[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

He's on my list of authors to read. Since I'm cable deprived, I missed this. The WP had a nice obit and Style Section piece. I loved the sound of his voice. Watching his commentary on the Ken Burn's series I thought with that weary voice and sad eyes that perhaps he might have been a Southern General in another time.

[leadpenny]

I also watched the "In Depth" program when it originally aired on 2 Sep 01. It was fascinating to me how much I had forgotten about the program. Rather than a case of CRS, I attribute that to the overpowering influence of 9-11 just nine days later.

One thing that jumped out at me this time was his recounting of his experience during WWII. He had dropped out of college after two years and joined the Army in the late 30s. He received a commission and was stationed in Ireland when he got "cross-ways" with a Major. The Major won when he had him charged for falsifying a government document (something about dispatching a vehicle to Belfast which was two miles outside the limit). He was forced out of the Army as a Captain and sent home with an Other than Honorable Discharge. A couple of years later he enlisted in the Marines and served in the Pacific and eventually received an Honorable Discharge. A few years ago the Marines made him an Honorary Captain. He also had nine Honorary Doctorates.

You're right about his voice. I couldn't stop listening to him.

[Valin]

I don't have cable neither, but if you go to their website you can watch.
http://www.booktv.org/Feature/index.asp?segID=1679&schedID=374