We should all live in central or southwest Queensland in Australia, which is geologically stable. Or Kansas or Nebraska, because it's relatively geologically stable. I am sure there is no emergency plan for Topeka. Simon Winchester australiacentralemergency share on social
I do as much bookish research as I can but when I sit down to write, often I think, 'Wait, I was there.' That is one of the great advantages of having wandered around the world and lived in so many places and met such fascinating people. Simon Winchester advantagebookishfascinate share on social
I don't hero worship for the sake of hero worship. When I find people who are truly remarkable - and I think Joseph Needham is a classic example - I do value their counsel. Simon Winchester classiccounselfind Change image and share on social
To be perfectly honest the old habits, specifically deadlines, still very much inform what I do. I am brutally disciplined about getting manuscripts in on time. Simon Winchester brutallydeadlinediscipline Change image and share on social
So research is a terribly imperfect science, and you learn an awful lot more after you've published a book, because people keep writing to you and saying, 'Oh, gosh, I was related to such and such a character and I have a letter in my possession.' Simon Winchester awfulbookcharacter share on social
Why do we as a people choose to live in beautiful and risky places? Beautiful places are relatively dangerous; the forces that made them beautiful are the same forces that will ultimately destroy them. Simon Winchester beautifulchoosedangerous share on social
I find the science behind major natural events almost more interesting than the way in which those same events wreak their effects on human society. Simon Winchester effecteventfind Change image and share on social
Nothing is eternally stable, and even Kansas isn't really in Kansas anymore. The earth is in a constant state of flux. Simon Winchester anymoreconstantearth Change image and share on social
