David Nasaw’s The Patriarch is a comprehensive account of the life and times of the founder of the Kennedy family dynasty, Joseph P. Kennedy. In many ways he remains the least understood Kennedy; his name has been subject to rumor, surrounded by myth, and maligned in whispers. Even during his life he remained a divisive, controversial figure: at once irascible, overbearing, frustratingly obdurate, and cunning, as well as loyal, devoted, conscientious, and steadfast.
Author: Quintus Curtius
Hercules On Oeta: Immortality Through Virtue
As I have gotten older I find that reading plays brings more enjoyment than it did in earlier years. Tragedies especially: the unformed mind has not yet been sufficiently battered by the winds and waves of fortune against the rocks, and is equipped with a merciful immunity to the pathos of existence. And yet, as the years roll on, beards and barnacles begin to replace the smooth, supple surfaces of youth; scars and aches accumulate; and the omnipresence of tragedy dawns on the maturing mind with a startling rapidity. The mind then calls for a tonic: it requires the writer to make sense of all this chaos, all this pain, and all this suffering. The struggle must be dignified with a sense of universal justice, and an ethic of enduring goodness. So the tragedian steps forward, and with his stylus attempts to perform this task.
Al-Minara: The Pharos Lighthouse Of Alexandria
One of the more fascinating of the seven wonders of the ancient world was the Pharos Lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt. I have lately been reading the history of the Arab conquest of Egypt in the seventh century, and have become more acquainted with some of the monument’s unique characteristics, and the legends that have surrounded it.
You Don’t Need Anyone’s Permission To Succeed (Podcast)
In this podcast we discuss the subject of having the faith and confidence to follow your creative muse, without looking for the approval or endorsement of others. The herd is always going to try to enforce conformity. Do your homework, do your research, and learn your subject: but at the critical jumping-off moment, you need to keep your own counsel and not let anyone undermine your instinct.
Coming In Late 2019: “Digest”
In late 2019, several months after the release of Lives of the Great Commanders, Fortress of the Mind Publications will release Digest, the definitive collection of the most important essays of Quintus Curtius covering the period 2016 to 2019.
The Life, Travels, And Literary Works Of Yakut Al-Hamawi
In some recent researches I have discovered one of the more interesting travelers and scholars of the medieval Islamic world. I have been encouraged to review what sources are available; and the more we learn, the more impressive his story becomes. His name is Yakut Al-Hamawi, and his career and achievements tell us much about the geographical and social mobility of the age in which he lived. His career also confirms the truth of the adage that a man of ability will always find a way to rise to the top, regardless of the obstacles placed in his path.
A Very Good Chicken Dish
Before one can philosophize, one must eat. And so we turn now to the subject of eating. I wanted to share this recipe because I think it is inexpensive, flavorful, and simple to prepare. It requires no further justification.
How Pompey Cleared The Mediterranean Of Pirates
The Mediterranean became infested with pirates as a direct consequence of Rome’s Mithridatic Wars. Around 88 B.C. Mithridates VI of Pontus went to war against the Romans and moved into the province of Asia Minor. He took what plunder he could, and apparently decided that an effective way to wage irregular warfare against the Romans would be to encourage pirates to attack Roman shipping lanes.
The Measurements Of Eratosthenes
Eratosthenes of Cyrene (c. 276 B.C.–c. 195 B.C.) is justly famous for his ingenious method of calculating the circumference of the earth. What is less widely known is the fact that he made other contributions to the history of mathematics, some of which we will discuss here.
A Relationship Question, And More G Manifesto Tweet Readings (Podcast)
This podcast is in two parts. The first part deals with a good question I received today from a girl who emailed me about a relationship question. She wants to know the best way to break up with a guy. The second part is a reading of some G Manifesto tweets, just to have a few laughs. Listen to these amusing tweets, as I try to control my laughter.
Quintus Curtius 
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