Mathew Lyons
@mathewlyons.bsky.social
Writer, historian. FRHistS. Recent work: History Today, The Spectator, Slightly Foxed, New Humanist, Engelsberg Ideas.
Oh, this looks amazing!
Just out!
As @sarahsemple.bsky.social says, '544 pages and 190 images of pure sculptural joy!'
A fantastic cast list and a tremendous achievement @ascorpus.bsky.social.
boydellandbrewer.com/book/early-m...
As @sarahsemple.bsky.social says, '544 pages and 190 images of pure sculptural joy!'
A fantastic cast list and a tremendous achievement @ascorpus.bsky.social.
boydellandbrewer.com/book/early-m...
November 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Oh, this looks amazing!
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
This upcoming @swsilents.bsky.social Gloria Swanson event is a treat - a triple treat in fact with two films and Meg Morley on piano. Book here: ti.to/film-noir-uk...
November 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
This upcoming @swsilents.bsky.social Gloria Swanson event is a treat - a triple treat in fact with two films and Meg Morley on piano. Book here: ti.to/film-noir-uk...
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Two days to go! If you're near Cambridge, drop by our book launch to chat with the writers and editors, knock back a tot of rum or wine, and listen to some very weird poems.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
November 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Two days to go! If you're near Cambridge, drop by our book launch to chat with the writers and editors, knock back a tot of rum or wine, and listen to some very weird poems.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launc...
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
#Cambridge people… I’ll be signing copies of #AgentZo, the dramatic story of the only woman to parachute into Nazi-occupied Poland, at @waterstones.bsky.social , 1-3pm, Sat 13 Dec.
Please come & say hello!
Please come & say hello!
November 26, 2025 at 1:19 PM
#Cambridge people… I’ll be signing copies of #AgentZo, the dramatic story of the only woman to parachute into Nazi-occupied Poland, at @waterstones.bsky.social , 1-3pm, Sat 13 Dec.
Please come & say hello!
Please come & say hello!
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
BREAKING: A fresh approach to upgrading Liverpool St Stn unveiled today.
We welcome John McAslan + Partners ‘valuable contribution’ to debate on changes at UK’s busiest station. It shows how upgrades could be achieved without disruption to passengers.
Learn more👉 bit.ly/4lxYlyu
We welcome John McAslan + Partners ‘valuable contribution’ to debate on changes at UK’s busiest station. It shows how upgrades could be achieved without disruption to passengers.
Learn more👉 bit.ly/4lxYlyu
November 26, 2025 at 10:39 AM
BREAKING: A fresh approach to upgrading Liverpool St Stn unveiled today.
We welcome John McAslan + Partners ‘valuable contribution’ to debate on changes at UK’s busiest station. It shows how upgrades could be achieved without disruption to passengers.
Learn more👉 bit.ly/4lxYlyu
We welcome John McAslan + Partners ‘valuable contribution’ to debate on changes at UK’s busiest station. It shows how upgrades could be achieved without disruption to passengers.
Learn more👉 bit.ly/4lxYlyu
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Almost a year now since I received this absolutely classic burn from the Canadian government.
November 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Almost a year now since I received this absolutely classic burn from the Canadian government.
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Take a minute.
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Take a minute.
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
OMG. The Guardian have confused Kenneth Clark, presenter of the 1969 series 'Civilisation' with Tory ex-MP & former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke in their review of the new BBC series 'Civilisations:Rise & Fall'
November 25, 2025 at 12:29 AM
OMG. The Guardian have confused Kenneth Clark, presenter of the 1969 series 'Civilisation' with Tory ex-MP & former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke in their review of the new BBC series 'Civilisations:Rise & Fall'
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Enormously proud of this series. If history is your thing, do give it a listen, like and/or share!
It's January 1649 and Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland is about to be put on trial for treason...
The penultimate episode of UPRISING: THE CIVIL WARS is out now. Produced by HistFest Productions for @historyextra.bsky.social
🎧 play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
The penultimate episode of UPRISING: THE CIVIL WARS is out now. Produced by HistFest Productions for @historyextra.bsky.social
🎧 play.megaphone.fm/quvuyhkqs66t...
November 25, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Enormously proud of this series. If history is your thing, do give it a listen, like and/or share!
I remember being terribly impressed as a kid by a Gene Krupa movie where he drums a love letter from an ex- to pieces on his tom-tom. (Or some other drum. Who knows? I was eight or so.)
