Old Site Menu

2024

Missive #363 Published 11 October 2024

56. Spouses, Past and Present

Nasruddin’s wife died, and eventually he married again. The woman he married was also widowed.

One night as they were lying in bed, Nasruddin’s wife began to reminisce about her late husband. “He was so strong, and so handsome!” she said. Then she added, “Unlike some people I know.”

“My late wife,” said Nasruddin, “was so beautiful, and such a good cook.” Then he added, “Unlike some people I know.”

As they quarreled, the bed suddenly collapsed underneath them, throwing them both on the floor.

“I didn’t think our bed would be strong enough to hold four people,” Nasruddin observed.

Missive #363 Read More »

Missive #362 Published 8 October 2024

This is the first book in Cromwell's most popular series and his longest one. I'm going to be reading a lot of of Sharpe books in the months to come. It is typical Cornwell historical fiction which is always very good.<.p>

Missive #362 Read More »

Missive #361 Published 7 October 2024

A very good Northwest America history. It has been written by a historian but not an academic although he was a teacher for a time during his very checkered carrier. He wrote 40 books about the American West which I hope to get around to reading.

Missive #361 Read More »

Missive #360 Published 6 October 2024

Continuing The Federalist Papers.

Federalist No. 30
The Same Subject Continued: Concerning the General Power of Taxation
Author: Alexander Hamilton
To the People of the State of New York:

Missive #360 Read More »

Missive #359 Published 4 October 2024

55. Is Someone Snoring?

Nasruddin’s wife complained that she couldn’t sleep. “How can anybody sleep with all that loud snoring!” she said.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Nasruddin replied. “Nothing is disturbing my sleep! But if it will make you feel better, I’ll stay awake tonight and investigate.”

Missive #359 Read More »

Missive #358 Published 3 October 2024

This was the authors first published book. It is a very quick read which I enjoyed. He was one of the best known thriller writers of all time. The canon of Chase, comprising 90 titles, earned him a reputation as the king of thriller writers in Europe. He was also one of the internationally best-selling authors, and to date 50 of his books have been made into films.

Missive #358 Read More »

Missive #357 Published 1 October 2024

Another brilliant slice of medieval crime fiction Thomas atte Bridge, a man no one likes, is found hanging from a tree near Cowleys Corner. All assume he has taken his own life, but Master Hugh and Kate find evidence that this may not be so. Many of the town had been harmed by Thomas, and Hugh is not eager to send one of them to the gallows. Then he discovers that the priest John Kellet, atte Bridge's partner in crime in A Corpse at St. Andrew's Chapel, was covertly in Bampton at the time atte Bridge died.

Missive #357 Read More »

Missive #356 Published 30 September 2024

John Dos Passos, the distinguished American novelist and historian has been personally interested in Brazil for the last fifteen years. He first visited the country in 1948, and returned again in 1956 and 1962. This book, which is based on his experiences in Brazil, presents the people and landscapes of a young country on the move. Here you will find several extraordinary reports on Brasilia, first in the planning stage, second in the wildly frantic period when it was a half-finished group of buildings, and, finally, as it appeared to Mr. Dos Passos in the summer of 1962 when it was at last beginning to function as a city.<.p>

Missive #356 Read More »

Missive #355 Published 29 September 2024

Continuing The Anti-Federalist Papers

Brutus XI
by Robert Yates
To the Citizens of the State of New-York

Missive #355 Read More »

Missive #354 Published 27 September 2024

54. Itching and Scratching

Nasruddin and his wife lived in a small house and shared a small bed; they had just a single pillow.

One night Nasruddin’s head itched so badly that the itchy feeling woke him up. He scratched and scratched, but it didn’t do any good. “What an itch!” he thought to himself.

Then his wife yelled, “Stop scratching my head! I’m trying to sleep.”

“My apologies, dearest,” said Nasruddin. “Go back to sleep.”

Nasruddin then felt around until he found his own head.

“Ah,” he said to himself, happily scratching the itch. “That explains it. I was scratching the wrong head.”

Missive #354 Read More »