Swallows and Amazons Swallows and Amazons Swallows and Amazons is the first book in the "Swallows and Amazons" series by English author Arthur Ransome; it was first published in 1930, with the action taking place in the summer of 1929 in the Lake District. The book introduces central protagonists John, Susan, Titty and Roger Walker (Swallows) and their mother and baby sister (Bridget), as well as Nancy and Peggy Blackett (Amazons) and their uncle Jim, commonly referred to as Captain Flint. At the time, Ransome had been working as a journalist with the "Manchester Guardian", but decided to become a full-time author rather
Richard Gordon (English author) in both. The later spin-off TV series were written by British comedy writers. In 1974, he walked off the set of "This is Your Life" when Eamonn Andrews appeared with the red book. He later changed his mind and the show was transmitted a week later. Gordon's wife Mary Ostlere was also a physician, and the couple had four children. He died on 11 August 2017. Richard Gordon (English author) Richard Gordon (born Gordon Stanley Benton, 15 September 1921 – 11 August 2017 and also known Gordon Stanley Ostlere), was an English surgeon and anaesthetist. As Richard Gordon, Ostlere wrote