Reposted by Lesley DownerJohn M 🇬🇧🇺🇦 @john0109.bsky.social · 24/11/2025@lesleydowner.bsky.social I'll be interested to hear your views on Episode 4 "Japan". 111
Reposted by Lesley DownerJohn M 🇬🇧🇺🇦 @john0109.bsky.social · 24/11/2025@lesleydowner.bsky.social Of course I now realise you are actually in Episode 4 of "Civilisations: Rise and Fall"! Thank you, it's always good to see you on TV. (You can still comment on the rest of the programme! 😊) 021
Reposted by Lesley DownerOld Street Publishing @oldstpublishing.bsky.social · 25/11/2025Lesley Downer, author of The Shortest History of Japan, will be talking about her book on Tuesday 9 December at the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution. @lesleydowner.bsky.social In person and online tickets available here: hlsi.org.uk/whats-on/the...hlsi.org.ukThe Shortest History of Japan - HLSIMembers: Free, Online or Victoria Hall Non-Members: £10, Online or Victoria Hall Please book, for online link only, by 1pm on the day of the event Court ladies, women warriors and courtesans: powerful... 031
Reposted by Lesley DownerGeorge Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 09/11/2025This is a scorching article on the absolute state of The New York Times, and much of the rest of the media. Not just the billionaire media, note, but also the billionaire-*compliant* media, which both-sides every issue with purchased junktank talking points. lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...lithub.comMaybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran MamdaniIt’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen… 13659235
Reposted by Lesley DownerAnna Mazzola @annamazz.bsky.social · 01/10/2025Didn’t do it again though, did he? 1218213
Reposted by Lesley DownerOld Street Publishing @oldstpublishing.bsky.social · 24/09/2025We are thrilled that Lesley Downer's The Shortest History of Japan has been selected as one of Waterstone's non-fiction paperbacks of the year. @waterstones.bsky.social @lesleydowner.bsky.social www.waterstones.com/campaign/pap...waterstones.comSearch Books | WaterstonesDiscover our full range of books, gifts, toys, stationery and audiobooks at Waterstones.com. Click & Collect within 2 hours or buy online with Free UK Delivery on Orders Over £25. 012
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 10/09/2025Just mentioning ... Arthur I Miller is raising funds for the rerun of SYNCHRONICITY on #Crowdfunder! A gripping piece of science theatre that delves into psychology, physics and alchemy ... Even a tenner would help. Help the play come on in October! www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/synchronic...crowdfunder.co.ukSYNCHRONICITY: A Play About Geniuses in DialogueTwo great minds. One life-changing meeting. Help bring SYNCHRONICITY — the play about Jung & Pauli — back to the stage. 010
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 06/09/2025Today Prince Hisahito was recognised as heir to the imperial throne. By the post war constitution only males can be emperor. But in the past there were empresses ... Curious? Come to my talk Monday at @DaiwaFoundation! #Japan #history @oldstpublishing dajf.org.uk/event/the-im...dajf.org.ukThe Impact of Women on Japanese HistoryJapanese history is not all shoguns and samurai: women played a prominent role. In the early centuries Chinese envoys called the part of Japan they knew ‘Queen Country’ because there were so many fema... 000
Reposted by Lesley DownerTom Stanger @tomasstanger.bsky.social · 30/07/2025My review of On the Narrow Road to the Deep North: Journey into a Lost Japan by @lesleydowner.bsky.social, published by Eland Books, is on my website to read now: tomasstanger.com/on-the-narro... #Booksky #writingcommunity #bookreviews #travel #TravelBlogSharetomasstanger.comOn the Narrow Road to the Deep North: Journey into a lost Japan by Lesley Chan DownerAlong with many other people, I've always been fascinated by Japanese culture; it still remains a country which can seem mysterious to many, 181
Reposted by Lesley DownerAlan Rusbridger @arusbridger.bsky.social · 11/08/2025Letter of the day (in the Times) 12263842470
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 11/08/2025Spotted - at Haneda Airport, #Tokyo. Happy that it's reached its natural home! Thanks to eagle-eyed @drchrisharding! #Japan #history @ConnollyKieron @oldstpublishing @TheJapanSociety @DaiwaFoundation @JapanSocietyNW 000
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 01/08/2025Packing your bags for the trip of a lifetime - to #Japan? Don't forget to pack The Shortest History of Japan. Will (hopefully) make everything you see make sense! www.amazon.co.uk/Shortest-His... 000
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 01/08/2025Well thank you, Tom! I'm so happy you enjoyed - and appreciated - my book. 010
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 24/07/2025Spotted - in Book Culture near Columbia, New York! Thanks, Margaret! 000
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 23/07/2025Thrilled to feature on @drchrisharding's brilliant substack - on all things #Japan, history and much besides. If you're interested in #women, power or #Japanesehistory - or all three - do listen in! @ConnollyKieron Women and Power in Japanese History open.substack.com/pub/illumina...open.substack.comWomen and Power in Japanese HistoryAn Interview with Novelist and Historian Lesley Downer 000
