Roberts is as sloppy as he is snobbish. I am seldom bothered by minor errors from a good writer, but Roberts' mistakes are so extensive, foolish, and revealing of his basic ignorance about the United States in particular.

In his recent book "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900" Roberts dwells upon the idea of one linguistic world-group triumphing over others. And points to the anglosphere concept that spreads democracy and capitalism. I wonder how tight the concept is, since I am English speaking and so are Irish Catholic, who he openly disses in the book.

All charges against his Anglo-American Imperium are quickly dismissed, from the "supposed ill-treatment" of women and children in Boer War internment camps to the prison camp at Guantanamo, which he declares Bush is "right" to keep open.

I am weary about concepts where others place themselves higher than others and tell others they're spreading democracy. Never mind the idea of English language peoples. What the heck, the whole of Europe speaks English with eachother.