Monthly Archives: December 2020

Book Review: God’s Battalions: The Case For The Crusades

Posted on December 23, 2020 by nathanalbright

God’s Battalions: The Case For The Crusades, by Rodney Stark This book does something very useful in talking about the Crusades in a way that is not likely to make the author a popular fellow but which does a good … Continue reading →

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That Was Uncomfortable

Posted on December 22, 2020 by nathanalbright

Today I, like many of my co-workers across many different offices, received a message this morning telling me to take a course on workplace harassment as a “multi-state employee.” The course was about an hour long and was presented by … Continue reading →

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Book Review: In Distant Lands

Posted on December 22, 2020 by nathanalbright

In Distant Lands: A Brief History Of The Crusades, by Lars Brownworth What this book offers is mainly a short narrative history of the Crusades. Given that depending on one’s count there are either eight or nine crusades, to cover … Continue reading →

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Mail On Sundays

Posted on December 21, 2020 by nathanalbright

One of the more amusing aspects of life that one finds when one does not go out much is one’s observation of what is going on in the neighborhood. And I will be the first to admit that I do … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Caligula: The Mad Emperor Of Rome

Posted on December 21, 2020 by nathanalbright

Caligula: The Mad Emperor Of Rome, by Stephen Dando-Collins This book attempts two tasks and does so unevenly. On the one hand, the author wishes to rehabilitate the reputation of Caligula to a great extent and demonstrate that he was … Continue reading →

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The Feast Of Dedication

Posted on December 20, 2020 by nathanalbright

[Note: This is the prepared text of a sermonette given to the Portland United Church of God congregation on Sabbath, December 19, 2020.] In one of the sermonettes I remember hearing from my childhood, my maternal grandfather asked the congregation … Continue reading →

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Over And Over Again

Posted on December 19, 2020 by nathanalbright

Why is it that as people we have to deal with the same problems and issues over and over again. It does appear that as human beings we are slow learners. Sometimes, in the face of historical record, for example, … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Storm Before The Storm

Posted on December 19, 2020 by nathanalbright

The Storm Before The Storm: The Beginning Of The End Of The Roman Republic, by Mike Duncan If you are an American, this book is the kind that will give you sleepless nights as you ponder how far along the … Continue reading →

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With A Bang Or With A Whimper

Posted on December 18, 2020 by nathanalbright

One of the downsides of being a fond reader of the dying embers of the Roman Republic is that one finds so many alarming connections between the end of the Roman Republic and the state of the contemporary American republic. … Continue reading →

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Book Review: London Underground Serial Killer

Posted on December 18, 2020 by nathanalbright

London Underground Serial Killer: The Life Of Kieran Kelly, by Geoff Platt Readers of this book like myself who read this book without reading the first book of the author on this subject are at a bit of a disadvantage. … Continue reading →

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