Comments on "Ancient Greece" - A History in Eleven Cities by Paul Cartledge
This book is a very convenient account of the long history of Ancient Greece, with a chapter on each of 11 cities. Actually, there were about 700 cities and communities on "mainland" Greece and about 300 more scattered all around the Greek World of the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
The first city is Cnossos on the island of Crete, that was founded about 3000 BCE, that means, Before the Common Era. In other words, this means about 5000 years ago. At Cnossos have been found clay tablets from about 1400 BCE in the "Linear B" script, which was deciphered in 1952, of this usually called "Minoan Civilization", a "Late Bronze Age" civilization. The author says that the as yet undeciphered "Linear A" script, perhaps considered to be earlier, is probably not early Greek, but, perhaps, a Semetic language.
The "Early Iron Age" begins from 1100 to 700 BCE, and involves the spread of settlements of both Greek Dorian and Ionion dialects and cultures to settlements in Asia Minor and the western Mediteranean. The Olympic games were started at Olympia! in 776 BCE, and the Greek alphabet was invented at Thebes, which is near Athens, in 750 BCE by an immigrant named Cadmus from Tyre, Phoenicia, where he apparently got the idea.
The well known "Classical Age" is dated from about 500 to 330 BCE, which is around the time of Alexander the Great, who lived from 356 to 323 BCE, and his empire. The "Hellenistic Age" begins about this time, but eventually the Romans came. First, Sicily was made a Roman province in 241 BCE, and, almost one hundred years later, Macedonia became the first eastern Roman province in 147 BCE. The "Byzantine Age" begins in 325 AD, with the refoundation of Byzantion as Constantinople.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Experimental Blog #70
Comments on the book "American Entrepreneur" - The Fascinating Stories of the People Who Defined Business in the United States by Larry Schweikart and Lynne Pierson Doti
The 1000s of historical facts and business anecdotes related in this book tell a surprisingly interesting and very persuasive history of America from the very beginning, and from a distinctly "conservative" point of view. That is, it seems that the government is rarely not the enemy, "they always mess things up in the long run", and the people who really matter and who made, and continue to make America, are the very small percentage of America's "entrepreneurs". In modern times the book especially emphasizes the entertainment industries.
However, as far as one very small fact is concerned; they mention that Nikita Khrushchev was one of the 50 million people who had "passed through Sleeping Beauty's Castle" at "Disneyland" in Anaheim, California. Evidently, both of the authors of this book are too young to remember the actual event. The very public episode was noteworthy because, although Nikita Khrushchev wanted to go to "Disneyland" when he visited America in the 1950s as a private citizen, he was not allowed to do so, and he was publicly very upset about it.
Most reports say that Nikita Khrushchev was denied a visit to "Disneyland" because they could not provide sufficient "security" for him, but at least one report has stated that Walt Disney himself, who happened to have an apartment at his park, would not give his permission for a visit to "Disneyland" by the communist dictator.
The 1000s of historical facts and business anecdotes related in this book tell a surprisingly interesting and very persuasive history of America from the very beginning, and from a distinctly "conservative" point of view. That is, it seems that the government is rarely not the enemy, "they always mess things up in the long run", and the people who really matter and who made, and continue to make America, are the very small percentage of America's "entrepreneurs". In modern times the book especially emphasizes the entertainment industries.
However, as far as one very small fact is concerned; they mention that Nikita Khrushchev was one of the 50 million people who had "passed through Sleeping Beauty's Castle" at "Disneyland" in Anaheim, California. Evidently, both of the authors of this book are too young to remember the actual event. The very public episode was noteworthy because, although Nikita Khrushchev wanted to go to "Disneyland" when he visited America in the 1950s as a private citizen, he was not allowed to do so, and he was publicly very upset about it.
