Why Blog?
This site is where I post pretty much whatever my thoughts on history and whatever else strikes my fancy but mostly history. Blogging lets me publish my thoughts whether they get read by others or not, I blog for myself, not the edification of others. If other people enjoy reading my musings, that is cool too though.
On this blog I will occasionally post essays about various epochs and events in military history, I will also post a review of pretty much every book I read and I read a lot (generally 1-2 books per week). I will mainly concentrate on European military history but will occasionally digress and talk about warfare in other parts of the world. My purpose is somewhat to start a discussion but mostly to talk about areas of history that I find of interest and hopefully other people do as well. The vast majority of my posts will be open for comment and I heartily encourage folks to comment. At a minimum, I hope people find my posts and insights entertaining and worth reading.
I will try to avoid posting too many random political grumbles and opinions on the blog, but things being as they are I will probably be unable to resist the temptation at times. I want to avoid acrimonious debate from nationalists, political extremists, and others with an ax to grind. I am more than willing to engage in civil debate with anyone about almost any topic though, with emphasis being on CIVIL. Ad hominem attacks will be deleted, and since this is my blog I get to decide what is ad hominem and what is not. I may want to live in a democracy but my blog is not one. Here there is only one person and one vote, me.
10 July 2026 at 14:26
Hi Patrick, I came to this review as a debut author because the tradition you describe here, the old-school war thriller updated, is the one I tried to write in.
The Friction Point, out this August, is a 2060 war novel set along the first island chain: an authoritarian Eastern bloc invades the island that produces the West’s AI, using a stolen copy of that same system. It has viewpoint characters on both sides.
I’d be glad to send you an advance copy if you review fiction on request. I tried the two email addresses I found, but both bounced back, so I’m asking here instead. Happy to follow up wherever suits you.
16 September 2026 at 10:15
Gergely,
I have slowed way down on both book reviews and posting to my site although that is changing. Unfortunately, I have such a backlog of things to post that I could not get to posting a review of your book before it is published as evidenced by the fact that I am replying to your comment so late.
I apologize for not getting back to you earlier. I just this week finished updating the contact info on the site.
20 March 2013 at 00:57
My name is Eddie Thompkins, author of the novel Mogadishu Diaries Bloodlines. Mogadishu Diaries is based on my personal experience as a US Marine peacekeeper during Operation Restore Hope from 9 December 1992 until 21 March 1993. Mogadishu Diaries is a novel which captures: the pursuit of a beloved and revered warlord, the disarming an entire community and its unintended consequences, my conscience vs. the Rules of Engagement, and my courtship of a beautiful Somali interpreter named Ayan.
I would be honored for you to review my book.
My book is free of charge on Smashwords.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/280632
Book Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt9Jei0u4aM
Kind Regards,
Eddie Thompkins
GySgt USMC (ret)
4 September 2011 at 03:29
Thanks so much. I would never sell them as they have great sentimental value to me. I just had heard that old war medals can have significant value and didnt know if I needed additional insurance on them outside of typical homeowners coverage. Thanks for your reply and I really enjoy your website – glad I stumbled across it. Oh and thank you for your service to our country!
4 September 2011 at 11:16
Thanks for taking the time to read it. I am happy that you enjoyed what I have to write, that is why I put it out there.
1 September 2011 at 04:34
I stumbled across your website doing research on the battle of Koniggratz. My great-grandfather was in the Prussian army and actually fought in this battle. He earned numerous medals for his role as a rifleman in the battle and was also injured. The medals were made out of the captured cannons of the Austrian army. I have these original medals along with the original certificates that were issued to him after the battle. Just curious how rare would these be?
1 September 2011 at 09:52
I would imagine the medals would be fairly rare today. I am not an expert on militaria though and could not really say if they have a lot of value, though I am sure there are collectors interested. They are probably more rare in the US than Europe because most keepsakes of that nature tend to stay in families. I have friends stationed in Germany with the military that spend most of their weekends going to German flea-markets buying old militaria that they can take back to the US and sell at a significant markup.