The history of the Byzantine Empire's last great epoch, and the family that ruled it before the conquest of Constantinople.The 128-year dynasty of the Komneni, from 1057 to 1185, was the last great epoch of Byzantium, when the empire had to fend off Turkish and Norman foes simultaneously. Starting with the extremely able Alexios I, and unable now to count on help from the West, the Komneni played their strategic cards very well. Though the dynasty ended in cruelty a...

A military history of the medieval Catholic order that arose during the Crusades in the Holy Land.The Knights of St John evolved during the Crusades from a monastic order providing hostels for Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. The need to provide armed escorts to the pilgrims began their transformation into a Military Order. Their fervor and discipline made them an elite component of most Crusader armies and Hospitaller Knights (as they were also known) too...

A biography of the Viking king who sought to Christianize Norway in the Middle Ages—"A seminal and scholarly study that reads with all the inherent narrative storytelling flair of an historical novel" ( Midwest Book Review ).The Vikings and sainthood are not concepts normally found side by side. But Norway's King Olaf II Haraldsson (c. 995-1030) embodied both to an extraordinary degree. As a battle-eager teenager he almost...

This lively history chronicles every Byzantine Emperor who personally fought in battle, from Constantine the Great to Constantine XI.The Eastern Roman or 'Byzantine' Empire had to fight for survival throughout its eleven centuries of history. Military ability was therefore a prime requisite for a successful Emperor. In Fighting Emperors of Byzantium, historian John Carr explores the personal and military histories of the fighters who occupied the imperial ...

This WWII history chronicles the courageous but ill-prepared Greek air force from the Battle of Greece to the Battle of El Alamein and beyond.On October 28th, 1940, when Greece was invaded by Mussolini's Italy, the Royal Hellenic Air Force was severely outgunned. Without warning, the RHAF's paltry fleet was pitted against the much larger and more advanced Regia Aeronautica, whose pilots had recently honed their skills in the Spanish Civil War. Though the British Roy...

Who is Pumpkin Patterson? Pumpkin Patterson's real name was Porter Patterson. When the Saltspray River Raft Rumble Shield Race took place, something happened on the finish line. Team Turbo always called him Pumpkin after that.

In ancient Greece, Sparta was unique in having a dual kingship two kings from different clans, the Agiads and the Eurypontids, reigning simultaneously. The institution was already well-developed by the 8th century BC, when Theopompos of the Eurypontid clan emerges as the first recorded Spartan king. At least fifty-seven men held office as Spartan king between Theopompos and the Agiad Kleomenes III who died in 222 BC. For almost all this period the Spartan kingship was primarily a military ...

Journalist John Carr tells the riveting history of Greece's RHNS Averof—an armored cruiser that served in three of the twentieth century's major wars.Built at Livorno in 1910, the 10,000-ton RHNS Averof was the flagship—and largest warship—of the Royal Hellenic Navy until 1951. More than a century after its construction, she is still afloat, one of just three armored cruisers still in existence in the world. Originally intended for the Italian nav...

** The “Memoirs of Paris Past” collection presents fiction and non-fiction – travelers' guides, journals, histories, etc. - which wholly or in part shows Paris as it was at different points in history. If you love Paris and want to virtually stroll its streets in past times, search for “Memoirs of Paris Past” to find other works in the series. ** From a trip made right after Revolutionary France – now under the “First Consul” (Napoleon, soon to be emperor) – had made peace with E...

This military history of the WWII Battle of Greece presents a vivid and detailed account with special focus on the Greek forces defending their homeland.On October 28th, 1940, the Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas refused to accept an ultimatum from Italy's Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. Immediately upon his refusal, Italian forces began the invasion of Greece via Albania. This aggression was prompted by Mussolini's desire for a quick victory to rival Hitler's ...

This WWII history examines the most consequential and hard-fought battle between Greek and Italian forces in Albania.On March 9th, 1941, the Italians launched their Spring Offensive, designed to stem four months of humiliating reverses. Watched by Mussolini himself, the operation's objective was a pair of parallel valleys dominated by the Greek-held Hill 731. The Italian Eighth Corps, part of Geloso's 11th Army, had the task of seizing the heights, spearheaded by 38...

"The Stranger in France" by Sir John Carr is a captivating travel narrative that offers readers a glimpse into the author's experiences and observations during his time in France. Carr, a Scottish traveler and writer, provides a detailed account of the social customs, landscapes, and cultural nuances he encountered. His keen eye for detail and engaging prose bring to life the vibrant atmosphere of France, making it an intriguing read for those interested in travel literature and the histor...