Football Pundits

At last I have found a Website that publishes meaningful blogs about football, where their objective is to promote a global platform for great writers of the 'beautiful game'.
If you love football, log onto http://footballspeak.com/ and if you are a fan of Gary Neville (as a pundit) check out these two articles about him:

http://footballspeak.com/post/2012/10/05/Why-Gary-Neville-Has-Exposed.aspx#comment

http://footballspeak.com/post/2012/10/05/Gary-Neville.aspx

Paris v London

Two articles that, despite their criticism of France, made me realise why I enjoy living here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19814806

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18234930

A couple of articles worth reading. 

The second one is probably a more accurate & balanced view, but the generalisation of comparing the two cities to what the writer perceives as representative nationally is off the mark.

However, neither article mentions the Tottenham & nationally staged riots, nor the no-go areas of most town centres on Friday / Saturday nights across the whole of the U.K. With the recent shootings, stabbings & other everyday U.K. crimes, it makes the exceptional 'deaths of two young men in Grenoble'  seem rather insignificant. Also why does the first article mention 'match fixing this week' in France, when two footballers in England made the news yesterday for the same activity?

If they wish to draw comparisons showing greater anomalies between the  U.K. and another country, they should try Greece...or even Italy & Spain. I supppose France is an easy target to gain credibility with the Brits, being the 'perennial enemy number one'.

A French Version of Les Ruines

Alongside current projects, is the translation of Les Ruines into French. Following its success, particularly amongst English residents of the Haute Vienne area, there have been unprecedented enquiries from the indigenous population for a version in French. I have been fortunate
to have acquired  the services of a locally-based language expert who is currently translating the novel, which we hope to publish jointly next year.

Find below a sample for those readers of French:

http://jamesvanceauthor.wix.com/novelsbyjrvance

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004UPFYWK

 Prologue  

         Gilbert Pinson et sa femme habitait dans un hameau proche de Magnac-Laval dans le sud-ouest de la France ; il avait 95 ans et il était toujours très actif. Sa femme avait 13 ans de moins que lui, mais elle souffrait de la maladie de Parkinson.

            En 2005, un anglais qui avait quelques notions de français achetait et rénovait une maison proche pour en faire une résidence secondaire. Tôt dans la soirée durant cet été là, recouvert de poussière de placoplâtre, des copeaux de bois presque jusqu'aux genoux, il entendit frappé à la porte. Il ouvrit et trouva la silhouette voûtée de Gilbert devant lui. Le petit homme avec sa touffe de cheveux gris et ses traits ridés ressemblait à un hobbit de Tolkien. Le vieil homme devait être également surpris de découvrir une apparition, grande et frêle, enveloppée par la poussière blanche, qui rappelait les vieux fantômes de Noël.

            Gilbert se présenta en parlant français lentement et demanda à son nouveau voisin s'il connaissait quelque chose à propos de la bataille de Cambrai durant la première guerre mondiale. En fait, d'après les explications de Gilbert, l'Anglais compris qu'il y avait peu d'informations dans les livres d'histoire française car ce conflit là ne concernait que les troupes anglaises et allemandes. Une existence tourmentée avait laissée à Gilbert beaucoup de souvenirs amers d'événements traumatisants de cette période mais il y avait peu de douceur dans sa mémoire. Un vide subsistait qu'il cherchait à combler avant les derniers jours de cette vie bien remplie.

            Des questions sans réponses le tourmentaient dans le flou des bouleversements et des troubles qui avait agité ses premières années. En apprenant l'arrivée de l'anglais dans le village, il voyait en son voisin une possibilité de retrouver la vision de la réalité de son enfance perdue.

            Dans l'un des cartons de livres pas encore déballés qu'il avait emporté avec lui, l'Anglais avait plusieurs tomes de L'histoire de la Grande Guerre réalisés par la maison d'édition Waverley de Londres. Il proposa son aide et promit de l'appeler le lendemain. Malheureusement, il manquait des tomes et il fut incapable de trouver une quelconque référence sur la bataille de Cambrai. Après avoir parcouru plusieurs sites internet, il trouva une quantité d'informations utiles y compris un récit intéressant d'Arthur Conan Doyle. En utilisant un service de traduction en ligne, il enregistra les textes et imprima les articles pour son voisin.

             Le jour suivant, Gilbert accueilli chez lui un homme anglais désormais présentable. Il rencontra sa femme qui salua le visiteur avec un léger sourire et un petit hochement de tête mais guère plus. Elle demeura silencieuse tout le temps de sa visite. Les deux hommes s'installèrent à une longue table en bois dans la grande salle de séjour, l'Anglais avait du mal à détourner son attention de la détresse évidente causée par les tremblements de la vieille dame. Elle alla s'asseoir dans un fauteuil près le la cheminée ; ses mains, striées de veines protubérantes, tremblaient constamment. Gilbert offrit un verre de vin à son voisin en le remerciant pour ses efforts de recherche d'informations.

            Malgré la barrière de la langue, l'Anglais tentait de comprendre les explications que Gilbert donnaient sur les raisons de son étrange enquête. Au début de la Grande Guerre, son père monsieur André Pinson et sa famille cultivait la terre près de Cambrai entre Bourlon et Graincourt. Pour échapper aux lourds combats qui se déroulaient à leur porte, ils furent évacuer vers des zones plus sécurisées. Finalement au printemps 1919, les Pinson revinrent avec leurs deux jeunes garçons et trouvèrent leur ferme partiellement démolie et leurs terres ravagées par l'affrontement féroce des deux armées. Les pilonnages incessants d'obus avaient réduits nombres de villes et de villages au chaos et à la poussière. On distinguait à peine les rues parmi les ruines calcinées des bâtiments en partie détruits, des murs écroulés et des charpentes carbonisées. Durant les deux années suivantes, les garçons travaillèrent aux côtés de leurs parents pour reconstruire les bâtiments de la ferme et remettre en état les terres déformées par les obus.

            Gilbert, le plus jeune des deux fils était né en 1915. Il n'était pas assez grand pour comprendre, mais suivait consciencieusement son grand frère, Antoine, dans leur tache ingrate. Ils déterrèrent de nombreux vestiges du conflit : des armes, des corps, des membres, des morceaux de véhicules de l'armée explosés, des armes chargées, y compris des grenades. Cette horrible expérience était un présage de ce qui attendait les deux frères pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale, alors que Gilbert serait prisonnier de guerre et son frère mourrait lors d'un combat sanglant dans les environs d'Arras. En rassemblant les fragments qu’il pouvait comprendre, l'Anglais écoutait patiemment l'histoire de la vie du vieil homme. Gilbert utilisait cette opportunité unique pour raconter son histoire avec l'aide des documents imprimés de son visiteur. A cette occasion il remettait dans leur contexte un ensemble d'événements qui avait jalonnés son enfance oubliée. Au moins il pouvait en apprendre un peu plus sur ses racines, les causes des bouleversements familiaux et les expériences qui avait influencées le développement de ses jeunes années.

            Il restait stoïque la plupart du temps, Gilbert avait appris à supporter la douleur qu'il avait traversée tout au long de sa vie. Il pensait maintenant que le traumatisme de son enfance avait scellé son future. Il commençait à comprendre comment il avait acquit la capacité d'endurer des épreuves constantes. Bien qu'il ne fut pas fort physiquement, mentalement il avait dépassé chaque obstacle et le désappointement qui avait pu envahir son intimité : les atrocités de deux guerres, les temps de misère en tant que prisonnier, le travail forcé, son statut de réfugié après la guerre et un mariage qui, malgré sa durée, n'avait offert que peu de répit dans une existence déprimante. Bien qu'assailli par presque un siècle de privations, il avait survécu et il avait gardé un esprit clair. Cette force intérieure lui avait permit de rester loyal à sa femme malade au moment elle en avait le plus besoin. Les détails d'arrière plan de son enfance fourni par son hôte avait clarifié sa raison d'être.

            Gilbert remercia son visiteur qui, de son côté, avait trouvé quelque satisfaction dans son habileté à surmonter les difficultés de la langue en répondant à la requête de  son voisin avec la traduction d'un document utile. S'épanchant sur l'entente cordiale après son premier contact avec le voisinage, l'Anglais quitta la maison, ignorant que la femme de Gilbert avait une histoire encore plus intéressante à raconter.

            Perdue dans l'immensité du plus grand cataclysme destructeur de l'humanité, l'histoire déchirante de Simone Pinson resterait dormante, un épisode inconnu de l'impitoyable deuxième guerre mondiale. Six ans passeraient avant que son histoire remarquable se révèle, créant des remous bien au-delà de la communauté locale.

