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?
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.
ReplyDeleteI'd better subscribe to the full 22 volume set and find out what I've been missing.
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)
ReplyDeleteWriting the "definitive" work on anything seems a hapless undertaking anyway. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI bet it's compelling and hair raising literary romp...
ReplyDeleteG'day Chertmeister,
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing you don;t live in Somerset!
They'd come after you if you did!
Keep smiling
David
Hi Ruth,
ReplyDeleteCan't believe it took him so long. It's a good thing he didn't try blogging!
Keep smiling
David
Hi Merisi,
ReplyDeleteI think he was doing the ``definitive'' version of the definitive version!
Keep smiling
David
Aye, Hammer,
ReplyDeleteStraight onto the bestseller lists!
Keep smiling
David
Ah, this guy is a bit like me then, huh? Least he got paid..
ReplyDeleteInteresting 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.
ReplyDeleteThanks for liking my Intriguing picture, it is a collage of Goddess Athena, Socrates and Acropolis in Night :-)
Cheers,
Pijush
I wonder if he's thinking that's one of those jobs I wished I'd never started????
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a prison sentence.
ReplyDeleteG'day Carol,
ReplyDeleteBut 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
Hi Pijush,
ReplyDeleteFour 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
Hi Akelamalu,
ReplyDeleteAnd does he feel a sense of achievement? I guess so - but no sense of completion.
Cheers
David
G'day Brian,
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should forward your incisive comment to him.
That's the key to it!
Cheers
David
G'day FHB,
ReplyDeleteLove the fact that you bring new perspective to anything....
Cheers
David
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