RICHARD HAPPER
BOOKS I EDITED
LOST RAILWAY WALKS
This was a hard book to edit because it was so bloody interesting to read. Normally when you're editing you have to not engage too much with the actual text; just appraise it objectively so you can spot any errors. But I just loved reading this book so much I found that tricky. So if you spot any typos you can blame me not Julian...
MAPPING THE SECOND WORD WAR
An absolutely fascinating book that blends peerless scholarship with an entertaining narrative. I enjoyed working with Peter on our D-Day book, and it was a privilege to edit this text. I had previously edited his equally good Mapping The First World War.
THE WORLD'S HERITAGE
There have been several editions of this book, both in the UK and in translation, since it first came out in 2012. It seems to have been appreciated as a comprehensive yet very readable guide to the most amazing places on the planet. It was certainly fascinating to edit and made me want to visit as many of these beautiful places as possible.
DEBATING SCOTLAND
I've edited three books now for Professor Michael Keating (he's a prolific chap!) at the University of Edinburgh's Politics department. I thought it would be a technical exercise, but I have to say that even as a layman, I found them very enjoyable and informative books to read. I wish I'd come across them before the slew of referendums and elections that we've had.
THE COURSE OF HISTORY
Leaders who hold countries' fates in their hands sit down to dinner. They appraise the menu, choose the wine, and change the world. This highly entertaining book looks at ten of the most historically important meals in modern history. It introduces you to the characters, shows why the meal was so pivotal and even gives you the recipes so that you can recreate the repasts yourself. Although I don't recommend matching what Churchill and Stalin managed to drink at one sitting...
