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New York New York
 New York is still the most frenetic city on earth; bustling, bubbling and noisy, which could easily be translated as rude by more docile souls. Frank and I began the morning on NBC's the Today Show, where we're given four and a half minutes to explain why we've written The Gospel According to Judas. I remind Frank, who's used to giving one hour lectures without drawing breath, that four and half minutes is 270 seconds, which is 135 seconds each - minus whatever the interviewer dares to take - and as I want to get six points over during that time, I ask him never to speak for more than 30 seconds. While you're sitting in the studio you can never tell how an interview has gone, but you can judge for yourselves by watching the interview from the link on my home page. The Today Show was followed by several other radio interviews during the day, ending up at Border's bookshop on Columbus Circle, to give a talk and do a signing session. There's always a surprise on every trip, and for me it was seeing in the audience my old friend Wendell Mottley, who had been President of the Cambridge Athletics Club and Captain of the West Indies Olympic squad when we were both at university. Although he was an usher at my wedding, we haven't seen each other for many years, and we had a long and very enjoyable dinner catching up with each others' lives. He confirmed what many New Yorkers had been telling me, that Michael Bloomberg is doing a fantastic job as Mayor of the city and many are suggesting that he might end up as the Republican candidate for President of the United States. I'm told that when he's asked directly if he would consider standing for President, he replies, I'm a 5ft 7", multi-millionnaire, Jewish New Yorker, so what chance do I have? I would have thought just as good a chance as a woman or a black candidate - perhaps America is ready to consider ability the most important asset in their next President.
Sunday in New York
Arrived late into New York, and was met by one of those ghastly stretch limos which took me to the New York Palace Hotel on Madison Avenue. I'd never heard of it, until I was reminded it used to be The Helmsley Palace. Glamorous, full of glitz and full of people, all of which I was too tired to notice. I confess I wasn't looking forward to this trip, partly because there's no way of finding out what's happening in the Cricket World Cup. Began work again yesterday morning with an early morning breakfast show - more details to follow.
From Late Late Show to late late post
Frank and I were in Dublin on Friday, and we stayed at The Merrion Hotel, which has to be one of the most beautiful places I've stayed - mind you I'm prejudiced, as the owner has filled the building with his amazing art collection. Frank and I appeared on several shows, ending the day with Pat Kenny on the Late Late Show. Pat is a real pro, not only had he actually read the book, but he also had an opinion to give, and at the end of our 15 minutes, I felt mentally exhausted. The next morning, the Professor and I visited 7 bookshops to sign stock and ended up at Eason's on O'Connel Street at midday. An hour and a half later we'd sold every single copy (330) of The Gospel According to Judas so I sacked the MD and Chief Buyer and went off to lunch. I flew back to London in time to go to a birthday dinner for Lita Young, the wife of an old friend, former Cabinet minister David Young. The entire family made speeches - two daughters, two grand-daughters, David and Lita, and the daughters won the night, having the audience in fits of laughter. Got home at midnight and slept like a log, before heading off on Sunday morning for another flight, this time to America.
"Say cheese..."
 Here's a photograph taken at our very enjoyable publishers dinner in Rome - the only one not wearing a tie is Richard Charkin, the Chief Executive of Macmillan. I'm just leaving for Dublin as Frank and I are appearing on The Late Late Show tonight with Pat Kenny. Back tomorrow after the book signing at Eason's, and then off to New York on Sunday for the launch of The Gospel According to Judas in the US.
The day after publication
On arriving back in England yesterday, it took almost as long to get from Heathrow to TV centre in Wood Lane as it had from Da Vinci airport to Heathrow. Another packed day of radio, tv and press interviews ended at Westminster Cathedral hall last night, where the Professor and I presented our case to a large and attentive audience. The event was kindly chaired by The Reverend Dr Dermot Power and we were honoured by the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain and The Right Reverend George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, along with several other leading churchmen. The professor had to take some very tough questions from his own brethren, but once again handled them with skill and patience. I must confess that two of the questions I didn't even understand, and needed further explanation when we retired to Gran Paradiso for dinner at the end of the evening. Dr Power, Father Micheael Seed, Professor Moloney and I had hoped for a restful evening, but there's no hope of having a meal with three priests and not expect to be regularly interrupted with questions from other diners. Before staggering into bed around midnight, I glanced at my diary for today to see that I would be opening up with an interview with The Church Times at 9.30am. That would have been fine if I hadn't foolishly walked over to my desk to find a pile of letters and emails left by my PA, for me to read before she arrived back at 8.00am.
