Gum-burning brandy
A toothache-anaesthetizing solution gives a jaunty air to this fun concept of the Dullest Exhibition-case Award. But lest you think...
Brocade-trimmed orrery
The stereotype of the anally retentive chamberlain mechanically following a ritual timetable reminds me of Sourdust in Mervyn Peake's...
Soft-palmed servants
How to spot an aristo in disguise and on the run? Check servants for implausibly soft hands. Dead give away. Â
...Germany does do some great food
Winder has a passionate attachment to Germany – nobody could have embraced its vast history and culture with such easy...
Whey-faced neurasthenics
Surely a candidate for a Triologism Trophy? What a fun image, a perfect 19th century refined salon scene set in...
Free trade and British decency
Winder breezily lobs perspective into cosy schoolyard us-and-them memories.  Britain had a role in triggering the first world war (among...
Daft and marginal
I liked this description of a region being 'daft-and-marginal' before splitting in two, with one half somehow managing to rule...
Mucus-flecked imprecations
This is history up close and personal.  Winder’s sweep of early Germania (and with it gobs of early Europe), includes...
Intellect as desert
Prince Albert’s interests outshining his fellow royals to such a stark extent suggests an alarming intellectual aridity. Reminds me of...
Haut-bourgeois scoffers
Burlington Berty who rose at 10.30 and strolled along like a toff would have approved the scoffing, though he'd have looked...
Hysteria-edged frieze
Simon Winder is a particularly gifted triologist, with both the books I've read yielding dozens of superbly original phrases, exuberant,...
As easy as …
A fun simile to sum up wiping out your enemies with ease and efficiency.
For a while...
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