The electric evening of Thursday 4th May saw a rapt audience descend on a crowded Unity Books to celebrate the launch of esteemed social historian Tony Simpson’s memoir, ‘Along for the Ride’.
Tony kicked off proceedings himself by introducing broadcaster Ian Fraser. Ian shared several illuminating and witty anecdotes of his friendship to the author, from how he had been the one to introduce him to the work of Orwell (sharing a rather apt quote from an Orwell essay regarding Charles Dickens) through to a rather eventful ‘trip’ he had taken in Tony’s company, all the while talking about Tony’s steadfast commitment to the truth throughout his career. Brian, a close personal friend of Tony, then took to the microphone to share a short yet sincere speech about Tony’s character, not wanting to talk about the book itself but about allowing the reader to ‘learn the true nature of the beast’. To close out the celebratory proceedings Tony returned to the spotlight to read an excerpt from the book, a tale of a particularly memorable meal in newly independent Slovenia aptly called ‘The Bear Story’.
Following the reading and with the book well and truly launched, there was a rush to the middle counter to pick up a copy and have it signed by Tony.
Tony Simpson introduces the event
Ian Fraser
Learning the nature of the beast
The Bear Story
You can purchase Tony’s book Along for the Ride here as well as in store.
Words and pictures by Dan Hills.
