A great stocking filler and the author goes to the trouble of actually signing copies which is rather refreshing. My only sadness is she who must be obeyed supervised a culling of my old ties a few months back, this book could have saved many if only released earlier. Thus I urge you to buy your other half a copy explaining "these ties could be of historical importance in a few years". The remainder (a good many) in my wardrobe are safe thanks to Stephen's latest work. Ties are like old photographs that remind one of a particular time, where you were, why you bought it, a sort of "fabric time stamp" of both the moment, the mood & your statement to the world. Having worn a great many, even during the trendy dot.com era, I couldn't quite fathom out why there was this enduring attachment, but thanks to the great man, now do. Ties are like love letters to a particular era or a memory of great sadness (How many times have you worn "that" black tie). The only point of irritation is the author has been given far too many gifts. If there is a God s/he has to be tackled as to why they have given so much talent to one mere mortal. This man could write about light bulbs through the ages and it would doubtless be illuminating (no pun intended). Fry's Ties is a great wee book to just delve into. Off now to pour a glass of red wine, put the vinyl records on and smile at how, if you live long enough, most things of memorable value & style come back into fashion. Fry's Ties reminds us of this beautifully.

Wonderfully British, touchingly intimate, and far more fascinating than it sounds!

Best book ever highly recommend

Sweet, playful, light-hearted chat about this small but quirky and curious accessory. Very English, very Stephen Fry-ish. And yes, with some tinge of wabi-sabi and mono no aware, sure.

I did wonder about pre-ordering this book back in the summer. I am so glad I did! I collected yesterday and have found myself repeatedly picking it and looking at it. Love the format as you can focus on a single tie (no need to consume the whole book in one go) and hear the tie's background! Yes I am reading it but its as if Stephen is narrating the passage. Surprised by the enforced limitation on bow ties, possibly because I have bought more recently than ties. As a very young boy I was taught the knots: Schoolboy; Half Windsor and Windsor but have learnt an even wider range from Stephen's graphics. So far I have not noticed a graphic for tying a bow, possibly an essential, as one person said 'pre-tied bows are the prerogative of a 15 year old school boy going to a High School Prom. In summary, Superb! I have a copy of Troy that I have not got to so far, looking forward to that too! A final comment. Mine is a signed copy! I note that Stephen has signed my actual book and not a label that has been stuck in! Respect!