DP25009 Jenny Uglow - The Lunar Men V01 190825

 Jenny Uglow is a British biographer, historian, and critic, best known for her richly detailed cultural histories and biographies that bring to life writers, artists, scientists, and social figures.

She wrote The Lunar Men: The Friends Who Made the Future, 1730–1810 (2002), which explores the lives of the Lunar Society of Birmingham—a group of pioneering thinkers, inventors, and industrialists in 18th-century England, including Erasmus Darwin, Matthew Boulton, James Watt, Joseph Priestley, and Josiah Wedgwood. The book was widely acclaimed for its lively narrative style, scholarly depth, and ability to weave together science, industry, politics, and personal lives into a compelling portrait of the early Industrial Revolution. It won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and was shortlisted for several other major awards.

Beyond The Lunar Men, Uglow has written many other significant works, such as:

• Elizabeth Gaskell: A Habit of Stories (1993), a biography of the novelist.

• Hogarth: A Life and a World (1997), which won the Whitbread Biography Award.

• Nature’s Engraver: A Life of Thomas Bewick (2006), about the wood engraver and natural history illustrator.

• Mr Lear: A Life of Art and Nonsense (2017), a biography of Edward Lear.

Her writing is admired for combining deep research with a warm, human touch that makes historical figures vivid and relatable. She has also been an editor at the publishing house Chatto & Windus and has contributed reviews and essays to literary journals and newspapers.

Would you like me to give you a summary of The Lunar Men itself—what it covers and why it’s considered important?

Great — here’s a clear overview of Jenny Uglow’s The Lunar Men and why it matters:

What the Book is About

The Lunar Men: The Friends Who Made the Future, 1730–1810 (2002) tells the story of the Lunar Society of Birmingham, an informal group of inventors, scientists, industrialists, and radical thinkers who met regularly in the late 18th century. They called themselves the “Lunaticks” because they met on the Monday nearest the full moon, so they could travel home by moonlight.

The core figures were:

• Erasmus Darwin – physician, poet, natural philosopher (and grandfather of Charles Darwin).

• Matthew Boulton – entrepreneur and manufacturer, who with James Watt developed the steam engine.

• James Watt – engineer and inventor, whose improvements to the steam engine powered the Industrial Revolution.

• Joseph Priestley – dissenting minister and scientist, discoverer of oxygen.

• Josiah Wedgwood – master potter, innovator in ceramics, and savvy businessman.

Themes & Importance

• Science Meets Industry – The book shows how scientific curiosity translated into practical inventions: steam engines, chemical processes, pottery innovations, and advances in medicine.

• Radical Ideas – Many of these men were politically and religiously nonconformist, supporting causes like abolitionism, wider education, and democratic reform. This sometimes brought them into conflict with conservative society (Priestley’s house was even burned down in riots).

• Friendship & Collaboration – Uglow emphasizes how much of their progress came not from isolated genius but from collaboration, conversation, and sharing ideas across disciplines.

• The Making of the Modern World – The Lunar Society’s ideas and inventions shaped the Industrial Revolution, influencing not just technology but also philosophy, politics, and culture.

Style & Reception

Jenny Uglow’s style is vivid and narrative-driven — she blends biography, science writing, and social history. Instead of focusing on one “great man,” she paints a group portrait, showing how their intertwined lives and friendships created a web of innovation.

The book was praised as both deeply researched and highly readable. It won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for biography and was widely reviewed as a landmark in popular history writing.

👉 Would you like me to give you a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of The Lunar Men so you can see how Uglow structures the story, or more of a short thematic summary that captures the essence without too much detail?

DP25008 Free Video Editor from Adobe (PCPro) V01 070825

 

PRICE Free from adobe.com

While Premiere Pro is Adobe’s high-end video editor, even regular Premiere Elements can feel too powerful and complicated to some. For those wanting a simple video editor that can work on both computers and mobile devices, Adobe offers Premiere Rush. 

