If there is one legendary group of individuals in history who have inspired the imagination of many and have had grow around them myths, speculative theory, orthodox academic examination, and fiction, it must be the Knights Templar. Much has been written about them (including Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci...
I was going through a pile of books a friend returned to me and I came across a copy of The Flanders Panel. It was clearly mine but I didn’t recall having read it, so, as I was on a break I decided to settle in for a read,...
I’m an unabashed fan of Tessa Kiros’ cookbooks all of which are within easy reach in my library. If you haven’t discovered her, then you must and to assist you with an initial choice I decided I would share her glorious cookbook Venezia – food & dreams (published by Murdoch Books,...
I have sat down several times to write a review of Imprimatur and, quite frankly, the way to describe this outstanding 2002 published book has defeated me. But, never one to give up, and now into the first sequel of this book, I have turned my mind to this...
After having an insight into the documented prevalence of homosexuality in Renaissance Florence through my reading of the activities of the Office of the Night (Ufficiali di notte) my research revealed Michael Rocke’s 1996 book Forbidden Friendships: Homosexuality and Male Culture in Renaissance Florence. The author acknowledges that this...
In light of the recent Sotherby’s sale of a magnificent Botticelli, I thought I would share with you a fascinating true story of one of the most far-reaching and elaborate cons in the history of art forgery. Provenance tells the story of John Drewe and John Myatt who between...
The Montefeltro Conspiracy by Marcello Simonetta focuses the reader’s attention on one of the most written about conspiracies of Florentine history – the Pazzi Conspiracy of 1478, which sought to achieve the murder of both Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici. In doing so, he seeks to definitively show, by...
Sometime ago I provided a review of The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte. This time I bring you a review of another of his wonderful books, The Siege, which again comes with a five star rating. The Siege is based in Cadiz in 1811. Cadiz is under siege by...
I was reorganizing my bookshelf recently and I admit I didn’t get far – as I ended up pouring through my many cookbooks and recalling some of my favourite dishes. As part of this process I found myself, once again, delighting in the recipes of Silvena Rowe in...
I recently shared with you Maggie’s Verjuice Cookbook, but here I want to share with you Maggie’s Kitchen – a cookbook of pure country delight, celebrating good, fresh, simple food that has become so much a staple of the way that I cook today, thanks to Maggie. The first thing I...
Welcome to my love affair with the food, wine, history and culture of the Mediterranean, past and present. Here you will find not only recipes, drinks and fabulous products, but the history of the food and culture of the Mediterranean.
My purpose is to get you to explore and experience new tastes and along the way to immerse yourself in the wonderful history of this diverse and wonderful region – from Venice to Istanbul, Rome to Dubrovnik, Athens to Crete and all places in between and in the surrounds. Be prepared to be surprised, delighted and enthralled as you take this trip with me.
