Category Archives: History

Black Lives Matter: Segregation in Education

Posted on January 20, 2022 by odeboyz

This is George W. McLaurin in 1948 being segregated from the rest of his University class. He was the first African-American to attend the University of Oklahoma. He became a Professor and because of his courage he enabled minority groups … Continue reading →

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John von Neumann:* aversion to exercise

Posted on January 10, 2022 by odeboyz

Equally, von Neumann had no interest in sport and, barring long walks (always in a business suit), he would avoid any form of vigorous physical exercise for the rest of his life.  When his second wife, Klari, tried to persuade … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Tim Bouverie ~ Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War (2019)

Posted on December 13, 2021 by odeboyz

This is a ground breaking account of the 1930s. It’s meticulous history. The front cover ‘blurb’ quotes Antony Beevor saying, “An astonishing debut.’ and Beevor is one of the Britain’s greatest historians. Great history writing is literature. Bouverie welds his … Continue reading →

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Religion, Politics and the Execution of Oliver Cromwell

Posted on December 6, 2021 by odeboyz

Oliver Cromwell: died 3rd September, 1658; executed 30th January, 1661 “…while the clergy offered prayers for the king in churches across the land, the coffins were taken to the Red Lion Inn in Holborn. Carters then carried the rotting bodies … Continue reading →

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Human Nature Never Changes: 1353

Posted on December 2, 2021 by odeboyz

“Having withdrawn, living separate from everybody else, they settled down and locked themselves in, where no sick person or any living person could come, they ate small amounts of food and drank the most delicate of wines and avoided all … Continue reading →

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Voltaire on poverty

Posted on November 18, 2021 by odeboyz

“The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor.”

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The Battle of the Bulge: Hitler’s Last Gamble

Posted on November 11, 2021 by odeboyz

Background Hitler’s political career was a series of audacious political, diplomatic and military gambles, which were dramatically successful until June 1941. Then hubris took hold and the gambles became losers. In Summer 1941, Hitler’s diplomatic coup of 19391 unravelled with … Continue reading →

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Maynard Keynes’s* view of the First World War

Posted on November 1, 2021 by odeboyz

“If the European Civil War is to end with France and Italy abusing their momentary victorious power to destroy Germany and Austria-Hungary now prostrate, they invite their own destruction also, being so deeply and inextricably intertwined with their victims by … Continue reading →

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The long transition from Victorian technology

Posted on October 28, 2021 by odeboyz

The transition from Victorian technology is accelerating. Their technologies are embedded into 21st century Britain, which has been shaped by them. The transition will be revolutionary, disconcerting and will be resisted by broad swathes of society. Background Victorian technologiesare pervasive: … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Volker Kutscher ~ The Fatherland Files (2019) (Translator Niall Sellar)

Posted on October 21, 2021 by odeboyz

Fans of Philip Kerr and his wonderful series featuring Berlin policeman Bernie Gunter will warm to this German version. The book reeks of authenticity in its depiction of pre-Nazi Berlin and the insidious take-over of the police by them. The … Continue reading →

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