Monthly Archives: November 2020

Kyril is heavily influenced by P G Wodehouse, which doesn’t mean that this novel is anything The Master would have written. But influenced yes. And so already in positive territory. His man Jeeves is a thug ready and willing to … Continue reading →

Two burglars were robbing a Beverly Hills apartment when they heard the police outside. “Quick! Jump out of the window.” “But we’re on the 13th floor.” protested the other burglar. “This is no time to be superstitious!”

A YouTube audio clip of an iconic broadcast from the American journalist Edward R Murrow. It’s difficult to overstate his importance in shaping American opinion during the Second World War. His broadcasts are possibly the greatest radio journalism of all … Continue reading →

Among the principal attractions of Harvard for these privileged students was the university’s commitment to segregating them from aspiring middle-class boys. The Groton graduates ate all their meals together and socialized only with one another or with alumni of elite … Continue reading →

“What are you reading, old man?” The KGB officer asked “I’m learning Hebrew, comrade,” replied Saul an old Jew. “Why are you learning Hebrew? You know it takes years to get a permission to travel to Israel? You will die … Continue reading →

Emperor Meiji began a modernisation programme of Japan’s armed forces from 1868 onwards by partnering with Britain and Germany. Naval officers were sent to Britain and army officers to Germany. These officers imbibed the military culture of their hosts. Equipment … Continue reading →

“Remember you’re fighting for this woman’s honour, which is probably more than she ever did.” Groucho Marx as Rufus T Firefly – Duck Soup (1933)

Anyone familiar with the history of Nazi Germany will know Speer was a senior member of Hitler’s entourage and therefore find the title surprising. The ‘Truth’ Gitta highlights is whether or not Speer knew about the Holocaust. It hardly seems … Continue reading →