As the name implies, it’s all about cutting content quickly, with an emphasis on creating simple social media or marketing videos. Perhaps most surprisingly, Premiere Rush is free. Set up an Adobe ID and you can download Rush for your computer via the Creative Cloud app and your mobile device via its app store. 

Whether you’re working on a computer, phone or tablet, the interface is similar – but not identical. For instance, options for graphics, effects, colour correction, speed adjustments, audio and cropping can be found top right on a computer, but at the bottom of the screen on a phone. Luckily, the icons are identical, so it will take you seconds to recognise what you’re after and learn where they’re positioned. 

The biggest difference between devices is how the playhead – the vertical line that shows your current position on the timeline – behaves. On a computer, it acts in a typical manner: click and drag it to another location to skim through your footage, or click on another location on your timeline to jump to that point. On a mobile device, the playhead remains fixed at the centre; you move the project left or right through a drag of the finger. It quickly makes sense, but you can only edit in portrait orientation.

To help create a project quickly, Rush uses what Final Cut Pro and CapCut users would recognise as a “magnetic timeline”, which means when you alter the length of a clip in your project, you don’t end up with a gap between it and any clip that you’ve added further along the timeline. Instead, they all move to fill that gap. Extend a clip and they’re all pushed forward. You can easily swap the order of the clips and no gap is ever left in your timeline. 

By default, it looks like you can only work with a single layer of audio and video, which also gives the impression that this is a simple app. In reality, Premiere Rush supports four layers of video and three layers of audio, allowing you to place clips over others, thereby creating more complex projects.

DP25007 Book buying through App Store (PCPro) V01 070825

Nicole Kobie is PC Pro ’s Futures editor. The real magic of ebooks is a non-Amazon e-reader or the Libby app paired with an account for your local library. @njkobie

Let me start by saying I prefer physical books to ebooks, but I keep novels on my phone in the hope they’ll distract me from scrolling Instagram – and, when it comes to work, searchable ebooks are handy for research. So now and then I try to buy an ebook on my phone. It goes like this: see an ad or post about a book, search it, click the Amazon listing in the Google results, causing the Amazon app to open. The marvels of living in the future, a book in a matter of clicks! 

But wait. Under “Kindle Edition”, the following message appears: “This app does not support purchasing of this content.” Sigh, then open the Amazon website and again search for the book so that I can actually purchase it. 

What’s with the friction? Because Kindle books are digital purchases, Amazon would have to give as much as 30% of the in-app sales price to Apple. Now, it’s perfectly understandable that Amazon doesn’t want to do that. But it’s also reasonable for Apple to want to be paid for running the App Store, as it comes with costs. There is surely a price that would placate them both, but unpicking what that is – and what it would be for less gigantic app-based companies, such as yoga studios and game developers – is no easy task.

“It’s reasonable for Apple to want to be paid for running the App Store, as it comes with costs

The EU is trying and so far failing to fix this problem. Earlier this year, the European Commission (EC) slapped Apple with a €500 million fine for running foul of anti-steering rules in the Digital Markets Act by banning developers from telling customers they can buy services cheaper on their website rather than in the app. 

Apple is appealing that fine, but has introduced a new fee structure to avoid the EC demanding more extensive changes to the App Store. Instead of a 30% slice off the top (or 15% for smaller developers), Apple now charges a mix of 2% acquisition fee on new users, 5% to pay for “core technology”, and store charges between 5% and 13%. That means developers could end up paying between 10% and 20% – less than before, but still a hefty fee. 

Apple’s response: “The EC is mandating how we run our store and forcing business terms which are confusing for developers and bad for users.” Fair enough, but on the other hand, 30% plus the inability to tell customers where to get a better deal is surely even worse. 

It seems clear that Apple intends to nitpick these rules into such a complex system that it becomes ridiculous. And there’s little that regulators can do to force Apple to behave. That €500 million fine is about half a day’s revenue for Apple. And though the EC can force a daily fine of 5% of revenue for failure to comply, Apple will drag its feet making the smallest possible changes while fighting even those in court. 

