the classics, perelman,lately bill bryson, paul johnson,milan kundera and the easy pace of dick francis..pj o'rourke enthuses tartly,a.s. gill on travel and food, any bravura serenade on golf and its practioners, all my personal friends who write and give me a window into their complicated souls...richard dawkins for his clarity on the non existence of god, many, many poets...eliot, frost, yeats ...who distil the sadness and glories of our lives with economy, grace and resonance..stephen hawking for dazzling insights into brave new worlds...anyone with a thoughtful pen who will soar with the stars... 

have not written seriously to be in contention,but have done enough to be somewhat known in my large country

am now doing travel and golf writing... also stray food...happy to share