Second Impressions

About the Book

From Georgia to New England via Manhattan; from Finland to Croatia via Dresden and Bohemia, with glances at Stockholm and Leningrad en route; from Japan to Korea direct; whistle-stop tours of Northumbria and Kenya, chic beaches and strange ruins; the grandeur of a dubious tomb; the role of great universities; the politics of the camps.

SECOND IMPRESSIONS is a series of observations, ranging from extended postcards to miniature essays, about people, places, situations and institutions. Most pieces are light-hearted and affectionate; some quizzical; a few critical; one or two sombre. Their only connection is the author who at one time or other was amused, touched, baffled, irritated or shocked. And the different subjects—the Korean fan of D. H. Lawrence, the amateur food photographer, the Croat in 1920s costume, peach juice in Russia, how to “have a good day” in Stockholm, the habits of loons, turkeys and egrets, to name only a few—all made an impression.

About the Author

Tim Maxwell was born in Dumfries in Scotland in 1954 and raised on Merseyside. He studied first at Oxford and then Harvard University, before becoming an investment banker. In that role he lived in Tokyo for four years and New York for three. He now lives for most of the time London with his wife, who is Swedish, and daughter, and in New Hampshire, whenever possible.