David Irving's Diary 2018 (May, July, Oct-Dec)
Overview
This diary covers three distinct periods of David Irving's life in 2018: a brief May trip to Scotland, a July return to Florida for Key West operations, and the autumn/winter months in London managing book sales and family relationships. The year shows continued transatlantic movement between his London base and American operations, with ongoing focus on historical research and book distribution.
Date Range & Structure
- Period: May 2018, July 2018, October-December 2018
- Total Length: Approximately 11,334 lines across three files
- Primary Locations: London, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Inverness (Scotland), Miami, Key West (Florida), Homestead (Florida)
- Word Count: ~430,000 characters
Key Themes
Scottish Research Trip (May)
Brief journey to Scotland including meetings with historical contacts. Visit to Callum White in Pitcairn, Fife, who produced a Himmler letter to Hedwig Potthast from August 1942. Discussion of contemporary attitudes toward historical figures and workplace difficulties faced by those questioning official narratives.
Florida Operations (July)
Return to Key West via Miami and Homestead for ongoing American book sales operations. Continued banking difficulties with Bank of America requiring identity verification. Management of accommodation and logistics for Florida base.
London Base Operations (Oct-Dec)
Intensive period of book packaging and shipping from London headquarters. Multiple orders for Churchill's War volumes and other titles. Ongoing correspondence with readers and supporters across different countries.
Family and Personal Relationships
Continued complex relationship with
Bente Hogh, including health concerns and meeting arrangements. Regular contact with daughter
Jessica Irving including family dinners and updates on her wellbeing.
Historical Research Network
Active correspondence with supporters and researchers including Robert Fraser regarding historical sources and book recommendations. Discussion of recent trips to Riga and Poland, and evaluation of historical texts.
Notable People Mentioned
- Bente Hogh - Partner, ongoing relationship discussions and health concerns
- Jessica Irving - Daughter, regular family contact
- Callum White - Scottish contact with Himmler documentation
- Robert Fraser - Supporter interested in historical research
- Steve Kerr - Customer ordering Churchill volumes
- Hugh Trevor-Roper - Historical figure discussed in correspondence
Key Locations
- London - Primary UK base of operations
- Carlisle - Stopover point with Eddie Stobart truckstop hotel
- Pitcairn, Fife - Meeting location with Callum White
- Inverness, Scotland - Research destination
- Key West, Florida - US operations base
- Miami/Homestead, Florida - Entry point and accommodation
- Oakley Street - London meeting location
Key Quotes
On contemporary historical attitudes (Callum White):
"He has had difficulties at work talking about Hitler, a Jewess protested in one audience, and his boss, etc. Tells me there is a photograph of the letter on the Internet."
On travel logistics and banking difficulties:
"Difficulty with the bank card, as usual. And spent an hour on the phone to Bank of America... Unfortunately I had loaned you the other card, hence."
On historical sources and Trevor-Roper:
"Yes, Robert, the name Trevor Roper alone ensures that it is good. I knew him well. You will find the book increasingly harrowing as the end approaches."
On accommodation standards:
"Eddie Stobart truckstop hotel, which is in fact superior: with a shop, good restaurant, good wifi, etc and the room is only £42 and better than good enough."
Family dinner with Jessica:
"I had supper last night with Jessica, who was looking good and has no needs, she says."
Cross-References
Research Notes
This period demonstrates the continuing pattern of transatlantic operations with Key West serving as the American hub while London remains the primary base. The Scottish trip reveals ongoing efforts to gather primary source materials for historical research. Banking difficulties with American institutions continue to complicate operations. The variety of book orders shows sustained interest in DI's published works across different markets.