Mathew Lyons
@mathewlyons.bsky.social
Writer, historian. FRHistS. Recent work: History Today, The Spectator, Slightly Foxed, New Humanist, Engelsberg Ideas.
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.
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 9:23 AM
John Masefield’s The Midnight Folk is probably my favourite children’s book. I tried to explain why.
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
www.spiracleaudiobooks.com/articles/sam...
Nice interview with my esteemed publisher @galleybeggars.bsky.social
Nice interview with my esteemed publisher @galleybeggars.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
www.spiracleaudiobooks.com/articles/sam...
Nice interview with my esteemed publisher @galleybeggars.bsky.social
Nice interview with my esteemed publisher @galleybeggars.bsky.social
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
Never in my life have I had a dream as good as the one @blogmywiki.bsky.social dreamt last night.
November 19, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Never in my life have I had a dream as good as the one @blogmywiki.bsky.social dreamt last night.
We've seen this film many times, but last time we watched it we wondered if this scene had influenced Wes Anderson's Asteroid City.
1. ‘I Know Where I’m Going!’ (P&P, 1945)
“Have you got any beams in your room?”
“Yes, why?”
“Count them before you go to sleep and your wish’ll come true.”
“As easy as that?”
“Only the first night under the roof.”
“Have you got any beams in your room?”
“Yes, why?”
“Count them before you go to sleep and your wish’ll come true.”
“As easy as that?”
“Only the first night under the roof.”
November 18, 2025 at 10:54 PM
We've seen this film many times, but last time we watched it we wondered if this scene had influenced Wes Anderson's Asteroid City.
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
I have been WAITING for a journalist to write this story.
I specialize in manuscripts produced in England between 1300 and 1500. If this had occurred in the midst of writing my dissertation or first book, it would have exploded my career.
I specialize in manuscripts produced in England between 1300 and 1500. If this had occurred in the midst of writing my dissertation or first book, it would have exploded my career.
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I have been WAITING for a journalist to write this story.
I specialize in manuscripts produced in England between 1300 and 1500. If this had occurred in the midst of writing my dissertation or first book, it would have exploded my career.
I specialize in manuscripts produced in England between 1300 and 1500. If this had occurred in the midst of writing my dissertation or first book, it would have exploded my career.
Reposted by Mathew Lyons
“Around six months after the cyber incident I talked to the then chair of the science select committee, who was not aware of this incident” w o w
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:13 PM
“Around six months after the cyber incident I talked to the then chair of the science select committee, who was not aware of this incident” w o w