Author events at David's Bookshop

Wednesday 23rd May at 7.30pm - Quirkology

We are pleased to welcome Richard Wiseman, Britain's only professor for the Public Understanding of Psychology, who will explain the ideas behind his new book, Quirkology (£14.99, published 18th May).
Richard recently spoke at the David’s Debate on “The Route to Happiness”

For over twenty years, Prof Richard Wiseman has examined the quirky science of everyday life. He has spent nights in allegedly haunted houses, conducted clandestine experiments in over 30 countries, and dressed up in a giant chicken suit. Quirkology describes his adventures into the backwaters of human behaviour, taking us to places where mainstream scientists fear to tread….“a fresh look at the fascinating phenomenon that is your life”.

Richard Wiseman has an international reputation for his research into unusual areas including deception, luck, humour and the paranormal. He is the psychologist most frequently quoted by the British Media and his research has been featured on over 150 programmes. He is regularly heard on Radio 4 and articles about his work have appeared throughout the national press.



Thursday, June 7th, 7.30pm
Behind the Veil—an evening with mental health

Talk & book signing with S. Westwood, author of Suicide Junkie—a memoir of living with & surviving Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, suicide and self-harm.

This autobiographical novel describes the author’s fights with an obsessive phobia that his skin is hideously ugly and a personality disorder that leads to the edge of despair. He is diagnosed as having Borderline Personality Disorder and severe depression but it is not for a further ten years that his silence regarding his appearance is broken and he is finally diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. In the knowledge that his skin problem is a mental disorder rather than a physical deformity the correct medication is, at last, prescribed and the road to recovery begins. Books available now, £10.99.



Wednesday 11 July, 7.30pm.
War-torn Skies—Hertfordshire. Published May, £14.95
Author talk & signing with Julian Evan-Hart.

The archaeology of aircraft—it is 222 years since the Italian diplomat Vincenzo Lunardi landed his balloon in Hertfordshire, accompanied by his dog, cat and a caged pigeon. One of the first fatal military aircraft crashes happened in the county in 1912 (near Willian), and the first Zeppelin to fall in Britain came down at Potters Bar in 1916. The famous DeHavilland family based their aircraft manufacturing business at Hatfield, where the Mosquito was designed and built, Luftwaffe bombers were shot down in the county and American bombers were stationed at its airfields; all have contributed the county’s rich aviation heritage.

Julian Evan-Hart, author of the best-selling book Beginner’s Guide to Metal Detecting, has recently featured in BBC2’s Time Watch and journeyed to Jordan as part of an expedition to locate the sites where Laurence of Arabia fought. He is one of Britain’s leading metal detector experts, and has spent much of his life researching the history of his county.

All events are free - please reserve your seat by telephoning 01462 684631 or emailing staff@davids-bookshops.co.uk.