10 hours agoErnest Hemingway — A Natural History of the DeadA Story of a Short Story Delving back into Ernest Hemingway’s short stories is an extraordinarily emotional and shocking journey. Emotional in the way Hemingway takes you by the scruff of the neck in one hand, and the scruff of the heart in the other and shakes you until you…Ernest Hemingway7 min read
2 days agoT. E. Lawrence — Steel Chariots of the Desert“It pleased me greatly to learn that T. E. had chosen my Rolls tender for his future plans…” S.C. Rolls The above quoted S. C. Rolls was not the C. S. Rolls (Charles Rolls), who, born in 1877, was the co-founder of the Rolls Royce Motor Company in 1906. He…T E Lawrence6 min read
Apr 16The Imperial Japanese Navy Sinks the Russian Fleet: Manchuria 1904/05In 1897, to gain a warm water port on the Pacific Coast Russia took control of an undefended area at the tip of the Chinese Peninsular of Liaotung in southern Manchuria, which included Port Arthur. The Chinese were in no fit state to oppose Russia, and in the end leased…War3 min read
Apr 12Hemingway Saves Mary’s LifeThe US 1946 “Wearing a gown and mask, and with his doctor father whispering instructions over his shoulder, Hemingway found one good vein in Mary’s arm…” When Ernest and Mary arrived in Palm Beach, from Cuba, the couple picked up the Lincoln, which had been sent ahead for repairs, and…Mary Welsh Hemingway7 min read
Mar 7T. E. Lawrence — Revolt in the DesertFlorence and Frank Doubleday, and the Story of a Book The Revolt in the Desert was written by T. E. Lawrence, and first published by Jonathan Cape in 1927, and as I’ve written previously the book is: … actually a shortened version of Lawrence’s masterpiece, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom…T E Lawrence6 min read
Mar 5John Steinbeck & Ernie Pyle: War Correspondents“ It’s a hard thing to write about a dead man who doesn’t seem dead to you. Ernie Pyle didn’t want to go back to the war…” It was hard for John Steinbeck to write about his dead friend Ernie Pyle, and what he did write was never published until…Ernie Pyle7 min read
Mar 4Ernest Hemingway: The Fifth ColumnA Spanish Civil War Play Ernest Hemingway had long considered writing a play. In 1927 he’d actually broached the subject with Max Perkins, suggesting a drama about the Crucifixion called Today is Friday, but nothing ever came of the idea. …Ernest Hemingway4 min read
Mar 4John Steinbeck: Stories of World War II“The crews own a number of small dogs. These dogs, most of which are of uncertain or, at least, of ambiguous breed, belong to no one man…” John Steinbeck’s ability to find and write stories that epitomised the fighting spirit of young American servicemen and woman stationed in the UK…John Steinbeck6 min read
Mar 3Ernest Hemingway: The Capital of the WorldMadrid 1936/37 “Before, death came when you were old or sick, now it comes to all… who have no place to run or hide.” Ernest Hemingway’s short story, The Capital of the World, was written in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, and is nomally about a young man, Paco…Ernest Hemingway5 min read
Mar 2Ernest Hemingway: Reporting on the Spanish Civil War“We made our way through the town, the main street blocked by broken houses and a smashed water main, and, stopping, tried to get a policeman to shoot a wounded horse…” Ernest Hemingway was, in 1938, a top dollar novelist and short story writer, big game hunter and fisherman, bull…Ernest Hemingway9 min read
