In The Air Tonight

 The dream of any author is having their books on sale in the duty-free shops at major airports, alongside the generic thrillers and self-help manuals. Imagine my pleasure therefore at receiving this snap taken by Professor F___ W___ of Copenhagen, who spotted A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth in field conditions, in a duty-free shop at Dubai Airport. Even more amazingly, the store had displayed the book (my book, noch) as its monthly promotional selection. This isn’t just any old airport — it’s a major international hub. And it’s not just shoved on a shelf — it has a big display all to itself. This really has to be the apotheosis of my zenith this week. Now, none of this happens by accident. When you see books displayed prominently in a bookstore window, or at a point of sale, you can be sure that the publisher has paid for the privilege. Clearly my publisher — in concert with the local sales force — felt it worth while. As for me, I can’t help shake the image that in the air tonight, in planes bound for destinations as varied as Perth and Panama, Detroit and Denpasar, people will be up late reading my book, while passengers round about sleep the hours quietly away.