World Book Day Poll Number 5

Yesterday's poll saw Douglas Adams beat Isaac Asimov, by a comfortable (albeit mathematically curious) margin: 61% of the vote to 43% (or should that be 42?). 

History is full of epic conflicts between mighty opposites: the Greeks vs the Trojans, Ali vs Foreman, Batman v Superman.... Today, in the last of our World Book Day polls, we pit two literary giants against each other: William Shakespeare and John Milton (OP).  Stepping up to the lists on their behalf are two heroic challengers - former SPS Head of English, Mr Venning, and current SPS Head of English, Mr Hager.  Let battle commence ...

World Book Day Poll Number 4

Yesterday's poll produced close to a tie - with Agatha Christie's 51% just edging out Conan Doyle's 50% (and yes, we know that doesn't quite add up: but a slightly puzzling result seems appropriate for writers of detective fiction).  Today's poll leaps into orbit and matches two of the greatest sci-fi writers of all time, whatever dimension you happen to be travelling in - Isaac Asimov and Douglas Adams.  But which one of them will win the Pauline vote?  Let Dr Weller, the Physics Dept and Anton Fedotov help you decide .... 

World Book Day Poll Number 3

Yesterday's poll saw Tolkien pushing George R R Martin unceremoniously through the Moon Door into oblivion, with a mighty 76% of the votes against Martin's 24%.  Today brings a battle between two Napoleons of Crime - Dame Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  Conrad Barclay, Ben Pymont and Tom Kinirons try to win your vote:

World Book Day Poll Number 2

Yesterday's poll ended up as a tie between J K Rowling and Terry Pratchett, with each winning 50% of the vote. Today we turn to two more colossi of fantasy literature, two veritable Titans - the chroniclers of Middle Earth and Westeros, of Dark Riders and White Walkers, of orcs and direwolves, of dragons and, er, dragons ... Yes, today J R R Tolkien and George R R Martin go head to head, withTom Williamson and Rufus Law as their advocates.

World Book Day Poll Number 1

This Thursday, March 2nd, is World Book Day: and to celebrate, the book blog is running a week of polls.  Each day, we'll be pitching two giants in one genre against each other in a Clash of the Literary Titans, and inviting Pauline readers to decide who wins. Today, the bards (ok, they're not actually bards, but we're fervent fans of alliteration here at the book blog) battling it out are J K Rowling and Terry Pratchett. And here, pitching for your vote, are Dr Hudson on J K Rowling and Charlie de Waal on Terry Pratchett: details on how to vote are at the end of the post.