Most reports say that Nikita Khrushchev was denied a visit to "Disneyland" because they could not provide sufficient "security" for him, but at least one report has stated that Walt Disney himself, who happened to have an apartment at his park, would not give his permission for a visit to "Disneyland" by the communist dictator.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Experimental Blog #69
Comments on "Bats Sing, Mice Giggle" - The Surprising Science of Animals' Inner Lives by Karen Shanor and Jagmeet Kanwal
This book is a summary of many recent scientific researches into, among other things, the mental capacities and social behaviors of many forms of animal life. Some plant alert systems are also mentioned. A great many of these mental capacities and social behaviors are much more developed and, perhaps, conscious in some way, than was formerly believed by scientists. Perhaps as little as 30 years ago much of this book might have been considered to be nonsense.
This book is a summary of many recent scientific researches into, among other things, the mental capacities and social behaviors of many forms of animal life. Some plant alert systems are also mentioned. A great many of these mental capacities and social behaviors are much more developed and, perhaps, conscious in some way, than was formerly believed by scientists. Perhaps as little as 30 years ago much of this book might have been considered to be nonsense.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Experimental Blog #68
Comments on "The Calculus Diaries - How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win In Vegas, and Survive a Zombie Apocalypse" by Jennifer Ouellette
Successfully studying mathematics requires a mood to be continuously involved with abstract thinking. The thinking is all about the visual mathematical symbols of some kind or other, and applying the already established definitions and rules to manipulate those symbols for certain purposes.
The appendixes to this book are the most mathematical and explanatory part, but it seems there is something quite wrong with the 4th f[x] graph in the first appendix.
Successfully studying mathematics requires a mood to be continuously involved with abstract thinking. The thinking is all about the visual mathematical symbols of some kind or other, and applying the already established definitions and rules to manipulate those symbols for certain purposes.
The appendixes to this book are the most mathematical and explanatory part, but it seems there is something quite wrong with the 4th f[x] graph in the first appendix.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Experimental Blog #67
Comments on "Harmony - A New Way of Looking at Our World" by "HRH The Prince of Wales" with Tony Juniper and Ian Skelly
Throughout this surprising and very educational book the principal author is referred to only as the "Prince of Wales", but on the title page he is "HRH The Prince Of Wales". Presumably, HRH means "His Royal Highness". Only the call number on the spine of this book, 577 CHA, reveals, what everybody knows, that his first name is Charles. These titles and the fact that he seems to have no last name might cause some perplexity for Americans, and, perhaps others as well.
There is an Acknowledgements page, with many acknowledgements of course, and the "Prince of Wales'" fellow authors, Tony Juniper and Ian Skelly, want to thank their wives and children, but the "Prince of Wales" does not do such a "common" thing.
Although there are other monarchies in Europe, is the 'most visible' monarchy of Britain the "last man standing"? Does this distinction between aristocracy, or at least the Royal Family, and "commoners" mean that Britain, and not America, for instance, still leads the world as the model and teacher for the "Global Village" that everybody now lives in, whether they know it or want to or not?
However, that the "Prince of Wales" could write such a comprehensive, well organized and organizing book seems to inspire that there might be some hope for the world in the 21st century after all.
Throughout this surprising and very educational book the principal author is referred to only as the "Prince of Wales", but on the title page he is "HRH The Prince Of Wales". Presumably, HRH means "His Royal Highness". Only the call number on the spine of this book, 577 CHA, reveals, what everybody knows, that his first name is Charles. These titles and the fact that he seems to have no last name might cause some perplexity for Americans, and, perhaps others as well.
There is an Acknowledgements page, with many acknowledgements of course, and the "Prince of Wales'" fellow authors, Tony Juniper and Ian Skelly, want to thank their wives and children, but the "Prince of Wales" does not do such a "common" thing.
Although there are other monarchies in Europe, is the 'most visible' monarchy of Britain the "last man standing"? Does this distinction between aristocracy, or at least the Royal Family, and "commoners" mean that Britain, and not America, for instance, still leads the world as the model and teacher for the "Global Village" that everybody now lives in, whether they know it or want to or not?