The Gospel According to Judas
What a day. Up at 5.00am to catch a flight back from Rome after one of the busiest days of my life. The conference held at the Foreign Press Club was so full that journalists had to stand at the side and in the doorway, and it was three hours before the Professor and I escaped. The questions from the floor were all serious and considered, with the exception of one English newspaper - it was a delight to hear the groans that followed his question. In the afternoon we gave a lecture at the Biblicum which is the Vatican's equivalent to Oxford or Cambridge. This was well attended by the student body and senior dignitaries from the church including Bishop Josef Clemens, Secretary of the Pontifical Council of the Laity and former Personal Secretary to Pope Benedict XVI. The students pressed Professor Moloney hard on the book's claim that the 30 pieces of silver never happened, but he answered all their questions with assured conviction and scholarship. In the evening we joined the rector of the Biblicum, Father Stephen Pisano, for dinner to celebrate publication day.
Book Signing Tomorrow
Professor Moloney and I will be signing copies of The Gospel According To Judas at the following venues over the coming week - tomorrow, Wednesday 21 March, 1.00pm at Waterstone’s Bookshop, 203-206 Piccadilly, London W1
Saturday 24 March, 12.30pm at Eason & Son, O’Connell Street, Dublin Tuesday 27 March, 7.00pm at Border’s, Time Warner Centre, 10 Columbus Circle, New York. Hope to see you there.
Publication Dinner
 Last night Richard Charkin, chairman of Macmillan, hosted a dinner at the Ristorante Due Ladroni (Two Thieves) here in Rome for some of my international publishers from Italy, Holland, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Serbia and Brazil- a first for Macmillan. It's thrilling to know one's book is going to be published right across the world on the same day in more than 8 different languages, and yesterday the Russians and Bulgarians also signed contracts. Professor Moloney made a moving speech about why he wanted to do this work and see that the gospels were spread to a far wider audience, and he was presented with first editions in 8 different languages. We were all of course nervous about publication day (today), particularly as a rumour was being spread around the room - but one which I can't repeat on my blog until it's been confirmed. Yesterday afternoon, Frank and I were photographed in St Peter's Square for the Daily Telegraph, and thank you to Chris Warde-Jones for the use of his photograph. The Gospel According to Judas and the audio CD are now available in the shops - you can also listen to Archbishop Desmond Tutu reading the first chapter of the gospel from a link on my website. I hope you enjoy it.
Monday morning blues
I was sorry to read of Freddie Flintoff's problems in the West Indies. He is, and always will be, a larger than life character, who immediately apologised to all his fans, and I'm confident that he will return even stronger. One of the more ridiculous headines in the tabloids this morning was that Freddie will never captain England again - clearly written by a reporter who doesn't follow cricket that closely, otherwise he might have remembered that Mike Gatting annoyed the cricketing authorities during his career, but still managed to return as captain, as well as winning us back the Ashes.
The Launch
Mary flew to Tokyo yesterday to talk to the Japanese about becoming involved with Addenbrooke's hospital of which she is chairman - while I took off for Rome to launch The Gospel According to Judas.
The Gospel will be in bookshops tomorrow along with the audio CD read by Archbishop Tutu. Professor Moloney and I will be joining our eight publishers this evening at the Two Thieves restaurant where we first met nearly a year ago. Tomorrow the book will be launched at the Foreign Press Club where we will announce the eleven points that we hope will cause considerable discussion and debate. Watch this space.
Rugby blues
I spent Saturday afternoon watching Wales defeat England. It was the evil Captain Hook who got the better of us and I suspect the English are going to have to suffer his treasure chest of talents for many years to come. In the evening, I went to the closing night of The Seagull at the Royal Court Theatre. The show had been sold out every night of its six-week run - and deservedly so. I wasn't sure I could take Ibsen and Chekov in the same week, but with actors as good as Kristin Scott Thomas and Mackenzie Crook, the time flew by.
Save the Blue Iguanas
I did an auction last night in the Churchill Room of the House of Commons for an endangered spieces. In this case not my colleagues in the Lords, but the rare Blue Iguana who resides only in the Cayman Islands. They will be happy to hear that the auction raised £17,000 to help towards their survival.
Foreign Press Club, Rome
I fly to Rome on Sunday for the launch of The Gospel According to Judas. A Press conference will be held at the Foreign Press Club at 11.00am on Tuesday 20th March, and will be chaired by Father Stephen Pisano, Rector of the Pontifical Biblical Institute. It is a great honour for me that Father Pisano has agreed to chair this press conference, but of course the reason he's doing so is because my collaborator Professor Francis J Moloney is one of the most respected theologians and scholars of the New Testament. Later that afternoon, Professor Moloney and I will be addressing the Biblicum in the presence of senior church officials and the student body.
Ibsen's John Gabriel Borkman
Much enjoyed last night's performance of Ibsen's masterpiece, John Gabriel Borkman at the Donmar Warehouse. Ibsen is of course to Norway what Shakespeare is to England and Chekov to Russia. Ian McDiarmid was brilliant in the title role, and certainly last night's audience appreciated the fine performances. Mr McDiarmid is virtually unknown by the general public but is undoubtedly one of our greatest actors.
