Robert writes a column on ‘life lessons’ in the Evening Standard and contributes to the massively popular Philosophy Bites podcast series and speaks regularly on BBC radio.

His new book explores the hidden philosophy of everyday life in the company of some of the greatest thinkers in history. It asks you to question your daily routine. Can Nietzsche improve your commute? What does Freud think about your shopping? Does Bakhtin approve of your gym fetish? From getting ready in the morning, commuting, having dinner, attending a party, arguing with your partner, having sex, to falling back to sleep - your day will never be the same again.

www.robertrowlandsmith.com

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In tonight’s talk Arabist Hugh Leach will describe Afghanistan’s geographical and tribal make up and give a brief history of the country from the time of Alexander the Great, through the period of British involvement during the 19th and early 20th centuries, to the present day. After laying the necessary Islamist background to what motivates the Taliban and AlQa’ida, he will debate the uneasy situation that now prevails.

Hugh served as a solider and diplomat for 36 years mainly in the Middle East. He has travelled widely in Afghanistan including exploration of a remote source of the great Oxus river in northern Badakhshan. In an active retirement he has, inter alia, led young persons expeditions to the Hindu Kush and Karakorum mountains of northern Pakistan. Historian of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs (Royal Central Asian Society) and the author of its Centennial History “Strolling About on the Roof of the World” (Routledge 2003) and a holder of its Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Medal. Hugh is currently engaged in writing a book about his early travels in the Yemen with the late Dame Freya Stark, comprising sepia photographs taken with 1930 Leica cameras. He is also Associate Director of the Academy of Circus Arts, the only travelling Circus School in Europe.

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An evening of travelling and music and travelling with music: Garth Cartwright and Daniel Metcalfe in conversation. Garth’s new book More Miles Than Money - Journeys Through American Music, is a stomping good follow-up to his earlier classic Princes Amongst Men. This is a great read for anyone who likes music, blues and the wide open road.

Daniel’s book Out of Steppe came out earlier this year, when he was kind enough to come along and talk to us: now he joins Garth for a lively chat about, well, you know, stuff.

Both authors will be happy to sign copies of their books.

Light refreshments provided.

Random House
Serpent's Tail

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Evie Wyld’s first novel “After the Fire A Still Small Voice” has been universally applauded (well in the UK, Australia and America!) as a terrifically self-assured debut. Her prose has been pronounced comparable to Tim Winton, Steve Toltz, Peter Carey and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Patrick White.

She is also known for her short stories which include “Menzies Meat“, “The Convalescent’s Handbook” and “What Will Happen to the Dog After We Are Dead?” which have been published in various magazines and anthologies. Recently returned from a stint at the Melbourne Writers Festival and a promotional trip to New York she is now revitalised and ready to answer your tricksy Questions.

www.eviewyld.com

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The official Peckham launch of ‘celebrity’ gardener Dan Pearson's gorgoeus new tome, SPIRIT, Garden Inspiration. No coffee or garden table will be complete without this volume this autumn. Chockablock full of glorious images and visionary writing, the book takes the reader on a journey around the gardens and landscapes which have inspired Dan over the years.

He will be chatting about gardening and reading from his book. Oh, and signing a few copies too if you ask nicely.

Booking advised.

Refreshments provided.

Stories are intended for adults but teenagers and older children will enjoy.

http://www.danpearsonstudio.com

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The South Bank Poets have all been published in South Bank Poetry, a quarterly magazine with a London and Urban focus edited by Peter Ebsworth.

This evening, Peckham based poets Alison Craig, Nicky Bashall, Dominic O'Rourke and Joan Byrne, join Peter in reading and performing what is best in Contemporary South London Poetry.

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Story-telling with Sally Pomme-Clayton

Sally Pomme-Clayton will be visiting us for one of her extremely popular story-telling evenings. That means you need to book.

Sally takes us on one of her magical journeys round the Middle East and back. She never fails to hold us spell bound – come along for the ride.

She will also be signing copies of her latest book, Persephone.

Tea and cookies provided.

www.sallypommeclayton.com
Betty Bookmark

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Will is bringing along a couple of his songster mates to make a proper song and dance about his new book “Ballad of Britain“. Although Will travelled the length and breadth of Britain to find out whether folk music still exists in a meaningful sense, his journey starts (and ends) at home in Peckham.

An engaging blend of humour and musical scholarship the book is as much a portrait of modern Britain as an adventure into lyric and melody. Will travelled with a portable recording device called a Zoom and along the way he danced with gypsies in a wood in Sussex, visited a town of Bob Dylans in Scotland and was attacked by a large woman with a chair in Kent. He is the author of the highly acclaimed books “Song Man” and “Guitar Man”.



http://willhodgkinson.turnpiece.net/