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Thanks John, I appreciate your advice.

While on this thread, a number of people have asked me about the fable I referred to above. I've related it below (with thanks to John Sinclair).

Aesop Fable: "The Man, The Boy and the Donkey".

A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: "You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?" So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: "See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides."

So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: "Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along."

Well, the Man didn't know what to do, but at last he took his Boy up before him on the Donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said: "Aren't you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey of yours and your hulking son?"

The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey's feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to Market Bridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the Boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned.

"That will teach you," said an old man who had followed them: Please all, and you will please none.

Cheers, Bruce

Bruce...as a former full time journalist for news, colour stories, columnist, sub-editor, and script writer for the logie winning programme, The Walkabout Documentaries, the only set rule is the that you must write in the past tense, or third person.

Nearly every major newspaper has a "style book". The ones I have read or worked under are exceptionally specific. They could even be considered 'petty' by some in those times, but the sub-editors and 'readers' ruled with an iron fist.

Best of luck. I like your style....it will work.

Hi Rip,

The AHU advice was sought some time ago and I think they are now supportive of the style. The AWM Director seems to prefer it the way I had it originally. The chapter being commented on by the AWM was Chapter 2, 'The Tank Decision'. By necessity, there are a number of different themes involved...compared to the operational chapters, which 'flow' more readily. You can get an idea in the Synopsis on the COF page. Also there are some other reviews on Chapter 2 there, one of which was: "I find it at first reading, to read in parts like an adventure story and in others like a history book (at least to me)...which enhances its readability". This comes from a member of my target audience.

My main point in posting the comments was to show how advice from the experts can conflict completely. Reminds me of the fable about the man, the boy and the donkey. The point being that if you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody. For me it's the AFV crews and everyone from other Corps who supported them, that are important. (But...I have to be conscious of other views.)

Cheers, Bruce

So Bruce, Just "WHO" have you decided to invite to write the preface??
That's two strikes against you already mate.
Regards.

So Bruce, Just "WHO" have you decided to invite to write the preface??
That's two strikes against you already mate.
Regards.