I confess to having got distracted in my SF reading. Apologies to Ms. Hall, but the book of Michael Wood’s latest TV series is proving riveting. I suspect that there are serious historians who look down on Wood in the same way that I’m told serious archaeologists look down on Time Team, but I’m a journalist and I recognize that Wood is superb at presenting stories to his audience. He’s also got me wanting to go back to India (and not just for the food).

It is also interesting comparing the book to the TV series. I haven’t seen every episode, but there are differences and I’m now hoping that I can find the DVD at a reasonable price before I head out (there not being time to get it by mail).