In Thomas Levenson’s Money for Nothing the scientific revolution coincides with England's need for financial innovation, and Levenson depicts the turmoil, hope, promise, and despair with a novelist’s eye. Highly Recommended.
History
Review: The Human Factor
I'm not a subscriber to the Great Man Theory of history. It's entirely too simple a look at the complexities of life. Force of personality doesn't alter history alone. Circumstances - economic, political, physical - set the stage on which leaders shine or falter. Studying these leaders, though, helps understand the circumstances better. Studying relationships … Continue reading Review: The Human Factor
Review: John Adams Under Fire
National myths set a foundation for a country's character. One of my favorites is how John Adams defended British soldiers after the Boston Massacre. His actions show that everyone, even people that we despise. In the United States, the law is the supreme arbiter, and we all are equal under the law. But myths also … Continue reading Review: John Adams Under Fire
Review: Retreat from Moscow
Once, I watched a friend build frames for a renovation on his house. He built a solid frame that would hold up under building codes, but he didn't know why those codes existed. How did the code relate to the actual loading and structural requirements? What was really happening with the loads in the frames? … Continue reading Review: Retreat from Moscow
Review: Checkpoint Charlie
In Iain MacGregor’s Checkpoint Charlie the history of this contentious crossing comes alive. MacGregor explores the conflict through the people that inhabited the city, that crossed the border, that lived on the front line of the Cold War.
Review: Sailing True North
When studying leadership, looking to leaders of the past provide ample examples of the characteristics of good leaders. Studying the character of leaders that you admire is a great way to prepare yourself to be a leader. In Sailing True North, Admiral James Stavridis (retired) sketches quick biographies of ten admirals that he admires. Stretching … Continue reading Review: Sailing True North
Cold War European History
During these anxiety inducing times – Trump’s continued fascism and the world wide rise of nationalism, I turned to the study of history. I find it reassuring to see that humanity has survived, even thrived, through worse periods of time. With Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, I have to wonder if the U.S. and … Continue reading Cold War European History