Monthly Archives: May 2010
In Memoriam
Today is Memorial Day in the United States. The origins vary, but days of memorial to fallen soldiers of the American Civil War were observed shortly after the end of that conflict in the late 1860’s. After World War I … Continue reading
Filed under American
Back to the Victory Garden!
Recommended: WWII era Victory Garden film Working in my own garden has narrowed my focus for the time being to Victory Gardens. In the course of an Internet search on the subject I came across a short film from the … Continue reading
Filed under Culinary, Daily Life, General, WWII
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Having recently spent time getting my own small vegetable garden prepared for planting I was reminded of the work that went on across the nation as Americans got back to the land and grew Victory Gardens during World War II. … Continue reading
Filed under Culinary, Daily Life, WWII
My Kingdom for a Ship
A Short History of Athenian Naval Wars From about 506 B.C. onward until 322 B.C. the Greek city-state of Athens was in a nearly continuous state of making war or preparing for it. And lest I single them out, so … Continue reading
Filed under Ancient Near East, Book Reviews, General
Gateways
What makes a person like history? Is it just a quirk of personality that leads them to be insatiably curious about the past? Is it a family member who shared his or her own love of history? Is it just … Continue reading
Filed under General
Play Me A Dirge, Matey…
A few years ago my folks were out on a garage sale tour and they came across an estate sale with a significant collection of books. Garage sales are fun on their own, but with the added incentive of books … Continue reading
Reminiscing
I’ve written about using documentaries, historical journals, museums, and re-enactments to explore history, but I can’t go on without praising one of my favorite publications. It is a magazine that brings primary source history to my fingertips and reminds me … Continue reading
Filed under American, Daily Life, General
Read Me A Little History…
Read aloud. Or better yet, listen to someone else read aloud. Really, try it! Sound a little too dramatic? Seems kind of weird, maybe, because we don’t do that kind of think anymore. Or do we? Have you ever watched … Continue reading
Filed under American, Daily Life, General
When is history fact – wait, let me revise that…
Human interest in its own history has been around for, well, since humanity began. Through different means – oral, written, re-enacted – has history been passed down between generations. It was important to live up to the expectations and deeds … Continue reading
Filed under Ancient Near East, General
The Great Museum Debate
Narrowing the itinerary, I had decided on four museums. The Bramah Tea and Coffee Museum, the Imperial War Museum, The Churchill War Rooms, and lastly, the grand poobah – The British Museum. Sadly, on that trip to the UK I … Continue reading
Filed under Ancient Near East, British
