Monthly Archives: November 2023

The dire condition into which my country has fallen – what or whomever you wish to blame for it: Covid, Russia, Brexit, the Conservative government, earlier Labour governments, the decline of capitalism, the loss of the Empire, the Public schools, … Continue reading →

Well, OK; and of course it’s flattering for a professional historian like me to think so. At the very least it should boost the sales of our books, and our sense of superior wisdom. History isn’t only fun, but is … Continue reading →

As an imperial historian, I think I know what ‘colonialism’ looks like. In my review of a book about the Mau Mau emergency of the 1950s, an early draft of which appeared here (https://bernardjporter.com/2023/11/09/kenya-book-review/), I hinted – very marginally – … Continue reading →

If Suella Braveman is thinking of using today’s sacking to release her inner fascist, she would be in strong historical company. Fascism (or quasi-fascism, or extreme nationalism, or whatever else you want to call it) is usually thought of as … Continue reading →

I’ve been busy over the last week reading this book for review. (I really do read, thoroughly, the books I’m sent!) Here’s the latest draft. – Now, hopefully, to get back to proper blogging, in between hospital appointments. Nicholas Rankin, … Continue reading →