Tag: books
-
Gateways to knowledge – a defence of the humble public library
Ahead of the start of the UK’s National Year of Reading 2026, David Clensy shares his passion for the nation’s under-resourced public libraries The library was a haven for me at school. While other children spent their lunchtimes kicking a ball around the playground or clustering in gossiping gangs – menacing each other, or being…
-
Father and son to publish account of 70-mile walk around Wiltshire’s prehistoric heritage
Following their earlier adventures on the White Horse Trail (as published in Walking The White Horses, 2023), David Clensy and his 12-year-old son Charlie set off on another long walk – this time seeking to tackle Wiltshire’s Sarsen Way, from Swindon to Salisbury. Along the way, they come face to face with much of the…
-
Guardians of the Convoys: The Royal Navy’s Destroyers in the Second World War
In the vast and perilous theatres of the Second World War, the Royal Navy’s destroyers stood as vigilant sentinels of the sea. Agile, heavily armed, and endlessly versatile, these ships were the backbone of Britain’s naval defence – protecting convoys, hunting submarines, and engaging enemy forces from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean. In my…
-
The Wavy Navy: Seven key things to understand about the RNVR in World War II
The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) played a pivotal role during World War II, contributing significantly to the Allied war effort. But the initials might mean nothing to some people in the 21st century. The RNVR was established in 1903 to supplement the Royal Navy with trained volunteers. By the time World War II erupted,…
-
Novel approaches: Famous books that started with different names
What’s in a name? I’ve been thinking a lot about novel titles recently. When it comes to writing a novel, choosing the perfect title can almost be as challenging as crafting the story itself. Many iconic books we know and love today started with very different working titles. Here are some interesting examples: “War and…
-
‘The only way to write’ – 20 quotes from famous authors on overcoming writing challenges
As somebody who has been writing rather a lot of fiction for the last few months, like anyone I’ve faced a range of challenges and set-backs. But here are 20 inspiring comments I’ve collected from some of the true greats, which have helped to keep me on track. I hope you might find them equally…
davidclensy.com 