-Len Deighton, Horse Under Water (Dublin, 2021), 11, p. 44.
I mention this here only because Deighton's anonymous hero echoes a Poul Anderson title, "The Live Coward," to which I have at least referred here although I remember nothing of the story.
Now I must return to other reading, hopefully not to be diverted back to the blog again this evening. Some time tomorrow. And I might feel alternative histories calling me away from future histories. But you never know.
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteAnd I've started rereading Russell Kirk's novel OLD HOUSE OF FEAR. I've sometimes mentioned Kirk in this blog, mostly in referring to his ghost stories.
Ad astra! Sean
Kaor, MI6@
ReplyDeleteMany thanks! I will look up "TheBurlingtonFiles."
I knew it it's Gay Fawkes Day inthe UK, where children still make effigies of Fawkes and ask passers by for "A penny for the Guy,"
Ad astra! Sean
I recall somewhere in "The Man Who Counts", Van Rijn saying "Cowards make the best strategists" ;)
ReplyDeleteKaor, Jim!
ReplyDeleteI did wonder if Anderson had one of his characters saying something like that!
Ad astra! Sean
Sean - Sadly the USA now has its own version of Guy Fawkes day on 6 January but we in the UK are not envious. Nonetheless, we hope you enjoy Beyond Enkription if you get the chance to read it. It is so different and if researched immerses you in much more intrigue than most of the best fictional spy novels. For example, was Burlington's trip to Haiti an aborted precursor to the CIA equivalent of a Haitian Bay of Pigs? As you read it, tangential thoughts and research are rewarded outside the book! Any queries about facts or more, best email info AT theburlingtonfiles.org. Best wishes - all at MI6
ReplyDeleteKaor, MI6!
ReplyDeleteFirst, Jan. 6 was nothing like the original Nov. 5, where Guy Fawkes was a member of a conspiracy to literally blow up the entire English gov't (see Antonia Fraser's FAITH AND TREASON for a detailed study of 11/5. January 6 might have become a true constitutional crisis if former VP Pence had heeded Pres. Trump's demands that he improperly "nullify" the Electoral College votes from the disputed states.
And I will look for BEYOND ENKRIPTION.
Ad astra! Sean
Noted thanks - the contrast twixt Trump and Fawkes was of course tongue in cheek although history will doubtless show Trump caused more damage than Fawkes whom we know all about. As for Trump ... it’s his Party and he’ll lie if he wants to so if you "Want to vote for another World War : Vote for Trump in twenty-twenty-four : The least you’ll get is another civil war."
ReplyDeleteKaor, MI6!
ReplyDeleteNonsense, for all the Trumpian sturm und drang, Trump governed as a fairly standard and ordinary conservative GOPer when he was President.
And January 6 did make me decide I don't Trump to be President again. I far prefer someone like Gov. De Santis of Florida or Sen. Tim Scott.
Ad astra! Sean
Per aspera ad astra ... and beyond anyone's imagination ... because if Guy Fawkes had lit the fuse our world now would be a lot different. Have a great day
ReplyDeleteKaor, MI6!
ReplyDeleteA "successful" 11/5 certainly would have resulted in an incalculably different world!
Ad astra! Sean
... and that butterfly that sped past will change everything too.
ReplyDeleteKaor, MI6!
ReplyDeleteWe can't even sit still without making waves!
Ad astra! Sean
... and even the waves in the air and in the oceans are never motionless let alone the earth's crust!
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, actual cowardice -- panic, etc. -- doesn't usually preserve your life in a dangerous situation.
ReplyDeleteNote that in most battles the main casualties are inflicted when one side or the other disintegrates and flees.
In other words, running away actually makes you much more likely to get killed.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
ReplyDeleteI have read about that phenomenon. Even a beaten army whose commander can hold his forces together can usually retreat in good order, minimizing losses.
Ad astra! Sean
If you think any Hollywood production is "for real", rather than occasionally "based on real events"...
ReplyDeleteKaor, Mr. Stirling!
ReplyDeleteI agree! All such things should be taken with a grain of salt.
Ad astra! Sean
Part of it's the peculiar nature of Hollywood. Everyone wants to pee on it to mark it as their own, to coin a phrase.
ReplyDeleteKaor, Mr. Stirling!
ReplyDeleteMost of what Hollywood produces is crud, esp. after getting infested with the rats of woke Political Correctness.
Some Hollywood stuff is worth watching, such as BLUE BLOODS. Police procedurals make some effort to be like real life.
Ad astra! Sean