Peter Ackroyd Q&A

[RebeccaMumsnet]

To celebrate the release of Peter Ackroyd's anticipated new book, Foundation: A History of England Volume I on 2 September, the award-winning historian and novelist will be answering your questions.

Known for his diverse, inventive writing, Peter is also a poet, broadcaster and biographer. Gaining acclaim for London: The Biography (2000) described as 'this decade's finest work of non-fiction' by The Word, Peter has penned a number of non-fiction historical accounts of London including Illustrated London (2003), Thames: Sacred River (2007) and London Under (2011).

Described as 'the biggest non-fiction project of our times (The Bookseller),' Peter's newest and most ambitious work yet A History of England is the first volume in a six-part account of English history. Chronicling English history from over 15,000 years ago to the first Tudor king Henry VII, Peter weaves vivid narrative with detailed insight describing the food, customs, superstitions and even the jokes of the ordinary people and aristocracy.

We have two pairs of tickets up for grabs for an evening talk with Peter at the Southbank Centre on 8 September and two signed hard-back copies of Foundation to give away. For your chance to win, post your questions for Peter on the thread below before the end of Thursday 1 September and we'll link through to his answers from this page the following week.

Winners will be notified on Friday 2 September.

Foundation: A History of England Volume I will be released in hardback by Pan Macmillan on 2 September 2011 or can be pre-ordered now on Amazon

What is your view of the history taught in schools today and do you think books like 'To End All Wars? by Adam Hochschild should be required reading?

How do you find the time to do all the research on your books and how long on average does it take? Having read quite a few I'm amazed at the detail and information they contain and always read them twice - once for enjoyment and then again to absorb them properly. Just like to say thank you - always a good day when I hear you're publishing a new one.

When I read history at university I was enthralled by Gibbons "Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" and comparisons are being made with your latest work. Do you think these comparisons are correct?

Just getting in under the wire...

I would like to ask (with regards to Hawksmoor) how an author goes about combining fact and fiction without one taking over from the other. It was such a tremendous read, and also really got me into psychogeography and looking at churches with completely new eyes.

Thank you.

Of course a ? Would have been the best form of puncuation after "without one taking over from the other?"

Apologies, tis very late..

What, in your opinion, is the defining moment in history for London, if one exists?

This thread is now closed to questions, check back on September 8th for Peter's answers. If you have posted a question keep an eye on your inbox as we'll be notifying the winners today.

Thank you mumsnet for the tickets to see Peter speak tonight, really enjoyed it. So grateful to win- cheers! And Bettany Hughes chairing was rather fine too.

I won too! I was sorry not to be able to make the talk, but it was fantastic to get the book. Can't wait to read it.