This was a strange book. It was a Christmas Present, but I was after Norman Davies’ ‘Vanished Kingdoms’. It’s written by an American author, but was more of a travelogue than a history. The historical sections could have been cribbed from anywhere, and it almost seemed to be more about the author’s journey of discovery than anything else. At one point one of his interviewees mentions the Memel, and the author explains he had never heard of the Memel. Well, why do you feel qualified to write about the history of East Prussia then? Would someone who had never heard of the Rio Grande be qualified to write a history of the US? Some who had never heard of the Pyrenees write a history of France. Grrr.
Fred seems to have moved on from steam engines now to Cars, from the film ‘Cars’. He does a pretty passable American accent for Lightning McQueen and Sally Porsche. The little toys are a tenner each, so we’ve bought a bulk lot, which are now under the stairs for distribution in return for medals. The current rate of exchange is 6 medals per car. In the meantime, I’m left with a massive box of wooden engines at the bottom of my cupboard. Let’s hope Libby likes toy railways. . .
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