Otherlands author Thomas Halliday: ‘Some people have insisted on reading the book backwards’

The paleobiologist and author of Foyles’ nonfiction book of 2022 on Earth’s deep past, the joys of the British Library, and how early four-limbed vertebrates helped him find his feetThomas Halliday was born in 1989 and raised in Rannoch in the Scottish Highlands. He studied zoology at Cambridge before specialising in paleobiology for his master’s and PhD – winning the Linnean Society Medal for the best doctorate in biological studies. His debut book Otherlands: A World in the Making – which comes out in paperback on 2 February – was Foyles’ nonfiction book of 2022, while the historian Tom Holland called it “the best book on the history of life on Earth I have ever read”. Halliday lives in north London with his wife and sons.What is paleobiology?In the late 20th century, we began to realise that we could study far more aspects of past life than simply describing the forms and defining them into taxonomies. Paleobiology encompasses everything from cell biology to genetic relationships to ecology. It’s like any other part of biology, except it happens to be set in the deep past. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-01-28 18:00:26 UTC ]

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Zuckerberg's book club pick: 'The End of Power' deals with 'microplayers,' like Hezbollah, hedge funds, and startups

'The End of Power' – a respected, though modestly-selling, nonfiction book – has now been launched to a global audience thanks to Mark Zuckerberg. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Birmingham hopes British Library could protect flagship from cuts

Officials in Birmingham are hoping that a deal with the British Library could help protect the flagship Library of Birmingham from cuts. According to a report in the Birmingham Post, the council is initiating talks which could see the Library of Birmingham become a regional centre for the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Canongate signs Highlands nature study

Canongate has signed a book on the wildlife and landscape of the Scottish Highlands, by nature writer and conservationist Sir John Lister-Kaye. Senior editor Jenny Lord signed Gods of the Morning in a deal for world rights with Catherine Clarke at Felicity Bryan Associates. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Blogger Zoe Sugg sets new record for fastest-selling debut novel

Sugg's debut book, 'Girl Online,' now holds the record for the highest sales in its first week for a new writer in the UK.  Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-12-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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More Gruen for Two Roads

Two Roads has acquired the new novel by Sara Gruen, whose Water for Elephants (Two Roads) is one of the titles chosen for World Book Night 2015. Publisher Lisa Highton bought UK rights to At the Water’s Edge from Sarah Lutyens at Lutyens and Rubinstein. At the Water’s Edge is a “gripping and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Townsend's work will be 'championed' for years

Penguin Random House will “nurture, protect and champion” Sue Townsend’s work for years to come, c.e.o. Tom Weldon has said. Speaking at an event to celebrate the late writer’s life and work at The British Library, Weldon made the promise to Townsend’s family, who were in attendance. He also... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Four Pearson titles on Management Book of Year Prize shortlist

Social purpose is one of the key themes behind the shortlist for the Management Book of the Year Prize. Presented for the past five years by the Chartered Management Institute and the British Library, and supported by the Henley Business School, the £5,000 prize is given to the best book on... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Big claims for Pegasus' Lost Gospel

Excitement is building in the national press about a new book which uses a manuscript from the British Library as the basis for claims that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had two children with her. The Lost Gospel by Simcha Jacobovici and Barrie Wilson will be released on Wednesday (12th... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rushdie Wins 2014 PEN/Pinter Prize

The award will be presented at a public event at the British Library on October 9, at which Rushdie will deliver an address. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Jonathan Tropper: Screenwriting Is His New Gig

In his second novel, The Book of Joe (2004), Jonathan Tropper wrote about a novelist who fears the “sophomore slump” after his debut book becomes a huge bestseller and is adapted into a film.Fast forward a decade, and Tropper’s fiction becomes reality. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BL buys Kureishi's personal diaries

The British Library has bought Hanif Kureishi's personal archive, made up of more than 50... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-01-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Best Illustrations From All Your Favorite Children's Books

Characters from children's books often take on legendary status in the popular imagination. Peter Pan inspired his own pathological syndrome (and maybe R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly"); Willy Wonka led to a real–world candy company; and hundreds of wannabe Hobbits live in commercially... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2013-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Oldest book award winners announced

A novel inspired by a seaport in the Scottish Highlands and a biography of a renowned potter scoop the UK's oldest literary awards. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2013-08-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rebecca Gayle Howell's apocalyptic poetry collection, 'Render'

Times Book Critic David L. Ulin takes a look at Rebecca Gayle Howell's poems in "Render" and her definition of "apocalypse."On the back cover of Rebecca Gayle Howell’s debut book of poetry “Render: An Apocalypse” (Cleveland State University Poetry Center: unpaged, $15.95 paper), there’s a... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-07-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Friern Barnet library to be volunteer-run

A library in north London which was occupied by squatters will now be run by volunteers from the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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DCMS consults over transfer of PLR to British Library

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched a consultation on plans to transfer the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-05-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Keating to replace Brindley at British Library

One-time "The Late Show" editor Roly Keating has been appointed as the new chief... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-05-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BL unveils PEN sculpture

The British Library is celebrating the 90th anniversary of writers' charity PEN with a... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-12-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jeremy Hunt to receive library petition

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Wed, 26/10/2011 - 09:15 Secretary of state Jeremy Hunt will be presented with a petition of more than 12,000 signatures tomorrow (27th October), demanding he intervenes to reverse the closure of six libraries in Brent, north London. Hunt has remained... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-10-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Godfray asks BL to "review" Amazon link

Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Wed, 19/10/2011 - 15:01 Tim Godfray, chief executive of The Booksellers Association, has asked British Library c.e.o. Dame Lynne Brindley to review the Library’s relationship with Amazon “as a matter of urgency”, following the furore over links to... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-10-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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