Content Warning: This article contains videos depicting real violence during protests and riots. Despite an abundance of recent books, movies, and video games depicting premodern warfare (that… Read more “What Modern Riots Tell Us About Premodern Warfare”
Author: Thomas Brodey
Science Fiction and Fantasy in Dune
Many of viewers have come away from Dennis Villeneuve’s acclaimed adaptation of Dune with the idea that Dune is a science fiction story. After all, Dune is… Read more “Science Fiction and Fantasy in Dune”
Military Effects of D&D Magic
Last week, I discussed how the spells in Dungeons and Dragons might totally reshape the politics and economics of a D&D world. Today, I’ll dive into how… Read more “Military Effects of D&D Magic”
The Social Effects of D&D Magic
When people think of spells in Dungeons and Dragons, they think of flashy Fireball or the classic Cure Wounds. What most players and Dungeon Masters don’t realize… Read more “The Social Effects of D&D Magic “
Remembering the Alamo(s)
As dawn broke on March 6th, 1836, a Mexican army led by President Antonio Lòpez de Santa Anna stormed the Alamo, a small compound defended by several… Read more “Remembering the Alamo(s)”
Quintus Sertorius: The Patriot Who Defied Rome
This week, I’d like to write about one of my favorite figures from Roman history: Quintus Sertorius (126 BCE to 73 BCE). Sertorius’ life reads like a… Read more “Quintus Sertorius: The Patriot Who Defied Rome”
How Historical Films Misuse Color
In the 1930s, film developed color, and would never be the same again. Now, I wonder if some film genres are unconsciously reverting back to black and… Read more “How Historical Films Misuse Color”
Fake History: A Practical Guide to Inventing the Past
Over the past week, I’ve amused myself with George R. R. Martin’s newest book, Fire and Blood. For those of you without the inclination to read a… Read more “Fake History: A Practical Guide to Inventing the Past”
How Not To Measure a Country’s Power
How can we quantify the power of a country? Putting so many demographic, economic and military factors into a single number may seem like a daunting task,… Read more “How Not To Measure a Country’s Power”
The Great Myth of the Wehrmacht
In 1985, English historian Max Hastings published a provocative Washington Post article, titled simply: Their Wehrmacht was Better Than Our Army. The title refers to the German… Read more “The Great Myth of the Wehrmacht”
Tragedy and Farce 