Author Archives: bernardporter2013

All the people I am currently dealing with at Bloomsbury are women; as from my experience they almost all seem to be in the publishing world. (It wasn’t like that in my earlier authorial days.) I have no problem with … Continue reading →

Is it a symptom of a real depression when England are swept away by Australia in the first Test, and West Ham are beaten 2-0 by Arsenal, both within a couple of days – and I really don’t care?

Anyone who thinks I’m a bit hard on Britain’s ‘Public’ schools – and the damage they are still doing to our politics and our country – should read the following, from today’s Guardian. It reveals a lot about Boris Johnson, … Continue reading →

When Boris goes – which surely must be soon – will he take the gold wallpaper with him? Among all the other scandals which have accompanied the refurbishing of his Downing Street flat – who paid for it? Did he … Continue reading →

If the ‘great man’ theory of history doesn’t quite work, not for serious historians anyway, the ‘absolutely f*cking useless man’ theory might still be worth considering. Boris Johnson seems to be showing the way in which idiots and amoralists can … Continue reading →

A whole programme on Swedish TV last night about Boris. Not complimentary, indeed the reverse, very mocking, quite humorous; but making the suggestion that laughter is a good way of easing in authoritarian rule. (The K-Y Jelly of politics?) Which … Continue reading →

I thought I’d finished with it for now; but I’m still having to work on ‘the book’, to get it ready for printing. Bloomsbury want a list of ‘high-profile’ historians they can send the proofs to in order to elicit … Continue reading →

Is this becoming the new face of Britain? https://inews.co.uk/news/rnli-lifeboat-blocked-protesters-opposed-rescuing-migrants-1328179 If so it is deeply shaming, especially after the terrible tragedy last week when 20-odd migrants – including children – drowned in the freezing waters of the English Channel: and in … Continue reading →

So this is how it ends – for the country of my birth, though not of my allegiance any more.  A proud history in some ways, a shameful one in others, but ‘distinguished’ in either case; sinking into sheer corruption … Continue reading →

So that’s done. ‘The book’ completed, given very flattering reviews by the publisher’s (anonymous) readers, all their suggestions incorporated into the text, and ready to be despatched to Bloomsbury on Monday.  Which is a month before their deadline. Next step: … Continue reading →