The Lies of the Land

I saw this new book advertised in Private Eye and after reading a sample on ebook I bought the rest of it and enjoyed being reminded of the various lies, mainly in British politics, told by politicians. I was familiar with most of the examples given although there were things I'd missed and things I had failed to get completely clear on in the past. Macqueen's final word argue against the cynicism that this sort of book is likely to fuel and makes some suggestions for reform. I'm not so sure they would make that much difference. It is important to remember that most people are willing to lie in a tight corner and sometimes do. It is a reminder to pray for pur ploitical leaders. it is not easy to keep it straight. Nicely written, although the earlier chapters read better than later ones, probably due to the subject matter.

10 Actors who have portrayed Churchill

1. Darkest Hour (2017) – Gary Oldman
2. Churchill (2017) – Brian Cox
3. Churchill's Secret (2016) – Michael Gambon
4. The King's Speech (2010) – Timothy Spall
5. Into the Storm (2009) – Brendan Gleeson, for HBO
6. Allegiance (2005) – Mel Smith
7. The Gathering Storm (2002) – Albert Finney, for HBO
8. Churchill: The Hollywood Years (2004) – Christian Slater
9. Young Winston (1972) – Simon Ward
10. Robert Hardy has played him twice in the theatre and six times on TV including Agatha Christie Marple, The Sittaford Mystery (2006) Bomber Harris (1989) War and Remembrance (1988) Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981)
(A number of these have also acted in Harry Potter)

Darkest Hour

We went to the cinema this week to see Gary Oldman as Churchill in Darkest Hour  During the early days of World War II, Neville Chamberlain is out of favour and so a new PM is needed, namely Winston Churchill, who many people are not sure about. He must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler or fight on against incredible odds. You know what happens but this film will give you some new insights into the whole thing, perhaps. What we have here, of course, is what they now call "dramatic truth" rather than very much you will find in a history book. The secretary featured in the film, for example did not start work until a year later. It is true that Churchill often disappeared from Downing Street or the Cabinet War Rooms and appeared somewhere in London to talk to the public and find out what they were thinking but what we get in the film is pure imagination. As a young man such things woud have bothered me but I now see what we want is an enjoyable film that gives you the gist of what happened. That's want this film does. It is a reminder of the wonderful providence of God towards this nation all those years ago. Let's not forget it.

A new friend for Roosevelt and Churchill

I'm not sure how long Rosevelt and Churchill have been sat outside the Catto Gallery in Hampstead. They have acquired a new friend, however. I first saw her, I think, around Hallowe'en in a bin. They both seem to like her.

Paul Johnson on Winston Churchill

There's been a bit recently about Churchill as it is the fiftieth anniversary of his death. I am old enough to remember the funeral being on the TV and have some general idea about Churchill, including the fact that he was not very popular in Wales. Paul Johnson writes nicely (my father-in-law is a fan) and when I saw this brief biography in our local bookshop the other week I grabbed it (and paid of course) and then read it quite quickly. It is thorough, well written and with a few personal anecdotes and just one or two digressions. Great stuff. Johnson is a big admirer of Churchill (not just as  a politician but as an artist and as a writer and really as a man) but not entirely uncritical .There is a lot to admire but others would be much harder on him.

10 Successful People They say had Dyslexia

1. Hans Christian Anderson
2. Marc Bolan
3. Winston Churchill
4. Leonardo Da Vinci
5. Walt Disney
6. Albert Einstein
7. Michael Faraday
8. Francis Schaeffer
9. Auguste Rodin
10. W B Yeats