2023 Diary (April-December) - Source Summary
Basic Information
- Source File: `2023-diary-continued.txt`
- Date Range: April 1, 2023 - September 22, 2023
- Total Lines: 18,153 lines
- Word Count: Approximately 650,000 words
- Primary Location: London, UK (81 Cambridge Gardens, W10)
- Secondary Locations: Slough storage units, occasional trips to Partridge's
- Note: October-December entries not found in this source file
Key Themes and Takeaways
Physical and Cognitive Decline
David Irving, age 85 in 2023, shows increasing signs of physical and mental decline throughout the diary:
- Memory lapses and "blanks" while working
- Mobility issues requiring walking stick
- Typing becoming increasingly "sloppy"
- Episodes of confusion and forgetfulness
- Hip replacement complications
- Ongoing digestive/gastric issues
Financial Precarity
Constant money worries and cash flow problems dominate the diary:
- Struggles to pay rent (£2,526.25/month, later increased)
- Storage costs in both UK and US creating financial strain
- Heavy reliance on book sales and donations
- Bank balance checks multiple times daily
- Borrowed money from assistant Kathy ($6,000 still owed)
Publishing and Business Affairs
Irving's primary focus remains his writing and publishing:
- Completion of Churchill's War Volume III
- Work on True Himmler Volume 2
- Ongoing sales of back catalogue
- Relationship with printer Biddles
- Customer orders handled by US assistant Kathy
Family Dynamics
Complex and often strained relationships with his children:
- Paloma (daughter) - most involved, helps with practical matters
- Adam (son) - business relationship, occasional financial requests
- Jessica (daughter) - distant, little contact
- Pilar Jr - invited to visit London
- Tensions over past financial arrangements
Health Decline and Isolation
Growing isolation and health concerns:
- Reduced mobility affecting daily life
- Relies heavily on others for practical tasks
- Increasing complaints about "ethnic" London
- Withdrawal from public activities
Significant People Mentioned
Family
- Paloma Irving - Daughter, most involved in his affairs
- Adam Irving - Son, business connections, occasional financial requests
- Jessica Irving - Daughter, distant relationship
- Pilar Sr - Ex-wife, mentioned in context of past loans
- Pilar Jr - Daughter (Spain), invited to visit
Associates and Assistants
- Kathy Despot - US assistant in Florida, handles orders and shipping
- Bente Hogh - Local friend/associate, health problems
- Robert Mountford - Helper with storage and practical tasks
- Julia - Cleaning lady (appears briefly)
Professional Contacts
- Darius Hildebrand - Swiss contact, financial arrangements
- Jaenelle Antas - Publisher contact
- Nigel Sandell - Garage owner
- Matthew Court - Landlord
Publishers and Business
- Biddles - UK printing company
- Lightning Source - Book distribution
- Bookvault - Publishing platform
Notable Quotes (Most Striking)
1. On Memory: "I lie awake and worry that this is the beginning of a memory-condition as forecasted by the doctor fifteen months ago." (April 1)
2. On Isolation: "London is too large and too ethnic now." (June 19)
3. On His Work: "I am finishing three years work on a book and cannot be interrupted in mid-volume." (August 27)
4. On Financial Stress: "Cash is incredibly low, but gradually smoothing out." (June 3)
5. On His Children: "I email to Jessica: 'I hope you have a good week, and remember that you have a Father who loves you and misses you, more and more as your silence grows longer'" (June 5)
6. On Physical Decline: "My leg muscles are noticeably weaker – slipped in the shower two seconds" (June 14)
7. On Daily Routine: "I rise at 6:28 am, make coffee, shower, and am at the coalface at 7.36AM" (recurring)
8. On Book Sales: "Book sales have gone well. Genuinely sorry." (to Bente, June 11)
9. On his Archive: "I am acutely aware of the archive problem and have tried several times to solve it." (July 1)
10. On Ukraine War: "I don't remember any of this during WW2. The price of alliance with the Americans and their foolish president" (June 20)
11. On Technology Problems: "I have had a problem with the donate form at URL... It is a new fault, and is costing me money." (June 6)
12. On Age: "being a poor workman, as my late Mother would have said" (June 4)
13. On Current Events: "This is my own opinion too, it has all the hallmarks of western powers." (re: Wagner coup attempt, June 24)
14. On His Legacy: "Wikipedia is not always wrong." (July 23)
15. On Modern World: "My country is not my country anymore. It has been conquered from within. Same as yours." (June 21, about both US and UK)
This diary provides an intimate and often troubling portrait of an elderly historian's final years, marked by physical decline, financial stress, and increasing isolation, yet still driven by his determination to complete his historical works.