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When the Last Sword is Drawn Movie Review

壬生義士伝, Mibu Gishi Den Directed by Yojiro Takita 滝田洋二郎 Written by Jiro Asada and Takehiro Nakajima Starring Kiichi Nakai 中井貴一 and Koichi Sato 佐藤浩市 I've always been a sucker for historical dramas. If you add in the Shinsengumi [新選組] and the Bakumatsu [幕末], I'

Falkenberg's Legion (The Prince) Book Review

The Mercenary, by Jerry Pournelle (1977) Pocket Books, New York West of Honor, by Jerry Pournelle (1978 Pocket Books, New York Prince of Mercenaries, by Jerry Pournelle (1989) Pocket Books, New York Go Tell the Spartans, by Jerry Pournelle and S. M. Stirling (1991) Pocket Books, New York Prince of

Tim Powers' New Novel

From the Works of Tim Powers blog: In the winter of 1862, London veterinarian John Crawford learns that his interlude with a prostitute seven years earlier has produced a daughter. The now-reformed ex-prostitute, Adelaide McKee, has recently learned that their lost daughter is still alive—but that the girl'

The Strangest Things Happen in South America

A truly horrific story, about a cult founded by a German in Chile. That is odd enough, until you get to the part where the founder serves a contractor for Pinochet to torture and execute political prisoners. The description of the town at the beginning of the piece makes Colonia

Lost Civilizations and Crazy People

I came across an old news report on the BBC website that piqued my interest. The remains of what has been described as a huge lost city may force historians and archaeologists to radically reconsider their view of ancient human history. Marine scientists say archaeological remains discovered 36 metres (120

Imagine

John Lennon's Imagine is one of his most remarkable songs. It remains popular 40 years after it was released. Imagine seemed to sum up the aspirations of the '60s perfectly [even though it was released in 1971]. I like the song too, but there is little in

This is why I like Damian Thompson

This is why I like Damian Thompson

I just try not to look at his headshot.