In an effort to educate myself, I am reading The Oxford Book of Essays, chosen and edited by John Gross. [copies for sale here. There’s 142 of the blighters, so it will take me all year. To make this “stick” I am going to blog each essay. This essay is online Who was the author:... Continue Reading →
More about Able Archer (scratchpad)
I listened to a podcast (well, god help me two) about Able Archer. It was not very good (see here). But I persisted, and found what seems to be a pretty good podcast, Cold War Conversations, specifically episodes 19 and 269. They are interviews with Francesca Akhtar, who had done a masters and then PhD... Continue Reading →
“Rules based international order” my very fat arse
I learn a lot from Heather Cox Richardson's astonishing "Letters from an American." It's a brilliant, concise exercise in public education which everyone should be listening to every day. And I totally get why she is painting the Trump regime as unhinged and extreme (because... checks notes... it is). But the constant invocation of the... Continue Reading →
New Testament: Mark 1 to 6
Fifteen years ago I read the Old Testament (King James Version) and blogged it as I went. I always meant to keep on trucking, but, well, I didn’t. Now, in January and February of 2026 I am going to read all 27 books of the New Testament (I have a passing familiarity with the Gospels,... Continue Reading →
Essays; “Of Innovations” by Francis Bacon (4/142)
In an effort to educate myself, I am reading The Oxford Book of Essays, chosen and edited by John Gross. [copies for sale here] There’s 142 of the blighters, so it will take me all year. To make this “stick” I am going to blog each essay. This essay is online Who was the author:... Continue Reading →
New Testament: Matthew 24-28
Fifteen years ago I read the Old Testament (King James Version) and blogged it as I went. I always meant to keep on trucking, but, well, I didn’t. Now, in January and February of 2026 I am going to read all 27 books of the New Testament (I have a passing familiarity with the Gospels,... Continue Reading →
Review of Sherlock Holmes short story: A Case of Identity -” 3/56
In 2026 I plan to read all the Conan Doyle “Sherlock Holmes” works - 56 short stories and 4 novels (here’s why and how). If you haven’t already read it, Michael Green’s “undiscovered letter” from John Watson is fricking hilarious. I may also read various Holmes homages/pastiches etc. Who knows? (btw I’d recommend the Seven... Continue Reading →
Sherlock Holmes short story: The Red-Headed League – “obese pompous and slow” 2/56
In 2026 I plan to read all the Conan Doyle “Sherlock Holmes” works - 56 short stories and 4 novels (here’s why and how). If you haven’t already read it, Michael Green’s “undiscovered letter” from John Watson is fricking hilarious. I may also read various Holmes homages/pastiches etc. Who knows? (btw I’d recommend the Seven... Continue Reading →
Essays: “Of Boldness” by Francis Bacon (3/142)
In an effort to educate myself, I am reading The Oxford Book of Essays, chosen and edited by John Gross. [copies for sale here] There’s 142 of the blighters, so it will take me all year. To make this “stick” I am going to blog each essay. This essay is online Who was the author:... Continue Reading →
Calm and Disobedient Soviets versus nuclear war
I am listening to an extraordinary podcast (see below). First though, a couple of preliminaries for those who don't know. During the Cuban Missile Crisis there was a Soviet submarine with nukes being depth charged by the Americans. Communications with Moscow were lost, the temperature was rising because the air-conditioning was on the blink and... Continue Reading →
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