peterharris

100% agree with that! Jaw-dropping stuff. My other favourite travel writers:- Haroun Tazieff - Jacques Cousteau's 'amateur vulcanologist'. His idea of a good time was climbing an erupting volcano at night. Tristan Jones - I know he made it up but what a storyteller. Sebastian Snow - Couldn't use a compass or put up a tent but walked from Tierra del Fuego to Panama. Farley Mowat - 'The Siberians' There's more but that'll do.

I'd say the first 3 of the Brentford Trilogy (now up to 9 books) The Antipope The Brentford Triangle East of Ealing You have to meet Pooley, O'Malley, Neville the Part-time barman, Archroy and all the Brentfod residents.

When I'm somewhere very dark I pick up the works of Francois Rabelais. 'Naturally bookmarked' by where it falls open are the most outrageous and disgusting passages! It works every time ;-)

I'm in a very similar situation myself. My father was a bookseller and collector so I've spent all my life (64 years) surrounded by books. I've tried ebay, 1 week is just not enough. I've tried abebooks and I know it's my own fault but I lost money there. I've emailed my local book club, no reply. I've tried Blackwellls rare books online, sent them a full description of something of selling price about 75 pounds, got a 'no' back. Ive already given away 2 vanloads to a local charity but I have loads more. Antiquarian, 20th century early editions, religious stuff. Im honestly losing hope....

I'm 64 years old, prety much disabled now but I was born and brought up in a bookshop. I have hundreds and i really can't keep them. I'd better do a bit of reading here before yapping on too much! Peter Harris