A collection of Norman Lewis’s thirty-six articles spanning five decades, showcasing his wit, insight, and unforgettable storytelling. Collected here, from a period of nearly five decades, are thirty-six of Norman Lewis’s best articles. In each, his writing crackles with poker-faced wit and stylistic brilliance. As a witness to his times – the good, the bad and the absurd – he was unmatched, and his instinct for important events, and moments, was infallible. His range here includes Ibizan fishermen, an interview with Castro’s executioner, the genocide of the South American Indian tribes, a paean to Seville and his meeting with a tragic Ernest Hemingway. That meeting was ‘a shattering experience,’ Norman wrote to Ian Fleming who had commissioned him, ‘of the kind likely to sabotage ambition.’ Fortunately it didn’t, and the articles assembled between these covers are compulsive, hilarious, tender and beautifully written, at times deeply upsetting and always unforgettable. 'What observation! What majesty of style! What laconic humour! For me, Lewis has been the discovery of the year.' Matthew Parris, The Spectator '... more humanity than Bruce Chatwin, more insight than Jan Morris and more humour than Patrick Leigh Fermor ... he is a better writer than all three.' Sara Wheeler, Financial Times '... probably the best travel writer we have ever had.' Jason Goodwin , Country Life 'It's a little early in the year to be handing out cups but I doubt there will be a finer book of non-fiction than this in 2025.' Stephen Smith, The Observer 'He is the travel writer's travel writer, conjuring prose with more humanity than Bruce Chatwin, more insight than Jan Morris and more humour than Patrick Leigh Fermor. And as this new collection brilliantly reveals, he is a better writer than all three.' Sara Wheeler, Financial Times 'Lewis is the master whose work all travel writers (and journalists) should aspire to. As good as Orwell.' Henry Porter, X '... he found, like an anthropologist, that 'the discipline of writing compelled me to see more, to penetrate more deeply'. What he was brilliant at recording was the way of life of a vanishing world.' James Owen, The Times 'For those who have yet to discover the strange greatness of Lewis, this is an excellent place to start. The Sage of Enfield, with his dry humour and sniffer-dog's nose for raffish, broken-down places, may serve as a tonic for 2025.' Ian Thomson, The Spectator