Category: History

The Irish Pope

It’s not the author it’s the publisher who dreams up a catchy but crazy title. There has never been an Irish Pope.

Intrepid

I can recommend the de Gaulle film, or at least the first part. The second part, Liberté, will be showing in the UK in a few days.  It’s a bit long and has a superfluous sub-plot but that’s necessary to give the story some structure and love interest. It also creates a false narrative about… Continue reading Intrepid

Police Force

Reading so much detective fiction set in Italy reminds me of a curious incident in Rome earlier this year.

Îles de France

Almost three thousand miles west of France lie eight islands with a population today of 5,500 people and terrain not unlike the Falkland Islands. The similarity does not end there; both were recaptured in the 20th century.

The John Blake Conspiracy

“How five art dealers, four policemen, three picture restorers, two auction houses and a journalist plotted to recover some of the world’s most beautiful stolen paintings.” ( Double Dealer by Peter Watson, dust jacket)

Polar Power

I started writing here eleven years ago. I thought I might be bored not having to get up and go to work. Strange, because I always had a range of interests beyond my job.

Chinatown

Old signage like this is a reminder of how swiftly cities change. Actually if they don’t adapt they become fossilised tourist attractions or worse.