In the meantime, consumers are left with a situation akin to the cookie law. Back in the early 2000s, regulators were trying to fight a real problem: web giants using digital surveillance that infringed personal privacy to boost online advertising. But the solution, generally in the form of annoying pop-up banners, was irritating to users and didn’t actually prevent web stalking. People weren’t protected, they were annoyed. 

The App Store battle looks set to follow that lead. Apple is making its own App Store worse rather than offering a reasonable solution, while regulators trying to find a balance between what corporations want and laws demand are degrading the situation for consumers. To anyone who thinks capitalism and the hunt for extreme margins and profits always lead to better services or products, here is evidence that’s not true. 

Of course, Apple should be compensated for running the App Store. Apple doesn’t break down such financial details, but in another app case, a witness for Epic Games claimed Apple had an operating margin just shy of 78% in 2019 – which has been denied by the company – with annual profits of around $23 billion. 

“To anyone who thinks capitalism and the hunt for extreme profits always lead to better services or products, here is evidence that’s not true

So I get it: the golden goose must be protected at all costs. If Apple charged between 12% and 20% – as per its EC-mandated fee structure – it would make between $9.2bn to $15bn instead. Although perhaps more developers would eat the difference and keep sales in-app, or consumers would be more willing to spend a smaller premium for the convenience. 

Of course no business will cross its fingers and hope for such best-case scenarios given the sums involved – they’ll call their lawyers first. The EU and Apple must be shelling out millions in legal fees, not to mention way too much intellectual energy, fighting over how much to hike the price of an ebook or yoga class or gem-shuffling game, while making it harder to buy the very digital services that tech giants harass and stalk us to advertise in order to convince us to buy. 

No wonder I prefer a book made out of paper. At least it makes sense.

DP25006 Interesting Information Expert. V01 030825

 https://www.guidogybels.eu/bio.html

DP25005 Rare Book Dealers in the UK V01 030825

 Here’s a curated list of rare and antiquarian UK-based booksellers featured on AbeBooks UK (abebooks.co.uk):

🏛️ UK Rare Booksellers on AbeBooks

(Web Directory of Rare & Antiquarian Booksellers)

• Collectable Books ABA ILAB – Based in London, specializing in pre‑1800 works: antiquarian Bibles, early cookery books, manuscripts, travel, topography, architecture, classics, and miniature books 

• D.B. Waters Rare Books – Located in Ludlow, England; modern first editions, signed and collector-quality books 

• David Batterham – London‑based rare-books dealer specializing in caricature journals, 19th century trade catalogues, universal exhibitions, architecture, and fashion periodicals 

• Eastleach Books – Newbury, Berkshire; uncommon, scarce (sometimes rare) non-fiction across many subjects and languages 

✅ Prominent UK Booksellers & ABA Members (often listed on AbeBooks)

These are leading antiquarian and rare bookshops in the UK, many with strong online presence—including AbeBooks:

• Peter Harrington Rare Books (London) – Specializing in original first editions, signed, rare and antiquarian works, fine bindings, library sets; one of the most respected names in the business 

• Paul Foster Books (London) – Founded in 1990; by appointment only. Specialties include modern first editions, illustrated books, Churchill, children’s, literature, antiquarian and bindings 

• Paul Haynes Rare Books (Hay‑on‑Wye, Herefordshire) – Operating since 1978; offers both antiquarian and collectors’ quality rare books; ABA/ILAB/PBFA member 

• Pickering & Chatto Antiquarian Booksellers (London/Croydon) – Over two centuries in business; based in City of London since 2014, with deep expertise 

• Sotheran’s (London) – Founded in 1761, one of the world’s oldest antiquarian bookshops; located on Charing Cross Road 

• Maggs Bros Ltd (London) – Established 1853; long history specializing in exceptionally rare and high‑value items (e.g., Gutenberg Bible, Codex Sinaiticus) 

