I'm a bit like a starving man caught between a steak to his left and a rib-roast to his right and, struck immobile by being utterly unable to choose, he drops dead with hunger! Er, not that I'm about to drop dead (he added quickly whilst glancing round nervously) but I am faced with a damned tricky decision. I have just finished Robin Neillands' superb - and I do mean superb book on the Normandy Campaign in 1944. I mentioned it in an earlier post and having slogged across Normandy through (metaphorical) shot and shell, most of which emanated from sundry Generals with too much ego and too little brains, I now have to choose between two books.
Part way through, I did think that my next book must be a change from WWII and having read the rave reviews for Leanda de Lisle's just published book "The White King: Charles I, Traitor, Murderer, Martyr" I reckoned that was the obvious choice and with a click of the keyboard it arrived on my Kindle. But then, and don't ask me where, I came across a reference to a book by Richard Lamb, written in the 1990s called "Churchill as War Leader: Right or Wrong?" I gather that Mr. Lamb tells the story 'warts an' all' which is definitely "A Good Thing" given the hagiography that is usually associated with Churchill.
So, tomorrow, a decision will have to be made! If anyone has any useful suggestions, please let me know!
(whisper) the white king...
Posted by: Whitewall | Thursday, 01 February 2018 at 23:21
I would go for Charles I, there's a bit of a surfeit of Churchill at the moment and it might confuse your memories of the Normandy Campaign (not that you're easily confused of course, I shouldn't project my problems). (I assume you've read Veronica Wedgwood's books?)
Posted by: mike fowle | Friday, 02 February 2018 at 06:34
Don't come here with your first world problems.
Posted by: Timbo | Friday, 02 February 2018 at 08:28
Alas and alack, Mike, no, I have never read any of the lady's books although they have a great reputation.
Now look here, Timbo, I gain the distinct impression that you are not taking my problem seriously! You have no idea of the deeply troubling angst I suffer as I tremble over the choice of which book to read next. Actually, the problem was solved during the night when, unable to sleep, I went downstairs to my armchair next to which a pile of 'waiting to be read' books were situated. There I came across a 'Yerdy-Derble' Scandie murder mystery which, of course, I started to read. And yes, you're right, my brow is somewhat lower than my big toe!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 02 February 2018 at 09:17
Well, I see the whisper campaign didn't work!
Posted by: Whitewall | Friday, 02 February 2018 at 13:17
No, no, Whiters, 'twill be next on my list, I promise, but these bloody Scandie thrillers always tempt me, er, that's their books, you understand, not their ladies! I have already primed and loaded it in my Kindle and I am learning the words of the old song, which originally referred to Anne Bolyn:
"With 'is 'ead tucked underneath 'is arm,
'E walks the Bloody Tower ..."
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 02 February 2018 at 13:40