Category Archives: History

Israel’s Medieval Defence System

Posted on July 27, 2023 by odeboyz

The Normans conquered England in 1066 and built castles to protect themselves. Their sophisticated castles were a brilliant, functional response to threats from a hostile population. Castles were successful until the civil wars of the 17th century.1 Cromwell’s New Model … Continue reading →

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The Importance of the Death of Oliver Cromwell, 1658

Posted on July 10, 2023 by odeboyz

The transition of power in monarchies is brutally simple: The king is dead, Long live the king. After Charles the First’s execution, Charles his son, became king1. Power remained with parliament and the army as he was a fugitive in … Continue reading →

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A book for every decade: 1920 ~ 2020

Posted on July 3, 2023 by odeboyz

This list obviously flawed and contentious but put it down to boyish ambition if you will. 1920s All Quiet on the Western Front: Erich Maria Remarque (1929) The carnage of WW1 left a bitter legacy for which Germany was blamed. … Continue reading →

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Black Lives Matter: Nat ‘King’ Cole, 1956

Posted on June 22, 2023 by odeboyz

Nat King Cole was an enormously popular crooner, earning $4,500 a week1 in Las Vegas in 1956. He headlined at the whites-only Thunderbird Hotel, where he wasn’t allowed to venture beyond the showroom and the cook’s resting area behind the … Continue reading →

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Warren Buffett’s Wealth Recipe is Flawed

Posted on June 15, 2023 by odeboyz

“My wealth has come from a combination of living in America, some lucky genes, and compound interest.” Multi-billionaire Warren Buffett Geography Buffett claims being American was a necessary condition to his success. He’s wrong. In America racial identity helps define … Continue reading →

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Incest and the end of Imperial Spain

Posted on June 8, 2023 by odeboyz

The rulers of Spain had long pursued a policy of intermarriage in the hope of uniting the entire peninsular under a single sceptre. Although in 1580 these incestuous unions achieved their goal when Philip became king of Portugal. They dramatically … Continue reading →

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Boris Johnson in Downing Street

Posted on June 1, 2023 by odeboyz
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Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald

Posted on May 18, 2023 by odeboyz

In 1955, Marilyn Monroe learned the Mocambo, a popular Hollywood nightclub, would not book Ella Fitzgerald because she was black. Monroe phoned the manager and told him she would reserve a front row table every night Ella performed there, knowing … Continue reading →

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An early Bob Dylan review

Posted on May 15, 2023 by odeboyz

Apr. 13, 1963 – Bob Dylan, a folk musician, gave a well-received program of his own compositions at New York’s Town Hall last night. Mr. Dylan is 21 years old, hails from Hibbing, Minn., and looks like a cross between … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Percival Everett ~ The Trees (2022)

Posted on May 4, 2023 by odeboyz

Background The 1955 depraved murder of Emmett Till, aged 14, by racists in Mississippi was shocking but not freakishly so.1 What was unique was his mother allowing mourners to see his mutilated body in an open casket. The outrage became … Continue reading →

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