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The incredible tale of my father's escape from 'Italy's Colditz'Today, we might think of spending a few months in a world heritage site in Southern Italy as an enormous privilege. During the Second World War, however, it was anything but.
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The photographs (and photographers) who shaped the English country house style from the 1900s up to todayTo coincide with the publication of his new book illustrated from the archives of Country Life, 'English House Style', John Goodall considers the long tradition of the magazine’s peerless interior photography.
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A book that informs, inspires and surprises from a designer as engaging as a fantasy art-history teacherAshley Hicks' new book combines his own designs with the work of those who have inspired him, from Royal Pavillion glass to 17th-century Chinese lacquer cabinets in Wiltshire.
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Curious Questions: Who invented the gin and tonic?Gin and tonic is arguably the greatest cocktail ever created — but who first mixed these two seemingly unlikely ingredients together? A new book seeks to tackle this curious question.
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The vast and audacious architecture of London's greatest theatresRoger Bowdler takes a look at 'London’s Great Theatres', a new book by Simon Callow with photography from Derry Moore.
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Jason Goodwin: 'Coleridge never stopped talking... Wordsworth was more private, more reflective, and finally, more successful'Jason Goodwin remarks on how tracking one's pet past the boundaries of one's home is comparable to Coleridge's 'This Lime-tree Bower My Prison'.
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The book that combats disposable culture with tips and tricks for the perfect restorationMary Miers applauds an evocative portrait of a group of London Georgian houses cherished back to life.
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A.N. Wilson's 'definitive biography' of Prince Albert, balanced, nuanced and challengingMichael Hall commends the definitive biography of the man who did so much for Victorian Britain and transformed the image of the monarchy.
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The latest update to Pevsner brings the 21st century update 'tantalisingly close to completion'The work of updating Nikolas Pevsner and Ian Nairn's magnum opus on the buildings of England continues with a volume focusing on West Sussex. John Goodall takes a look.
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Bringing Mediterranean planting to Britain with the most wonderful gardening book of the yearMark Griffiths explains why we value Mediterranean planting styles so highly, why he urges all to purchase Mr Filippi's 'Bringing the Mediterranean into your Garden: how to capture the natural beauty of the garrigue' and why he would never adopt the methods described within himself.
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In Focus: The Mansions of Cornwall, as they existed in 1846A rare survey of over 80 Cornish country houses has been found and reprinted – Adrian Tinniswood takes a look.
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Judith Kerr: 'I walk about and look at people, out with their children, and I think do they realise how fragile it all is?'Children's author Judith Kerr, who passed away this week at the age of 95, spoke to Country Life about her life and career.
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The Utterly Inessential Hay Shopping List: All you'll need to thoroughly enjoy 'the Woodstock of the mind'We've rounded up all the utterly inessential products that you absolutely do not need (top hats for Ascot aside) to enjoy this summers season of festivals, shows and races. This week: Hay Festival.
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An economist's blueprint for the countryside that ditches 'flawed romanticism', but still offers hopeDieter Helm's latest book, Green and Prosperous Land, offers a radical blueprint for rescuing the British countryside. Clive Aslet takes a look.
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Jason Goodwin: Crime writers are the friendliest people you'll ever meet – but romantic novelists are a nightmareOur columnist – and novelist, and historian – recounts the day he met a charming and erudite fan whose kind words inspired him for years. Until they didn't.
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How to make Jane Hornby's asparagus and bacon frittataThis delicious recipe ideal for an indulgent weekend brunch comes from Jane Hornby's latest cookery book.
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Around the World in 80 Trains: The kindness of six-year-olds, a power of rejection via ice cream and a dressing down from Robert De NiroTravel writer Monisha Rajesh spent months travelling the world by train for her latest book – and after finishing it, Andrew Martin felt almost as if he'd taken the journey with her.
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Simon Hopkinson's top ten cookbooks, from The French Menu to Food from the Far EastClear some shelf space because Country Life’s resident chef Simon Hopkinson, author of the award-winning Roast Chicken and Other Stories, has picked his all-time favourite cookbooks and their standout recipes.
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11 cookbooks to inspire you to try something new in 2019Publishers and authors, it seems, have got weary of the old cookery-book formula of lots of recipes and pretty pictures. Leslie Geddes-Brown selects some different offerings.
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The ten best dogs in literatureMan’s best friend has taken a starring role in stories since we first put pen to paper, playing nanny to the children, helping to solve mysteries and trotting down the Yellow Brick Road. Claire Jackson chooses 10 great canines from literature.
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Kenneth Grahame and the true meaning behind The Wind in the WillowsThe Edwardian author Kenneth Grahame’s adoration of Nature and landscape made him passionate about conservation and inspired him to create some of Britain's best-loved characters, says his biographer Matthew Dennison.
