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HAPPY HALF-HOURS: Selected Writings of A. A. Milne
A delightful selection of articles by the ever-popular A. A. Milne, many of which haven’t been in print for decades. Introduced by the prize-winning children’s author Frank Cottrell Boyce, this volume brings Milne’s brilliant non-fiction back to the spotlight.
A. A. Milne was a successful writer long before the classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories made him famous. Milne had a talent for regularly turning out a thousand whimsical words on lost hats and umbrellas, golf, married life, cheap cigars, and any amount of life’s little difficulties. This anthology, spanning four decades of Milne’s life, includes his fiercely argued writings on pacifism. Happy Half-Hours features the very best of A. A. Milne in one delightful volume.
“Milne’s gift to write amusingly about the most trivial things is a kind of blessing. The kind that can put you back together again when all else fails.” —Frank Cottrell-Boyce, from his introduction
A. A. Milne was a successful writer long before the classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories made him famous. Milne had a talent for regularly turning out a thousand whimsical words on lost hats and umbrellas, golf, married life, cheap cigars, and any amount of life’s little difficulties. This anthology, spanning four decades of Milne’s life, includes his fiercely argued writings on pacifism. Happy Half-Hours features the very best of A. A. Milne in one delightful volume.
“Milne’s gift to write amusingly about the most trivial things is a kind of blessing. The kind that can put you back together again when all else fails.” —Frank Cottrell-Boyce, from his introduction
163 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2020
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137 people want to read
About the author
A.A. Milne
1,844 books3,688 followersAlan Alexander Milne (pronounced /ˈmɪln/) was an English author, best known for his books about the teddy bear Winnie-the-Pooh and for various children's poems.
A. A. Milne was born in Kilburn, London, to parents Vince Milne and Sarah Marie Milne (née Heginbotham) and grew up at Henley House School, 6/7 Mortimer Road (now Crescent), Kilburn, a small public school run by his father. One of his teachers was H. G. Wells who taught there in 1889–90. Milne attended Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied on a mathematics scholarship. While there, he edited and wrote for Granta, a student magazine. He collaborated with his brother Kenneth and their articles appeared over the initials AKM. Milne's work came to the attention of the leading British humour magazine Punch, where Milne was to become a contributor and later an assistant editor.
Milne joined the British Army in World War I and served as an officer in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and later, after a debilitating illness, the Royal Corps of Signals. He was discharged on February 14, 1919.
After the war, he wrote a denunciation of war titled Peace with Honour (1934), which he retracted somewhat with 1940's War with Honour. During World War II, Milne was one of the most prominent critics of English writer P. G. Wodehouse, who was captured at his country home in France by the Nazis and imprisoned for a year. Wodehouse made radio broadcasts about his internment, which were broadcast from Berlin. Although the light-hearted broadcasts made fun of the Germans, Milne accused Wodehouse of committing an act of near treason by cooperating with his country's enemy. Wodehouse got some revenge on his former friend by creating fatuous parodies of the Christopher Robin poems in some of his later stories, and claiming that Milne "was probably jealous of all other writers.... But I loved his stuff."
He married Dorothy "Daphne" de Sélincourt in 1913, and their only son, Christopher Robin Milne, was born in 1920. In 1925, A. A. Milne bought a country home, Cotchford Farm, in Hartfield, East Sussex. During World War II, A. A. Milne was Captain of the Home Guard in Hartfield & Forest Row, insisting on being plain 'Mr. Milne' to the members of his platoon. He retired to the farm after a stroke and brain surgery in 1952 left him an invalid and by August 1953 "he seemed very old and disenchanted".
He was 74 years old when he passed away in 1956.
A. A. Milne was born in Kilburn, London, to parents Vince Milne and Sarah Marie Milne (née Heginbotham) and grew up at Henley House School, 6/7 Mortimer Road (now Crescent), Kilburn, a small public school run by his father. One of his teachers was H. G. Wells who taught there in 1889–90. Milne attended Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied on a mathematics scholarship. While there, he edited and wrote for Granta, a student magazine. He collaborated with his brother Kenneth and their articles appeared over the initials AKM. Milne's work came to the attention of the leading British humour magazine Punch, where Milne was to become a contributor and later an assistant editor.
