Jude Brosnan

Antarctic Things

-by Daniella McCahey and Jean de Pomereu, authors of Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects

*Supplies and Homes Building Up at Little America,* by Robert Charles Haun, 1956.
Courtesy of the United States Navy History and Heritage Command, Washington DC, United States.

The Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center in the United States operates a science outreach program. Teachers can, for free, request a box of rocks from Antarctica to use temporarily in their classes. They fill out a form and within weeks, a box of Antarctic specimens arrive. In general, these rocks are not special or valuable. It is filled with different types of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, along with some fossils and minerals, which are handy in a basic geology lesson. But to be honest, many of these samples are no different than sandstone or granite that they can find in their own yards. What makes these special is that they came from Antarctica. Children can hold a piece of Antarctica in their hands.

What is Travel Fiction? by Janice Pariat

Janice Pariat is the award-winning author of Boats on Land: A collection of Short Stories, Seahorse, and the international best-seller The Nine-Chambered Heart. Her new novel Everything the Light Touches is out with Borough Press, HarperCollins UK. She lives in India. Here she discusses travel fiction:

“What is travel fiction?” a friend asked.

The England Coast Path

By Andrew McCloy, author of Great Walks on the England Coast Path

As an island nation we have a special relationship with the sea – historically, culturally and often very personally – and nowhere on the English mainland are you any more than 70 miles or 113km from the nearest coastline. Being beside the seaside is a richly sensual experience and what better way to enjoy it than a bracing coastal walk!

Map of the Month: Great Britain Slow Ways Journey Planners

Our Map of the Month for October 2022 is the Slow Ways Journey Planners by Urban Good. These maps are based on the grassroots initiative to create walking routes across Great Britain.

The printed maps are big, bold, beautiful and designed to inspire and support people imagine, plan and share journeys.

Slow Ways is an initiative to create a network of walking routes that connect all of Great Britain’s towns and cities as well as thousands of villages and every national park. People can use the routes to walk between neighbouring places or combine routes to travel over longer distances.

Children’s Book of the Month: Incredible India

Our Children’s Book of the Month for October 2022 is Incredible India by Jasbinder Bilan, illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti.

Journey across the diverse regions of India in this beautifully illustrated introduction to the culture and history of this incredible country and its people.

The first work of non-fiction by multi-award-winning author Jasbinder Bilan, brought to life by artist Nina Chakrabarti, is a joyful celebration of India and its people, places and wildlife.

Watch elephants bathing from a houseboat in Kerala, marvel at ancient cave paintings in Bhimbetka, wander through Delhi’s bustling streets, and ride a train through the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya.

Book of the Month: Atlas of Geographical Curiosities

Our Book of the Month for October 2022 is Atlas of Geographical Curiosities by Vitali Vitaliev.

Welcome to this compendium of interesting, unexpected and downright bizarre geographical anomalies that are guaranteed to delight and inspire. The world is full of little-known facts that have sometimes been a source of diplomatic or military struggle. Many still exist under the radar now to be revealed by this entertaining treasure trove.

Where else can you discover:

The Story of Tutankhamun

By Garry Shaw, author of The Story of Tutankhamun: An Intimate Life of the Boy Who Became King.

It has been one hundred years since Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. Famous today mainly because of his treasures, the boy king is often dismissed as an unimportant pharaoh, but this is far from correct. He lived through a turbulent time in Egyptian history, and helped to steer his country back to normality. Here’s five fascinating facts about Tutankhamun that give us an insight into his life and times.

Nellie Bly: Back on the map at the RGS

By Rosemary J Brown, author of Following Nellie Bly: Her Record-Breaking Race Around the World.

Nellie Bly fans unite! The life and lessons of the intrepid journalist will take centre stage in the Royal Geographical Society’s Ondaatje Theatre when BBC news presenter Martine Croxall delivers ‘Investigating Nellie Bly: reflections on journalism and the power of curiosity’ for the Monday night lecture on 26 September.

The Amur River by Colin Thubron in pictures

Rising in the Mongolian mountains and flowing through Siberia to the Pacific, the Amur River forms the tense border between Russia and China. This is the most densely fortified frontier on Earth.

In his eightieth year, Colin Thubron takes a dramatic and often treacherous journey from the Amur’s secret source to its giant mouth, covering almost 3,000 miles. Harassed by injury and by arrest from the local police, he makes his way along both the Russian and Chinese shores. By the time he reaches the river’s desolate end, a whole, pivotal world has come alive.

To celebrate the paperback launch of the 2022 Stanford Dolman winning The Amur River by Colin Thubron here are some photographs taken on the journey.

Map of the Month: A Travellers’ Railway Map of Europe

All Aboard! Take to the tracks and see Europe via the most scenic routes rail travel has to offer.

Our Map of the Month for September 2022 is A Travellers’ Railway Map of Europe. Presenting the Continent in a series of six maps with their enlargements, including ten city maps indicating locations of their main railway stations and a map of the high-speed network.