The First Casualty is Truth

Have been having the same thoughts, as each day the news brings stories of Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Israel. For the war to end all wars, how quickly we forget.

writerlywitterer's avatarwriterlywitterings

This, you may have noticed, is the centenary of the beginning of the First World War. I think generally, so far, it has been handled quite well. After fifty years of denigrating those who wanted to celebrate the fallen in two world wars, even the BBC decided to get on message.

I have always had an especial interest in the wars. The day on which the dead and injured are supposed to be remembered happens to be my birthday. From a very early age I was aware of and studied warfare, particularly the Great War. Not from any ghoulishness, but because I felt very strongly, and still do, that it was such an important forge of English and British nationhood.

Britain and France stood alone in the Great War for so long. If it were not for the British Navy preventing the Germans from leaving port, it is quite likely that the…

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Out today… The House of Dolls

I’m really looking forward to reading David’s latest book.

Amsterdam = a city that I know relatively well, but am expecting to discover in a whole new set of ways.
Pieter Vos = a new series character. I love a series read, and Nic Costa was one of the best, so am expecting more of the same, plus there is already a second in the pipeline.

Come on UPS, hurry up and deliver already!

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Unknown's avatarDavid Hewson

Vos header Today I start a new phase in this long career with the launch of the first new series since the Costa books began with  A Season for the Dead more than a decade ago.

The House of Dolls is the debut book for Pieter Vos, an Amsterdammer living in a houseboat on the Prinsengracht canal. It’s out now from Pan Macmillan and will be published in Dutch by Boekerij in June. I’m  delighted to say it’s also being bought for European TV by one of the largest media companies in Europe… of which more later.

You can read more about the book here. There’s an extensive post with photos on the video and background here. And if you have an iPad you can download a free background multimedia book on the series here.

Next year’s instalment in the series is now being edited. More Pieter Vos and co…

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Today’s conversation with a caller from ‘Microsoft’

The Dark Knight writes books too, great books…

Unknown's avatarDavid Hewson

INT. OFFICE – MORNING

DAVID sits at a desk staring at a screen, almost ready to type. The phone rings. He answers.

SAMANTHA (O.S.)

(bright young sub-Indian Continent voice)

Hello. This is Samantha from the Microsoft Window Control Centre. To whom do I have the honour of addressing?

DAVID

Batman.

A long pause. O.S behind the phone call we become aware of the loud noise of a busy call centre. It sounds like a bus station in rush hour.

SAMANTHA

Mr Batman…

DAVID

It’s just Batman. No Mr…

Another long pause.

SAMANTHA

Mr Batman… we are ringing to tell you your PC is infected. It’s very important we help you install some software to remedy this…

DAVID

Batman has no infected PCs. He has the power to infect them. But being good he does not use this.

SAMANTHA

(seemingly puzzled)

You must go the website I will give you and…

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My tips for keeping warm in winter: from a veteran of freezing houses, wooden floors and big windows.

msjackmonroe's avatarCOOKING ON A BOOTSTRAP

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I’ve had a lot of posts and questions from people recently asking about keeping warm in the winter, and having just dug out my annual (what I call my) ‘survival kit’, I thought I’d do a quick post about it in case anyone finds it helpful. As with the nature of these posts, I’m sure there will be lots of helpful hints and tips popping up in the comments below as well!

This winter I am living in a flat with large windows and wooden floors – again – BRRRR!! So number 1 item on my list is SLIPPERS. Or in my case, fleecy ‘footsie’ things, that were £3 from a certain cheap high street clothing store… I put them on when I get through the door and take them off when I’m safely tucked up under a duvet.

I am used to layering up by now, and do it…

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Doing Something You’ve Always Wanted To, But Never Got Around To

For a number of years I lived in Plymouth. On many walks around the town, I’d always wanted to walk to the top of a local landmark – Smeaton’s Tower. I never did manage it. It was either closed, too busy/long a wait, couldn’t afford the entrance fee (I was a broke student for many of those years).

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Today I was back in Plymouth, just wandering around like the old days. In addition to the Tower, ther is now also a “big-wheel”

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And consequently a choice of high things to go on.

Smeaton’s Tower however is the bigger draw. I was lucky, it was a half-hour to closing; I paid my dues, and up I went. It’s not very high really, but in all honesty about as high as I can handle, and there are some great views at the top.

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The Tower is still laid out as it would have been when it was in use, and I can’t say I’d have been particularly keen to be one of the light keepers. Too many steep ladders, and tight confined spaces.

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Strange as it may sound though, I feel a sense of achievement, having completed something that I’d meant to do over twenty years ago.