Peter Bellerby’s Favourite Reads of 2023 | Waterstones
In his book The Globemakers, Peter Bellerby explores the lost art of hand-crafted globes he discovered upon deciding he would make one for his father as a birthday present – and how the project turned into a passion and profession. Here Peter share his five favourite books from 2023.
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Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross
If we didn’t need further convincing that the arts, and especially the creative process is important to our wellbeing and life, including delaying our mortality, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross remind us. A fascinating read that reveals the neurological and health benefits of art and our environment.
Hands of Time by Rebecca Struthers
A wonderful look at the history and importance of both watchmaking and time, and how both have shaped history, as well as our daily lives. It also gives an understanding of the incredible artistry and skill of its artisans, as well as the dedication of the author to her craft. One of my favourite books, it filled my creative and inquisitive mind.
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The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan
As a globemaker, when I publish a globe, it becomes a record of one moment in our earth’s history. This is because our natural world shifts and changes over time, something many of us don’t consider all that much. For instance, over the past 15 years, what was the Aral sea has further reduced to smaller and smaller lakes. Peter Frankopan’s latest book is vast and fascinating, expertly capturing just how much the environment has shaped global history and us.
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The Russo-Ukrainian War by Serhii Plokhy
I try to keep myself as informed as possible on world events, and I think it’s crucial to view the world far beyond your place within it. If you want to better understand what is going on in the Russia-Ukraine war, from a true authority on the history of Ukraine, then this is THE book to read.
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The Future of Geography by Tim Marshall
I had never considered the politics of space before really, although I am pretty familiar with geopolitical changes through my work. Tim Marshall is a wonderful storyteller and in his latest book he has opened my eyes to astropolitics. The journey is gripping and fantastic, but also important.
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The bestselling author of Prisoners of Geography and The Power of Geography turns his attention to the geopolitical space race, analysing the cosmic strides Russia, China and the United States have made and what it means for the rest of us down here on Earth.
