Killing Cousins

by Reg Green

As we work out the details of a family vacation, I’ve been reading of another summer — 1914 — when family ties were so close among European monarchs (George V of Britain, Tsar Nicholas II and Kaiser Wilhelm II were first cousins) that many diplomats thought a major war was impossible.

That kind of thinking is incredible to me. When I meet Aunt Doris or Uncle Will after not seeing them for a while I always put out my hand and grip them warmly by the throat. After a few days, however, I’m ready to give up such old world courtesy for a Gatling gun.