Comments on: The Chilian Club: A book recommendation

By: Ayatollah Taliberali

Ayatollah Taliberali — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:29:54 +0000

@no way… free societies need free minds (circa Wits 1993). closed minded prejudice may be of some use if u are a conservative or a socio-nationalist or some other form of dishonest politico. this is why liberal means “open minded” cos even though i disagree with everything in this book – and even though i disagree with the “for crown and country” logic of the book; i stil read it – understood it – and recommended it… i assure u that if you took the trouble to recommend a book on the basis of topical relevance – i wud read it. however since u have missed the significance of my buying the book where i did – and the relevance of that to the book itself… and the fact that this whole article is a condemnation of the liberators and new govt of Zimbabwe… then im going to say… engage your brain before making statements which are inane… saying stupid things in public (like i do) is only poignant if every politician is lip synching your tune a few weeks later…

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:17:54 +0000

@noway: you’re a moron.

@avishkar: great choice! I read this book years ago, out of some public library – and I was sucked in effortlessly. Really, really good read, with some excellent lessons from history to leaven the mix. A bunch of stiff-upper-lip British Army types saving the (to them) known universe…priceless!

One thing that has stuck with me for more than 20 years is the description of how someone was turned down for membership of a regiment: he farted while drinking port with some elderly officer – “No matter, perfectly natural function” – and then apologised! “Well, we couldn’t have someone like that in the regiment, could we!”

If you ever read a Flashman novel, you’ll love this. Good one!

By: noway

noway — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:44:26 +0000

I don’t think I want to read anything that you recommend. Yes, I’ll be sure NOT to read this book.

By: PeterM63

PeterM63 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:19:41 +0000

The late George Shipway has been a favorite author of mine for many years. He was Military Historian at Sandhurst for years so really “knows his oats”.

If you want to read excellent semi-fictional histories of early Britain e.g.”Imperial Governor”, India under the Raj e.g. “Strangers in the Land” etc., I can’t recommend his books highly enough.

By: rahmanahchongmuniandy

rahmanahchongmuniandy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:11:18 +0000

very very cool story/article.i like it.keep it up.tq