When I sit down

When I sit down to write, which is the essential moment in my life, I am completely alone. Whenever I write a book, I accumulate a lot of documentation. That background material is the most intimate part of my private life. It’s a little embarrassing – like being seen in your underwear It’s like the … Read more

Converting the war into

Converting the war into an antislavery crusade was a brilliant move on Lincoln’s part, and it resulted in a surge of voluntary recruits into the Union army. But this did not last. Northerners may have disapproved of slavery in the South but, once the bloodletting began in earnest, their willingness to die for that conviction … Read more

I find the whole

I find the whole concept of being ‘sexy’ embarrassing and confusing. If I do a photo-shoot, people desperately want to change me – dye my hair blonder, pluck my eyebrows, give me a fringe. Then there’s the choice of clothes. I know everyone wants a picture of me in a mini-skirt. But that’s not me. … Read more

I find the whole

I find the whole concept of being ‘SEXY’ embarrassing and confusing. If I do an interview with photographs people desperately want to change me- dye my hair blonder, pluck my eyebrows. Then there’s the choice of clothes. I know everyone wants a picture of me in a mini skirt, BUT THATS NOT ME. I feel … Read more