"There is a great danger in this war. But if we are among those that get back, we shall have nothing to tell... war is not a true adventure. It is a mere ersatz. Where ties are established, where creation is stimulated - there you have adventures. But there is no adventure in heads-or-tails, in betting that the toss will come out life or death." - Antoine de Saint Exupery.

I picked up three rather eclectic books at Elysian Fields today. One is about the Home Front during World War II; snaps of popular culture at the time, and an absolutely marvellous find.

One of the things I find bothersome about historians is the way they seem oblivious to the fact that things like popular culture, the music, the ads, the spirit of the times are relevant. Britain endured the Blitz - through more than one would have expected any nation to take. Sheer guts? Churchill too stupid to surrender? Or did There'll Always Be An England play a part?

On an idly feminist note, I find it intriguing that it seems to be female historians who pay the most attention to this point. The vast majority of the books I've read that actually address the topic were written by women.

"My sister, Margaret Rose, and I feel so much for you, as we know from experience what it means to be away from those we love most of all. My sister is by my side, and we are both going to say goodnight - come on Margaret! Goodnight - goodnight and good luck to you all." - Princess Elizabeth, addressing the evacuees on the Children's Hour.

A big part of why I'm a monarchist in these republican times is the fact that when a nation is in trouble, really in trouble, Nazis rampaging over Europe kind of trouble - no president could be the focal point that royalty can be. Even in America, where they're big on patriotism and short on monarchy (but oh, how they slaver over the royalty of other countries, and look at the way they treat celebrities and the Kennedys - I think aristocracy is part of the human condition) they don't focus that patriotism on the president.

Why would they? You end up in a position like they're in now, where their president is a dipshit, and where would patriotism be then? America talks in terms of the flag, and of the symbols they perceive as representing their nation.

Me, I wouldn't lay down my life for the Australian flag, although I think the Union Jack makes a rocking cool print for a cape or vest (a la Jenny Sparks). But I'll stand for Vera Lynn when she sings fire in the blood, and I'd fight for queen and country; I wouldn't go much beyond desultory sarcasm for Johnny Howard and country.