Covid-19 Update: Still Open (For Now)

Following the UK Government's announcement of a partial lock-down I've given some thought as to whether to continue trading.  I will,  for the time being.

My rational behind this is that I trade from home and running Diplomatist Books requires very little face-to-face interaction with others: I can minimise or remove that interaction, and therefore continue to operate within the announced restrictions without putting myself or others at risk.  The Government is not yet asking that use of the postal system be minimised.

I shall keep this decision under review as events unfold and keep you up-dated.

Handling Stock

I shall wear gloves and mask when handling stock that is to be posted out to customers.  See my earlier post about the longevity of the virus on different surfaces.

I shall not be buying new stock.

The Post Office

I shall no longer be visiting the Post Office, but instead using parcel drop-off points.  Drop-offs will proably be every other day (subject to need).

As a result of this, I will no longer be offering international customers the option of International Economy Rate (ie, surface mail) as it is currently not possible to buy this on-line.  International parcels will be sent using International Standard Rate.

Receiving Your Parcel

During the current crisis, postal firms and courier firms will likely take longer to deliver your parcel. Please be patient and spare a thought for Post Office and courier firm workers. 

Many of the parcels we ship are too big to put through a letterbox. So that postmen and couriers do not have to greet you face-to-face, you can enter a suggested safe parcel drop-off spot (e.g. “in the porch”, “in the garage”). We will no longer be sending parcels using 'signed for' services.

Keep Well Everyone!

Getting the Virus Through the Post? Nope.

For those of you who want to stockpile books for your self-isolation, but are concerned that I may send you the Corona Virus with them, studies show that it only survives for about 24 hours on cardboard (and I therefore assume books).  For the huge majority of you, this is longer than the books would take to get to you.

I've also invested in a box of 500 latex gloves some of which which I shall wear while packaging.

Details of a study on how long the virus survies.

A Post About Stationery?

Last week was time to get another 500 postcards printed, and I decided to change the design. I think I still prefer the old one (the top card) for now, but I suspect that's just familiarity (and there are only two left, so it's moot!).

What do you think?

Those Who Cannot Remember the Past...

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

George Santayana, Reason in Common Sense (1905)

On this Holocaust Memorial Day I think it's necassary to think about Santayana's oft-quoted aphorism.  

I'm conscious that I sell books about Nazis and Nazism, and even Mein Kampf, but consider that I do so in the spirit of historical enquiry.  If we are to remember and learn from the past, it is important that we keep informed about it.  

If you want to look at our books specifically about the Holocaust, see here other books on the Third Reich will be in our section on the Second World War.

Battle of Britain Week Offer

Given that our three best selling categories are the Second World War, Military Biography and Military Aviation (with their obvious overlaps), I probably don't need to tell many of my readers of the significance of the Battle of Britain to the courses of World War II and eventual Allied victory.

Today is the start of Battle of Britain Week, culminating on the 15 September, which marks the climax of the battle.  As well as commemorating the outcome and those from many nations who took part in the battle, the week forms the main fundraising drive for and charities such as the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Royal Air Forces Association which supports the 'RAF family' (serving members, veterans and their families).  This year is particularly special as it also marks the centenary of the formation of the RAF in April 1918.

To mark this week, I have decided to offer 15% all Military Aviation titles ordered between today and midnight on Sunday 16 September 2018.  To take advantage of this offer, do not order through the selling platforms (AbeBooks, Amazon, and Biblio) but by contacting us directly.  I will then send you a PayPal invoice for your books.

Today's Helper

Aviation at D-Day and Market Garden

I've been meaning for some time to highlight the above series of books on the aviation aspects of the Normandy invasions by  Martin Bowman.  The anniversary of D-Day seems an excellent time to do so.

Sadly events have overtaken me and these volumes have proved popular even without the plug: although I have several copies of Winged Pegasus and The Rangers, I only have one full five-volume set left.

Bowman has written a similar series on Operation Market Garden.  Of that set, I only have copies of Volume 1 and Volume 3.  Time to restock soon, I think!

These, and other copies of Bowman's work (must-reads for anyone interested in World War II in the air) can be seen here.