19 Comments
Jul 25Liked by Abi Roberts

A moving pod, I didn’t realise how young he was until I read his obituary earlier today. Rest in peace AW 🙏

Expand full comment
Jul 25Liked by Abi Roberts

Lovely tribute to Alexander. You’re right about the pod with JD, I was mesmerised for over an hour listening to it whilst I painted my railings outside last summer. Then I watched his YouTube videos; he was such a great character. I posted a comment about how much I had enjoyed the pod and he sent a very humble, modest and grateful response. An insanely intelligent man who leaves a fabulous legacy. He will be sorely missed I’m sure. Thanks Abs xx

Expand full comment

Well how terribly sad, it’s not so long ago I listened to the most fascinating podcast with James Delingpole and Waugh on the Shakespeare subject. Ps when I’m on my way out I will expect Abi and co to come along and decant something suitable 🥂 😉 xx

Expand full comment
author

We’ll be there with a bottle of Montrachet and decanter X

Expand full comment
Jul 25Liked by Abi Roberts

Genuinely sad to hear of Alexander's passing. Remember his interview with Delingpole well and what an intelligent and interest man he was.

Expand full comment

Thanks for another interesting & highly amusing podcast, Abi & for helping me connect some of the dots with your Waugh stories. “Tell your friend that in his death, a part of you dies and goes with him. Wherever he goes, you also go. He will not be alone.” —Jiddu Krishnamurti

Expand full comment
founding
Jul 26Liked by Abi Roberts

A lovely quote

Expand full comment
author

Beautiful x

Expand full comment
author

🙏

Expand full comment
Jul 26Liked by Abi Roberts

Sixty is far too young to pass. Thanks for bringing such a wonderful character to life. Alexander Waugh was a great man, we need more like him.

Expand full comment

Id never done much thonking into Shakespeare being a psudonym before Alexander was on with JD, but I was immediately captivated by this man, of whom I had only a passing recollection to the name of his grandfather (i was never the most literate guy). I just found everything he said instantly true, as you do know the truth when you hear it. I have since just completed the 174 pods on Spotify and was looking forward to the next installment. While it is sad that this will no longer be forthcoming, It pales to insignificance to the sadness of Alexander's passing. What was very telling when listening to Alexander was not only his recognition of just how ill he was, but a deeper understanding that he was totally at peace with whatever fate may have in store for him. I dare say a good lesson for all of us in the coming years. Not that we shouldn't fight it of course, but that we should do so with a smile on our face and love in our hearts.

Expand full comment

The ghastly Polly Toynbee!The Guardian journalists are the worst by a long stretch😫

Expand full comment
author

They certainly are. Toynbee is full of tedious, predictable middle-class Marxist hatred which, as with most of these types, is self-indulgent, virtue-signalling guilt about their own backgrounds. Pathetic really.

Expand full comment

Yes.Such phoneys, like most socialists

Expand full comment
founding
Jul 26Liked by Abi Roberts

The Marxist Toynbee🤮

Expand full comment
founding
Jul 26Liked by Abi Roberts

What a wonderful obituary for Alexander Waugh taken too soon. He would have certainly been a very interesting guy to meet.

Expand full comment

P.s Your Purcell hum was spot on.There's a lovely scene, in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film, where Lizzie and Mr Darcy dance to it

Expand full comment
deletedJul 26
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

Evelyn Waugh is one of my favourites. Bob and I were talking about Scoop and how Waugh had the true measure of that world. Decline and Fall was my dad’s favourite book and it was one of the first books I studied at school. Delingpole’s writing is similarly crisp, scathing and evocative. I love it when a writer’s personality seeps through. It lends a delicious authenticity.

Expand full comment