New Ideas and New Research on the Diary

[Scott Nelson]

And so we're back to the heart of the issue. What is it that makes you think he couldn't have done it?

He could have done it. I never said he couldn't have.

[Scott Nelson]

It's not just my opinion, Scott, a lot of people have commented on the curious similarities. I think everyone can see it, even you. As for the left v. right handed issue, have you never heard of people with the ability to write with both hands, doing so with their other hand to disguise their handwriting?

No I really can't. Yes, I've heard of people disguising their handwriting by writing with the other hand. I've tried it myself. Didn't work too well for me.

[Scott Nelson]

They've convinced themselves that the Johnsons' watch is old--possibly genuine--and thus the diary must be old, too--despite overwhelming evidence that it isn't.

In my opinion, they're looking through the wrong end of the telescope.

Hey RJ, I don't think Robert Smith's diary was created any earlier than 1988 and no later than March 9th, 1992.

[rjpalmer]

Hey RJ, I don't think Robert Smith's diary was created any earlier than 1988 and no later than March 9th, 1992.

I think you're selling Anne Graham short, Scott.

All that Formby/Yapp 'oral tradition' stuff with the diary smuggled out of Battlecrease in a laundry basket shows Anne had the creative skill to execute the diary. And the bit about visiting the shipbuilder's grave as a child, etc. It doesn't take a Sigmund Freud to realize she was projecting her own literary ambitions onto her far less talented husband.

We are scolded about "not knowing Anne from soap" but we merely need to read her long prepared speech in Shirley's second edition or the preface to Anne's own book to see that she had literary skill. Feldman thought so highly of Anne that he suggested she write a biography of Florence (which she did) and admitted that he had "underestimated her literary ability." (Inside Story, p. 262) Are the contributors here doing the same? Does anyone posting here want to claim they know Anne better than Feldman did?

RP