Spoken word

Friday 19 September 1997 23:02 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kate Summerscale's The Queen of Whale Cay (HarperCollins, 3hrs, pounds 8.99), a life of "Joe" Carstairs, heiress to the Standard Oil fortune, makes jaw-dropping listening. Born in 1900, Joe claimed she "came out of the womb queer". She stole - and enjoyed - her stepfather's cigars aged eight, went to France at 16 to drive ambulances in the First World War, and boasted Marlene Dietrich and Tallulah Bankhead among her lovers. In the 1920s, she raced motorboats for Britain, and in 1934 bought the Bahamian island of Whale Cay. She lived there, its unchallenged queen, before she moved to Florida and died in 1993.

Racing Pigs and Giant Marrows (HarperCollins, 3hrs, pounds 8.99) explores a very different world: that of North Country shows and fairs, full of strange and ancient customs, blotto blokes and giggling lassies. Harry Pearson's quirky and quintessentially English travelogue is affectionate, perceptive and very funny.

Christina Hardyment

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Spoken word

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering