Postscript on McCain
Read David Grann in The New Yorker on what I consider an epic, a Greek, a heart-rending tragedy: the transformation, under pressure, of a great man, John McCain.
This is a man who was once “more at peace when he was losing” and who, above all, was afraid only of one thing: losing his honor.
Thinking in terms of the underlying idea for my book, I can’t help but wonder whether his (unexpected) “triumph” in the primaries was in fact the great “impostor” of his life, leading to an all-encompassing “disaster.”
(To those of you who are new to this blog, those words are from a Kipling poem that inspired my entire book.)
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The New Yorker piece about John McCain’s tergiversation was, I thought, superb.
Concerning McCain’s very gracious concession speech, it might be said of him that (to paraphrase a famous quotation) nothing in his campaign became him more than the manner of his leaving it.
Ah yes: “Nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it.” Macbeth, isn’t it?
Is there a book in the making here?
Incidentally, I’m intrigued by your persona. Your spelling is American; did you intend that?
I’m horrified by the notion that my spelling is American!!! If so, it’s unintended.
I had assumed my spellcheck programme reflected British spelling. But it appears this assumption may be wrong. I must investigate this.
English being my native tongue, I’ve always had great sympathy with non-native English speakers who must negotiate far more gingerly than I, the minefield which is English spelling.
Regarding your question on whether I intend a book, I’m flattered you would ask.
No, nothing could be further from my mind, for I’m a mere hacker.