HISTORIAN, author and teacher Sean McGlynn, 43, has lived in Monkton Farleigh with his wife and three children for 10 years.
His new book, By Sword and Fire: Cruelty and Atrocity in Medieval Warfare, has received favourable reviews in the national press. He combines his writing with teaching locally and occasional lecturing at the University of Bristol. When not in his study or classroom, he tends to be found over-doing it with the weights in the gym.
How would your best friend describe you?
Intellectual, passionate about what I do and, worryingly perhaps, just as eccentric as he is.
Where would you recommend for a great evening out?
They don't let me out often, but when they do a visit to either the Thai Barn or Fat Fowl restaurants in Bradford on Avon always hits the spot.
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What do you do for fun?
I love what I do, but for a complete break I go to quite a few rock concerts.
My son, who is 15, is a guitarist and nags me to take him to see all the groups I like from the 70s.
Last year my mother, who is 70 and three-quarters, dragged me along to see her favourites: Status Quo and Motorhead. It must be a family thing. I hope to grow old a bit more gracefully.
What motto or phrase do you try to live your life by?
Always tell the truth, what other people do with it is beyond your control.
Who in the public eye do you most respect and why?
Hardly anyone, most are meretricious, dishonest self-promoters.
A political exception is Frank Field, who has integrity. In the realm of ideas, the local philosopher John Gray is rare in truly understanding how the world works. The people most deserving of respect are those unknown heroes who selflessly help others.
What is your biggest regret?
Forty years of chronic
introversion. Confidence is a consolation of age.
What is your favourite TV programme or film and why?
Either Sherlock Holmes or Frasier. I try to kid myself that I am like the former; my wife says I am more like the latter.
What makes you sad?
Physical and psychological nastiness to fellow human beings, especially when the motivation is sadistic self-assertion or a pathetic attempt to fit in with the mob. Too many in authority try to conceal problems of bullying and intimidation behind a thick wall.
Describe your perfect day.
In the morning, an intense weight-lifting session in the gym, reading and writing.
In the afternoon, an outing with the whole family,
especially somewhere historic such as the wonderful, romantic castle at Farleigh Hungerford.
In the evening, a cosy family night in front of the fire - or a rock concert!
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