Milne joined the British Army in World War I and served as an officer in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and later, after a debilitating illness, the Royal Corps of Signals. He was discharged on February 14, 1919.
After the war, he wrote a denunciation of war titled Peace with Honour (1934), which he retracted somewhat with 1940's War with Honour. During World War II, Milne was one of the most prominent critics of English writer P. G. Wodehouse, who was captured at his country home in France by the Nazis and imprisoned for a year. Wodehouse made radio broadcasts about his internment, which were broadcast from Berlin. Although the light-hearted broadcasts made fun of the Germans, Milne accused Wodehouse of committing an act of near treason by cooperating with his country's enemy. Wodehouse got some revenge on his former friend by creating fatuous parodies of the Christopher Robin poems in some of his later stories, and claiming that Milne "was probably jealous of all other writers.... But I loved his stuff."
He married Dorothy "Daphne" de Sélincourt in 1913, and their only son, Christopher Robin Milne, was born in 1920. In 1925, A. A. Milne bought a country home, Cotchford Farm, in Hartfield, East Sussex. During World War II, A. A. Milne was Captain of the Home Guard in Hartfield & Forest Row, insisting on being plain 'Mr. Milne' to the members of his platoon. He retired to the farm after a stroke and brain surgery in 1952 left him an invalid and by August 1953 "he seemed very old and disenchanted".
He was 74 years old when he passed away in 1956.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 26, 2020
Like many of us I'm having a hard time concentrating, Covid, stress about the election. This has had the result of tapering off my reading and review writing quite a bit. This book of essays took me back to a happier time. A time when my eldest son, now in his forties, fell in love with Winnie the Pooh. In his former years he was never without his stuffed Pooh toy. The stories, the shows are still imprinted in my memory all these years later.
Of course these essays are not all about the beloved bear, but they did give me insight into this wonderful man whose creation meant so much to so many. The first essay on his bookshelves had me going to mine and resulted in a two box giveaway if books. There is no conceivable way that in this lifetime I will ever read so many. His essay on cabinets and all the oddities stored there has me packing up an unused for years, food processor as well as many other things I have not seen not thought of in years. One could say I found and unexpected benefit in this reading.
There are humorous anecdotes, he has I believe, a great sense of humor. Some are melancholy, such as his essay on the ocean, thinking back to the fun he had there as a child, wondering if there were enough small crabs and shells left to delight today's children. Lamenting the loss of freedom today's children have, compared to his time growing up.
There is enough here to delight many, be essays are much easier to concentrate on now, at least for me. Though I do keep attempting to plod through my other books. Hopefully, as they say, this too shall pass.
ARC from edelweiss.
Of course these essays are not all about the beloved bear, but they did give me insight into this wonderful man whose creation meant so much to so many. The first essay on his bookshelves had me going to mine and resulted in a two box giveaway if books. There is no conceivable way that in this lifetime I will ever read so many. His essay on cabinets and all the oddities stored there has me packing up an unused for years, food processor as well as many other things I have not seen not thought of in years. One could say I found and unexpected benefit in this reading.
There are humorous anecdotes, he has I believe, a great sense of humor. Some are melancholy, such as his essay on the ocean, thinking back to the fun he had there as a child, wondering if there were enough small crabs and shells left to delight today's children. Lamenting the loss of freedom today's children have, compared to his time growing up.
There is enough here to delight many, be essays are much easier to concentrate on now, at least for me. Though I do keep attempting to plod through my other books. Hopefully, as they say, this too shall pass.
ARC from edelweiss.
December 26, 2020
A.A. Milne is known for creating the classic Winnie the Pooh and his friends. I had no idea he was also a popular contributor to magazines and newspapers too. Some of these were wildly funny, some thought provoking, and others just lost me.
October 27, 2020
’How does a nation pull itself together again after a disaster? How do we move on from overwhelming experiences?’
