Author Archives: odeboyz

Book Review: Ted Lewis ~ GBH (1980)

Posted on July 27, 2020 by odeboyz

Until I’d read this book I hadn’t appreciated how tame police procedurals novels are. The maverick Detective Inspector heroically cuts corners. There’s always a common-sense explanation, which everyone except the bureaucratic Assistant Chief Constable accepts. He’s standing in the way … Continue reading →

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People are so untrusting

Posted on July 23, 2020 by odeboyz
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A cunning sales manager

Posted on July 23, 2020 by odeboyz

My sales manager pulled up in a new Tesla Model S and I complimented him on it.  He said, “Well, if you set goals, you’re determined, and you work really hard and put in long hours, I can trade up … Continue reading →

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Sir Philip Magnus School: The 1950s weekly games lessons appraised

Posted on July 23, 2020 by odeboyz

I’ve written how I truly hated the weekly sports lessons on a previous occasion.* Summer was bad enough, with cricket and its incomprehensible rules. Winter was worse. Every week I waited, for the coach to turn up. Often I stood … Continue reading →

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Three Countries: One Story

Posted on July 20, 2020 by odeboyz

Apartheid – South Africa Naziism – Germany Segregation – USA

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Book Review: James Hawes ~ My Little Armalite (2008)

Posted on July 20, 2020 by odeboyz

I wrongly believed that this would stand in the tradition of Tom Sharpe and so looked forward to slap-stick humour. It isn’t Sharpe it’s a biting satire with lots of black humour. John Goode is a 45 year old university … Continue reading →

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On a Summer day

Posted on July 20, 2020 by odeboyz

Almost forgotten pleasures of feeling Sand squelching, between my toes The sound of sea rolling, to its Ebb and flow, of ceaseless time. That one moment, to remember A holiday of happiness, with family Bright sunshine, the beach hut On … Continue reading →

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A Labrador applies for a job at the FBI

Posted on July 16, 2020 by odeboyz

A Labrador responded to an FBI advert. “Well,” said the personnel director, “you’ll have to meet some strict requirements. First, you must type at least 60 words per minute.” “No problem.” “Also, you must pass a physical and complete the … Continue reading →

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The Importance of the Incheon Landings: Korea 15th September- 15th October, 1950

Posted on July 16, 2020 by odeboyz

“I predict,” said general of the Army Omar Nelson Bradley, “that large scale amphibious operations will never occur again.”* Background Amphibious landings were critical in the Second World War. In the Pacific war, they were the strategically brilliant ‘Leapfrogging’ technique … Continue reading →

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Alfred Hitchcock phones Georges Simenon*

Posted on July 13, 2020 by odeboyz

John Lanchester’s observation about Simenon’s amazing work rate reminds me of Deirdre Bair’s story of Hitchcock telephoning Simenon at his home in Switzerland, only to be told by his secretary that the writer couldn’t be disturbed because he had just … Continue reading →

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