Didn't know ol' Willy Wobblestick wrote historical books, Liz:-) Thought he wrote plays to entertain the people of the time (that is IF he did, but that's a whole different topic!) that referenced some event in history. I guess that makes him very similar to the point in question - A Hollywood screenwriter of his day!

I look at history books in the light of the point I once saw in the newspapers years ago. One of the mainstream ones had the headline 'Train unions holding the country to ransom'. The chap on the street corner was holding up the 'Morning Star' proudly proclaiming 'Train union heroes hold out against capitalist government'. Both had an element of truth but did not give the full story. Most history books are very similar.

Historical fiction however does not purport to be factual and as such can be far more entertaining as well as presenting the events of the day in a far more entertaining manner. Same with films or 'true stories'. I don't think anyone realy believes that the silver screen gives us facts. I would also doubt the validity of anything I saw in a newspaper or heard on the news, but then again I may be more cynical than most.

Back to the original title - The one that got it the most wrong must be the Muppets Christmas Carol. I find it very difficult to believe that a frog ran a business in Victorian England...

Happy Easter

Dave.