Magnus Magnusson: Keeping My Words [2005]

Montaigne said coyly: 'I quote others only the better to express myself.' But George Bernard Shaw was more brazen: 'I often quote myself - it adds spice to my conversation.' Indeed, Nigel Rees, the urbane host of the radio programme 'Quote...Unquote', has written: 'When in doubt, ascribe all quotations to George Bernard Shaw.' Or Oscar Wilde. We all love witty and clever quotations. They are often very funny, and usually sum up a profound truth in a subversive, irreverent manner. Magnus Magnusson's love of quotations has encouraged him to keep a Commonplace Book and this is a sampling of his collection kept over many years and spanning many subjects. On the basis that 'a big book is a big nuisance' (Callimachis, head librarian at Alexandria 305-240 BC), this little book is always entertaining. Containing the best loved classics and many newly discovered gems, this is a delicious anthology to explore and keep to hand.