William H. Prescott was mentioned in the preceding article here, but I felt that he merited a more extended treatment in an article devoted to him alone. He was America’s first great historian, known for his heroic style, and for his ability to fuse a meticulous attention to original sources with a striking narrative power.
It’s hard to predict when you’ll enjoy your most productive periods in life. For some people, their years of productivity come early, and then they just ride out the remainder of their lives based on early successes. Albert Einstein, to take an example, was one of those people. In fact, most major scientists seem to achieve their major breakthroughs before they reach the age of 50. After that, there seem to follow decades of “coasting” on past successes.
This podcast is a discussion of the merits of Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new film The Revenant.
It’s an important film, and one that I think every man would benefit from.
We’ve heard so, so much about the abundance mentality. So, so, much. It almost feels like a wearisome cliché at this point. Continue reading
My latest book, Pathways: Best Short Essays Of 2015
You can find a summary of it here.
The book is available both in a Kindle version and as a paperback.
2015 was a good year, and 2016 is shaping up to be even better.
Keep the fires burning, and keep moving forward.
No matter what.
What are the 8 key factors that we need when conducting any operation, dealing with any conflict, or carrying out a project?
This podcast discusses the 8 critical elements of success in any conflict scenario: Perspective, Maneuver, Tempo, Mobility, Intelligence, Surprise, Logistics, and Leadership.
Whenever we want to do something big in life, we need (1) a strategy, (2) a campaign or a series of campaigns, and (3) tactics.
This podcast discusses these three levels of operational art, and how they must accommodate our goals and envisioned end-state.
Ast ego curarum vobis arcana mearum
Expromam mentisque meae quo pondera vergant.
“But I will reveal to you my secrets, and the weighty matters that oppress my mind.”
–Lucan, Pharsalia VIII.278.
My fourth book, Pathways, will be released within the next ten to fourteen days. It is a collection of the very best short essays of 2015.
There are 56 essays in all, all of which have been edited, polished, and refurbished, together with an easy-to-locate organizing system.
Sometimes the time is not right for your message to be heard. Sometimes being great is not enough. The right stars must come into alignment. External conditions must be right for your message to be heard. People may like you, but the real recognition may not yet be forthcoming.
History is replete with figures who went not just through slumps, but years of practical exile or relegation to obscurity. But eventually, talent and quality will tell. The key is to endure the hardship of the Wilderness Years.
You will hear many people try to tell you that “this can’t be done” or “that can’t be done.”
And many times such talk is proven wrong.
Quintus Curtius 
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