What are you reading now?

[Richard Tarleton]

Indeed. I naturally also have Pat Reid's two Colditz books, 'Boldness be my Friend' by Richard Pape and Paul Brickhill's 'The Great Escape' to complete the classic line up. Also well worth reading are two books by John Nicol and Tony Rennell, 'The Last Escape' and 'Home Run'. A long standing family friend, now deceased, was captured at Arnhem in 1944, taken prisoner and was one of those on one of the forced marches westward in 1945. Alas, he would never talk about his experiences and his memories died with him. In addition, a director at one of the companies I worked for in the 1970s was imprisoned in Colditz during the war.

Why were so many escapers RAF types? Perhaps they showed so much more imagination than their Army colleagues.

My great uncle Jack was a major in the 2/14th Punjabi Regiment (my grand and great grandparents lived in India) and was taken prisoner by the Japanese after the fall of Singapore. He spent the rest of the war in Changi Prison. Are there stories of escapes from Japanese prisoner of war camps? I don't know. He survived, just about, his only possession on release being a 14 centimetre white enamel tin plate with a blue border which was used to measure his daily rice ration. He retired as a Lt Col in 1947, sailed to Southampton from Singapore in 1948, and died in 1950, apparently after a fall from a ladder. His younger sister my great aunt, who was an army then civilian doctor, used the plate for the rest of her life to cover the coffee jug at the breakfast table. When she died I offered it to the Imperial War Museum, who were delighted to receive it, given the story behind it.

[Petrushka]

Are there stories of escapes from Japanese prisoner of war camps?

As they were faced with an extremely hostile jungle environment I wouldn't think that many POW's of the Japanese managed to escape. One who did was Charles MacCormac, a wireless operator in the Australian air force whose astonishing story he told in 'You'll Die in Singapore' which I mention in #1533. If you haven't read this book I'd urge you go do so. It's one of the greatest escape stories ever told.

I do hope Stanfordian pops back in to let us know if these recommendations are of use.

[Richard Tarleton]

As they were faced with an extremely hostile jungle environment I wouldn't think that many POW's of the Japanese managed to escape. One who did was Charles MacCormac, a wireless operator in the Australian air force whose astonishing story he told in 'You'll Die in Singapore' which I mention in #1533. If you haven't read this book I'd urge you go do so. It's one of the greatest escape stories ever told.

I do hope Stanfordian pops back in to let us know if these recommendations are of use.

Ah yes, thanks Pet.

[Petrushka]

The best POW books are those written by the prisoners themselves and another classic is 'Moonless Night' by B A 'Jimmy' James. I snapped up both 'The Tunnel' and 'The Wooden Horse' in 1950s editions signed by Eric Williams when I spotted them in Foyles some years ago.

[LMcD]

I've just started 'Stalingrad', by Antony Beevor.

[Stanfordian]

The best POW books are those written by the prisoners themselves and another classic is 'Moonless Night' by B A 'Jimmy' James. I snapped up both 'The Tunnel' and 'The Wooden Horse' in 1950s editions signed by Eric Williams when I spotted them in Foyles some years ago.

I have a large collection of these books and with odd exceptions I doubt the prisoners themselves are usually the best authors. I certainly would not be put off if the prisoner has a co-writer (very usual) or even if a relative is doing the writing.

Notwithstanding the story told by these brave men (and sometimes rash men it must be said) is one of fortitude and honour.

[Tevot]

Hello there,

I've just recently finished Neil Macgregor's " Germany: Memories of a Nation" which I found to be enthralling. It's almost like a travel guide taking in aspects of German history, culture, geography and language from pre Roman times to the present day. A fascinating, informative, thought provoking and moving read which imho is very well written indeed. I have been to Germany only once - way back in the mid 1970s when I was 10 years old. Having read this book I am convinced of the urgent need to revisit - and revisit properly !!

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[Guest]

Mansfield Park / Jane Austen
Five stars plus.

[vinteuil]

Mansfield Park / Jane Austen
Five stars plus.

... I agree.

But what is the gender of the pug???

http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol25no1/palmer.html

.

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=HEQfDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT103&lpg=PT103&dq=john+sutherland+pug&source=bl&ots=xiQ8woSgfJ&sig=aWsRHOQ9cwm-BWid9sescmBPYkY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwje59KgmbDaAhXKKcAKHfTDBlUQ6AEIOzAC#v=onepage&q=john%20sutherland%20pug&f=false

.

[richardfinegold]

Mansfield Park / Jane Austen
Five stars plus.

Fanny is the one Austen heroine that I can't stomach. What a prig!

[Padraig]

Fanny is the one Austen heroine that I can't stomach. What a prig!

I have all but forgotten the arguments now, rfg, but I'll still put my money on Miss Fanny Price. And please, less of 'stomach'.

[Guest]

Fanny is the one Austen heroine that I can't stomach. What a prig!

Sorry I upset you.
For me, she is the pre-eminent object of non-stop patronising, bullying dismissal by the landed classes, who alone maintains any sense of how to behave. The Crawfords, the Bertram daughters are exactly the main object of Austen's unflinching, act by act contempt.

[french frank]

For me, she is the pre-eminent object of non-stop patronising, bullying dismissal by the landed classes, who alone maintains any sense of how to behave.

Absolument. Other Austen heroines might be more lively (Emma?), but I prefer the quietly respectable which might be seen as priggishness, I suppose …

[Padraig]

Absolument. Other Austen heroines might be more lively (Emma?), but I prefer the quietly respectable which might be seen as priggishness, I suppose …

"I was quiet, but I was not blind."

[Wychwood]

Dipping into the short stories of Elizabeth Taylor with pleasure and admiration. Masterful, economic writing. I hope her reputation does not fade into obscurity.