I don't write huge books any more. I used to write 1,000 printed pages, but now I write short books. I did one on Napoleon, 50,000 words - enjoyed doing that. He was a baddie. I did one on Churchill, which was a bestseller in New York, I'm glad to say. 50,000 words. He was a goodie.

The most evil person I ever met was a toss-up between Pablo Picasso and the publisher-crook Robert Maxwell.

If I see a door ajar, I push on it to see how far it will open, and if it opens wide I go through it.

Next to courage, willpower is the most important thing in politics.

There are no inevitabilities in history

I like that lady - Sarah Palin. She's great. I like the cut of her jib.

If we want foxes, to observe and delight in, we must have hunting.