Reviews

Your entire "column" is one of the most interesting ones I've read. Period! I'm so pleased to have this to savor. God bless you and your work!

Aloha Steve, I am enjoying your newsletter, teeming with information. It's keeping my curious mind active. Much more entertaining than reading the news. Thank you, Aloha, stay safe and be well.

Another fascinating post, Steve. Your description of Kipling was fair and balanced. He was a man of his time, in many ways, but today’s pop historians have no sense of perspective. Churchill was a great leader but viewed the Irish much as Kipling viewed the Indians. Here, Lincoln believed slavery was wrong, yet still felt blacks were inferior to whites. Proving only that great people are still flawed people.

Dear Steve, Thank you again for another wonderful newsletter, and let me wish you a Merry Christmas, as well. I loved your piece on Kipling. My college degree was in History, and I focused on 19th-century European history (basically the French Revolution through WW I). I even used to be a member of the Victorian Military Society. As you might expect given that focus, much of my study was of British imperialism, and I became quite familiar with Kipling. He became my favorite author, and still is, mainly because he wasn't shackled to the "White Man's Burden" concept so much as other authors who hadn't spent so much time in India. I get that he genuinely felt that the native populations benefited from European rule, but unlike most, he acknowledged their cultures, he saw them as human beings, and his native characters come across as real people, not just stereotypes. He clearly had some respect for them. As you probably know, he could also tell a great ghost story. His story "At the End of the Passage" is absolutely chilling. Check it out if you're not familiar with it. As something of an apologist for Robert E. Lee, it's easy for me to take the same stance with Kipling. Yes, he was a man of his time, but when held up against current standards, he was, nonetheless, about as progressive as you could hope for regarding native populations and cultures. And as you said, a wonderful story-teller. I do have one question for you: as a native Texan, I am not familiar with the phrase, "... contradiction that ran through Kipling like lettering through a stick of Blackpool rock." Tell me a little about that! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Yours, DT, Dallas, TX.

Dear Steve, Thanks for some wonderful insights. It will keep me engaged. How about covering the ravages of the colonialist powers starting 1492 CE? Thanks, Regards, Sampath……….. Hello Sampath—Thank you very much for your kind feedback, much appreciated. As for covering the 'ravages of the colonialist powers from 1492’, there’s a topic that could take up a few episodes! Where to begin? As you know, I cover events with anniversaries in the following week. To do this, I keep a (fast-growing) database with as many of the world historical events that I can. It is like a monster that needs constant feeding. I have quite a few colonial-related references in the database, but will revisit it to give this part of history greater weight. That should mean stories start appearing more frequently on this subject when the key dates arrive. Thank you for shining some light on this pertinent period of history, I look forward to digging deep into the detail. Best wishes Steve

So loved this week’s news letter. Vermeer…. my absolute favourite. I learnt a lot about him this morning. So much variety as well, in this week’s edition. Who’d have thought, as a boy, seeing your dad’s wall art that you’d truly see them now. Subconsciously, you definitely must have been ‘paying attention’ back then.

Hi Steve, Honestly this is the first time I read your newsletter in full. Fascinating and amazing facts. Thank you for sending and I look forward to upcoming issues. Best, Mike.

Hi Steve, I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading this newsletter; your stories are certainly worth sharing! Thanks for your work! Sincerely

This is my first time reading Bating the Breeze. While I chose the whaling story as my favorite, it was a very difficult decision. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories about photography on antarctic and Margaret Thatcher. I finally made my decision when I realized that your story made me want to go back and reread Moby Dick. I look forward to your next email. Have a great day!.........................Hello Karen, thank you for your delightful message. You’ve put some much-needed wind in my sails. I was also struggling to choose a favourite this week—Moby Dick is a fantastic story isn’t it? I hope you enjoy your re-read. Best wishes. Steve.

I'd just like to say thanks for starting my Sundays off with a smile and a positive attitude.

Hi Steve: I recently discovered your newsletter and it has quickly become my favorite - easily besting the menagerie of finance newsletters I get each day. Thank you for your efforts and keep up the great work!

Steve, great letter this week! Thank you. I really enjoyed the story about the XB-17 and the pre-flight checklist. I have to admit, the B-17 is my favorite plane. I knew the story of the XB-17 crash and the genesis of the pre-flight checklist, but I didn't know the details about the pilots or the actual cause. And I had to respond about the Jean Shrimpton story. I'd heard that story before, but I've never seen a photo. What a hoot! That outfit is positively dowdy by today's standards. Hard to believe it was scandalous at the time. Thanks again, and have a great week. ..........................Hello Dan - Great to hear from you and thanks for the compliment. I’m pleased both stories triggered some memories for you. Yes, the B-17 is a great story isn’t it? I have been wanting to dig deeper into the detail for some time since I read Atul Gawande’s Checklist Manifesto. My previous life was in business operations and I quoted from the book a lot to encourage teams to use checklists, particularly leaning on the B-17 story. And as for Jean Shrimpton, oh how times have changed. Best wishes. Steve

Another wonderful edition! FYI – Rosa Parks spent her last twenty or so years living in Detroit, Michigan. When the owner of the Detroit Red Wings hockey franchise, who also owned a massive pizza franchise, died – it came out that he had quietly paid for Ms. Parks’ home rent while she lived in Detroit. Silly fact I thought you’d enjoy. Cheers from Tennessee! ----------------- HI John, Thanks for the Rosa Parks snippet – that’s a heart-warming story isn’t it? Best, Steve.

