I’ve written a book. What’s it about? Art, architecture, history, love, poetry, philosophy, war, and literature. How to describe all that in one word? Culture.

Culture is for everybody; it’s the story of where we’ve been and where we’re going. And, in the 21st century, it’s more important than ever, as an alternative to the 24 content cycle and an antidote to doomscrolling.

My book is supposed to be an all-encompassing cultural primer, a whirlwind introduction to the things we’re interested in but don’t know how to “get into”. Gothic architecture, Lionel Messi, Norse mythology, Brutalism, air conditioning units, Art Deco, Elizabeth Barrett Browning… it’s all in there.

The Cultural Tutor: 49 Lessons You Wish You’d Learned At School is out now and available at all the places you usually buy your books.

Sometimes, it seems, dreams do somewhat come true.