ChrisR

A group which, in AD 2016, cannot spell "syphalis" and steals musical key modification humor from Spamalot seems ill prepared to deal with the realities of a complex national economy which, in fact, has little in common with post-World War I Germany. I'm surprised they're not Trump enthusiasts.

A moot is a big ditch around a Scottish castle, generally filled with water. If they'll not be lowering the drawbridge fer ye, you'll need to sail your boot across.

At least regardless/irregardless won't get you in serious trouble. Imagine the poor kid whose dad catches him smoking next to the gasoline can. "Boy! Whatchu doin'? Caint you see that can's plain marked FLAMMABLE?" "Sorry, Pa. I'll go over yonder by that truck where it's plain marked INFLAMMABLE."

Saw the film the other day while visiting NorCal. Pretty well done. The one major problem I saw was the accents of the cast. One poor mom had brought her ~10yo son and about every other line in the movie the kid asked his mom, "What did he/she say?" The plot occasionally wandered, but it generally found its way back again. And Asa is definitely ready to make the move into post-tween genre films. For the film itself, I'd give it a B. For its watchability/understandability for American kid audiences, a C.

Funny that you pointed it out on October 26, 2014 and I just read it on October 26, 2016. Perfect for this time of year. Wow!

I find it amusing that each of us focuses on things that are historically accurate/inaccurate about this fictional tale, but quietly, and delightedly, accept the underlying premise that a thirteen-year-old boy commanded a mixed regiment of foot, mounted, and artillery units during the Napoleonic Wars! Perhaps in the second book the author will eliminate the problem by having the hero garner his commission the old fashioned British way: he'll simply buy his commission with all of the funds he's getting from the French he defeats. Yes, seniority is important, but so is position. The American military is not without its historic quirks in rank. George A. Custer, who graduated last in his class at the US Military Academy, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation. A year later he was promoted to Captain, but after six weeks was demoted to 1st Lieutenant. (How he skipped 1Lt seems a mystery.) But less that a year later he was given the brevet rank of Major General (commanding the American Volunteer forces), followed by a standard promotion to Lt Colonel, skipping Major. At the close of the Civil War he reverted to Captain, was subsequently dismissed from the Army for cruelty to his men, and after a year returned and rose to Lt Colonel and infamy in time for his last stand. It all makes our Drummer Boy look pretty pedantic in comparison. As for accuracy/inaccuracy in fiction, I still mourn the fact that broomsticks actually do not fly.

Lighten up, folks. The editorial note at the end of Chapter 28 says very plainly: Arthur is busy writing Book 2, along with finishing up some other projects. The Aubrey-Maturin series is in 20 separate books and indeed, at some point readers had to wait months between them. John Grisham's wonderful Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer series is at 6 books and, I hope, counting. The list goes on and on. Yes, I am anxious to see what happens in Arthur's magnificent continuing saga of boys in combat on the peninsula, but I'm quite content with giving him some time to recharge his batteries. That's sometimes a necessary step to incredibly good writing: Write. Recharge. Repeat.

I pasted in the US Declaration of Independence and nearly all of the 'least like' authors were British. Seems pretty accurate to me! (The methodology is somewhat explained near the bottom of the page.)

Unfortunately, they haven't been able to reach him to officially let him know! And he has a history of skipping out on awards. There is, of course, controversy over his achievement, but it seems that in some respects he spoke for a generation or two, and that should be enough to hush the critics. And inspire him to show up and accept. http://people.com/music/bob-dylan-ignoring-nobel-prize-committee/

The best part is that it's not funny because it's fiction, but it's hilarious because it's true!

https://youtu.be/VlRkE9dkuyM

Thanks for pointing it out, Rutabaga. It is indeed a wonderful tale. Of course, it cries out for more. But the story makes it clear that the sequels are in the readers' minds so it's up to us to provide them. Most enjoyable!

Thanks so very much for pointing this one out, Jeff. A tremendous story that really makes the reader feel like you are right alongside the characters, for better and for worse. I can't begin to imagine the trauma that people went through in Aberfan. (And it was great to read it in a single sitting rather than over the course of weeks of anxious waiting!)

There is something all too appropriate about the fact that the Trump Taj Mahal Casino/Hotel in Atlantic City formally went out of business and shuttered its doors this morning after being unable to negotiate new contracts with its employees. http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/10/trump-taj-mahal-closes-after-years-losses/91845566/ (And Des, as brutal as it may seem, how can we possibly have mercy on the folks who disarmed the Cartwright family on the Ponderosa?!)

Hurricane Matthew failed dismally in its mission to wipe out the national electrical grid. Therefore, for those who want can bear to watch, this week's slug fest - er, "presidential" debate - is scheduled for 9pm tonight (US East Coast time). Should be available on just about every news channel and internet connection going with the exception of NBC which will be airing a (US) football game. Watch either at your own risk.

And true to his professionalism, John Oliver is at it again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lfd1aB9YI

I now remember why I don't listen much to Keith: he's a screamer. He starts off yelling at me, then he gets frustrated and angry at me, and them he just flat screams at me. In terms of his presentation, he's as bad as Glenn Beck after a while. The sad thing is that he's often right, but makes his arguments almost unbearable so the ears and the brain just start to drift away. A fine loud orator, but I'll take John Oliver any day.

An interesting and only mildly cynical assessment of why many Europeans might welcome a Trump victory can be found at Russia's English-language news leader Sputnik News, to wit: https://sputniknews.com/politics/20160923/1045643015/europe -trump-president.html

All we can say to that is... Go Leicester!

Well done and seemingly accurate. But I really have to wonder about Keith's production team when at the ~8:50 point he's talking about undocumented immigrants but showing a picture of a herd of cattle! No, I really don't believe those are the immigrants that either Keith or The Donald are referencing!

It also begs the question of verb usage. "Is they coming?" they asked. "They didn't say," they replied. "What about them?" "They didn't say either." "Well am I supposed to buy all five tickets or just the two for us?"

A very sobering, if not somber, presentation. Thank you for pointing it out.

Not sure I've ever read a story that so brilliantly captures the realities of military life, particularly in combat situations, and the impact on personal, professional, and family life. Your NCO's comment at the end says it all. Thank you, and Semper Fi.

Thanks for a fascinating walk down [ancient] memory lane. I wonder how many people would be employed at any given time to be doing the writing in them thar days. If you think about it, assembling some talented writers, many writing under pseudonyms, and doing a damned good job sort of reminds me of a certain website in this modern world.

Hold on a sec here! This guy had a high-speed electric car in 1910, a cannon that fired a 4,000 pound projectile 30 miles in 1913 and a double-decker jumbo jet that flew at 1200 mph and at 400,000 feet in 1954 and your question is "where did they come up with the names"???? Geesh. You must be an author!