Westminster Cathedral
 On Wednesday 21 March, there will be a lecture and debate on The Gospel According to Judas, with Professor Moloney and myself at Cathedral Hall, Westminster Cathedral, Ambrosden Avenue, SW1. The event will be chaired by the Reverend Dr Dermot Power and will begin at 6.30pm. If you would like to attend, contact Louise Crumley at louisec@colmangetty.co.uk
First Edition
I've just learned that Macmillan will be printing a third edition of The Gospel According to Judas ten days before publication; however, it may not reach the bookshops before publication day, 20th March, and therefore those of you who would like a first edition should order it now from your local bookshop or amazon who are selling it for an incredible £5.99. You may be amused to read page 39 of The Times today, where you will discover that 'The Pope gives his blessing to the gospel of Jeffrey Archer' - search as I did for a mention of His Holiness in the article, I couldn't find it.
Ian Wooldridge
Often when the press write about themselves, they go way over the top, describing a minor columnist as one of the great writers of the day. This was not the case with Ian Wooldridge. He received glowing tributes in almost every newspaper, and I put him up there with his hero Sir Neville Cardus. Ian had that touch of originality and quirkiness that divided him from the mundane, and more important, like all people who have a genuinely original mind, you could never assume you knew his view on anything. We first met in my running days and remained friends for over forty years, and it didn't even worry him that I didn't drink. His knowledge and love of cricket, golf, boxing and frankly everything except football, meant that lunch or dinner with him was often three hours and you still didn't want to go home. In fact there was one occasion at Shepherd's restaurant in Westminster when I had to leave the assembled gathering of six to vote on three separate occasions, and I returned to the restaurant after each vote to find him still there, holding court. Those who knew him will miss him, those who read him will find him hard to replace. At least he will now be able to join his beloved friends Keith Miller and Denis Compton and discuss endlessly what really went wrong in Australia this year. I do hope they have a good wine cellar in heaven, otherwise he's going to be very irritable.
The voice of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
 I have just listened to Archbishop Desmond Tutu's remarkable reading of The Gospel According to Judas. It will not surprise you that the Archbishop was my first choice for this project, and how delighted we all were that he agreed to undertake the task. The audio CD will be on sale in the shops at the same time as the Gospel, and I know W.H. Smith and Waterstone's have made record first orders for it from Macmillan, which is a tribute to the great Nobel Prize winner. (Photo of Archbishop Tutu courtesy of Brett Rubin)
Rugby to Newcastle
Attended a charity dinner at Claridges last night in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Liam Botham's Testimonial Year. The Q&A session with Doddie Weir, Keith Wood, Jason Leonard, Ieuan Evans and Ian Botham, conducted by Will Greenwood, was one of the best I'd heard recently. Ian said that the Cricket World Cup was wide open, but if he were to take a bet, he'd put a little money on Sri Lanka. Doddie Weir and Keith Wood were pretty fierce about Martin Johnson and his ethics on the field, which Jason said were part of him being the best captain in the business. Mr Leonard on the other hand - witty and charming as ever - did not extend that wit and charm to Sir Clive Woodward, and several references were made to a Daily Mail article of the previous day, which I hadn't read. Bob 'The Cat' Bevan was our after dinner speaker and on his usual top form, and the auction raised £65,000. One of the most interesting items was a pair of return flights to Newcastle for a kicking masterclass with Jonny Wilkinson at the Newcastle Falcons training ground and then lunch with Jonny and Liam. Some wag shot up and said "I'll pay 500 quid Jeff, not to go to Newcastle." I of course fined him £500 and asked if there were any others in the audience who would pay this amount not to go to Newcastle - there were seven more responses, raising £4,000 - and a further £8,000 was raised for the actual prize, bringing the total to £12,000 for this item alone.
The past few days
Attended the opening night of Whipping it Up at the New Abassador's Theatre. Great fun, particularly for those of you interested in politics. The play is set in the Deputy Chief Whip's office and shows how the Party handles only having a majority of three when a crucial vote arises. Richard Wilson is particularly good as the Chief Whip, but is backed up by a strong cast and a good plot. Thoroughly recommended. I intend to start my own starring system, and give this show four out of five. Travelled back into London from Cambridge on Sunday morning to do a lunch-time auction for CancerBackUp at the Reform Club. The charity specialises in offering information, practical advice and support to cancer patients and their families, at a time when they are naturally anxious and fearful. They have trained nurses to answer telephone queiries and are currently receivng 1,200 calls a week. There were 6 items in the auction, ranging from a long weekend on a yacht in the Mediterranean, to a Freddie Flintoff cricket bat, and the auction raised £30,000. Ended the day by going to the cinema to see The Illusionist, a genuinely original film with a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. 3 stars. StatisticsI know many of you are fascinated by statistics, and my website has just reached its first birthday. In the first month we had 11,394 hits, and last month 404,619, so thank you all for your interest and support. I'm aiming to reach a million a month by this time next year!
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