Reviews

British Forts in the Age of Arthur by Angus Konstam

Posted on by Jeff Grim / 0 Comment

Forts in the Age of Arthur by Angus Konstam is a wonderful book of 61 pages.  The book chronicles the various forts that the Post-Roman Britons inhabited during their long struggle to defeat the Angles, Jutes, and Saxons.  Although some of the fortifications were old Roman forts, a majority of them were either built by the Britons or re-occupied fortifications of the Iron Age (the time before Roman occupation).

The book is divided into several headings, including:The Design and Function of ‘Arthurian’ Fort; A Tour of South Cadbury – Camelot; Forts and Warfare in the ‘Arthurian’ Age; and Aftermath (what happened after the Saxons conquered the Britons).  Interlaced with the text is a number of full-color illustrations of the fortifications and the artistic renditions of historical figures like Vortigern and Arthur.  Konstam also includes modern photographs of the fortifications.

One of the strengths of the book is the part on the Forts and Warfare in the ‘Arthurian’ Age.  Konstam mentions two very interesting points about the warfare of this time period.  One, the armies during were not very large – many made up of a few hundred men.  Thus, the forts were not very large because there were not enough men to defend all of the walls.  Two, the advantage was normally on the defensive side if the walls were stout enough because the technology to make siege weapons from Roman times was lost.  Thus, defenders could wait out the attackers if they had enough food.  In addition, the geography of the forts required attackers to either climb or attack in narrow corridors.

For any person interested in the time period when Britain hung in the balance between Briton and Saxon, this is a must-have book.

Reviews

Wolves From The Sea by Richard Bodley Scott

Posted on by Jeff Grim / 0 Comment

Wolves from the Sea by Richard Bodley Scott is the eighth book from Osprey Publishing‘s “Field of Glory” series.  This series pertains to a historical miniatures tabletop wargaming system.

Osprey proclaims that this is the first “high-quality games system aimed specifically at the Ancient and Medieval wargamer for over 10 years.”  I am not a wargamer, but I did find the information in the book interesting.

The book is divided into headings that align with each type of army that existed from 496 AD to 1070 AD.  It highlights such armies as the Post-Roman British, Magyars, Early Slavic, Early Medieval French, and Early Polish.  Each heading has a brief history of the fighting forces and a brief description of weapons and tactics used.  In addition, the book includes charts about who made up the armies.  For example, the Post-Roman British Army shows that the Cavalry was made up of men of varying quality.

As with all of the Osprey publications, there are excellent illustrations that show the combatants and their equipment in historical (as much as they can be historical without many written records) terms.  The illustrations are rich in detail and color.

Reviews

Wolves From The Sea by Richard Bodley Scott

Posted on by Jeff Grim / 0 Comment

Wolves from the Sea by Richard Bodley Scott is the eighth book from Osprey Publishing‘s “Field of Glory” series.  This series pertains to a historical miniatures tabletop wargaming system.

Osprey proclaims that this is the first “high-quality games system aimed specifically at the Ancient and Medieval wargamer for over 10 years.”  I am not a wargamer, but I did find the information in the book interesting.

The book is divided into headings that align with each type of army that existed from 496 AD to 1070 AD.  It highlights such armies as the Post-Roman British, Magyars, Early Slavic, Early Medieval French, and Early Polish.  Each heading has a brief history of the fighting forces and a brief description of weapons and tactics used.  In addition, the book includes charts about who made up the armies.  For example, the Post-Roman British Army shows that the Cavalry was made up of men of varying quality.

As with all of the Osprey publications, there are excellent illustrations that show the combatants and their equipment in historical (as much as they can be historical without many written records) terms.  The illustrations are rich in detail and color.

Reviews

Defying Empire by Thomas m. Truxes

Posted on by Jeff Grim / 0 Comment

Defying Empire by Thomas M. Truxes is a fascinating book about the trade between New York merchants and the French during the French and Indian War.  Prior to reading this book, I did not even know that there was such trade between the two during the war.

