Monthly Archives: January 2012

Five key things about Long Branch

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Jaan Pill

Each person has their own view about what’s important about Long Branch. Here are five concepts that appeal to me: 1. History and pre-history. Geomorphology. 2. Samuel Smith. Borderlands concept. Changes at the mouth of Etobicoke Creek. Marie Curtis Park. … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Long Branch and beyond, Long Branch Historical Society | Leave a comment

I will bear witness: A diary of the Nazi years (Victor Klemperer)

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Jaan Pill

In the prologue to I will bear witness: A diary of the Nazi years (1998), Malcolm Chalmers notes that for readers in Germany, Victort Klemperer’s wartime diary “has become one of the key works through which the Third Reich and … Continue reading →

Posted in Military history | Leave a comment

The American way of war emerged, Eliot Cohen argues, from a struggle between the USA and Canada. We also discuss Andres Kasekamp (2010).

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Jaan Pill

Conquered into liberty (2011) and Empires and indigenes (2011) offer valuable insights regarding military history. The subtitle for the first-mentioned text is: Two centuries of battles along the great warpath that made the American way of war. The book refers … Continue reading →

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Eric Williams wrote a widely cited book about capitalism and slavery

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Jaan Pill

Capitalism and slavery (1994), originally published in 1944, is a widely cited book. The citations have prompted me to read it. The back cover of the Andre Deutsch paperback edition features a delightful photograph of Eric Williams. An earphone is … Continue reading →

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The British Empire was dismantled after the end of the Second World War

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Jaan Pill

I was in elementary school in Montreal in 1955 when the ‘Richard Riot’ occurred in that city. The event, on March 17, 1955, was named after Maurice Richard, the star player for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. … Continue reading →

Posted in Long Branch Historical Society, Military history, Samuel Smith | Leave a comment

Study tracking 2.5 million students over 20 years links good teachers to lasting gain

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Jaan Pill

I found this January 2012 New York Times article, about research that links good teachers to lasting gains, of interest. The article reports that a large-scale study – tracking 2.5 million students over 20 years – found that public school … Continue reading →

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Steven Pinker argues that violence has declined

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Jaan Pill

I recently picked up my library copy of Steven Pinker’s The better angels of our nature: Why violence has declined (2011). The book is also available as a 37-hour Audiobook CD and as an eBook. I’ve chosen to focus on … Continue reading →

Posted in Military history | Leave a comment

Show and Tell Evening – January 17, 2012 – Long Branch Library

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Jaan Pill

The next meeting of the Long Branch Historical Society will be at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, January 12, 2012. Meetings are held at the Long Branch Library, 3500 Lake Shore Blvd. West. The meeting will feature a Show and Tell … Continue reading →

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The first Crusade: Military leadership involves the skilful management of violence

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Jaan Pill

Among the books I’ve been reading with regard to military history is Armies of heaven: The first Crusade and the quest for apocalypse (2011). Jay Rubenstein does a commendable job of citing sources in such a way that the story … Continue reading →

Posted in Long Branch Historical Society, Military history, Samuel Smith | Leave a comment