Thursday, January 29, 2026

Richard Topcliffe


Enjoying Alice Hogge's God's Secret Agent, if that's how you can describe reading about a fellow, Richard Topcliffe, who was Queen Elizabeth's personal priest-hunter and torturer. Rather lurid stuff, and it's the bit of British history that I've read about many times before. But Hogge's account is as engaging as it is well-documented, which is really saying something as this is reportedly only her first book. I look forward to reading whatever else she might have in store for us.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

God's Secret Agents


Just started reading Hogge's book yesterday. Just the thing for these cold winter days and nights.

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Woodrow Wilson


Finished reading Auchincloss' book. Most notable, in my opinion, were multiple references to Wilson's dream of establishing a league of nations and, especially in light of our own time, questions concerning his mental condition late into his second term.

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Red Lentil Soup


Not usually a big fan of soup, but, looking for a way to add lentils to my diet, I fixed upon this recipe. It's now part of my regular rotation of dishes.