Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Islington's people plaque : vote for douglas adams

Douglas Adams lived in several flats in Islington (the famous Borough of London). Here is the presentation on Islingon council website : "Douglas Adams was best known for his Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy radio series and books. His other works include the Dirk Gently and Meaning of Liff books and his defence of biodiversity, Last Chance to See. He moved to Upper Street in 1981 and to Duncan Terrace in the late 1980s. His works contain frequent local references – Hitchhikers, for example, includes a character named ‘Hotblack Desiato’ after a local estate agent, key characters who met at an Islington party… and scenes in a prehistoric cave in the borough. Adams died of a heart attack aged 49."


Even if you are not british you can vote for Douglas Adams. Voting  closes on 28 February 2011.


As explained on the site "Islington’s green plaques celebrate historic people, places and events in the borough.  

The selection panel have now shortlisted the ten nominations listed below and it's up to you to decide. The five nominations that receive the most votes will be awarded an Islington People's Plaque."
To vote, please go here and fill the form (very easy, it will takes just a few seconds of your time) :

Monday, February 7, 2011

"42: Douglas Adams' Amazingly Accurate Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything" also hits the shelves!


Peter Gill has just published his "42 : Douglas Adams' amazingly accurate answer to life the universe and everything" (published by "Beautiful books").

If you ever wanted to know anything about 42, then this book should be a nice choice. And it seems to be a must-read for the Hitchhiker and Douglas fans.

Here is a review published in The Guardian : http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/feb/03/douglas-adams-42-hitchhiker#start-of-comments

And another one in The Independant : http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/the-meaning-of-life-42-things-about-42-2205734.html

A presentation on the publisher's site : http://www.beautiful-books.co.uk/books/144-42-douglas-adams-amazingly-accurate-answer-to-life-the-universe-and-everything.html

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

"I was Douglas Adams' flatmate" hits the shelves


"I was Douglas Adams flatmate" is sadly not just about Douglas Adams as you can guess if you read the full tittle "... And other encouters with legends". This book, based on a Radio 4 series, also tells you about Ernest Hemingway, Sam Peckinpah, Johnny Cash, Tina Turner, Morrissey,...

I haven't read the book yet but this could be quite an interesting read.

In this collection of interviews, Andrew McGibbon talks to a close friend or collaborator of each of these often near-mythical figures. We hear the story of how Johnny Cash became the Man in the Black Suit from his tailor, Manuel; we hear about Les Dawson’s literary aspirations from his joke writer, David Nobbs; Jon Canter, flatmate, recounts the time he spent living with Douglas Adams as he turned from aspiring writer into international star; and in the final chapter, the author tells his own story of his brief spell as the drummer for Morrissey.

Brought sharply into focus through stories and recollections of incidents and day-to-day details, I Was Douglas Adams’s Flatmate offers intimate portraits, full of anecdote and detail, that show the subjects in a different light, close-up and often very personal. Because, while the legends encountered may be or have been extraordinary people whose public lives have been well documented, they still suffered ailments, drank to excess occasionally, bumped their heads and fell in love."