In this fascinating account, Richard Smyth asks what it is about birdsong that we so love. Exploring the myriad ways in which it has influenced literature, music, science, and our very ideas of what i
A powerful score can make a movie truly extraordinary. The alchemy between composer and director creates pure cinematic magic, with songs and melodies that are recognizable and memorable. So what is t
Psychologists have been studying how we make political choices for years, and the truth is, we’re a lot less rational than we think we are; we vote for reasons we’re not even consciously a
The relationship between England and its gardens might be described as a love affair; gardening is a national passion, rooted in history. The e18th century is often called the Golden Age of English ga
Birdsong is woven into culture, emotions, and landscape. It is the soundtrack to our world, shaping experiences of place and belonging. We have tried to capture this fleeting, ephemeral beauty, and th
Golden fields, ripening apples, lowing cattle: our idea of the landscape has been shaped by agriculture, as has the land itself. But in a fast-changing world, how does the great British countryside co
Almost every golfer struggles with consistency in their game. Typically, a player might hit a few great shots followed immediately by several disastrous ones, without being able to discern any change
Sir Edward Heath KG MBE MP (1916–2005) was one of the most influential and controversial British politicians—and one of the most elusive and enigmatic personalities—of the post-war era. He was the fir
What are the greatest pieces of classical music ever composed? Every music lover has a favorite, whether it is one that moves you to joy or tears, that makes itself heard with marching refrains or del
The British people have a unique relationship with the fox; no other animal attracts such controversy, has provoked more column inches or been so deeply woven into our culture over the centuries. But