RISK (an extract)

Gestapo headquarters in Limoges was a three-storey villa on Impasse Tivoli, a cul-de-sac within walking distance of the railway station. Annette Tabaraud arrived there by car after spending one night in the Maison d’Arrêt, the prison situated near the remains of a Gallo-Roman amphitheatre across the city. It transpired that the customer who had recommended the proposed safe house was a collaborator in the pay of the Germans. Madame Tabaraud had walked into a trap and almost taken Geoffrey and Jean-Claude with her. For the Plover line network, the uncertainty remained about her willingness to co-operate and the depth of her knowledge that could be useful to her captors.

She found herself in an upstairs room, sparsely furnished with a desk, a small table and three wooden chairs. Two uniformed soldiers seated her in a chair opposite the desk and positioned themselves outside the door. Closed shutters blocked any light from the window; two lamps with low wattage bulbs hanging directly overhead lit the room. Outside, thunder rumbled, rattling the wooden shutters as a storm-laden sky blanketed Limoges in a mantle of dark grey.

The door opened to admit a Gestapo officer accompanied by a younger man who sat to one side by the table. The interrogating officer sat at the desk facing the inwardly terrified woman. He placed a folder on the desk, opened it and flicked through some pages before looking directly at her. Of stocky build but short in stature, he was fair-haired, wore rimless spectacles and looked to be in his mid thirties. Whilst continuing to stare at her, he lit a cigarette before leaning back in his chair. His casual demeanour starkly contrasted with her taut, nervous disposition.

Finally, he spoke. “You are Annette Tabaraud, proprietor of the Restaurant Pont Saint- Martial, yes?”

Madame Tabaraud brushed her long but now straggly hair from her gaunt grey face and nodded.

“Speak up, woman. I cannot hear you.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

; � - n � ��� pt'> 

RISK (Work in Progress)

 

After a summer of watching sporting spectaculars, I am surprised to find that I have managed to complete almost fifty thousand words of my latest manuscript, another historical fiction novel entitled RISK. Set in France during WWII, it follows the adventures of a young soldier as he strives to avenge the deaths of his brothers. I am writing the novel as a sequel to LES RUINES, published earlier this year in paperback and e-book formats. 

http://www.amazon.com/Les-Ruines-ebook/dp/B00731P2GQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1328041631&sr=8-9                        

The Special Operations Executive (S.O.E.) recruits a young 

soldier following a dramatic escape from the horrors of war

in occupied France. Having overcome his fear of flying, he

parachutes into a country under the Nazi jackboot where he

encounters a world of subterfuge and resistance. An affair with

a young French girl compensates for the constant threat of

betrayal, capture, torture and a ‘bullet in the back of the head’.

After imprisonment and interrogation by the dreaded Gestapo,

he outwits his captors and flees to England. On his final mission,

he fails to reach his target; ‘missing presumed dead’ becomes

his epitaph. Following a series of unexpected events almost

seventy years later, his descendants discover the truth about

his clandestine exploits, his bizarre fate and the chaotic legacy

for the family.  

Publishing date: December 2012

London 2012 Olympics

Phew! Exhausted after two weeks glued to the television screen.
What a fantastic festival of sporting achievements.
Iconic moments?
So many but here are my top ten cherished memories:

1. The emergence of new heroes, household names of the future:  Laura Trott, Jason Kenny, Ed Clancy (Track Cycling), Nicola Adams (Women's Boxing), Louis Smith (Men's Pommel), Charlotte Dujardin &  Laura Bechtolsheimer (Dressage), Jade Jones (Taekwondo), Tim Baillie & Etienne Stott (Men's Slalom)
2. Mo Farah's magnificent GOLDS
3. The unbeatable Usain Bolt and the amazing Jamaican track trio
4. After so many silvers, Katherine Grainger's GOLD with Anna Watkins (Women's Double Sculls)
5. Sir Chris Hoy's 'blaze of glory' exit
6. The nerve of Peter Wilson to take GOLD with his last two shots after missing the previous two
7. The Equestrian long-awaited rise to glory with GOLD in the Men's Team Showjumping
8. Jessica Ennis's GOLD (Women's Heptathlon) + the Brownlee Brothers GOLD & BRONZE Men's       Triathlon) 
9. GOLDS for Bradley Wiggins & Andy Murray after recently competing at the highest level in their  respective sports in the Tour de France & at Wimbledon
10. Bladerunner's audacity to pit himself against able-bodied athletes on the world stage

Finally congratulations to all the volunteers & spectators who created a briliant atmosphere at every venue and to the BBC for the fantastic coverage of the whole Olympic event.

Team Sky wins the Tour de France

What a great week. After watching every stage of 

the Tour de France on TV and driving down to see the arrival at Brive-la-Gaillarde, today is a unique moment in sporting history when Bradley Wiggins is crowned as the first British winner of the Tour de France. 

