Monthly Archives: January 2017

The Nix, the hype

Posted on January 31, 2017 by

My Times review of the much-lauded debut novel from Nathan Hill: Can a novel attract too much attention? That might sound like a foolish question in the age of digital distraction, when writers know they are competing with the cookbooks of … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged , , ,

Winter mist

Posted on January 11, 2017 by

The Thames near Cliveden.

Posted in Cookham, Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged , ,

Notebook

Posted on January 10, 2017 by

The most striking novelty of the American landscape today, to anyone who knows it pretty well, is a little box about as big as a prairie schoolhouse. These boxes are trim and white and you see them every thirty miles, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Technology, TV, Uncategorized | Tagged , , ,

Truth and lies

Posted on January 4, 2017 by

I have a feature in the Express on “Denial”, the compelling new film about the David Irving vs Deborah Lipstadt libel trial. When Richard Rampton rose to deliver his opening statement he was blunt: “My Lord, Mr Irving calls himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, History, World War 2 | Tagged , , , , ,

Notebook

Posted on January 4, 2017 by

Often, even in court, one had to pinch oneself to realize the enormity of the events we were discussing. Much of the time, however, merely to keep oneself from becoming uncontrollably angry, it was necessary to erect some kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Notebook, Uncategorized, World War 2 | Tagged , , , ,

How to fix the Internet

Posted on January 4, 2017 by

“For years, the benefits of anonymity on the net outweighed its drawbacks.” Not so now, says Walter Isaacson, who has a few ideas on how to deal with trolling, hacking and cyber-bullying.

Posted in Social Media, Technology | Tagged , ,

Shades

Posted on January 3, 2017 by

Afternoon walk: the Thames at Cliveden.

Posted in Cookham, Photography | Tagged , ,

Notebook

Posted on January 1, 2017 by

It is said children still have a sense of wonder, later one becomes blunted. Nonsense. A child takes things for granted, and most people get no further; only an old person, who thinks, is aware of the wondrous. Victor Klemperer, diary, … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Notebook, World War 2 | Tagged ,