22. Favorite Musical Performance in a Film Noir
Everything about this is GOLD, from the set-up, to the direction, to the energy that you can feel resonate from the celluloid, to Elisha Cook Jr.'s expression which is frankly, unsettling.
#NoirvemberChallenge #Noirvember #FilmNoir
Phantom Lady (1944)
Everything about this is GOLD, from the set-up, to the direction, to the energy that you can feel resonate from the celluloid, to Elisha Cook Jr.'s expression which is frankly, unsettling.
#NoirvemberChallenge #Noirvember #FilmNoir
Phantom Lady (1944)
You Like Jive? 1944 Phantom Lady Jazz Drum Solo Robert Siodmak Ella Raines Elisha Cook Jr. Film Noir
YouTube video by BS
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I remember being terribly impressed as a kid by a Gene Krupa movie where he drums a love letter from an ex- to pieces on his tom-tom. (Or some other drum. Who knows? I was eight or so.)
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Writing historical fiction? @sanjida.kay and I have taught 1000s of writers: join us for a masterclass! 7-8.30 pm GMT Wed 26 November. Through the lens of our own fiction we'll explore what makes historical fiction resonate. research vs storytelling, characters, voice & pitfalls: luma.com/0m0ddh4y
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Writing historical fiction? @sanjida.kay and I have taught 1000s of writers: join us for a masterclass! 7-8.30 pm GMT Wed 26 November. Through the lens of our own fiction we'll explore what makes historical fiction resonate. research vs storytelling, characters, voice & pitfalls: luma.com/0m0ddh4y
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
VERY honoured to be featured as part of this long-running series put together by the enviably erudite and admirably public-spirited Mathew Lyons!
New on the Writer’s Bookshelf: eight questions about writers, books, and reading with the wonderful @derekturner.bsky.social. Featuring Sir Thomas Browne, Elizabeth Bowen and all manner of highways and by-ways.
The writer's bookshelf: Derek Turner
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:31 AM
VERY honoured to be featured as part of this long-running series put together by the enviably erudite and admirably public-spirited Mathew Lyons!
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Longblog on John Clare's 1820s poem "The Mores": profadamroberts.substack.com/p/john-clare...
John Clare, ‘The Mores’ (1825)
Enclosed and Unenclosed
profadamroberts.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Longblog on John Clare's 1820s poem "The Mores": profadamroberts.substack.com/p/john-clare...
New on the Writer’s Bookshelf: eight questions about writers, books, and reading with the wonderful @derekturner.bsky.social. Featuring Sir Thomas Browne, Elizabeth Bowen and all manner of highways and by-ways.
The writer's bookshelf: Derek Turner
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
New on the Writer’s Bookshelf: eight questions about writers, books, and reading with the wonderful @derekturner.bsky.social. Featuring Sir Thomas Browne, Elizabeth Bowen and all manner of highways and by-ways.
I read Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear? earlier this year and absolutely loved it.
Every year I stop myself from posting “now look here you lot, my books would make an excellent Christmas present” in October because it’s way too early, and then I forget until it’s way too late.
Hope I’ve hit the sweet spot this time.
levparikian.com/index.php/sh...
Hope I’ve hit the sweet spot this time.
levparikian.com/index.php/sh...
November 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
I read Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear? earlier this year and absolutely loved it.
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
The RHS Plant Collector Archive is a unique collection of papers associated with the 12 plant collectors and their journeys. For the first time they are now fully catalogued, digitised, and free for everyone to access #skystorians #gardenhistory #nineteenthcentury
collections.rhs.org.uk/view/343871
collections.rhs.org.uk/view/343871
RHS Plant Collector Archive - 19th century papers
collections.rhs.org.uk
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 AM
The RHS Plant Collector Archive is a unique collection of papers associated with the 12 plant collectors and their journeys. For the first time they are now fully catalogued, digitised, and free for everyone to access #skystorians #gardenhistory #nineteenthcentury
collections.rhs.org.uk/view/343871
collections.rhs.org.uk/view/343871
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Delighted that Upon A White Horse has made it into the Financial Times’s Books of 2025. The full list is in this weekend’s paper. Many thanks to Tom Robbins for choosing my book.
