Stealing the crown jewels sounds like it might be included in the plot of a James Bond movie or a mysterious spy story. In the late 1600s, Thomas Blood hatched a plan to steal and sell (or possibly even destroy)the crown jewels belonging to the English crown. This was a brave but foolhardy plot, even …
Thomas Blood: The Dashing Thief Who Stole the Crown Jewels Read More »
In the sprawling network of Soviet forced labor camps known as the Gulag, millions of men and women were subjected to unimaginable horrors. They were forced into back-breaking labor and inhumane living conditions, including the daily threat of torture, execution, and murder. The Gulag was an instrument of political repression. It was used by Soviet …
Surviving the Gulag: Life and Death in Stalin’s Forced Labor Camps Read More »
Memnon was known to the ancient Greeks as the greatest African warrior who ever lived. Born of a goddess and a prince, he grew up to become king of the land of Ethiopia. When he brought his vast army of warriors to Troy to aid in the defense of the city, the beleaguered Trojan king …
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For centuries, the name Ragnar Lodbrok struck fear into the hearts of people across Europe. The name conjures images of fearsome Viking warriors, their longships cutting through the waves as they set out to conquer new lands. Ragnar was more than just a warrior, however; he was a figure of legendary proportions. One whose story …
The life of Ragnar Lodbrok, the legendary Viking leader Read More »
For centuries, the Mongols ruled an empire that stretched from China to Eastern Europe. It was the largest empire in the world, created through centuries of brutal warfare. Over time, the name Mongol became synonymous with the fearsome horsemen of the Eurasian steppe. Their exploits in battle – not to mention what came after – …
Sarah Rector’s name has long been associated with fame related to her status as one of the first Black woman millionaires in the US. What makes this unusual is that she reached this achievement in an era where millionaires in the United States were rare, no matter which sex they were. Even more noteworthy was …
The moniker, “father of modern medicine,” usually goes to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. However, there is another man who predates him by nearly 2,000 years who may deserve that title even more. That man is Imhotep. He was a multi-talented ancient Egyptian who was behind some of the greatest innovations of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. …
In truth, the Vegas of today resembles little the Vegas of yesteryear, on the surface, anyway. But one needs only stroll through the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas to remind them of “Sin City’s” not-too-distant past. There the names Meyer Lansky, “Bugsy” Siegel, Gus Greenbaum, and Moe Sedway aren’t torn from newspaper headlines or the pages of True Crime magazine, they represent …
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas: A History of Organized Crime Read More »
With a legacy of fierce battles, legendary expeditions, and a powerful lineage, Bjorn Ironside is easily one of the most captivating figures of the Viking Age. As the son of the great Viking king Ragnar Lothbrok, Bjorn was destined for greatness from birth. But it was his skill, courage, and cunning that made him a …
Bjorn Ironside: The Son of Viking King, Ragnar Lothbrok Read More »
In the heart of the vast, uncharted wilderness of the Amazon rainforest, there exists a mysterious place that has captured the imaginations of adventurers and scholars alike: the Lost City of Z. A place of fabled riches and mysterious ruins, the supposed city has been the subject of countless legends and rumors. Yet, no solid …