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 26/05/2025Just in time for summer holiday reading or a trip to #Japan! The #ShortestHistoryofJapan, out in paperback June 3. Everything you need to know in one small package, from the world's first potters to shaman queens, geisha & manga. www.amazon.co.uk/Shortest-His... @kieronconnolly.bsky.socialamazon.co.ukThe Shortest History of Japan: 15 (Shortest Histories): Amazon.co.uk: Downer, Lesley: 9781913083922: BooksBuy The Shortest History of Japan: 15 (Shortest Histories) by Downer, Lesley (ISBN: 9781913083922) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. 020
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 04/04/2025To brighten up your day - my @history_girls piece on #Japan's #JazzAge. All about Japanese #flappers and #feminists! @Japan_Australia @GBSasakawa @japansociety the-history-girls.blogspot.com 002
Reposted by Lesley DownerTripFiction @tripfiction.bsky.social · 21/03/2025The Shortest History of Japan by @lesleydowner.bsky.social www.tripfiction.com/an-overview-... "..written with authority and style..."tripfiction.comAn overview of the history of JAPAN - TripFictionThe Shortest History of Japan by Lesley Downer, an overview of the history of JAPAN. What a charming way to absorb a panoramic and short history of the 062
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 15/03/2025‘the weak body of a useless woman’ - the story of Matsuo Takeko, an Edo period peasant woman who was a poetess and led a very adventurous and independent life. 120
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 11/02/2025Thank you! That’s very kind! I wonder which novel you have still to read - and was there one that you preferred? Thank you for your kind post! 000
Reposted by Lesley DownerAlderney Literary Trust @alderneylit.bsky.social · 22/01/20256 clubs on the Island are running #BookClubs during #AlderneyLitFest. Interested in Japan? Then join @lesleydowner.bsky.social for coffee, cake, and a discussion of her book on Friday, 28 March on the lovely Channel Island of #Alderney. www.alderneyliterarytrust.com/lesley-downer 011
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 01/01/2025Happy New Year of the Snake, everybody! Crossing fingers this will be a good year ... 000
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 23/12/2024Anna Sawai of #Shogun gets top billing. #Japan #history www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...theguardian.comAnna Sawai on Shōgun: ‘Our show taught women it was OK to stand up and say no’Sawai’s astonishing performance as the fierce Lady Mariko won her an Emmy – and inspired women worldwide. She talks J-pop, kimonos and epic sword-fights 010
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 05/12/2024Big news! #Sumo in London next year ... First time since 1991. "The most important part is to bring #Japanese tradition and Japanese culture to the British public," says Nobuyoshi Hakkaku (Hokutoumi, who won 1991 tourney). www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/...japantimes.co.jpJapan Sumo Association to hold tourney in London next year in rare overseas eventThe announcement means the world's top professional sumo wrestlers will be competing in London for the first time since 1991. 010
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 29/11/2024My review of the sweeping #SilkRoads exhibition @britishmuseum. Ends Feb 23rd. Worth catching. 061
Reposted by Lesley DownerHistoria – the HWA @historia-hwa.bsky.social · 29/11/2024@lesleydowner.bsky.social reviews the Silk Roads exhibition at the British Museum, which aims to recreate the "irresistibly romantic" allure of the ancient trading route's history. Read what she thought of it in Historia at historiamag.com/review-silk-roads-exhibition@lesleydowner.bsky.social 131
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 26/11/2024Please link me! (I know it needs updating). historicalwriters.org/writer/lesle... 110
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 24/11/2024Synchronicity, anyone? FULL HOUSE last night - and lots of people every night! When the brilliant but tormented physicist #Pauli went to #Jung for help ... One week to go. Snap up your ticket now! @WhiteBearTheatr #physics #alchemy #psychoanalysis vimeo.com/1032311247vimeo.comSyncronicity - A play by Arthur I. MillerIn 1931 the brash and brilliant physicist Wolfgang Pauli approached the world-renowned analyst Carl Jung for help. Pauli’s neurosis had wreaked such havoc… 020
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 23/11/2024#Happy Birthday to Lucy - well, a sort of birthday. She was actually born 3.2 million years ago - but her bones were discovered 50 years ago this month. www.amnh.org/explore/vide...amnh.orgThe 50th Anniversary of Lucy’s Discovery | AMNHDiscover what the famed “Lucy” fossil taught us about human evolution and how technology has unlocked new ways to analyze fossils today. 010
Lesley Downer @lesleydowner.bsky.social · 22/11/2024First post on Bluesky - inspired by @deborahswain.bsky.social! Hugely enjoying Arthur I Miller's new - and first - play, #Synchronicity at the White Bear Theatre, Kennington. Come along and see for yourself! www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk/whatson/sync...whitebeartheatre.co.ukSynchronicity | The White Bear TheatreSynchronicity comes to the White Bear Theatre. Book your tickets today! 041
