Sorry I haven't had a chance to get to this for a while.


"In closing...".    So that means, Greg, that you won't insist on the last word?   Somehow, I doubt it.

First, let me humbly beg forgiveness for having left out a crucial "not" in my last post. I really will have to proofread more carefully. I certainly did not mean imply that Greg cannot learn to make dubious assertions, blissfully free from support.   In fact, aside from pointless vulgarism, that is unquestionably his forte.



Perhaps, Greg, when you have stopped your furious spluttering, you can give the requested quote.

One of the ironies of this is that you started out fine. Your first post was quite worthwhile.   It was only when you started branding other posters as evil or total idiots that you showed you do not "play well with others". If you had only been satisfied with the position of primus inter pares, very likely nobody would have objected. But that's obviously not the role you envision for yourself. Well, on Mudcat, you may have to trim your sails a bit.

And if you make a foolish statement, you may well be called on it. Citing a book is no answer. Some of us believe in a level playing field, even if you don't.   If you can't give a direct quote when asked, your credibility suffers.

Most of the rest of us are always willing to learn. I myself am a humble seeker after knowledge---- though admittedly not above pricking a balloon.



Back to topic:   I also have another book to recommend, which I've just received:   Great Britain and the American Civil War, by Ephraim Douglas Adams.   This appears to be a source for many other books on the topic. It came up on another thread. And it is truly intriguing.   Just glancing at it , it's striking, for instance, how controversial the timing of various moves by Lord Russell is in his dealings with the crisis caused by the"Laird rams".

The book came out in 1924, and is crammed with footnotes. I'm definitely looking forward to reading it.