However, that the "Prince of Wales" could write such a comprehensive, well organized and organizing book seems to inspire that there might be some hope for the world in the 21st century after all.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Experimental Blog #66
Comments on "Tide Players" - The Movers and Shakers of a Rising China by Jianying Zha
In the "Epilogue" to her book Jianying Zha, who was born in 1960, quotes from an earlier book that she wrote in 1995, "Tiananmen may represent the tragic last gasp of the radical, revolutionary approach to changing China. The currant path requires its own human toll and a good deal of compromise and deferment. Yet many believe that, in the long run, this way of change will bring more substantial gains at a lower cost of human sacrifice."
She also writes about books by other authors with titles such as, "Farewell, Revolution" and "Farewell, Mao Zedong". In this book Jianying Zha also writes, "Gradual, incremental adjustment rather than drastic change is the wiser and probably fairer way to go". {Actually, she was refering to the world wide financial crises in 2008.}
In the "Epilogue" to her book Jianying Zha, who was born in 1960, quotes from an earlier book that she wrote in 1995, "Tiananmen may represent the tragic last gasp of the radical, revolutionary approach to changing China. The currant path requires its own human toll and a good deal of compromise and deferment. Yet many believe that, in the long run, this way of change will bring more substantial gains at a lower cost of human sacrifice."
She also writes about books by other authors with titles such as, "Farewell, Revolution" and "Farewell, Mao Zedong". In this book Jianying Zha also writes, "Gradual, incremental adjustment rather than drastic change is the wiser and probably fairer way to go". {Actually, she was refering to the world wide financial crises in 2008.}
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Experimental Blog #65
Comments on "The Story of Britain" - From the Romans to the Present: A Narrative History by Rebecca Fraser
Rebecca Fraser begins her almost 800 page book on over 2000 years of the history of Britain with the Romans, and Julius Caesar, in particular. However, she goes on to say, not quite clearly or consistently, that Neolithic people had already arrived in Britain around 3000 BC, and that Bronze Age people arrived around 1900 BC; and either one or the other built "Stonehenge." Around 1000 BC came the Iron Age Celtic people. After the extensive Roman settlement, which lasted in excess of 400 years, came the Anglo-Saxon invasions; and then the Viking raids and invasions.
The Norman invasion was the last invasion of Britain and after the victory at the "Battle of Hastings" in 1066 AD William I became the first Norman and Angevin king of Britain. The last of these 7 kings was King John, who, in 1215, was forced by his nobles to accept the "Magna Carta", that somewhat limited the absolute rule of the King. However, the "Magna Carta" was frequently ignored by at least several subsequent monarchs. The 5 Plantagenet kings reigned from 1216 to 1399. Geoffrey Chaucer lived during this dynasty.
The Plantagenet dynasty, or House, was replaced by the Houses of Lancaster and York whose 6 kings reigned until 1485. The "Wars of the Roses" occurred between these 2 "Houses" in the last 30 years of this period. Then came the "House of Tudor" with 3 kings, including the Protestant Reformation king Henry VIII and his mostly tragic 6 wives, and 2 queens, ending with one of Britain's most famous monarchs, Queen Elizabeth I. William Shakespeare lived 10 years beyond the "House of Tudor" into the "House of Stuart".
The "House of Stuart" lasted from 1603 to 1714 with an 18 year interruption of the Civil War and Puritan Commonwealth and Protectorate, whose most remembered, but not only, historical figure was Oliver Cromwell. Samuel Pepys lived during this time and described the Great Plague, the London Fire, and the Restoration of Charles II in his diaries. The period of the "House of Stuart" also produced large numbers of people moving across the Atlantic Ocean to establish colonies in America. There were 5 kings and 2 queens in the "House of Stuart."
The "House of Hanover" had 5 kings, including 4 Georges, and 1 queen, and lasted from 1714 to 1901. This was a very revolutionary epoch in British and European history. Parliament became more and more powerful, and the dominating political party with its Prime Minister and other ministers took over more and more control of the government. At the end of the 19th century there seemed to be an almost overwhelming belief in social progress.
