Vines' sour grapes
Sir: Basking in the euphoria of having my autobiography hailed as Book of the Year (Books, 24 November 1990) I eagerly read Mr Vines' criticism (Books, 19 January) in your prestigious journal.
Hmmm! . . . Mr Vines, weak on his Balaclava history, has much imagination, ranging from Georgian silver, Italian wai- ters, tablecloths, and compo rations to insulted brigadiers. Although admittedly a Bad Soldier I can boast of written acclama- tion from Lord Wavell, Sir Winston Chur- chill and many old comrades, and I much resent the subtle criticism of my regiment, now in the Gulf, in Mr Vines' inaccur- acies.
`Such men should never be given respon- sibilities. In war they lead their men to disaster . . .' That's going it a bit, isn't it? So is — 'If you wish to see why this nation has declined read this infuriating, charm- ing, obscene and brilliant book.' Brilliant? Nice, but inaccurate too.
`Loopy' Kennard
Gogwell, Tiverton, Devon
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