News
THEIR WAR
As teachers of history, we’re always looking for media that can enhance the learning process. War movies can be excellent history lessons, but who has the time to show one? A good alternative might be to show a short war Read more…
Anecdote
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
Today is Veterans Day and many don’t realize it is associated with the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918. The poem most associated with the war is “In Flanders Field” by John McRae. McRae was a Canadian soldier, Read more…
News
MIDWAY (2019)
Movies based on historical events can be educational for students. The problem is that it seems the more entertaining they are, the more inaccurate they are. I used to show some movies in my American History class and I always Read more…
Picture
Recumbent Bull
We see here an American Bison bull. You probably recognize it as a buffalo. Blame the confusion on the French. When French trappers first encountered them in America, they thought they were shaggy cows. So they called them “bouefs” which Read more…
Anecdote
DESTROY MY CITY
Anaximenes was a philosopher famous during his lifetime. He accompanied Alexander the Great in his conquest of Persia. One day, Alexander’s army approached the city where Aniximenes was born. Aniximenes came to Alexander’s tent and Alexander, anticipating what he was Read more…
Uncategorized
The Malmedy Massacre
The Malmedy Massacre occurred during the Battle of the Bulge. Part of the 1st Panzer Division, led by Lt. Col. Joachim Peiper, was the spearhead of the left wing of the German offensive. There was a Read more…
Anecdote
THE SEXY DUCHESS OF URBINO
Titian was one of the greatest of the Renaissance painters. He, rather than the sculptor Donatello, should have been one of the Ninja Turtles. (I think the creators were afraid of people mispronouncing the name.) He specialized in mythological Read more…
Picture
Firing Squad Target
Howard Brodie transferred to Europe after doing his first combat art on Guadalcanal (see previous posts). He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and sketched this drawing of a German prisoner executed by firing squad. He could be a Read more…
Anecdote
WRITE A GHOST STORY
Mary Godwin was the daughter of William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. Her parents were famous writers and political radicals. In 1814, she began an affair with the married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. They eloped to Europe and in the summer Read more…
Picture
ON GUARD
This is another Howard Brodie sketch from his time on Guadalcanal. He and his buddy are in a foxhole and while his buddy sleeps, he’s on guard duty. Note the grenades lined up. Nights in the Pacific on the front Read more…