![Rough Diamond-iow[10259]](https://cdn.islandecho.co.uk/uploads/2022/03/Rough-Diamond-IOW10259.jpg)
A book about the history, places, people and sometimes quirky aspects of the Isle of Wight has been released by travel writer and humorist, George East.
2million Britons visit the UK’s largest Island every year, but few seem to have much of a clue about where it is, or even what language the natives speak.
Other regular enquiries to the Isle of Wight Tourist board include what’s the currency and will they accept English money, what side of the road do they drive on and will I need a passport?
George East has written ‘Rough Diamond’ to clear up the confusion.
After eating, drinking, and writing their way around France for many years, George and his wife Donella bought a home on the Isle of Wight to be closer to their family on the mainland.
Rough Diamond follows George as he spends a year visiting every town and village (and most of the pubs) on the Island while trying to discover what makes it such a closed book to so many Britons.
George says:
“I was curious why there were so many misconceptions about the Island, and why so many people thought of it as years behind the times and awash with weird customs, attitudes and characters. I have to admit I started off with some of those misconceptions, but by the end of my journey I had been won over completely. And I didn’t meet a single person with more than the normal quota of fingers or heads.
Article continues below this advertisement “Now, I know that the Isle of Wight is a place of sometimes stunning beauty and has a remarkable history and is stacked with interesting people and places. I didn’t think I could settle here, but if the Island was good enough for Karl Marx, Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, dozens of other monarchs and an amazing array of thinkers, politicos, revolutionaries, writers, poets, painters and mass murderers over the centuries, it’s certainly good enough for me.”
Further information about author George East may be found at www.george-east.net.
We are not the “UK’s largest island” by the way, not withstanding the island of Great Britain. Anglesey, Skye, Shetland, Mull, Islay, Orkney and I’m sure several others are bigger than the IOW
I’m more interested in the book than a geography lesson.
Absolutely Brilliant book and everyone should buy a copy…please. as it was me what wrote it.
The Isle of Wight is now on my radar.
A great read . . . and it’s already available on Kindle:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rough-Diamond-Notes-Island-Impressions-ebook/dp/B09T3TQLSP
This guy can write!
Is it available other than kindle
Where is hardcover version available to buy
George and his wife Donella bought a home on the Isle of Wight to be closer to their family on the mainland ???? That statement alone makes the book worth buying.
I have read most of George’s books on France and other places in Europe. This one is also a good read, but, please George, give us some more on France. Better still come back here to live