The book is a straight narrative account of the New York merchants who traded with the French before and during the French and Indian War – they did this despite the prohibitions put forth by the British government to stop the trade.  Truxes traces the trade between the New York merchants and the Dutch in the Caribbean (the Dutch were used as middlemen early in the war) to the trade on Hispaniola between the merchants and the Spanish as middlemen to the outright trade with the French via flag-trucers (trading when exchanging prisoners of war).

Continue reading →

Reviews

In the Mail: life and laughter edition

Posted on by Kevin Holtsberry / 0 Comment

–> When You Lie About Your Age, the Terrorists Win: Reflections on Looking in the Mirror by Carol Leifer

Product Description

Stand-up comic and comedy writer Carol Leifer faced a critical dilemma and had only two options: either continue sharing her greatest childhood memory (seeing the Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1966) or lie about her age. But the choice soon became clear: I see now that when you deny your age, you deny yourself, and when you lie about your age, you become your inauthentic twin. But most important, when you lie about your age, they win. (And of course by “they”, I mean the terrorists). Now, in this uproarious book, Leifer reveals all “her age, her outlook, her life philosophy”no holds barred.

On technology: I am overwhelmed by anything that involves a cord.”
– On motherhood: Never put your baby’s length on a birth announcement. It’s a baby, not a marlin.
– On collagen injections: “Your lips are not meant to be flotation devices for your face in case it capsizes.”
– On tattoos: “If you plan on having your lover’s name tattooed on your arm, always leave room before it for a possible ‘I Hate’ down the road.”
– On etiquette: “Never refer to a woman as ‘ma’am’ even if she’s ninety years old. Nobody likes it.”

After years of stand-up and a wave of successful television shows, Carol Leifer finally (and hilariously) puts it all down on paper the wise thoughts, witty stories, and wonderfully way-out observations guaranteed to have you nodding in agreement and laughing out loud in sheer delight.

–> Get Off Your “But”: How to End Self-Sabotage and Stand Up for Yourself by Sean Stephenson

From the Inside Flap

“This book will show you how to move beyond your limitations and begin to experience and share your gifts at the highest level.?. . . Read this book in its entirety, follow the lessons closely, and watch as your life transforms into a masterpiece filled with an abundance of bliss, passion, and gratitude.” – From the Foreword by Anthony Robbins

In addition to presenting Sean Stephenson’s unbelievable life story, Get Off Your “But,” offers anyone who needs to conquer fears and insecurities a hands-on guide for overcoming the forces of negativity and self-sabotage. Sean – a successful psychotherapist – shows what it takes to overcome the big bumps in the road, eliminate excuses, end insecurities, and ultimately stand up for happiness and success in life. As Sean explains, anyone can fall victim to the “Buts”:

“But” Fears (But what if I fail . . .)

“But” Insecurities (But I’m not good enough . . .)

“But” Excuses?(But there’s no time . . .)

Get Off Your “But” offers a practical guide for putting fear behind you and building the inner resources to become self-confident at work and at home. It’s time to get off your “but” and start leading the life you dream.

Reviews

National Review Online Literary Links

Posted on by Kevin Holtsberry / 0 Comment

A couple of literature/bookish related links from our friends over at NRO:

– First, they have a symposium on Shakespeare:

Nobody knows precisely when William Shakespeare was born. It was in 1564, probably a few days before April 26, which definitely was the date of his baptism, as recorded in the parish church at Stratford-upon-Avon. The Bard’s birthday is traditionally observed on April 23, which is also the date on which he died, in 1616.

To celebrate his life, we’ve asked a few NRO contributors to pick their favorite play by Shakespeare and explain why they love it.

– And John J. Miller talks with Maria Tatar, author of Enchanted Hunters: The Power of Stories in Childhood, in the latest episode of Between the Covers.