History might indicate that a lot of people, especially those in, or in line for, great power were poisoned. That might be true, but given the times, it could also have been their food, clothing, medicines, and living conditions. The Royal Art of Poison: Filthy Palaces, Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicine and Murder Most Foul, by Eleanor Herman was a fascinating, and disgusting (!) read. What all those beautiful movies about grand meals, huge palaces and royal intrigue don't show is what a dirty time that was. Men relieved themselves in the corners of the hallways, chamber pots were emptied into the moat, no one bathed (they wore the same linens 24/7 for days, weeks, months). Lice were everywhere, from the mice to the most royal. Arsenic, mercury and lead were used in many beverages, 'medicines' and cosmetics. There are also chapters on the exhumation of various possible poisonings where modern day tests proves that right or wrong. And, finally, the author discusses poisonings that continue to this day. Nicely researched and written.

If you remember a show that aired on KVOS TV (longer ago than I care to admit) called Dave Allen at Large, then you should enjoy a book I found about him. His casual delivery earned him the title of a 'sit down stand up comedian'. The Essential Dave Allan, edited by Graham McCann, is part biography, part memoir, and a collection of many of the jokes I remember from the show. There's also a beautiful poem written at the time of the moon landing. An interesting combination of witty and crude!

Reading Hermit With Dog