The Irregulars by Jennet Conant

[Robert]

Interesting tale but several careless errors. In wartime London she labeled the V-1 a "rocket" when it was a jet-propelled flying unmanned aircraft. She also put London's "Little Blitz" in May 1944 when it came in January 1944. (And she cites heavy damage yet but 32 of 282 bombs actually fell in London proper that January). And to nitpick, she describes Charles Lindbergh as a "flying ace." He was an "ace flyer" but it takes five aerial victories to be a flying ace.

[Sandy]

Robert wrote: "Interesting tale but several careless errors. In wartime London she labeled the V-1 a "rocket" when it was a jet-propelled flying unmanned aircraft. She also put London's "Little Blitz" in May 1944..."

[Sandy]

Interesting comments about "careless errors." These are things I would have missed. This book was enlightening, and I'm glad to have read it; however, I wasn't captivated.

[Leslie]

Robert wrote: "Interesting tale but several careless errors. In wartime London she labeled the V-1 a "rocket" when it was a jet-propelled flying unmanned aircraft. She also put London's "Little Blitz" in May 1944..."

Robert, you should have been consulted prior to publication. At least someone should have. I thought publishers still fact checked! It matters, doesn't it? I'll never forget the time I was embarrassed because of something I said that I read in a book that actually was terribly incorrect! One must read several sources nowdays to feel confident of any knowledge he might learn. Grrrrr

[Robert]

Leslie: The errors here were minor compared to many other nonfiction books. Unfortunately, too many publishers deny any responsibility for fact-checking, concerned only with marketing. For my "fact-checking" of the best seller, In The Garden Of Beasts, go to the University Bookman where it was published in September.

Best wisnes,
Bob Huddleston

[Leslie]

Robert wrote: "Leslie: The errors here were minor compared to many other nonfiction books. Unfortunately, too many publishers deny any responsibility for fact-checking, concerned only with marketing. For my "fact..."

Aha! You really are a fact checker! I bet you have a copy of The Elements of Style in your pocket right now. I shall look for The Garden of Beasts on your recommendation. I love finding something "new" to read. Left to my own devices I read only 19th century ladies's novels. It's too bad, but there it is.

[Robert]

Leslie: Go for "The Time In Between" by Maria Duenas. A great novel set in Spain by an excellent writer.

Best wishes,

Robert

[Leslie]

Thanks, Robert, I will.