 ...going to sort out his published columns and get them into a book?
I don't know how much contact or knowledge you tgo people have, but I would love to see Jim's tgo pieces collected together in a book. Any ideas of plans in this direction?
By the way, I know Jim is a bit like Marmite but if anyone wants to say how much his writing annoys them please start your own thread! I love it, I'm not alone, and it doesn't make me a bad person.
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 Good question Marcus. You are not alone. I'd buy a copy.
Sometimes his descriptions, observations and insights have the power to knock me sideways.
As an occassional wordsmith, I wish I had even a tenth of his skill.
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 Marcus, two of Jim's already published books are collections of essays - Travels with the flea (incomparable!) and Spirits of Place (even incomparabler!!) - and I think there's a collection of his articles from 'Climber' due out in early 2006.
Some of the items in Spirits of Place and Travels with the flea were originally published in tgo. If you get the chance to meet him, he's a very approachable chap; and he's also an uncompromising, anti-establishment, leftie (all compliments in my book!)
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Thanks WB - I've already come across those compilations and yes I agree they are magic.
If I was gong to pigeonhole JP on hte strengh of his writing I'd file him under "thinks for self: makes think".
I was just thinking that it's been an awful period for him personally. BUT such an enriching, life-affirming experience to read his monthly columns. It would make a damn good book.
If I hate anything in life it's a missed opportunity.
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 there's also on and off the rocks by him
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 There's also Jim's River Map, with fine pics by his matey John Beatty, published by Gomer Press, which was a collection of his columns for TGO that recorded his following of the River Dee. Available at amazon.co.uk...
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Thanks a lot, John and WW. I will have a flit off to Amazon now! (buying my own Christmas presents again...)
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 I still read the piece Jim wrote about his relationship with his wife and there amazing sharing of love with nature every fortnight or so, I love it and it touches me everytime I read it! That copy of TGO is always by my bedside!
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 There's also, "How My Brother Reggie Disappeared Believed Drowned and Was Reborn" ;¬}
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So you don't think we should sack him then?
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 No, he's a national treasure!
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 "Jim experiences a majestic natural spectacle........."
Forename only in a byline. What better accolade.
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 Now now Miss Jones ;-)
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At least Neil is willing to join the joke.
The rest of you are too serious for your own good. 8¬{
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 I recently read Jims "The Villain" and couldn't put it down. A fantastic read and one I'd highly recommend. However when it comes to his columns in TGO I just can't get my head round them at all. Not on my wavelength I'm afraid.
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James - I've got to agree with you... I find his style very hard to read and usually just can't be bothered making the effort! But I do appreciate he's an excellent wordsmith.
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