Great team performance by Edvald, Chris, Richie, Bernhard, Mark, Michael & Jeremy.

Will be glued to the my TV in the Limousin to watch 

the events unfold in Paris. Love the new livery on the team Jaguars....the blue stripe is now yellow!

MIS-PLACED CONFIDENCE

    Sorry, Germany. 

The Italians are not yet ready to go home. 

Drive safely back to Deutschland!

Violette Szabo, SOE Agent

I am now the proud owner of Young Brave and
Beautiful, The Missions of Special Operations Executive Agent, Lieutenant Violette Szabo signed by the author, her daughter, Tania Szabo.

Violette Szabo was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star in September 1944 and the George Cross posthumously by King George VI.

                                                              

  

                                                                       The monument erected in Violette's memory

    between Mont Gargan and Sussac in the 

            Limousin region of France.    

 http://www.violetteszabo.org/taniaszabo.html                                  

                                                                         

EUROS 2012

The Euros are hotting up!  'Yesterday, 5,000 Russians
marched into the centre of Warsaw'.
One could be forgiven for thinking that was the beginning of a war correspondent's report from WWII.  However, this was June 12, 2012 when Russian supporters 'invaded' the Polish capital prior to the group one Poland v Russia match.
A strong police presence used water cannon, rubber bullets & teargas to quell the ensuing confrontation between rival supporters. Add to the mix a German referee (coincidence or cynical ploy by Uefa?) and the stage was set for an exciting contest. Fortunately the 1-1 result reduced the potential for further post-match battles, though police made more arrests as sporadic incidents continued into the night.
Later today, sees Germany v Holland...another tasty encounter with a troublesome history! Hopefully, football itself will dominate the headlines.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/326173/Fans-injured-in-violent-scenes-ahead-of-Euro-2012-Poland-Russia-match 

REFLECTIONS on WHY FRANCE?

              RED, WHITE et BLEU 

Why France? A question often asked whenever I announced that I would be spending my annual holidays in l’Hexagone―even more raised eyebrows on stating that I intended to live there.

The rivalry between England and France has existed for centuries, commencing with battles over territorial sovereignty and continuing today with passionate allegiance to the national rugby and football teams. Yet in adversity, the two countries often form an alliance, tolerating each other’s support until the common foe is defeated; at that point, rival hostility recommences. In addition, the invasions continue, doubtless fortified by entente cordiale: to name a few, EDF, Veolia and Orange have crossed the channel as have migrating Brits in the opposite direction.

So, what do the two countries have in common? Historically, politically, socially and individually—very little. Both sides have won and lost great battles. Blighty retained its monarchy, currently justifying its cost to the nation as an, albeit expensive, but long-term tourist attraction; Marianne looked on as French royalty and the aristocracy went to the guillotine as a short-term amusement distraction for les citoyens. Now the French have a new president as often as the English have a royal wedding. A political scandal in the U.K. can bring down the government; political impropriety in France can elevate the transgressor to hero status. Not long ago, both governments introduced targeted smoking bans. In England, the prohibition of tobacco displays has followed; France continues to promote state-licensed tabacs. The ‘frogs’ produce great wine and export it at inflated prices totalling almost 15bn€ per annum; the ‘rosbifs’ produce great beer but binge drink most of it themselves.

England has sterling and stress problems; France has the euro and a laisser-faire attitude. The English worker takes a snack lunch ‘on-the-hoof’; their French counterpart enjoys the national two-hour mandatory lunch-break. The chasm between the two countries is as deep as the English Channel/La Manche itself. However, they do share some common interests: Concorde, Airbus, Eurostar, the Chunnel, Ryanair and very soon the Navy. Geographically, they also share similar spectacular landscapes and with global warming, not a too dissimilar climate.

So, why do English people choose to holiday and live in France? Perhaps it boils down to the opportunity where one can enjoy the best of French life combined with the best of British. Surely, that is Utopia, n’est-ce pas?  

Minimalist Book Covers

Is this a reflection of current austerity measures?

The Bare Essentials: Modern Minimalist Covers

Sometimes less is more. The minimalist art movement originated in 1960s New York City. It tended towards simplicity and focus, rather than ornate background or decoration. Many book designers have utilised these principles, eschewing the busy and elaborate in favour of the bare essentials. Enjoy this selection of books whose eye-catching design proves that a little goes a long way.  › Learn more

The Crow's Vow  by Susan Briscoe		Against Happiness  by Eric G. Wilson		The Sheriff of Yrnameer  by Michael Rubens		Wet Apples, White Blood  by Naomi Guttman

Sad News

Donna Summer, mort d'une diva disco

JEUDI 17 MAI 2012, 18:41

Crédits photo : REUTERS

La chanteuse, icône des années 1970, a succombé à un cancer à 63 ans.

