Peter Fiennes is the author of Oak and Ash and Thorn, which was a Guardian Best Nature Book of the Year, and To War with God, a moving account of his grandfather's service as a chaplain in the First World War. As the publisher for Time Out, he nurtured a lifelong obsession with old guidebooks, creating the award-winning city guides, walking books and titles about Britain's countryside and seaside. He lives in south-west London.
'Always an amiable and engaging companion, Fiennes is gently teasing of macho travel writers... Fiennes is always self-deprecating and an acute observer... His occasional whimsical flourishes lighten the pudding, but his points hit home... Fiennes does something original in this highly enjoyable book where writers become more than ghostly companions and imaginary narrators - they remind us of what was once 'normal' and allow us to see how far we have fallen as well as travelled.' -- Elementum 'Honing his easy-going and often witty style in this new book, Fiennes takes us on the journeys of famous writers... There's an infectious enthusiasm and self-deprecating authority to Fiennes's insights and he's a most agreeable companion... There will be many nature titles vying for a place on Christmas lists this year... This one should be towards the top' -- The Guardian 'Marvellously quotable...Fiennes' literary journey makes for a provocative and engaging book.' * Financial Times * 'Part travelogue, part biography, part meditation on British identity, Footnotes is altogether delightful, and Fiennes is a wise and genial travelling companion.' -- Gregory Norminton, author of The Devil's Highway 'I didn't really know that I'd been waiting for a more literary and stylish Bill Bryson to update Notes from a Small Island, but that's just what Footnotes is, and I loved it.' -- <i>The Observer</i> 'As enjoyable a guide to the relationship of writers to the landscape of Britain as one could hope to read: beautifully written, moving in its reflections, and often very funny.' -- Tom Holland