Yes, indeed, if you listen carefully this afternoon you will hear the distant rumble of snores guns as I give one of my scintillating talks, this one on the subject of how the Germans lost WWI in the first six weeks! I always begin by informing my audience that although the heart of the talk is concerned with six short weeks in late Summer 1914, my talk actually begins in the year 9AD, and that shortly afterwards I move even further back to the year 216BC. At that point I wish them well and trust that they are all sitting comfortably - the expression on their faces looks remarkably like those you see in old photos of troops waiting to 'go over the top'! I do spot the odd surreptitious glance towards the exits but quickly they realize there is no escape. The incoming barrage of non-stop yadda-yadda then commences. T'is a cruel thing war!
