James Rodgers
@jmacrodgers
Author. Journalist. Fellow Royal Historical Soc. Linguist. Editorial Adviser, History Today. Ex correspondent in Moscow, Brussels, Gaza. New book, The Return of Russia, out now.
For #worldcatday, some pictures of Lyra, who enjoys being outside, but her life is not just one of leisure
After I watched the absorbing series on the American Revolution (currently on BBC iplayer on the UK; I think previously on PBS) last night, this was the scene on a street near my house in west London earlier. A C21 take on the Boston tea (bag) party? We live in troubling times.
A smoke-filled shot for this camera operator @kiaoval.com this evening, after fireworks before the start of #thehundred #cricket. MI London beat Leeds Sunrisers by seven wickets
Another picture post from my trip to Germany this week: a Ukrainian flag on the side of the tower of the Berlin Wall memorial. From the top of the tower, you look out on a recreation of the east side of the wall as it was in a differently divided Europe.
On a trip to Germany, a visit to Baden-Baden, where Dostoyevsky lost heavily at roulette, and my new copy of 'The Gambler', bought at 'Mnogoknig' a superbly stocked Russian bookshop in Berlin
My first ever visit to the County Ground, Hove on Friday evening. Always interesting to see a new ground. The cooler temperature at the coast was a bonus, as was a deserved seven wicket win for Surrey #T20.
On the anniversary of the day Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, two books on the terrible siege of Leningrad that followed
After a big Saturday night, Scotland's sleeping in, perhaps dreaming
Thanks everyone who came to Derby Book Festival on Thurs 28, especially to @alentop.bsky.social for chairing. Great audience questions. It was a pleasure to chat afterwards while signing copies of 'The Return of Russia' @yalebooks.bsky.social and proudly wearing my @kyivindependent.com t-shirt.
Just home after a long day that meant leaving at 6.15 this morning, and still some domestic financial stuff to take care of. Very grateful to have such a reliable secretary to make sure nothing's overlooked.
For the first time since school holidays in Manchester in the 1980s, I have watched at least part of every day of a county championship match, Surrey vs Sussex @kiaoval.com. Changing fortunes (and weather). Surrey won by eight wickets in the final session. Great advertisement for red ball #cricket
After work yesterday, I made it to @kiaoval.com to see the end of the day's play. Perfect cricket weather--maybe too hot for one spectator, who had a traditional solution. Surrey didn't make the most of an early advantage--hopefully a good day with the bat ahead today.
A weekend in Manchester, the city where I spent my schooldays, was a chance to sign copies of 'The Return of Russia', new from @yalebooks.bsky.social, in Waterstones, Deansgate.
Spring has arrived on the Thames in west London, and the parakeets are enjoying the new season
Thank you to everyone who came along to the Chiswick Media Club on April 15 to hear me talk about 'The Return of Russia'. Great questions from the audience; the event expertly chaired by Nanette van der Laan of Channel 4 News. My next event is Derby Book Festival on May 28. Details of book below.
On Orthodox Easter: postcards, reproducing antique pictures, I bought in St Basil's cathedral in Moscow in 1991. The cathedral had been a museum of atheism for part of the Soviet era, which was ending. That the cards were on sale was a sign of Greater official tolerance of religion.
My visit yesterday to Brisbane Rd ended in disappointment as #LOFC were beaten 1-3 by Barnsley. But a fascinating article in the programme, about an Orient tour to Denmark in the 1920s, was a really good read. Thanks to the author, Orient club historian Davis Watson.
On March 24, I will be in conversation @gowerst-books.bsky.social with @lucyaash.bsky.social about my new book, 'The Return of Russia: From Yeltsin to Putin, the Story of a Vengeful Kremlin.' (@yalebooks.bsky.social). If you are in London that evening, please come to join the discussion.
Yesterday at the Frontline Club--an evening discussing my new book 'The Return of Russia (@yalebooks.bsky.social). Many thanks to @terrystiastny.bsky.social for expert chairing, and to everyone who came along. I am due to do more events in London, Derby, and Bristol in the coming months
In Cambridge to give a talk on 'The Return of Russia', and pleased to find it 'in all good bookshops'
The latest media coverage for my new book, 'The Return of Russia: from Yeltsin to Putin, the Story of a Vengeful Kremlin' from @yalebooks.bsky.social . This is an interview I did with Annamari Sipilä, London correspondent of Helsingin Sanomat, Finland's biggest newspaper.