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.
Author: Quintus Curtius
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 led the fighting there must rank as one of the least appreciated commanders of the war: William Slim.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 he should change course altogether. I offer four suggestions for him to think about.
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 the centuries.
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 is now available on Amazon.)
Quintus Curtius 
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