‘I’ve got an idea; let’s try to stab each other with swords. That should lay to rest any bad blood between us.’

I've been reading a study of Duelling in late 19th century Germany: the writer, Kevin MacAleer, keeps up an interesting and detailed examination of the motives and signficance of the duel in this specific setting until the last couple of pages, when he rather casually starts talking, with tedious inevitability, about the SS, Hitler, and the Holocaust. This book, which had previously shown no signs of being one of those odious social histories (Lawn Darts - the hobby that changed the world, Cheese and Onion – the flavour that changed the world) decides, upon smelling the irresistible smell of the Fuhrer only thirty years away from the period being discussed, to explode into a silly, imprecise, pan-historical discussion of honour in Germany. The SS didn’t fight duels, and they weren’t around in the 1880’s, but never mind, because a book about Germany has to end with the Nazis doesn’t it? Bleargh.
In other news, my elbow inexplicably hurts, and the area outside my front door smells like chocolate and baked potato skins.