Nestled in the western part of Sudan, Darfur has a history as diverse as its landscape. Characterized by its vast deserts, fertile savannas, and diverse ethnic groups, the region has been a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and historical events that have shaped its narrative. The history of Darfur dates back to ancient times, with…
The late 19th century witnessed a scramble for Africa, as European powers sought to establish colonies and expand their imperial influence across the continent. Amidst this period of geopolitical upheaval, a little-known yet extraordinary battle unfolded in the highlands of Ethiopia — the Battle of Adwa. This conflict would ultimately redefine the narrative of African…
“Fat City” by Leonard Gardner is a timeless American classic that delves deep into the gritty and unforgiving world of professional boxing, painting a vivid and unflinching portrait of the dreams, aspirations, and harsh realities faced by its characters. Published in 1969, this novel has captivated readers for decades with its raw and unvarnished portrayal…
In the annals of history, few figures stand out as boldly and enigmatically as Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Grace, or Gráinne Mhaol as she is known in Irish, was a formidable and captivating historical figure, renowned for her audacious exploits on the high seas, her indomitable spirit, and her relentless pursuit of…
Stats can be a powerful thing. When used in fun, lighthearted ways, they can color the world around us and make us think twice about what we see, read, and know. For example, did you know that the city of Reno, Nevada is actually further west than Los Angeles, despite being hours inland and a…
The Spanish had one of the most powerful naval forces the world had ever known (or, in some ways, would ever know) in the 16th century. King Philip II of that Iberian nation had designs on building an empire for himself and his people, and he knew the Navy could help him do it. So,…
In the annals of American crime history, the name “BTK Killer” stands out as a chilling and perplexing chapter. The BTK Killer, whose real identity turned out to be Dennis Rader, terrorized the Wichita, Kansas area for over three decades, leaving a trail of fear and unanswered questions. This is the real story of the…
The American Wild West, with its vast deserts, rugged landscapes, and untamed spirit, has long been a source of fascination and intrigue. It was a time when lawlessness and chaos reigned, and outlaws roamed freely, leaving behind a legacy of daring heists, gunfights, and legends that continue to captivate our imaginations. In this blog post,…
Humans aren’t the only creatures that have fought in war. Animals have been used in battle down throughout the centuries, as well. Many militaries and expert strategists have experimented with using various birds, mammals, and reptiles to wage war on enemies. The vast majority of those experiments haven’t made it out of the testing stages,…
In many senses, the Korean War is America’s forgotten war. It occurred not long after World War II, of course. And historically, it’s often forgotten since much of the focus in recent decades has been placed on the Vietnam War after it. But Korea was a critical site of many important battles. For one, it…
During World War II, the US government joined forces with influential entities like Hollywood and Madison Avenue to rally support for the war. Propaganda seeped into every aspect of American life. It saturated newsreels, films, radio broadcasts, newspapers, and magazines. Across the Atlantic, Churchill’s inspiring speeches ignited patriotic fervor among English-speaking people. To look at…
As you may recall, we published an excerpt earlier this week from Truman Capote’s novel ‘In Cold Blood.’ If you missed the post, you may click here to read that Capote excerpt for yourself. Related: Excerpt From John Fante’s ‘Ask The Dust’ That proved to be so popular with readers that we have decided to…
Would you kill to win an election? Would you kill if it meant keeping your office as a public official? These aren’t exactly common questions faced by everyday people. And to be fair, these aren’t even common questions faced by most politicians. (Uh, we hope.) But there are quite a few elections taking place around…
Truman Capote’s groundbreaking work “In Cold Blood” stands as a seminal achievement in the realm of true crime literature. Published in 1966, the book meticulously reconstructs the horrifying events surrounding the 1959 Clutter family murders in Holcomb, Kansas. Blurring the lines between fiction and non-fiction, Capote’s narrative engrosses readers with its vivid storytelling and deep…