Who would win in a fight: five twenty-first century US Marines or fifty doughboys from the First World War? Would you rather face a hundred duck-sized horses… Read more “How Good of a Pilot is Darth Vader? Applications of Lanchester’s Laws “
Category: Essays
Mini-Take: Time Travel and Modern Technology
For those of us not content with reading just about real history, the obscure genre of alternate history offers weird and often wildly creative takes on what… Read more “Mini-Take: Time Travel and Modern Technology”
Just War Theory and the Dance of the Dragons: Part II
Last time, I discussed the morality of the actions taken by the Blacks and the Greens at the outbreak of the Dance of the Dragons, the fictional… Read more “Just War Theory and the Dance of the Dragons: Part II”
Just War Theory and the Dance of the Dragons: Part I
Last year, I wrote an in-depth analysis of how the conflicts of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire relate to the principles of… Read more “Just War Theory and the Dance of the Dragons: Part I”
Demographics and the Laws of War
Today we’re going to discuss the intersection of two of my favorite topics: human demographics and the laws of war. At first, you might think the two… Read more “Demographics and the Laws of War”
The Weirdest World War II Show
February 2019 was a very bad month for Bob Garthwait. In the middle of that month, images surfaced of Garthwait, a prominent trustee at Gettysburg College, wearing… Read more “The Weirdest World War II Show”
Mini Take: Demographics and the Life Cycle of Wartime Politics
Several months ago, I discussed how wars leave a demographic shadow even decades after the end of the fighting. Today, I’m going to expand on that idea… Read more “Mini Take: Demographics and the Life Cycle of Wartime Politics”
Filibusters: Early America’s Strangest Paramilitary Groups
Today, Americans focus a great deal on domestic paramilitary groups, such as the Proud Boys or the Three Percenters, who were involved in the attack on the… Read more “Filibusters: Early America’s Strangest Paramilitary Groups”
A Defense of “Ameritrash” Board Games
When I was younger, one of my friends attempted to create a “more fun” version of Settlers of Catan, complete with armies that could battle other players… Read more “A Defense of “Ameritrash” Board Games”
Ukraine and the Demographics of Siege Warfare
Like many Americans, I’ve been horrified by the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, and inspired by the brave resistance of the Ukrainians. The attack also reveals much… Read more “Ukraine and the Demographics of Siege Warfare”
Tragedy and Farce 