A JOURNALIST and author will be in Letchworth GC next week to talk about his new book.

Martin Sixsmith will be in David’s Bookshop signing copies of Russia: A 1000 Year Chronicle of the Wild East on Wednesday, March 7.

Combining in-depth research with his personal experiences as BBC Moscow correspondent, Sixsmith tells Russia’s full and fascinating story, from its foundation in the last years of the 10th century to the first years of the 21st, skilfully tracing the conundrums of modern Russia to their roots in its troubled past.

Covering politics, music, literature and art, he explores the myths Russians have created from their history, and explains the nation’s seemingly split personality as the result of influences that have divided it for centuries.

The book accompanies a landmark BBC Radio 4 series and marks the 20th anniversary of the dissolution of the USSR. Sixsmith, described by The Times as having “the knack of delivering complex material with a clear voice”, already has two novels and four non-fiction titles to his name, after a period spent working as the director of communications for the Labour government.

Tickets for the evening, which starts at 7.30pm, are �3 but are redeemable against the price of the book.

To book call 01462 768234.