across the Atlantic from east to west, but her life and adventurous times in East Africa—as a child in the wilderness, as a racehorse trainer, and as an intrepid flying explorer—are even more exciting. A reminder, in epic fashion, of the good old days.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Shirley Hughes is one of the best-loved and most innovative creators of books for young children. She has written and illustrated over 50 books, sold more than eleven million copies, won major awards and created some of the most enduring characters in children's literature, including including Dogger, Alfie, and Lucy and Tom.

For the Guardian, she named her top 10 picture book characters.

One character on the list:

The Bear with Sticky Paws – Clara Vulliamy

When The Bear with Sticky Paws arrives at Pearl's house,chaos of one kind or another ensues. Clara Vulliamy can draw real children as convincingly as she can invent anthropomorphic animals, a rare quality in contemporary picture books. (I have to declare an interest here, as she is my daughter!) These stories explore Pearl's changing reactions to the engagingly maverick bear, who tears through the action with delicious abandon.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Will Inboden named his top 10 books on grand strategy for Foreign Policy.

One title on his list:

Reinhold Niebuhr, The Irony of American History.

The beginning of wisdom in approaching grand strategy is to appreciate the limits of power and human insight. Almost six decades since its writing, Niebuhr still speaks with prescience today:

"Modern man's confidence in his power over historical destiny prompted the rejection of every older conception