In 2021 Peter Mortimer brought out the book, Planet Corona – the First One Hundred Columns, collecting together the opening century of articles for The Journal, Newcastle. These began with and were informed throughout by the Corona Virus and its effect on our world. Dismal though those times were, and bleak though the daily news tended to be, the author found an unlikely humour and satire in the nation’s plight and our ability, or non-ability, to deal with it. The writing was personal and non-technical; it was one author’s individual response to extraordinary times.

Now comes a second collection, Beyond Planet Corona. The virus has receded (temporarily say many experts) but its impact lingers on and Peter Mortimer continues to observe from the sidelines. The book is a satirical look at how we as a nation, and sometimes as a planet, are coping with the aftermath of the corona devastation.