Hilaire Belloc on Islam

“Islam is the most formidable and persistent enemy which our civilisation has had, and may at any moment become as large a menace in the future as it has been in the past” Hilaire Belloc, “The Great Heresies”(written between the wars), and quoted by the late Frank Johnson in the “Spectator” during 2005.

Mud, blood and poppycock, by Gordon Corrigan

This alternative or "revisionist" review of the Great War, written by former Army officer Gordon Corrigan, was always going to put a frown on some foreheads.  It's always readable, though sometimes you find yourself disagreeing with him, and he is never afraid to editorialise and give his own opinion - always a mistake in my view.

He does repeat some tired old lies. "Britain has never been successfully invaded since 1066" is the purest nonsense, forgivable perhaps, from an Army officer but it would not be acceptable from a professional historian.

And his final conclusion on what it is that wars are won by? Again, rather as is to be expected from a British Army officer, he argues that it is not intellect but courage.  There may be a great deal of truth in that, but I disagree. Wars are won, neither with intellect or courage, but with money.