Category Archives: Uncategorized

This of course is the centenary of Ireland’s ‘Easter Rising’ against the British. (Roughly – Easter may have been on a different day then.) In 1966 I was in Dublin for the 50th anniversary, researching the papers of Sir Roger … Continue reading →

The first review of my British Imperial in a major journal. And a good one – i.e. it really understands what the book is about. Thank you, LRB. (I can’t believe it’s because I’m one of their contributors.) (http://www.lrb.co.uk/v38/n07/ferdinand-mount/lumpers-v-splitters?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3807&utm_content=ukrw _subsact&hq_e=el&hq_m=4202170&hq_l=22&hq_v=1b516b01f8)

A thought has just occurred to me. It must have occurred to many others. It’s not ‘religion’ that’s the problem (see below, March 4), but monotheistic religion. That was the fundamental reform brought about by Judaism, Christianity and Islam in … Continue reading →

The day of the Brussels bombings. But still she managed to get here. Kajsa, that is, from Stockholm. Despite heightened airport security, and a fire at Grantham station. (Don’t they know the Witch is dead?) The by now familiar conversation over wine … Continue reading →

The travails of the British Conservative party, although a source of great interest and amusement to the likes of me, seem trivial by the side of the great problem besetting us all just now: which is – apart from the ongoing … Continue reading →

Exciting things are happening in British politics just now, mainly Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith’s dramatic resignation from the cabinet on Friday. This is not as straightforward as it looks. Was it really over disability benefits, as he … Continue reading →

A very fine talk yesterday at the Elgar Society Yorkshire Branch (of which I’m Hon Treasurer): Rachel Cowgill on what she called ‘Elgar’s War Requiem’ – which is what it is. Unfortunately it’s formally entitled The Spirit of England, which … Continue reading →