Monday, August 27, 2007

Project Is Ancient History Now

His Life’s Work Is Done (But Far From Complete)

If you were given 40 years to finish a history project, would that be enough? Apparently not. An English historian has retired after spending his entire career writing a book for his local council. But he was far from finished. Robert Dunning, 69, began his definitive history of Somerset in 1967. But the work, which covers every historical aspect of the county, is so detailed that he didn't even reach the halfway mark and is handing over the project to assistants. Only nine out of 22 planned volumes have been completed.

FOOTNOTE: Never mind the area, wot about the volume?

19 comments:

Chertiozhnik said...

I didn't know Somerset had had any history for the last 2,000 years or so - apart from a bit of a punch-up in 1685.

I'd better subscribe to the full 22 volume set and find out what I've been missing.

RUTH said...

I heard this on our news...I guess in a way it will never be finished...there's another 40 years of History already since he started! :o)

Merisi said...

Writing the "definitive" work on anything seems a hapless undertaking anyway. ;-)

none said...

I bet it's compelling and hair raising literary romp...

david mcmahon said...

G'day Chertmeister,

It's a good thing you don;t live in Somerset!

They'd come after you if you did!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Ruth,

Can't believe it took him so long. It's a good thing he didn't try blogging!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Merisi,

I think he was doing the ``definitive'' version of the definitive version!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Aye, Hammer,

Straight onto the bestseller lists!

Keep smiling

David

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Ah, this guy is a bit like me then, huh? Least he got paid..

Pijush said...

Interesting news, 40 years of effort !! Needs passion and dedication, otherwise a normal man can not do it. Success depends on many factors, but effort matters.

Thanks for liking my Intriguing picture, it is a collage of Goddess Athena, Socrates and Acropolis in Night :-)

Cheers,
Pijush

Akelamalu said...

I wonder if he's thinking that's one of those jobs I wished I'd never started????

Brian in Oxford said...

The key to making this work is to pick an area that's newly-founded. If it's a brand new city, then over 40 years you've got ALL 40 years of the city's history, and you come off looking better for it!

FHB said...

Sounds like a prison sentence.

david mcmahon said...

G'day Carol,

But he didn't get a novel deal, or a publisher - unlike you.

And he ain't a star like you.

And he ain;t got no fan following like you

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Pijush,

Four decades - and he couldn't complete it? That's what concerns me - and the fact that someone else is now going to take over!

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Akelamalu,

And does he feel a sense of achievement? I guess so - but no sense of completion.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

G'day Brian,

Maybe I should forward your incisive comment to him.

That's the key to it!

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

G'day FHB,

Love the fact that you bring new perspective to anything....

Cheers

David

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