At times it seemed that Marxist-Leninism would win. The propaganda war was intense. The United States suffered a disastrous military defeat in Vietnam which impacted morale at the highest levels of government in Washington. When President Reagan took office we were up against the ropes, embarrassed by the Embassy takeover in Tehran and our personnel being held hostage, and facing big decisions about rearmament.

The Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066 was one of the most famous battles fought in England. Upon the death of King Edward the Confessor, the royal council, following the dying king’s request, named Harold, earl of Wessex, king. William, Duke of Normandy had been designated Edward’s successor, and had secured Harold’s agreement to his accession to the throne of England. On hearing of Harold’s action he gathered an army of 15,000 men to enforce his rival claim.

My parents were not much interested in their antecedents. When I Asked them questions about the family they gave vague answers that obscured rather than illuminated. It made me wonder whether I was descended from a long line of undesirables! But I doubt whether they were that interesting.

Jacob is returning home after twenty years in Mesopotamia. He left in a hurry after stealing his brother Esau's birthright and his father Isaac's blessing. He fled from his father-in-law Laban, whom he has deceived. He arrives on the borders of his family's land, and sent messengers to Esau to announce his arrival. He hears that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob is in great fear of his brother.