Lileks doesn't just write a good piece, he does modestly entertaining audio.
When you grow up and all you know of Britain is the television shows and the Kipling stories it's an amazing, fascinating place.
It had two identities. It had it's past identity as the planets most civilized bad-asses. The could project power across the world, conquer anything. And what did they do when they conquered? They put in place laws and schools and courts and the rest of it. Walked around in stiff red uniforms, sweating, miserably hot and nevertheless do it for King and country.
And then you have the contemporary version of Britain. Suave and sophisticated spy-like David NIven / James Bond with gadgets and martinis and a wry eye tilted toward the ladies simultaneously with swinging carnally mod London with it's indescribably perfect pop music which would later give way to a different form of rock and roll entirely.
Between those two things it's past and it's dual identity in the present Britain was an amazing country. Britain is a cousin country just hanging out there and someday you figure you'll visit.