Elle a marqué les années 70 et 80 avec ses tubes disco et ses robes à paillettes. La chanteuse Donna Summer est morte jeudi à l'âge de 63 ans, selon les informations du site TMZ, confirmées par sa famille. Elle a succombé à un cancer. "Tôt ce matin, nous avons perdu Donna Summer Sudano, une femme pleine de talents, le plus grand étant sa foi", indique le communiqué de la famille.

The Resistance in Limousin, France

Following the success of my historical fiction novel,
Les Ruines, a tale of intrigue and mystery involving the maquis of Haute Vienne, I recently visited Le Musée de la Résistance in Limoges.

Wow...what an amazing exhibition. Set on several floors, visitors can view graphic displays and photos of Limousin under German occupation during WWII. There are also on display many artefacts from the period that include weapons (sten guns, revolvers, machine guns, grenades, bren guns, ammunition, etc) and even radio receiver/transmitters, for the most part, parachuted in along with agents by SOE, the Special Operations Executive set up by the British. Some displays include materials and equipment produced by the maquis: home-made bombs, roneo copying machines, false identity cards, ration books and other items to  thwart the enemy.
A centre-piece amongst other vestiges of the enemy's presence is the fuselage of a German military aircraft.
Space is also accorded to photos of members of the various resistance groups, their roles and the consequences of their involvement. Some photos depict various atrocities committed by the occupying forces in retaliation for the actions of the maquis. The free entrance exhibition is well worth a visit, but at least three hours are required to absorb the many aspects of the tour and its impact.

If unable to visit, check out the website. There are many interesting pics and a video explaining and showing how the museum was constructed using original materials to integrate it into that particular enviroment of the old part of the city.

http://www.ville-limoges.fr/index.php/fr/culture/les-structures-culturelles/le-musee-de-la-resistance

Les Ruines at the London Book Fair

First visit to the London Book Fair at EarlsCourt.

Spent an exhausting day enquiring about the translation of Les Ruines into French. The novel is selling well to English readers in the Limousin, but receiving many requests from local residents for a version in French. Several leads to follow-up.

http://www.amazon.com/Les-Ruines-ebook/dp/B00731P2GQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1328041631&sr=8-9

En route back home, I stopped off at the Musée de 

la Résistance in the new centre at rue Neuve Saint-

Etienne in Limoges. Well worth a visit but one  needs about three hours to fully absorb the vast amount of information and the amazing collection of exhibits. 

Musée de la Résistance, Limoges

London Book Fair

                  

Off to the UK to visit the LBF at Earls Court,

where my latest novel Les Ruines, will be on show.  

Book Signing Events

Les Ruines at The London Book Fair

Les Ruines will be on show in the New Title Showcase at the London Book Fair 16-18 April 2012. Author James R. Vance will be in attendance. 

DICKENS 200 Years

Tidying my attic, I came across this fascinating little
book buried deep in a dusty box of forgotten
literary volumes:

Christmas Books by Charles Dickens.
It contains:
  A Christmas Carol
  The Chimes
  The Cricket on the Hearth
  The Battle of Life
  The Haunted Man & The Ghost's Bargain

Just in time to celebrate his bicentenary.

Les Ruines by James R. Vance

Now available on Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Les-Ruines-ebook/dp/B00731P2GQ/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1328107058&sr=8-11

Les Ruines by James R. Vance

RealTime publishing announces the publication of Les Ruines, the fascinating historical fiction novel from Haute Vienne Author, James R. Vance.

     

In February 2012, RealTime Publishing, Inc. is to publish Les Ruines by James R. Vance, which is the author's most recent book to date. 

The 6 x 9 Paperback in the Historical Fiction category will be available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble and in multiple eBook formats from all the main online retail stores.

Drôle...n'est-ce pas?

It was great to see yesterday that the French still have a sense of humour with regard to their ‘partners’, the Germans. 
The local edition of Le Populaire reported on an article in the Daily Mail regarding the possible  eruption of a semi-dormant volcano in Germany.







      It was suggested in the 
      French press that the 
      potential eruption could 
      be due to the bad temper 
      of the German Chancellor, 
     Angela Merkel.                                       Who...me?