Hmm …

… ‘Based on a true story’: the fine line between fact and fiction | Books | The Guardian. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)

 In my defence I would argue that the contrivances in my nonfiction are so factually trivial that their inclusion takes no skin off even the most inquisitorial nose. The Missing of the Somme begins with mention of a visit to the Natural History Museum with my grandfather – who never set foot in a museum in his life.

Well, what exactly was the point of suggesting that he did?

One reads historical novels (or at least I do) for the story, not as a substitute for learning the history.