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Service Rifles Of The First World War
The armies of the belligerents who went to war in 1914 carried rifles that today might be considered quaint. They had handsome wooden finishes, were designed for long-range fire, and were so robust that they could withstand all manner of abuse in the harsh trench environments in which they were used. [To read the rest…
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Sunday Movie Roundup (7/24/2016)
Here’s a quick summary of some recent movies. The Witch (2015) Director: Robert Eggers One of the best experiences a movie lover can have is to stumble on a new talent or underappreciated gem. I had this experience when watching this carefully-made art-house horror film; it’s the debut effort of Robert Eggers.
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The Uzi Submachine Gun: An Iconic Weapon
Small arms commentators have been predicting the demise of the submachine gun ever since the assault rifle made its inception at the end of the Second World War. And yet the weapon is still here with us. While not part of the front-line military outfit of most modern armies, it nevertheless has a role in…
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Three Reader Questions Discussed (Podcast)
In this podcast episode, we address the following reader questions: 1. Are men becoming “infantilized” in today’s society? 2. What is the difference between a “loser” and someone who is just going through a rough period? 3. Do women “dislike” male self-improvement?
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The Stoner 63 System
The Stoner 63 System was one of those “what ifs” of small arms weapons design. The basic concept behind the system was an attempt to make use of the modular idea of interchangeability: 17 core modular “units” could be assembled to produce various types of weapons for use in different roles.
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General Slim On The Foundations Of Morale And Offensive Operations
Readers may know that I’ve written two previous articles here on General William Slim’s Burma campaign during the Second World War. His memoirs continue to provide me with gems of advice on morale, conduct, and taking action.
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Greatness Of Soul: Becoming A Man Of Substance (Podcast)
On Duties deals with a very large number of topics. One of the most important unifying threads of the book is the idea of “greatness of soul.” What is it? Why is it relevant?
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Disaster Can Be The Stimulus For Victory
In 1942, military forces of the Empire of Japan entered Burma and expelled the British from the country. It was one of many disasters of the war’s early years. At the time, few believed that Allied forces in Burma would be able to reconstitute themselves.
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A Few Questions (Podcast)
We deal with two questions in this podcast. One question involves a reader’s concerns about procrastination. Another involves a question about a passage from my book On Duties.
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General William Slim’s Challenges In The Burmese Campaign
If someone were to select the most forgotten and God-forsaken theater of the Second World War, he would unhesitatingly point to the Burmese theater, assuming he even knew it existed. In this obscure country, hard-pressed and dreadfully neglected British forces fought a tenacious campaign against the Japanese that deserves to be far better known. The general who…
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Alexander’s Conquest Of Tyre
Alexander the Great knew that if he were to embark on his great project, the conquest of the Persian Empire, he would first need to secure his flanks near the Mediterranean. This meant the bringing of Syria and Egypt under his control; and to this end he moved south after subduing Asia Minor.
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Finland’s Amazing KP/-31 Submachine Gun
Finland’s armaments industry quietly produced one of the very best submachine guns of the Second World War. This weapon was the KP/-31 (also known as the Suomi m/1931). The design is not well-known now, but in its day it was the weapon that everyone else wanted.
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Portugal: Making The First Modern Commercial Empire
Little Portugal, located at the western-most tip of Europe, was not endowed by fortune with natural resources (save for its Atlantic proximity). Yet it did have the daring, tenacity, and vision of great men, and that proved to be sufficient to propel it to world prominence.
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Sunday Movie Roundup (7/3/2016)
It’s time to talk about a few recent movies I’ve seen.
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The Worst Pistol Of The Second World War
Like most of the belligerents of World War II, Japan found itself faced with an explosive demand for weapons of all sorts in the first few years of the 1940s. Existing supplies of small arms were simply not adequate, and Japan had to improvise as best it could.
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How Do I Know If My Goals Are Unrealistic? (Podcast)
Sometimes we should chase the gazelle, and sometimes we should not. A reader is concerned that he may be setting expectations and goals for himself that are not in accord with reality or practicality. He is wondering if he should make adjustments, but does’t really know if he’s just at a sticking point, or if…
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The Siege Of Acragas
Sicily had numerous Greek cities from very early times. These were colonial settlements that gradually grew into larger urban centers with the passage of years. But Sicily’s strategic position in the central Mediterranean meant that it was destined to become a battleground for regional powers. It was a pattern that would repeat itself down through…
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How Should I Decide What Career Path To Take? (Podcast)
A 23-year-old reader in a European country is undecided what career path to take. He has narrowed down his choices training in art or training in law. But he’s not sure which one is best for him. I offer my own thoughts, and then some thoughts gleaned from my translation of Cicero’s On Duties (which…
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8 Things Every Hiker Should Carry
Summer is a time for outdoor activity. Many of us will find ourselves hiking, camping, or just going on long walks. I thought this would be a good opportunity to make up a list of what I consider the most important things a hiker should have in his possession. [To read the rest of the…
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Conduct, Obligations, And Decision-Making: Details Of My New Book “On Duties” (Podcast)
This podcast discusses my new book, On Duties. It is the most explanatory, readable, and well-organized translation of Cicero’s classic that is available in English, and perhaps in any language. In this podcast, I provide the three reasons why this is so. I also discuss the great theme running through the book: the idea of…
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A Most Quiet Weapon: The De Lisle Carbine
The stories of forgotten weapons make for interesting reading. One such weapon was Britain’s “De Lisle carbine,” which remains one of the more obscure small arms stories of the Second World War. It is perhaps the most quiet weapon ever produced. Very few of them were made, and its full service record will probably never…
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“On Duties” Is Now Available For Pre-Order
I’m proud to announce that my new book, an annotated, fully explanatory edition of Cicero’s On Duties, is now available for pre-order. The Kindle version is available for pre-order now (with an actual release date of July 1), and the paperback version will be available on July 1 as well.
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Sunday Film Roundup (6/19/2016)
Waltz With Bashir (2008) Director: Ari Folman This is an Israeli animated film about the remembrances of veterans of the so-called “First Lebanon War” of the 1980s. For those who don’t know or don’t remember, Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982. The reasons for this are outside the scope of this review, but we can rudely…
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The Details On My Upcoming Book “On Duties”
At the end of this month, I will be releasing On Duties: A Guide To Conduct, Obligations, And Decision-Making. It is an exhaustively annotated, indexed, and topically referenced translation of Cicero’s famous treatise, along with commentary and supplementary essays.
Original copy of Cicero’s De Officiis (On Duties) published in Holland in 1642. From the collection of Fortress of the Mind.
Quintus Curtius 
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