Adventures In The Land of History
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first organised art reclamation operation in history. It was conducted by the individual nations then occupying Paris in 1815 after the Battle of Waterloo, and on behalf of others. I have chosen to tell it through the eyes of the Spanish effort. Continue reading “Monument’s Men 1815.”
Waterloo being what it is, all you hear about in terms of British allies, is the Prussians, the Belgians and the Dutch. It may of interest to you good readers, to hear about the Italian connection and the story of a little known Waterloo Man. Continue reading “The Italian Connection.”
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 16,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Peace on Earth: The Christmas Truce of 1914.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peace-Earth-Christmas-Truce-1914-ebook/dp/B00QFN18Z2
Most people seem to have some opinion about the “Christmas Truce”, from conspiracy theorists to idealists, it’s not a subject that has gone unnoticed in the 100 years since it happened.
In fact for those of us with only a basic knowledge of the “Great War” this event has attained such an, almost mythical status that many of us must have wondered “So what’s the deal with that then?”.
David Boyle has written a delightful little “Kindle Single” about the Christmas Truce of 1914. It is short, I read it easily within one day in two sittings, but it’s good stuff and if you’ve been mulling over what your opinion is on those controversial centenary TV ads then I think I’ve found a good Wikipedia alternate.
Boyle presents us with a fluid narrative heavily salted with good first hand account backup that is necessary for the telling of this story. Yet the author isn’t trying to put a spin on the legendary tale, or framing a personal opinion, he’s presenting what is generally known about the truce basically in the way people saw it back then. He doesn’t question sources, he doesn’t dig too deeply beyond what they say, it’s certainly not a myth busting job, once or twice he hints at odd coincidences but never over indulges in deep analysis.
The truce is shown here coming not out of a mad spontaneous rush of goodwill all along the line, but as an sporadic, semi predictable series of random events over the period from 24th to about the 30th and the New Year, that were something of a natural progression of the behaviour of many front line units on both sides during the winter of 1914.
In a short space of time Boyle gives us the “Deal” about what happened, what it meant to people, from rank and file to the high command and, what effect the spirit that sparked it affected the next few years of the war.
Don’t get the impression that it’s a syrupy waffle of sentiment, the poignancy of the thing is that for the men in many sectors it was business and usual, it is a brief attempt to show the truce in the way people saw it, leaving the reader to achieve their own opinion about it and about how to proceed from here. For those interested in finding out more there’s a helpful sources page at the back.
I found this one of the best E-reads I’ve ever read, well researched, thoughtfully written and convincingly told. It’s a great light Christmas read for military history fans, and would make an equally nice gift, and I highly recommend it for people wanting a little background and perspective.
Merry Christmas.
Josh.
This is the story of an attempt to find the source of the Nile. Because Emperor Nero couldn’t make do with Garum. Continue reading “Farthest South.”
The mysterious remains of an Alexandrian VIP will undergo laboratory tests to establish gender, age & likely identity.
Excavations on the large, high status tomb at Kasta near Amphipolis in North Eastern Greece has been going on since its discovery in 2012 and its penetration in August 2014. Since then more and more ancient treasures have been unearthed, hinting at who was buried inside.
The world has watched fascinated as the greatest archeological find of the 21st century (so far we hope) unfolds. So far theories of the occupant has ranged from Alexander the Great himself, to his mother, to one of his generals have kept pros and laymen alike guessing. It has been a bumpy ride, and this positive result has not never been assured.
As of 21 October Diggers hit dirt wall after excavating the 3rd Chamber. The subsequent effort to break through and preserve the floor delays the discovery of the Fourth ChAmber. Thus far excavations have cost €600,000 from ministry’s of culture, Macedonia and Thrace.
The discovery of Female headed Sphinx’ “Guarding” the tomb, apart from the high degree of skill and care so far in evidence, confirms this burial is a high profile one. Theories of a Royal inhabitant or at least one of Alexander’s Generals are highly likely.
On the 29th official statements didn’t rule out the discovery of a 4th chamber, but the outlook was dubious.
Then on 3rd November the Daily Mail was reporting a breakthrough. A secret vault had been discovered beneath room 3 reinvigorating the search and bringing back hope of finding the burial chamber.
The excavations made international news once more yesterday after diggers hit the jackpot, finding a grave with skeletal remains still inside, once secured in a now rotted wooden coffin. We now await developments.
Greek Culture Minister Costas Tasoulas has since held a press conference at the Amphipolis Museum on Saturday, November 22, at 1 p.m and Archaeologist Katerina Peristeri has presented the results of the excavation on Saturday Nov 29 at 11 a.m. However on Monday the 17th of November the Greek Culture Ministry has announced that it could take up to 8 months for results of the scientific examination to be presented.
After the considerable excitement the discovery has stirred up the laboratory findings will be eagerly anticipated by the archaeological, historical community. No one wants to commit themselves yet but confidence is high that the scientific analysis will answer questions.
Facts gathered from the Greek Reporter. International business times UK. Daily Mail. BBC. Euro News, Archeology.org.
Thought I’d just do a quick tally… As you do.
Josh.
The remains of the Great Temple of Amun lies beneath “The Pure Mountain” Jebel Barkal in northern Sudan. In the 8th Century BC it was a sacred place and it was were Pharaoh felt most at home. From his Palace at Napata he lived in the old ways, pious and respectful of the gods, he was a lover of ceremony, religion and horses. Continue reading “Piankhi & the Conquest of Egypt.”
I was looking into some of the criticism people tend to level at the Duke of Wellington, and while I was looking for the answers to my questions I ended up writing this rant. Continue reading “What Wellington Said.”
The Battle of Trafalgar by Geoffrey Bennett
http://amzn.to/1DSWASG
File Size: 809 KB
Print Length: 256 pages
Publisher: Endeavour Press (September 30, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00O2Y2FW6
When looking for an exciting, dramatic and tragic book, history or fiction you can’t go wrong with Nelson and Trafalgar.
In this book Geoffrey Bennett give a good clear cut account of the most famous naval battle in British history. Filled with solid background information that traces the prior history of the Navy, anecdotal facts and a serving sea officer’s prejudice for all things nautical over things terrestrial, not least the obvious affection a British sailor holds for the Royal Navy and Nelson in comparison to the enemy. Though as always never denying the threat of defeat.
Bennett is very thorough, giving great detail in the first part of the book, everything is covered, from origins, construction of ships, makeup of crews, armament, sailing capabilities, and tactics. The lions share goes to describing the British, but he doesn’t ignore the French, or for that matter the Spanish. So by the time the campaign narrative starts the reader has a good picture in their head as to the nuts and bolts of the matter.
The nautical conduct of the Revolutionary War is given, and the actions of the Navy in thwarting the Republic’s attempts to gain the seas, expand outside of Europe and invade Britain , while at the same time giving us some highlights of Nelson’s career, including the Hamilton affair and the dramatic chase across the ocean and seas that led up to Trafalgar. I was also pleased to see an abridged version of one of his memoranda included.
The narrative of the battle is well done, full of first and accounts and is clear and concise. Conveying well the thumping mechanical grind of a sea battle at this time and the courage and bravery of the men involved that contributed to the glory of the day.
This is a great book for someone looking to start reading about the battle and indeed the Navy. It’s short, authoritative and well written. And for this week also free, so what are you waiting for. Engage the enemy more closely!
Happy reading
Josh.
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