I read this book once about Oliver Cromwell. He is often described as an "outsider", said his biographer. Nonsense. Apparently there were 29 of his cousins in the House of Commons when he was first elected.
I take exception to you calling Cromwell a blister. Somebody once wisely said that the British [or non-passport holders who have fallen under their influence] sometimes enjoy being spiteful to their heroes [Marlborough, Clive, Hastings, Raffles etc.]. Cromwell was a great military commander who, amongst other things, did not tolerate civil disorder, did not take any lip from the Scots and lifted the ban on Jewish immigration to the British Isles. So what's not to like? In return, they "disrespected" his corpse and then cast Richard Harris to play him in the film! Give the guy a break.
On your main theme, it would be interesting to run the same exercise across British media [ the Dimblebys, Magnussons, Snows etc]. Do Ross or Tichmarsh have off-spring?
Inevitably, though, he turned into a tyrant. Mind you, close run thing between him and the appalling Stuart monarchs - we needed the Dutch and the Germans to come in and sort things out.
Several TV News reporters have passed on their jobs to their children - one day I will compiule a list.
John Humphrys and Justin Webb were doing Today one Saturday morning a few months ago and there was a trail for the next programme, Staturday Live. Sian Williams (I think), presenter thereof, was reminiscing about her father having written the BBC style book (I think), and Humphrys said he'd enjoyed working with Mr Williams as a youngster and also, come to think of it, with Justin Webb's father ...
I read this book once about Oliver Cromwell. He is often described as an "outsider", said his biographer. Nonsense. Apparently there were 29 of his cousins in the House of Commons when he was first elected.
ReplyDeleteNever liked the chap - absolute blister.
DeleteI take exception to you calling Cromwell a blister. Somebody once wisely said that the British [or non-passport holders who have fallen under their influence] sometimes enjoy being spiteful to their heroes [Marlborough, Clive, Hastings, Raffles etc.]. Cromwell was a great military commander who, amongst other things, did not tolerate civil disorder, did not take any lip from the Scots and lifted the ban on Jewish immigration to the British Isles. So what's not to like? In return, they "disrespected" his corpse and then cast Richard Harris to play him in the film! Give the guy a break.
ReplyDeleteOn your main theme, it would be interesting to run the same exercise across British media [ the Dimblebys, Magnussons, Snows etc]. Do Ross or Tichmarsh have off-spring?
Inevitably, though, he turned into a tyrant. Mind you, close run thing between him and the appalling Stuart monarchs - we needed the Dutch and the Germans to come in and sort things out.
ReplyDeleteSeveral TV News reporters have passed on their jobs to their children - one day I will compiule a list.
John Humphrys and Justin Webb were doing Today one Saturday morning a few months ago and there was a trail for the next programme, Staturday Live. Sian Williams (I think), presenter thereof, was reminiscing about her father having written the BBC style book (I think), and Humphrys said he'd enjoyed working with Mr Williams as a youngster and also, come to think of it, with Justin Webb's father ...
Delete