Books: Ways With Words

This summer, in the stunning setting of Dartington Hall in Devon, a colourful cast of poets, novelists, journalists, politicians, scientists, actors, comedians, biographers and artists will assemble for the 8th Ways With Words Literature Festival. The Independent on Sunday is delighted to be supporting the Festival again.

From 10am to 10pm for 10 days, there will be a full programme of events in the medieval Great Hall. In between, those who read books can mingle with those who write them in the on-site bar, the courtyard and the beautiful gardens. There's even a swimming pool where you can cool down after the intellectual overload.

This year there is a strong programme of themed days. The Psychology theme day (Saturday 10 July) features Lewis Wolpert talking about his book The Anatomy of Depression, and Jungian analyst Anthony Stevens giving a talk on psychotherapy. The Philosophy and Religion day (Sunday 11 July) promises to be especially lively, with two sessions from our in-house controversialist A N Wilson. He discusses whether God has a future with Karen Armstrong, author of A History of God, and later in the day, analyses the enigmatic figure of Jesus with another provocative thinker, Richard Ingrams. Ben Rogers will talk about the brilliant and controversial A J Ayer, subject of his critically acclaimed biography, Henry Hardy discusses Isaiah Berlin.

IoS Travel Editor Jeremy Atiyah will host a day celebrating travel writers (Monday 12 July), including William Dalrymple talking about India, Tim Moore discussing his hilarious exploits in the footsteps of a Victorian Arctic explorer, and Nicholas Crane describing his walk along the line of longitude through the heart of England.

There has been an unprecedented burst of publishing in the field of popular science. In our Science theme day (Saturday 17 July), the IoS's columnist Marek Kohn discusses his book The Evolved Mind. Patrick D Wall, a world expert in the field, talks about his book Pain: The Science of Suffering, and Telegraph columnist James Le Fanu asks whether medicine has lost its way in a discussion of his latest book, The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine.

The day devoted to history (Sunday 18 July) features feminist historian Rosalind Miles, who has ventured into fiction to tell the story of Guinevere, and Robert Lacey and Danny Danziger talking about life in The Year 1000.

Other writers appearing include Ronan Bennett, Barbara Trapido, actress Harriet Walter, Clare Short, Rachel Lichtenstein, Rosalind Coward, John Bayley, Deborah Moggach and Bernice Rubens

You can buy a day ticket which gives free entry to all theme day events, or buy tickets to individual talks. But why not take advantage of our special readers' offer, on a package including accommodation and food. The theme days represent a small amount of the riches on offer, and the full package, whether half or full board, allows you total freedom to attend whatever you like. There are also flexible weekend and midweek packages, discounted for readers. See details, right

Special Reader Offer

We have a limited number of places available at a special rate for IoS readers:

a reduction of pounds 100 on full festival packages, and pounds 25 on shorter 3- and 4-night packages (see price details, above). The full package offer includes 10 nights' full-board accommodation at Dartington Hall, together with a Rover ticket which gives admission to all events except workshops.

Please make cheques payable to Ways With Words. Prices quoted are the special reader offer rates.

Send the completed form to: Ways With Words, Festival Box Office, Droridge Farm, Dartington, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6JQ

If you would like more information before booking, or to pay by credit card (Visa/Mastercard), please telephone 01803 867373