Monthly Archives: November 2020

This book trampled on my intellectual pretensions. Sutherland’s 23 chapters whittle away confidence until you wonder how you managed to get out of bed successfully. His case studies are stunning. Chapter 10 Ignoring the evidence concerns Admiral Kimmel’s belief that … Continue reading →

A sound technician, a lighting designer and a stage manager found an old lamp. The sound technician gave it a rub, and out wafted a genie! “Since you all found me, you all get a wish!” The sound technician went … Continue reading →

Introduction Roosevelt informed Churchill that an American general had to be Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in December, 1943. Churchill accepted this fait accompli even though Britain ceded sovereignty during a war. Britain was no longer in control of its … Continue reading →

“In what may be one of the most Italian things that has ever happened, the Italian State Police rushed a donor kidney from Padua to Rome for a transplant in a Lamborghini Huracan. Last week’s journey is around 300 miles, … Continue reading →

This novel is quirky, charming and guileless. If you’re hooked on thrillers, police procedurals, horror, chick-lit or whatever this isn’t the book for you: unless you’re prepared to bravely dive into a different world. I warmly recommend that you do. … Continue reading →

Three New Zealanders and three Aussies were travelling by train to the cricket World Cup in England. At the station, the Aussies bought tickets and were amazed when the New Zealanders bought a ticket between them. “How are you going … Continue reading →

“…. we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sort or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”* Eisenhower 1961 “…it is time for us to get … Continue reading →

“One of the most loved stories about England’s 1966 World Cup victory is about how Bob Charlton, Jackie and Bobby’s father, worked his shift that same afternoon. While his sons were sharing England’s greatest sporting triumph 300 miles away at … Continue reading →