Worst was a box room in a hotel near the British Library, absolutely horrible bedding. Stains on the wall, damp, total shocker. Best was probably a beautiful hotel in Heidelberg for a conference back in 2015.

Happy to have contributed to this article for NRK on the Iranian internet blackout.

Definitely do! Jeg må lære norsk!

I’ve not seen that before. They tend not to be mentioned explicitly by name, but as “Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith” etc

Amazing!

Didn’t know you knew anything about the EIC… 😛

Middle East related: This Orient Isle, by Brotton. Sword of Persia, by Axworthy. Also enjoyed Science and Leisure by Küçük, but it’s a bit more specialised.

I’m not angry John, never. But I am disappointed 🤣

There are two different maunds in Persia, and sometimes they’re both different weights. Once I realised that some things made sense but others still didn’t. Turns out that’s because they were being concerted in Troy weights, not avoir du poids.

I’ll get the bay leaves, don’t go anywhere…

I’ll take two

Thanks David!

My copy arrived this week too! Looking forward to getting into it after my brief forays into French history

If you want to keep up with Iran, highly recommend @gbrew24.bsky.social