These questions are posed at the beginning of the Introduction by Frank Contrell-Boyce, which he relates to A. A. Milne’s experiences during the First World War, with Milne having gone from working for Punch under the editorship of Owen Seaman, who was at least partly the model for Eeyore, which made me wish I knew more about Owen Seaman.
I learned more about A. A. Milne than I expected, and thoroughly enjoyed reading these articles he’d written, many of which are based on his beliefs on pacifism, but I also enjoyed learning more about the man who brought us Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger, among others, and the stories behind the stories. I’ve never given too much thought about him outside of the pages of his books written for children and parents alike. I loved learning that not only did he play cricket, but occasionally H. G. Wells played on the same cricket team, as well as J. M. Barrie, Kipling, Conan Doyle, P. G. Woodhouse, and G. K. Chesterton.
Milne covers a lot of topics, thoughts, etc., children’s books, living a literary life, Lewis Carroll and Alice, Oscar Wilde and more. All are worth reading, although some will appeal more than others, depending on what you enjoy. Below are the ones that especially appealed to me.
THE END OF A CHAPTER - Christopher Robin’s story, how his name came to be, and the sources of his inspiration for the character, and Milne’s thoughts on the dividing line between the imaginary and the legal Christopher Robin for Milne, became fainter with each book.
MARRIED LIFE - a story on attending a wedding with a touch of humour.
LOVE AND MARRIAGE - a story / essay on love, marriage, and the definitions of love and happiness.
COTCHFORD FARM - thoughts on their very old farmhouse, the price of a sponge, farming, life in a small village, the Army
THE PAINTER - A short story with a delightful, surprising ending.
MEDITATIVE LIFE - By the Sea - reflections on the “unchanging” sea
MIDSUMMER DAY - the magic of the day I have hopes that, certainly next year, possibly even this year, the days will go on lengthening after midsummer is over.
A QUESTION OF FORM - ’We of leisured classes can spend hours over our toilet; by all means let us despise those who cannot.’
KING AND COUNTRY - ’Wars may be declared for economic reasons, but they are fought by volunteers for sentimental reasons.’...’For the truth is this. A nation may declare war in pursuit of some material end, yet, in reality, it is declaring war at the call of ‘honor’. Because ‘honour’ demands that a nation shall achieve its ends regardless of cost.’
PUT OUT MORE FLAGS - Milne’s thoughts on WWI, how swiftly it was followed by WWII, and his views as a Pacifist.
Published: 27 OCT 2020
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Notting Hill Editions / New York Review Books
These questions are posed at the beginning of the Introduction by Frank Contrell-Boyce, which he relates to A. A. Milne’s experiences during the First World War, with Milne having gone from working for Punch under the editorship of Owen Seaman, who was at least partly the model for Eeyore, which made me wish I knew more about Owen Seaman.
I learned more about A. A. Milne than I expected, and thoroughly enjoyed reading these articles he’d written, many of which are based on his beliefs on pacifism, but I also enjoyed learning more about the man who brought us Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger, among others, and the stories behind the stories. I’ve never given too much thought about him outside of the pages of his books written for children and parents alike. I loved learning that not only did he play cricket, but occasionally H. G. Wells played on the same cricket team, as well as J. M. Barrie, Kipling, Conan Doyle, P. G. Woodhouse, and G. K. Chesterton.
Milne covers a lot of topics, thoughts, etc., children’s books, living a literary life, Lewis Carroll and Alice, Oscar Wilde and more. All are worth reading, although some will appeal more than others, depending on what you enjoy. Below are the ones that especially appealed to me.
THE END OF A CHAPTER - Christopher Robin’s story, how his name came to be, and the sources of his inspiration for the character, and Milne’s thoughts on the dividing line between the imaginary and the legal Christopher Robin for Milne, became fainter with each book.
MARRIED LIFE - a story on attending a wedding with a touch of humour.
LOVE AND MARRIAGE - a story / essay on love, marriage, and the definitions of love and happiness.
COTCHFORD FARM - thoughts on their very old farmhouse, the price of a sponge, farming, life in a small village, the Army
THE PAINTER - A short story with a delightful, surprising ending.
