Scribble, Scribble, Scribble: Writing on Politics, Ice Cream, Churchill, and My Mother

“Schama is a masterful stylist and storyteller.”
—Boston Globe

“A writer of gorgeous prose.”
—Washington Post

The ever erudite, always delightfully curious Simon Schama returns with Scribble, Scribble, Scribble, a wonderful compendium of thirty provocative, witty, enlightening, and stimulating essays previously published but collected in a single volume for the first time. One of our most distinguished historians and commentators, Schama, the acclaimed author of The American Future: A History, explores an amazing diversity of topics—from the political to the personal, from the earth-shaking to the mundane, from ice cream to Churchill to Hurricane Katrina and everything in-between. In Scribble, Scribble, Scribble, Simon Schama opens up his—and our—wide world to us.

The New York Times has hailed renowned historian and social commentator Simon Schama as a writer who "entwine[s] past and present into a meaningful, continuous whole." His deeply thoughtful and vastly knowledgeable books such as The Power of Art, The American Future, and the National Book Critics Circle Award finalist Rough Crossings have won acclaim for their intellectually rich and entertaining studies of the individuals and influences that have shaped the human condition, from the French Revolution to the political past and future of America, from the power of art to the role of nature in Western civilization.

Now, in this passionate and provocative collection, this brilliant observer brings his keen critical sensibility to a wide range of topics, both broad and intimate. Captivating and informative, Scribble, Scribble, Scribble offers a lighter, playful Simon Schama on a diverse range of subjects, from food and family to Winston Churchill, from Martin Scorsese and Richard Avedon to Rubens and Rembrandt, from his travels in Brazil and Amsterdam to New Orleans and Katrina. This selection of essays—originally published in magazines and newspapers including the New Yorker, Vogue, the New York Review of Books, and the Guardian—is a treasure trove of surprises that highlight Schama's sense of humor, curiosity, and idiosyncrasies. Never predictable, always stimulating, Scribble, Scribble, Scribble allows us to view the world, in all its diversity, through the eyes of one of its most intelligent, witty, and original inhabitants.

“[T]his robust, generous smorgasbord has pretty much something for every palate.” - New York Times

“Willfully miscellaneaous... addictively readable... [Schama] is clever, versatile, and extremely likable.” - Financial Times

“In these lively essays and reportage… Schama… turns his omnivorous erudition and warm prose to a vast array of topics. … He approaches every subject with gusto and amusement and … always has smart things to say.” - Publishers Weekly

“His eloquence is on magnificent display in this new book: a delightful collection of journalistic essays.” - The Independent on Sunday

“The most stimulating and surprising writing here is on cooking and eating... A diverting personal history.” - The Telegraph

This sparkling, effervescent collection bridges the gap between scholarly and popular writing... It is excellent holiday reading.” - The Spectator

“An enticing collection of pieces old and new, a bedside book of rich insights.” - The Observer

“It really is very good... Witty, learned, informative, and clarifying.” - Evening Standard (London)

“[C]ollections of essays don’t come any better than this. All readers who like lively writing and good thinking, especially relating to art criticism and history, will enjoy this book.” - Library Journal