September 2010 - Richard M. Langworth

World War II Official Histories

24 September 2010 Comments 0 Comments

Does England have an official History of WW2 like the “Green Books” that are printed in the US as their official history of WW2 and where might find them? —L.L.

Yes: several specialized multi-volume series, under the umbrella title History of the Second World War, were published by HMSO (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, since 2006 part of the Office of Public Sector Information within the UK National Archives, formerly the Public Records Office).

There are five sub-series, for example, Llewellyn Woodward, British Foreign Policy in the Second World War (five vols.,…

Robert Hardy at 85: The Greatest “Churchill”

13 September 2010 Comments 0 Comments

Written for a birthday tribute in October 2010….

We have all heard about the art of Timothy Robert Hardy, even though we don’t need to do so, since it is self-evident. But that really doesn’t matter, does it? His three-decade involvement with the Churchill saga provides a balsamic reiteration of what we know, are glad that we know, pity those who do not know, and are proud to be associated with.

It began with his peerless portrayals of Sir Winston in the 1981 “Wilderness Years” TV documentary; David Susskind’s 1986 “Leaders” series; a London stage play; the mini-series “War and Remembrance”; and—just this August 20th—a brilliant reading from Churchill’s tribute to “The Few” on its 70th annniversary.…