Category Archives: History

A lesson to learn from Peter Jackson (or, stating the obvious, part infinity plus eight)

By terje | Published: July 19, 2009
(Disclaimer: The following, while containing at least some opinions the author can sort of be said to hold, is more of an exploration than a presentation of ideas. It should all therefore be taken with a few barrelfuls of salt.) So I’m watching the appendices on the Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition DVD, and as [...]
Also posted in Ambiguity, Annoyance, Art, GRRM, Harry Potter, Hodge-podge rambling, Impressions, Language, Literature, Malazan, Movies, Opinions, Rant, Scott Lynch, Speculations, Speculative fiction, WoT | 3 Comments

All the King’s Men

By terje | Published: July 18, 2009
This is one of the most realistic portrayals of politics I believe I have ever seen. Sean Penn stars as a populist politician who goes at the corrupt Louisiana state elite, and once elected state governor turns out to be ruthless in his pursuit of his idealist agenda.
Also posted in American stuff, Annoyance, Goosebumps!, Movies, Recommendations, Review | 2 Comments

The Fog Of War

By terje | Published: July 18, 2009
Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara.
Also posted in American stuff, Awe, Movies, Politics, Recommendations, Review | 5 Comments

The Awesome Nicknames of European Nobility and Royalty, part 4

By terje | Published: July 13, 2009
Moving a bit forward in history this time, to the age of Metternich and his lot. Julius Jacob von Haynau (October 14, 1786 – March 14, 1853). The Hyena of Brescia. Haynau was a Austrian noble and general whose hatred of revolutionary ideals (and revolutionaries, for that matter) was legendary. He also had an infamously bad temper, so [...]
Also posted in Links, Lists, Revanche!, The Awesome Epithets of European Nobility and Royalty | 1 Comment

The books of 2009, so far

By terje | Published: July 13, 2009
As I’ve been fairly absent from my blog in the past six months, to say the least, I thought I’d post a quick summary of any recommendable books — and not only novels this time – I’ve read since I was last observed round this neck o’ the woods. Also, I’ll include some not-so-recommendable books, [...]
Also posted in Impressions, Lists, Literature, Opinions, Recommendations, Review, Roman stuff, Speculative fiction | 20 Comments

The Awesome Epithets of European Nobility and Royalty, part 2

By terje | Published: March 30, 2009
Anund Jacob (1022-1050) of Sweden: the Coalburner (Colbrænnæ). When this Swedish king was elected ruler by the Thing the people objected to his foreign name, and appended an “Anund” to it. When not caring for the balance of power in Scandinavia by supporting Olav Digre of Norway against Knut of Denmark, Anund Jacob enjoyed crusading in [...]
Also posted in Norse stuff, The Awesome Epithets of European Nobility and Royalty | 2 Comments

The Awesome Epithets of European Nobility and Royalty, part 1

By terje | Published: March 30, 2009
General Introduction Whenever someone distinguished themselves in olden days, be it positively or negatively, it was customary to give them a nickname (also known as an epithet). Some of these are plain and dull (Haakon the Good, Louis the Pious), but some are more fascinating (Philip the Handsome (an epithet which sounds ridiculously more fun in [...]
Also posted in My microcosmos, Roman stuff, The Awesome Epithets of European Nobility and Royalty | 3 Comments

The friends you keep… — 2009-02-06

By terje | Published: February 6, 2009
“Socrates himself seems not to have been interested in any revolutionary implications of his discourse, but they were not lost on some of the young men who enjoyed watching him dissect the flawed logic of his interlocutors. (..) The most vicious of the self-styled Socratics was Critias, not only the leader of the oligarchs who seized control [...]
Also posted in Greek stuff, Literature, Politics, Quote of the day | 3 Comments

Growing but grudging respect for an awesomely cold people — 2009-01-28

By terje | Published: January 28, 2009
“In order to stay in formation, soldiers tried not to run until they came within the reach of enemy missiles, at about 200 yards; experienced soldiers might manage to restrain themselves until they were at a mere 100 yards distance. (…) Spartan hoplites did not run at all, but advanced at a steady pace, singing marching hymns [...]
Also posted in Awe, Education, Goosebumps!, Greek stuff, Language, Literature, Quote of the day, Whoa, lol | 2 Comments

YES! (And a call for assistance)

By terje | Published: December 4, 2008
Yesterday, I got got an e-mail notifying me that I have been accepted as a student at the Norwegian Institutes at Athens and Rome next semester! Along with about 20 other students from various Norwegian universities, I’ll be spending first six weeks, from January 26 to March 6, in Athens, followed by six weeks, [...]
Also posted in A Moistening of the Eyes, Bliss, Dumb luck, Education, Glee, Gloating, Goosebumps!, Gratitude, Great Expectations, Greek stuff, Help!, Hodge-podge rambling, Hope, Lists, My microcosmos, Optimism, Pride, Roman stuff, Strategy/Plans, Whoa, Yay! | 24 Comments