die just by touching them. Library book.

Total: 9

Non-Fiction

“China: The Three Emperors 1662-1795” eds. Evelyn S. Rawski & Jessica Rawson. Exhibition catalogue from a 2005 exhibition at the Royal Academy, covering the art collection of the three Qing Dynasty Emperors the Kangxi Emperor, the Yongzheng Emperor and the Qianlong Emperor.

Total: 1

Concerts

The Stone Roses, Finsbury Park 7/6/2013.

Total: 1

Photos

Climbing.

Just Hanging About.

Spine.

Turned to Stone.

Waiting for the Sun.

Total: 5

Radio

Japan’s Sakoku Period. In Our Time episode about the period of Japan’s history where it pursued a policy of isolation from the rest of the world.

The Putney Debates. In Our Time episode about the context of & discussions in the Putney Debates (held in 1647 after the end of the first part of the Civil Wars).

Total: 2

Talks

“Monuments to Amun-Ra ‘King of the Gods’: The Temples of Thebes” George Hart. Talk given by George Hart at the June meeting of the EEG, about Amun-Ra and the various temples in the Theban region.

Total: 1

Television

Non-Fiction

Donald Campbell: Speed King. Biography of Donald Campbell, who died in 1967 trying to break the water speed record (for the 8th time).

Fit to Rule. Series about the British monarchs through the lens of their medical history from Henry VIII to Edward VII, presented by Lucy Worsley.

The Genius of Marie Curie: The Woman Who Lit Up the World. Programme about the life & work of Marie Curie.

The Genius of Turner: Painting the Industrial Revolution. A programme about the life & work of J. M. W. Turner.

Australia with Simon Reeve. Simon Reeve travelling around Australia.

Henry VIII’s Enforcer: The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell. Documentary about the life of Thomas Cromwell, presented by Diarmaid MacCulloch. Part of the BBC’s Tudor Court Season.

Horizon: The Secret Life of the Cat. Programme about investigating the territories & ranges of pet cats using GPS.

Ice Age Giants. Alice Roberts talking about the large animals that lived during the ice age, complete with CGI recreations.

Isaac Newton: The Last Magician. Biography of Isaac Newton.

The Road to El Alamein: Churchill’s Desert Campaign. Programme presented by Jonathan Dimbleby about the events leading up to the pivotal World War II battle at El Alamein in late 1942.

TOWN with Nicholas Crane. Nicholas Crane visiting British towns.

The Tube: An Underground History. Programme made to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the London Underground.

Why the Industrial Revolution Happened Here. Cut down version of a programme about what made Britain such fertile ground for the Industrial Revolution.

Wild Shepherdess with Kate Humble. Series where Kate Humble visits sheep farmers around the world to see what’s the same & what’s different.

Total: 14