Article by John Dowling based on an interview on Thursday October 9 2008
Above: Review from Bexhill-on-Sea Observer, November 14 2008
John Dowling
Buying books
The following books are available for purchase through this web site
The South Downs
Monterey Press, East Sussex, September 2008, £19.99
220 x 220 mm, 101 colour photographs, 112 pages, pb, ISBN 978-0-9560188-0-9
‘It looks wonderful and I can’t wait to curl up with it.’ Bill Bryson, 20 December 2008
‘Your quite superb book. The South Downs have never looked lovelier.’ Joanna Lumley, 29 November 2008
‘I absolutely love The South Downs and I have been poring over it. The photographs are not only of their subjects but also of your vision, and are sometimes like the sudden idea for a short story.’ Ronald Blythe, 2 September 2008
‘Fine photographs of the South Downs. What marvellous vernacular architecture!’ Richard Mabey, 28 October 2009
‘Your book about the South Downs, wonderful and visionary as it is. I walked from Eastbourne to Winchester thirty years ago when I left Cambridge and then back along the Pilgrim’s Way to Canterbury before cutting down here into the Weald. I have always been in love with chalk, and just recently wrote a book about the 17th century estates of the Earls of Pembroke around Wilton. Such wonderful country, such wonderful rivers, England at its glowing best: although I have lived most of my life on the clay I completely fell in love with it.’ Adam Nicolson, 18 September 2008
‘It looks splendid.’ Simon Jenkins, 25 September 2008
‘What an excitement to receive your beautiful book on the South Downs. Many of the places I know through people I’ve written on, especially Eric Gill.… I’m concentrating on the writing of my new biography of Edward Burne-Jones. Your final picture of the Rottingdean window will certainly inspire me.’ Fiona MacCarthy, 20 September 2008
‘Lovely.’ Jan Morris, 2 September 2009
‘Book of splendid photographs. Having lived at the foot of Ditchling Beacon for the last 41 years, the Downs are very close to my heart.’ Raymond Briggs, 24 November 2008
‘Most handsome. As an inhabitant of the North Downs, I shall read it with interest and enjoyment.’ David Starkey, 6 May 2009
‘It’s very beautiful. I’m filled with admiration for the thought and patience which must go into catching just the right moment for sun and shadow, cloud shapes and incidental detail, to make the perfect image – which you capture over and over again! It must be fascinating to do – and certainly its results are lovely to see.’ Diana Athill, 23 September 2008
‘I would just like to say how lovely your South Downs book is. It is so full of vitality and wonder and a fantastically original eye has picked up lovely little details everywhere. The South Downs must be very proud to be so immortalised.’ Jilly Cooper, 13 June 2011
‘It’s a truly excellent and most handsome production which promises well for the Monterey Press.’ Michael Holroyd, 25 September 2009
Sussex by the Sea
Monterey Press, East Sussex, July 2011, £25
220 x 220 mm, 166 colour photographs, 156 pages, ISBN 978-0-9560188-1-6
‘Michael George has found so much to fascinate and inspire his artistic eye in his local surroundings, that all 166 photographs in Sussex by the Sea are taken in East Sussex… The whole book abounds in delightful contrasts; sumptuously beautiful landscape studies and seascapes nestling alongside photographs of Brighton and Eastbourne beaches that confirm one’s gut instinct that the average English physique should seldom be allowed to be anything short of fully clothed. Double-page spreads allow for some witty juxtapositions.’ David Jarman, Viva Lewes, August 2011
‘Stunningly beautiful. Michael George’s second book of photographs of the county capture a Sussex with “no jarring ugliness to menace the eye”. Katie Rice, The Argus, 17 September 2011
‘Despite the title of this sumptuous pictorial kaleidoscope, Michael George has not entirely confined himself to the briny delights of seaside Sussex…. The East Sussex-based freelance photographer has produced pictures which portray a blessed spot where it seems to be forever a summer afternoon.’ Freddie Lawrence, Sussex Life, February 2012
‘The totally absorbing Sussex by the Sea. I have always believed that bit of our coastline to be blessed above all others – and close to France – and love it.’ Claire Tomalin, 17 June 2012
‘I especially admire the picture of Hog Hill and am pleased to be known as “a contemporary musician of world renown”. Wow! Sounds as stately as the windmill looks! Your photographs are beautiful and, as you rightly say, this is a part of the world that I love and to see it so well represented in your pictures is a true delight. Good luck with the Monterey Press.’ Paul McCartney, 25 November 2011
‘Beautiful book of photos, quite breathtaking!’ Derek Jacobi, 6 December 2011
‘The pictures are beautiful and bring back some good memories – particularly a geography trip at school when we went to see the meander at Cuckmere!’ Jo Brand, 22 November 2012
‘Your beautiful book – hugely appreciated and enjoyed.’ David Hare, 20 November 2011
‘Your lovely Sussex by the Sea. I don’t know Sussex at all well, having been stationed there in National Service, Brighton of course because of the theatre but much of it unknown to me and your book whets the appetite!’ Alan Bennett, 31 July 2011
‘Your beautiful collection of photographs of Sussex by the Sea. When I’m in Brighton for the Lib Dem Conference I hope it looks as lovely as your pictures.’ Nick Robinson, [undated], Autumn 2012
‘Sussex by the Sea looks quite gorgeous! If I ever had to leave Wales I would become an illegal immigrant to Bexhill-on-Sea!’ Jan Morris, 2 August 2011
‘The photographs are stunning and the book itself is beautifully made.’ Chris Riddell, 7 October 2011
‘Your very beautiful book. The photos are refreshing as they capture the character and humour of the place as well as its beauties in a way that the normal coffee-table book on the “set sites” never could.’ Ptolemy Dean, 20 January 2013
‘I am glad to say confirms all the high expectations I felt when reading The South Downs. If anything Sussex by the Sea is even more handsome and alluring.’ Michael Holroyd, 30 July 2011