• Bernard Quaritch (London) – Over a century of service in rare book trade; authoritative in historical, literary, and fine press markets 

• Robert Frew Ltd (London) – Founded mid-1970s; specialists in illustrated books, plate books, maps, English literature, bindings and travel books 

• Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers (London) – Opposite British Museum; known for wide range of antiquarian, rare and early printed books 

• Shapero Rare Books (London) – Offers fine illustrated books (15th–20th century), travel, natural history, modern first editions, children’s books, Jewish, Russian and Islamic interest volumes 

🔍 How to Use AbeBooks to Find Rare UK Sellers

1. Search for your desired rare book via AbeBooks UK.

2. Filter or sort results to highlight UK-based sellers.

3. Look for affiliation badges like ABA, PBFA, ILAB next to seller names—ensuring high standards and authenticity .

📋 Summary Table

Bookseller Location Specialty/Highlights

Collectable Books ABA ILAB London Pre‑1800 antiquarian works

D.B. Waters Rare Books Ludlow, England Modern first editions, signed rare books

David Batterham London Caricature & catalogues, fashion periodicals

Eastleach Books Newbury, Berkshire Scarce/rare non‑fiction in multiple fields

Peter Harrington Rare Books London First editions, signed, library sets

Paul Foster Books London Illustrated, literature, Churchill, children’s

Paul Haynes Rare Books Hay‑on‑Wye International antiquarian rare books

Pickering & Chatto London/Croydon Established two-century-old house

Sotheran’s London Oldest antiquarian bookshop in UK

Maggs Bros Ltd London Extremely rare, historic items

Bernard Quaritch London Comprehensive rare book archives

Robert Frew Ltd London Travel, maps, illustrated and bindings

Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers London Wide-ranging antiquarian scope

Shapero Rare Books London Illustrated, modern firsts, international interests

DP25004 Rare Books V01 030825

Most expensive sales from April to June 2025

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• PrintFrom Renaissance philosophy to twentieth-century masterpieces: five centuries of literary achievement.

Welcome to our most expensive sales of April, May, and June 2025. Highlights include a pristine first edition of Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," Dali's surrealist "Alice in Wonderland," and a rare Brussels edition of "Don Quixote." This quarter's diverse offerings span from landmark Renaissance editions to defining works of modern literature.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - £18,200

First edition, first printing with original first issue dust jacket Viking Press, 1939

John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "The Grapes of Wrath," stands as a defining work of Great Depression literature. Published in 1939, this powerful narrative follows the Joad family's arduous journey from Oklahoma to California, capturing the desperation and resilience of displaced farmers during one of America's most challenging periods.

This exceptional copy presents in fine condition, with its first issue dust jacket showing only the slightest rubbing - a rarity for a book of this age and significance. The copyright page confirms its status as a true first edition, stating "First Published in April 1939." Preserved in a custom-made collector's foldout case, this pristine example offers a glimpse into the novel's original reception, before it became a cornerstone of 20th-century American literature.

Sold by Bookbid

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/bookbid-beverly-hills-ca-u.s.a/65761/sf

John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath is one of the seminal works of American literature. It vividly and empathetically portrays the plight of migrant workers in a way that has never stopped resonating, including with the controversy today over undocumented immigrant workers. The book had a large first printing in 1939 -- between 20,000 and 50,000 copies -- but what made this particular copy so special was its near mint condition. According to one scholar, 'The Grapes of Wrath may well be the most thoroughly discussed novel – in criticism, reviews, and college classrooms – of 20th century American literature.'

Bruce Howard (Bookbid Rare Books)

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• PrintFrom Renaissance philosophy to twentieth-century masterpieces: five centuries of literary achievemWelcome to our most expensive sales of April, May, and June 2025. Highlights include a pristine first edition of Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," Dali's surrealist "Alice in Wonderland," and a rare Brussels edition of "Don Quixote." This quarter's diverse offerings span from landmark Renaissance editions to defining works of modern literature.The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck