Question Time: A Journey Round Britain's Quizzes

Description

Which major UK retailer has the same name as Odysseus's dog in Greek mythology? In the original version of the Band Aid hit 'Do They Know It's Christmas?', who sang the opening line? Which is the only US state whose name can be typed on a single row of a QWERTY keyboard? Travel writer and quiz fan Mark Mason decided to combine two of his greatest loves by setting off on a tour of Britain's quizzes. From a pub quiz in Edinburgh to a charity quiz in Hampshire, from a corporate quiz in Birmingham to a journalists' quiz in Parliament, he finds answers aplenty while asking some questions of his own. Just what is it that attracts us to these tests of our knowledge? What are the ingredients of the perfect quiz question? And which is the only English city whose official name begins with H? The only travel book ever to discuss Winston Churchill's use of language and reveal Donald Duck's middle name, QUESTION TIME is an affectionate tribute to Britain and one of its most cherished institutions - the quiz.

Mark Mason is a lover of trivia, the 'little facts that slip down the back of life's sofa'. Before becoming a writer, he sold Christmas cards in Harrods, played guitar in a blues band, and made radio programmes for the BBC. His other books include The Importance of Being Trivial, Walk the Lines, Move Along, Please and Mail Obsession. @WalkTheLinesLDN

A must-have book for any quiz lover - THE TIMES STOCKING FILLERS BOOKS OF THE YEAR Mason gives us a whistle-stop tour of Britain's best quizzes while packing in as much trivia as possible. This is the one I will be giving to everyone for Christmas - DAILY MAIL CHRISTMAS BOOKS