David > Recent Status Updates

Detailed but not to the point of stupefying. Myriad primary sources and the author is never afraid to note when the sources speaking years after the fact are often not reliable — may mix recollections from one time with other experiences.

Still wading through the introduction — losing its charm. Book is awkward size and weight, so say nothing of old and fragile, so not good for reading in bed. Think it’s destined to go “behind the wall” for a while.

My original thought: skim the early parts and read the meat. Reality: Berigan’s career took off immediately, so

Exhaustive detail but interesting

Not the best of Dick Francis, but good

Halfway through the introduction

Finished with the several chapters of the "Character" section. Now about to embark on "Ministry."

More likable than the previous novel in this volume

Back to Miss Marple for the 4 am Book Club (actually 2:45 am) with Glenn Miller’s AEF band from 1944 in my ears

Haven't liked the last few chapters as much as the first part. Not much note-taking recently.

A delight to read. The writing is direct and clear and often witty, in a way, without being "funny." Of course, Churchill is a great subject -- perhaps the greatest.

Not sure if I want to finish this — very clumsy plotting — all coincidence and “tell me” — will give it a bit more and then decide.

At least 1950 Germany setting is interesting

Reviewed sections of covers and cartoons and began reading articles

Reading ahead of the discussion since I will miss two weeks.

Lots to like, and I’m learning that if you don’t know the original Amos and Andy, you really don’t know “Amos ‘n’ Andy”

Reading the text is only part of the task — frequent and lengthy footnotes also tempt attention. Midway through Chapter Five, the notes have consumed six pages in very small type. This is not a complaint—just a warning!

Am skipping around. Now reading her comments on specific novels. Some interesting, some arcane.

Serious scholarship — takes guts to buck the easy and ignorant condemnation of these guys

I continue to wonder how much of this is SERIOUS anthropology and how much is just having fun with impressionable readers. Or maybe SERIOUS anthropology isn't serioius at all -- just pseudo-science

One of those "make you smile" books . . . or maybe tear up a tiny bit.

Very nice!

Finished reading the second chapter— to be discussed next week