Just wanted to say hello and let you know I enjoyed your article. Edith Cavell’s words that patriotism wasn’t enough but duty was everything sent a chill down my spine. I spent 26 years in the U.S. Navy.

I dearly love your columns of "unknown" world history facts. I'm passing this along in hopes you'll get some subscribers because I can't afford ANY of the Substack columns I read.-----------Hello Jack - Thanks for the email and… I know the feeling about cost! Thank you for your kind words and for sharing The Breezer around for me, it’s a constant battle to bring on new readers. Keep sharing! Cheers. Steve

Another great newsletter, Steve. Thank you. As for Cyrano, I loved Roxanne with Steve Martin; the segment where he tells a series of nose jokes in the bar is hilarious. Haven't seen it since it first came out; I'll have to track that one down again. But my favorite movie version is the one with Jose Ferrer from 1950. It's basically just a straight film version of Rostand's play, but it is one of Jose Ferrer's greatest performances. If you haven't seen it you should check it out. Have a great week, and thanks again.-------------- Hi Dan - Many thanks. I hope you are well. Thanks for the Jose Ferrer recommendation. It looks like I can get it over here, so I’ll check it out. It’s such a great story, isn’t it? The role was perfect for Steve Martin in Roxanne. “It must be wonderful to wake up in the morning and smell the coffee... in Brazil.” Best wishes, Steve

I so look forward to this every week! How many subscribers do you have? How far in advance do you prepare content? Is it fun finding all this neat info? Warm regards, Claire ----------- Hi Claire, Great to hear from you and thank you for those kind words. I currently have around 3,000 subscribers, moving up steadily. I keep a database of events which I add to every day. Then, on a weekly basis, I look about a month ahead to see what is coming up relating to the coming weeks and plan well ahead. However, I only write the newsletter in the week leading up to publication to make sure it is fresh and takes into account anything that has happened in the ‘real’ world that week. In terms of fun, this is about as much fun as I could possibly wish for. For me, the real buzz is in joining the dots between historical events – the more you learn, the more dots you can join together! I also get a lot of pleasure in hearing from my readers, so thank you again. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy putting it together. Best wishes, Steve

I look forward to your Sunday letter. I’m constantly burrowing down rabbit holes too. I started reading Dante’s divine Comedy and having been introduced to Rodin and his Gates of Hell I’m now a Rodin fan, but it doesn’t stop there. My point is I just love your weekly letter. Anyhoo- keep up the great work!!!

Hi Steve, I hope you are well and enjoying your Sunday! I’d just like to say I am unable to choose a favourite snippet today, as each snippet was equally insatiable. I enjoyed each and every one of them - long read but I enjoyed them all. Absolutely fantastic!! I liked the information of where there is a pub near William’s death. I liked the fact that one snippet of William Rufus ( Normandy 1066 ) intertwined later on a snippet with Cyrano. I also liked the parts where you’ve got the unfairness of Elisha calling to report the telegraph as well as the unfairness of Cyrano. Again, a really really good read! Have a wonderful week!

Hi there Steve! This week was a stupendous read!! Can’t wait for next week’s newsletter! Best wishes. ............................. Hello R.W. Great to hear from you. Yes it was a bit longer today wasn’t it! Thanks for the positive feedback, it’s always invaluable to hear what readers enjoy or otherwise. One of the most exciting things for me digging into history is to find connections where they are least expected. Thanks again and enjoy the rest of the weekend. Best wishes Steve

Not many people can keep me reading for so long, Steve! 👏👏👏❤️

Hi Steve, I simply LOVED reading all the articles in this newsletter !! 😁😁 Wow....Reading is my second nature & I read on broad topics....so just have to say this...AMAZING articles All of them...never knew only a miniscule among bee species toil and produce Honey....Operation Dynamo..didnt know..neither the word mandolinist... Too Good Steve..👍...I will continue to read your collected writings..Please Accept wholehearted Good Wishes from me.

I also had to comment on the Anacreontic Song. I knew of the tune's origins. I'd always heard it called "Anacreon in Heaven." The way I have read it, it's always been described as an 18th-century British drinking song. As an American, I can tell you that song is so hard to sing, I can't imagine what it would sound like being butchered by a bunch of drunk young men! Especially with the key change in the middle! The way you described it makes much more sense. Thank you. ...................................................................................................................... Hello Dan.. You are right to say that the Anacreontic Song is sometimes referred to as ‘Anacreon in Heaven’. I believe Anacreon in Heaven is called an ‘incipit’, i.e., it represents the first few words of the original lyrics.

Great newsletter this week. Thank you. (with regard to...) Secretariat: I thought you'd be interested to know that The Meadow, the Virginia stable where Secretariat was born and bred, was owned by an alumnus of Washington & Lee University, my alma mater. That was the origin of Secretariat's royal blue and white silks: the W&L colors. **Steve:** Thanks Dan, that's great to hear. As I mentioned, my father was a horse racing enthusiast. I remember vividly sitting with Dad as he got very excited about Nijinski, ridden by Lester Piggot, winning the English Triple Crown in the St Ledger at Doncaster in 1970. Nijinski was the last winner of the English Triple Crown (it isn’t a priority these days as owners tend to pick-and-mix their races to match the horse – and the money). He is the English equivalent of Secretariat. Nijinsky was taken to stud in the US when he retired. He is buried next to Secretariat at Claiborne Farm, Kentucky.