MEDITATIVE LIFE - By the Sea - reflections on the “unchanging” sea
MIDSUMMER DAY - the magic of the day I have hopes that, certainly next year, possibly even this year, the days will go on lengthening after midsummer is over.
A QUESTION OF FORM - ’We of leisured classes can spend hours over our toilet; by all means let us despise those who cannot.’
KING AND COUNTRY - ’Wars may be declared for economic reasons, but they are fought by volunteers for sentimental reasons.’...’For the truth is this. A nation may declare war in pursuit of some material end, yet, in reality, it is declaring war at the call of ‘honor’. Because ‘honour’ demands that a nation shall achieve its ends regardless of cost.’
PUT OUT MORE FLAGS - Milne’s thoughts on WWI, how swiftly it was followed by WWII, and his views as a Pacifist.
Published: 27 OCT 2020
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Notting Hill Editions / New York Review Books
June 17, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed these essays, some hilarious; some thought-provoking. "Don't underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."
December 27, 2021
Every essay is pure delight. I never get tired of Milne.
April 28, 2023
3.5 Most of this book felt like talking to an uncle you really like about his thoughts on life. With the exception of the last section on war, this collection is as happy as the title implies. That said, some of his war writing was the best of the book. That and my absolute favorite out of this collection - “Oscar Wilde” - which details how the train timetables in “The Importance of Being Earnest” are unrealistically close together.
February 26, 2022
Another gift from a daughter - found while perusing a book store in London. She was right in thinking I would love this little treasure trove of musings from beloved A.A. Milne. This quote from the Forward provides the perfect on-ramp to these seemingly random, yet deeply thoughtful essays:
"... the best the writer can do is to bring the good things to our attention, to help us hold them inn our hearts annd memories, so that when we need them those little things -sorting out your books, picking a new bathroom, the honey and the humming - can be our stepping stones through the bad times.
... Everything matters. Everything in life is worth looking at. Milne's gift to write amusingly about the most trivial things is far from trivial. It's a kind of blessing. The kind that can put you back together when all else fails."
These essays are a sweet respite and reminder to fully live a day's moments.
"... the best the writer can do is to bring the good things to our attention, to help us hold them inn our hearts annd memories, so that when we need them those little things -sorting out your books, picking a new bathroom, the honey and the humming - can be our stepping stones through the bad times.
... Everything matters. Everything in life is worth looking at. Milne's gift to write amusingly about the most trivial things is far from trivial. It's a kind of blessing. The kind that can put you back together when all else fails."
These essays are a sweet respite and reminder to fully live a day's moments.
October 11, 2020
What a delight to read something ‘new’ from A. A. Milne. Though far removed from his children’s book, for the majority of pieces in this book I could hear the voice of Winnie-the-Pooh calling loudly, (whether the article was directly related to him or not) with the same humour, wit and irony clearly evident. It was only in the last few writings related to pacifism that I encountered a completely different A. A. Milne. (Though, at the same time his passionate views in this area could not have failed to influence all of his work - I’m sure we would have had a different Winnie-the-Pooh if the man writing him had had a different worldview.)
Whether he was talking about libraries, golf, married life, or any of the other myriad of areas touched upon, this collection of articles is eminently enjoyable and should not be missed by lovers of Winnie-the-Pooh!
Whether he was talking about libraries, golf, married life, or any of the other myriad of areas touched upon, this collection of articles is eminently enjoyable and should not be missed by lovers of Winnie-the-Pooh!
May 15, 2022
What a pleasant surprise, A.A. Milne's work is still (mostly) relevant nearly a century later. Some parts were genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, and others felt like they went over my head out of the context of their original publications. Still, his voice is soothing and it was nice to see his other works aside from our very beloved yellow bear. Some of this was quite clever, and I'm curious to see his other work now!
May 22, 2025
“ And is this, you ask, what I mean by love - just seeing things from each other’s point of view, making allowances for each other? Of course not. This is merely the top dressing which gives the ache, the longing, the glory, the misery, all that you first felt when you pledged yourself to each other, a chance to grow into real love.”
July 10, 2024
one of the bests indeed! its delightful to read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews