Thank you for your many kind messages regarding Mark's health. We have been able to share some of them with him - which has really lifted his spirits. He has made tremendous progress this week and looks forward to being back as soon as possible.
I hope Mark is actually just recharging his batteries anonymously on some tropical island, like James Bond in Skyfall, having completed his mission From Ukraine With Love, and will make his return to save the day. – (Appropriately signed) M
Thanks Mark, it can't be easy being the guy pointing out the emperor has got no clothes on all the time. I'm truly grateful for all of your work, long may it continue. Wishing you a speedy recovery. – Stuart A.
I'm in Budapest this week. If Mark is in hospital here and wants a visit (grapes and magazine?) let me know... – Ketil H. (Sadly, Ketil, no, he is not in Budapest)
May God bless Mark! – Richard B.
And this to close out the week from Nicola T.:
Well, no new Steyn but Duke Ellington, Victor Hubert and Sinatra great compensation. And Alley Cat a tune I loved as a kid!
While Mark has been out, we've had a few guest hosts with more to come this week:
~ The week began with Steyn's Song of the Week featuring Mark's conversation with Ann Ronell (of "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" fame) on Serenade Radio. The special presentation, from way back when, can be enjoyed here.
~ On Monday, Melissa provided an update on the latest Ofcom investigation (is that the right word) and the tweetings of Michael Mann in Transitioning to Truth.
~ As rumors swirled about Sir Keir's imminent resignation (he's still holding on as of this writing), Steyn HQ re-upped Mark's Britain on the Brink (Part Deux), providing Mark's analysis on why Starmer is now facing no confidence.
~ Clubland Q&A this week was guest hosted by our own, very fabulous and lovely, Laura Rosen Cohen. Laura fielded questions about Iran, Israel, Canada, the UK, and AI (will AI replace the arts and human creativity? Laura thinks not).
~ Laura was back with her regular round-up of links on Thursday, which was chock-full of news, including old Jewish sayings, Sharia law, rising antisemitism, and a prayer for Martin Short and his family.
~ With Cuba in the news, Friday brought Mark's 2016 retrospective on Fidel Castro, with Mark turning a phrase as only Mark can:
As for that eleventh US president, Barack Obama declared:
At this time of Fidel Castro's passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the United States - with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives...
Indeed. He "altered the course of individual lives" by ending them. Of those he didn't end, 20 per cent of the population fled the country. Some made it to Miami, others had the course of their lives altered by winding up in a watery grave. Among the many "individual lives" he "altered" was Mercedes Fernandez's, who before taking up residence in Castro's prison had never before had to "defecate parasites six centimeters long". As the Swedish author Johan Norberg remarked:
When I die, I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like Fidel Castro, not screaming in terror, like his victims.
~ Mark Steyn on the Town featured one of Mark's first programs on Serenade Radio. Listen here (and read his responses to reader comments).
~ The week ended with Rick on his long-delayed wedding trip, so Steyn HQ shared Mark's conversation with Celeste Holm, which among other topics includes one of our favorite movies of all time, High Society, over at Mark at the Movies.
Miss Mark? Haven't read America Alone (shame!)? Then listen to Mark's narration of the best-selling book here.
For those of you who have not yet joined the Mark Steyn Club, or if your membership has lapsed, you can sign-up/re-up here.
All Aboard! Join the Mark Steyn 2026 Cruise Today (October 4-11, 2026) on the Queen Mary 2 (isn't she yar!):
Cabins are now on request only, please call our partners at the Cruise Authority to check for availability: 1-844-564-6317. Want to learn more, visit Steyn @ Sea!