November 22, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Delighted that Upon A White Horse has made it into the Financial Times’s Books of 2025. The full list is in this weekend’s paper. Many thanks to Tom Robbins for choosing my book.
A lovely piece from @murielzagha.bsky.social on the glories of I Know Where I'm Going.
The cult of Powell & Pressburger's I Know Where I'm Going!
I know where I’m going. I’m on the sleeper train chugging out of Euston and heading to Fort William. A wedding dress hangs on the wall in its transparent cover. I know from my printed itinerary that u...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 1:12 PM
A lovely piece from @murielzagha.bsky.social on the glories of I Know Where I'm Going.
Some weekend reading from me. An absolutely delightful edition of the Writer's Bookshelf with the great @abrackenbury.bsky.social. mathewlyons.substack.com/p/the-writer...
The writer's bookshelf: Alison Brackenbury
Eight questions about writers, books, and reading…
mathewlyons.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Some weekend reading from me. An absolutely delightful edition of the Writer's Bookshelf with the great @abrackenbury.bsky.social. mathewlyons.substack.com/p/the-writer...
Well, this is looking prescient… Greg Baum on how hard England find it to win in Australia. www.smh.com.au/sport/cricke...
Form, injury, unrest, homesickness, fright: How England’s pre-Ashes bravado typically comes undone in Australia
Bellow as you like, England, lay claim to the Ashes, declare them to be coming home – but come back and see us when you’ve won a Test match.
www.smh.com.au
November 22, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Well, this is looking prescient… Greg Baum on how hard England find it to win in Australia. www.smh.com.au/sport/cricke...
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Pope Leo X capitalized on Raphael's skills by commissioning a breathtaking array of works that would dramatically illustrate the new Golden Age he was convinced that his papacy was ushering in.
🍿 Watch ▶️ ideasroadshow.substack.com/p/raphael-a-...
🗃️ #arthistory #skystorians #academia #Italy #art
🍿 Watch ▶️ ideasroadshow.substack.com/p/raphael-a-...
🗃️ #arthistory #skystorians #academia #Italy #art
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Pope Leo X capitalized on Raphael's skills by commissioning a breathtaking array of works that would dramatically illustrate the new Golden Age he was convinced that his papacy was ushering in.
🍿 Watch ▶️ ideasroadshow.substack.com/p/raphael-a-...
🗃️ #arthistory #skystorians #academia #Italy #art
🍿 Watch ▶️ ideasroadshow.substack.com/p/raphael-a-...
🗃️ #arthistory #skystorians #academia #Italy #art
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
I've been writing about books, authors and the Cambridge Ladies' Dining Society for two years now on Substack. If you fancy joining the (virtual) tour, there's a special offer this week.
My second Substack anniversary...
...and other reasons to celebrate
akennedysmith.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I've been writing about books, authors and the Cambridge Ladies' Dining Society for two years now on Substack. If you fancy joining the (virtual) tour, there's a special offer this week.
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Can I also just point out there are two small indie publishers shortlisted amongst the big names with their big authors, us and @eyebooks.bsky.social
Damian Barr’s The Two Roberts (Canongate), Ian McEwan’s What We Can Know (Jonathan Cape) and Lyse Doucet’s The Finest Hotel in Kabul (Hutchinson Heinemann) have been shortlisted for the 2025 Nero Book Awards 👇 #BookSky
Damian Barr, Ian McEwan and Lyse Doucet shortlisted for 2025 Nero Book Awards
ebx.sh
November 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Can I also just point out there are two small indie publishers shortlisted amongst the big names with their big authors, us and @eyebooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
This is a lovely piece!
John Masefield’s The Midnight Folk is probably my favourite children’s book. I tried to explain why.
The Midnight Folk: memory, magic, and consolation
The private griefs and terrors behind John Masefield's classic children's book
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:50 AM
This is a lovely piece!
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
“The effect is mesmerising: it captures better than anything I know the strange hypnogogic state between sleeping and waking when the world itself feels woozily pliant to the near-conscious mind.” This a fantastic piece.
John Masefield’s The Midnight Folk is probably my favourite children’s book. I tried to explain why.
The Midnight Folk: memory, magic, and consolation
The private griefs and terrors behind John Masefield's classic children's book
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:11 AM
“The effect is mesmerising: it captures better than anything I know the strange hypnogogic state between sleeping and waking when the world itself feels woozily pliant to the near-conscious mind.” This a fantastic piece.