Back in 1987 I was standing outside Thorns Bookshop in Newcastle upon Tyne. In its window was a display of books by Professor Paul C. W. Davies. I was saying to

Back in 1987 I was standing outside Thorns Bookshop in Newcastle upon Tyne. In its window was a display of books by Professor Paul C. W. Davies. I was saying to someone beside me that Davies wrote too many books for them to be any good. Then I turned round and almost bumped into the man himself. Fortunately he hadn't heard what I'd said and just carried on his way. He was hurrying to give a lecture at the university commemorating the 300th anniversary of Newton's Principia. Several years later I was to revise my view of his writings after reading his 'Fifth Miracle' which I enjoyed very much.