How often I ponder on the forbidden privilege of sitting down and chatting with history's most interesting people. Given a quiet room in an isolated rustic cottage with bay windows looking out on a bucolic scene who would you choose to spend a quiet summer's evening with? Given the daunting choice of people who over centuries changed history the question itself is tantalising. Besides, who you choose says much about you too. Being a traveller, I would shortlist David Livingstone and as a historian King Edward VIII and Napoleon Bonaparte. As a writer, an evening with Charles Dickens has much appeal. I can also imagine a fireside chat to understand the motivation of emperors and revolutionaries better. Great Sayings and Stories of History will help you to focus your mind on your choice of table talk companion.