Pen is Mightier Than the Sword!

My Shakespeare “Complete Works” Editions! (10.3.2024)

The first was in 1992 – purchased from a local WH Smiths in a place called ‘Tiverton’ in East Devon (I believe during the time that my Irish grandmother – Gladys Kilmurray – was very ill and when her British daughter and American grandchildren were visiting the UK from Seattle, US) – whilst the second was acquired from The Works in Torquay High Street in 2007 (five-years after my family had uprooted and migrated to the South Coast). Both are superb editions with the first being easy to carry around whilst the latter is a very large, impressive and “Grand” Limited Library Edition – designed as a “Reference” copy only NOT to be borrowed or moved about (it is far too heavy for that)! The first is compact – whilst the second is lavishly illustrated and easy to read.

China: Zhang Zhilei (张志磊) – Professional Heavyweight Boxer! (16.4.2023)

His punching combinations are fast, fluid, well-timed and accurate – whilst his evasive upper body movement and lower body footwork is both precise and compact! He skilfully makes the opponent miss whilst always staying in range to counter continuously. His fast (combination) hitting is reminiscent of that seen within advanced Chinese gongfu practice – particularly when Zhang Zhilei initiates exchanges! I suspect that somewhere in his training background lies the Internal Martial Arts of China! As he progresses through the ranks, he stoically faces the racist disdain he encounters in the West – and lets his ability and ever-growing tally of victories speak for themselves! Indeed, although 39 years old at the writing of this article – this might work for him in a sport that is usually merciless in its treatment of older competitors! Chinese martial tradition and culture possesses an entirely different approach to interpreting the ageing process!