Author:Apsley Cherry-Garrard,Robert Byron
To mark the publication of Stop What You're Doing and Read This!, a collection of essays celebrating reading, Vintage Classics are releasing 12 limited edition themed ebook 'bundles', to tempt readers to discover and rediscover great books.
THE WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD
INTRODUCED BY SARA WHEELER
A gripping account of an expedition gone disastrously wrong. One of the youngest members of Captain Scott's team, Apsley Cherry-Garrard was later part of the rescue party that found the frozen bodies of Scott and the three men who had accompanied him on the final push to the Pole. A masterpiece of travel writing, this is the most celebrated and compelling of all the books on Antarctic exploration.
THE ROAD TO OXIANA
In 1933, the delightfully eccentric Robert Byron set out on a journey through the Middle East via Beirut, Jerusalem, Baghdad and Teheran to Oxiana - part of the border between what is now Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. This is the captivating, quirky record of his adventures and a rare account of the architectural treasures of a region now inaccessible to most Western travellers.
THE WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD - Probably the best adventure yarn ever published
—— IndependentTHE ROAD TO OXIANA - A writer of breathtaking prose - prose whose sensuous, chiselled beauty has cast its spell on English travel writing ever since
—— William DalrympleAt times, you simply have to stand back in amazement ... Philip Terry - himself a fine formalist poet and a distinguished translator of Oulipo - has put together as good a tasting menu as any. The 100 examples of Oulipian and relatedly formalist work here maintain an almost uniform virtuosic ingenuity, and reward reading, even en masse.
—— Tim Smith-Laing , Daily TelegraphMagnificent ... Terry's introduction pays witty homage to Oulipians' obsession with order, for it offers an A-Z guide to the movement's major writers and formulae.
—— Mark Ford , Times Literary SupplementPhilip Terry's collection is packed with fabulous, wide-ranging work thatdisplays the full ingenuity, brio and originality of Oulipian ideals in action. An exhilarating feat of in-depth reading, and translating, it takes its place as the definitive anthology in English for decades to come.
—— Marina WarnerPhilip Terry's rich anthology of Oulipo writings from Rabelais to Perec [is] a salutary reminder that laughter and linguistic dexterity are as much part of what it means to be human as violence and greed.
—— Gabriel Josipovici , Times Literary SupplementA wonderful anthology.
—— Michèle MétailIndispensible, informative and playful ... no two pages are alike, and every page is quite unlike anything else you've ever read.
—— Andy Brown , Stride MagazineThe greatest comic writer ever
—— Douglas AdamsWhen it comes to humour, there is only one writer who can slay you with a mere flip of the pen. This, of course, is P.G. Wodehouse
—— GuardianSuperlative.
—— Jessie Burton, 'Best Books of 2016' , ObserverCould not be more timely.
—— Louise Daughty, 'Best Books of 2016' , ObserverThe Good Immigrant is that rarest of beasts, a truly necessary book.
—— Jonathan Coe, 'Best Books of 2016' , ObserverI was deeply affected by The Good Immigrant, a vital and often bitingly funny series of personal essays
—— James Graham, 'Best Books of 2016' , ObserverShould become required reading for a new UK citizenship test – one to be taken by everyone who was born here, that is.
—— Books of the Year , Times Higher EducationA fascinating read
—— BBC BreakfastI was expecting something serious, even upsetting. The Good Immigrant is both at times, but the 21 essays are also engrossing, human and hilarious.
—— Best Books for Christmas , iSticks two fingers up at a discriminatory publishing industry.
—— New StatesmanThe essays, in turns witty, uncomfortable and inspiring, would make for great reading at any time, but were especially welcome this year.
—— Books of the Year , The PoolExistentially challenging to the status quo. It could not be more timely.
—— Readers' Books of 2016 , GuardianWhat a phenomenal book: timely, poignant and insightful. It deserves to be read as widely as possible.
—— Malorie BlackmanWarm, funny and often moving. A delight.
—— Shappi KhorsandiQuite simply a wonderful antidote to the tired cliches.
—— Fatima Manji, Channel 4 NewsA bold, beautiful and urgent book that should be read widely in these politically and racially charged times. It opened my eyes so much, and, in my opinion, is the most exciting publication of 2016.
—— Holly Muller , Big IssueI am stupidly grateful for this book. It opened my eyes to my own experience and gave me words for feelings I had known but never acknowledged. I carry it with me whenever I travel, to remind me that the world is good. Buy this book, carry it with you everywhere, give it to everyone you know. We need it now more than ever.
—— Emmy the GreatHere are a bunch of brave writers actually doing something about representation … an important book.
—— Sathnam SangheraIncisive, funny, searingly honest … it contains work that should be read by all.
—— DJ NihalBrilliant, unclichéd, unique. A book of our time, which everyone must read.
—— Shazia MirzaI want everyone to read this book. I found myself nodding along, feeling the pain, hilarity and anger.
—— Anita RaniThe Good Immigrant's strength not only comes in its numbers, but through the uniqueness of each essay inside, ranging from Coco Khan’s look at sexuality and fetishisation, through to Riz MC’s retelling of his typical treatment in airport security.
—— ComplexA stunning collection of original voices, challenging how we see race and difference.
—— Mishal HusainI knew I'd be interested in this book. I didn't realise I'd be so moved. At a time when British identity is being claimed as the exclusive preserve of people who wish immigration had stopped with Hengist and Horsa, it does the heart good to be reminded of how many of us there are, and how deeply woven we are into the fabric of our country. It's a book that will make a lot of young Britons feel more powerful and less alone. Each essay is like another new friend standing up and saying to the reader, 'I see you.'
—— Hari Kunzru