For some years Gavin Stamp, one of our most eminent - and readable - architectural historians - has written a monthly column for Apollo, the pre-eminent architecture and fine art magazine. The subjects are simply whatever architectural or design questions happen to take his fancy - it might be the splendid reopening of the magnificent Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras, or the dilapidation of a little-known church in Eastbourne, or the demise of the Routemaster bus, or a paean to wrought-iron railings. Together, this compulsively readable collection builds into an eloquent, learned, trenchant and often indignant portrait of our national design heritage.