In the 20th century a great many things happened, of course, including, it seems, the apparent influence of sympathizers, imitators, and outright spies for fascists and Nazis on one side, and communists on the other side. Britain established the "welfare state", or "English Socialism," with its "cradle to grave security." However, in the 1980s along came Margaret Thatcher, who was a radically conservative Tory, but very popular nonetheless. As Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher embarked on a furious campaign to root out from Britain all of this "English Socialism", Marxism, Leninism, Trotskyism. And she was remarkably successful, in spite of herself. For instance, she was known to say something like, "there is no society." Perhaps society sounded too much like socialism to her. However, Margaret Thatcher has since been replaced, and life continues to go on in its usual way, more or less, in Britain.
Rebecca Fraser begins her almost 800 page book on over 2000 years of the history of Britain with the Romans, and Julius Caesar, in particular. However, she goes on to say, not quite clearly or consistently, that Neolithic people had already arrived in Britain around 3000 BC, and that Bronze Age people arrived around 1900 BC; and either one or the other built "Stonehenge." Around 1000 BC came the Iron Age Celtic people. After the extensive Roman settlement, which lasted in excess of 400 years, came the Anglo-Saxon invasions; and then the Viking raids and invasions.
The Norman invasion was the last invasion of Britain and after the victory at the "Battle of Hastings" in 1066 AD William I became the first Norman and Angevin king of Britain. The last of these 7 kings was King John, who, in 1215, was forced by his nobles to accept the "Magna Carta", that somewhat limited the absolute rule of the King. However, the "Magna Carta" was frequently ignored by at least several subsequent monarchs. The 5 Plantagenet kings reigned from 1216 to 1399. Geoffrey Chaucer lived during this dynasty.
The Plantagenet dynasty, or House, was replaced by the Houses of Lancaster and York whose 6 kings reigned until 1485. The "Wars of the Roses" occurred between these 2 "Houses" in the last 30 years of this period. Then came the "House of Tudor" with 3 kings, including the Protestant Reformation king Henry VIII and his mostly tragic 6 wives, and 2 queens, ending with one of Britain's most famous monarchs, Queen Elizabeth I. William Shakespeare lived 10 years beyond the "House of Tudor" into the "House of Stuart".
The "House of Stuart" lasted from 1603 to 1714 with an 18 year interruption of the Civil War and Puritan Commonwealth and Protectorate, whose most remembered, but not only, historical figure was Oliver Cromwell. Samuel Pepys lived during this time and described the Great Plague, the London Fire, and the Restoration of Charles II in his diaries. The period of the "House of Stuart" also produced large numbers of people moving across the Atlantic Ocean to establish colonies in America. There were 5 kings and 2 queens in the "House of Stuart."
The "House of Hanover" had 5 kings, including 4 Georges, and 1 queen, and lasted from 1714 to 1901. This was a very revolutionary epoch in British and European history. Parliament became more and more powerful, and the dominating political party with its Prime Minister and other ministers took over more and more control of the government. At the end of the 19th century there seemed to be an almost overwhelming belief in social progress.
In the 20th century a great many things happened, of course, including, it seems, the apparent influence of sympathizers, imitators, and outright spies for fascists and Nazis on one side, and communists on the other side. Britain established the "welfare state", or "English Socialism," with its "cradle to grave security." However, in the 1980s along came Margaret Thatcher, who was a radically conservative Tory, but very popular nonetheless. As Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher embarked on a furious campaign to root out from Britain all of this "English Socialism", Marxism, Leninism, Trotskyism. And she was remarkably successful, in spite of herself. For instance, she was known to say something like, "there is no society." Perhaps society sounded too much like socialism to her. However, Margaret Thatcher has since been replaced, and life continues to go on in its usual way, more or less, in Britain.
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