Reading for background on Sea Traders/Peoples/Lebanese. The Philistines (Sampson) were a tribe of Sea Peoples. Sea Peoples harassed Egyptians in BronzReading for background on Sea Traders/Peoples/Lebanese. The Philistines (Sampson) were a tribe of Sea Peoples. Sea Peoples harassed Egyptians in Bronze Age. Probably originated from Greek Mycean culture, a loose confederation of tribes. Great archeological evidence, reference to Bibles, Greek and Egyptian writings. No mention of out settlements to form Carthage. Sea people have been international traders since the Bronze (4500-3300 BCE) currently named Chalcolithic age. Who says career tendencies don’t have genetic components? ...more
I’ve wondered who were the Asian traders in “A Hundred Years of Solitude” . Were the Chinese trading silks in South and Central America? No, the AsianI’ve wondered who were the Asian traders in “A Hundred Years of Solitude” . Were the Chinese trading silks in South and Central America? No, the Asian traders were from Lebanon, probably before Lebanon was a country. Met a Carnegie Mellon architect on a plane flight in May, who spent years in Lebanon in the 1980’s. He mentioned the Lebanese were seafarers of Phoenician origin. Found this book on my shelves, has a history of the Phoenicians. Cathigians (Hannibal’s people) might have been Phoenicians who settled, instead of remaining traders. Seems to be a link between Phoenicians and Portuguese, worth exploring. Genetic bias for Phoenicians to trade?...more
Ed West does a fine job explaining a concept that doesn't exist in English. "Asabiyyah", is simply and incorrectly translated as family, clan or tribaEd West does a fine job explaining a concept that doesn't exist in English. "Asabiyyah", is simply and incorrectly translated as family, clan or tribal loyalty. A "drink" encompasses thousands of different liquids, and social situations just as "loyalty".
Answers the question of why democracy works in some situations and not others.
Connections: 1. "Ibn Khaldun": Michael Crichton's " Eaters of the Dead." 2. Honor killing; Practice of torching Indian brides when the groom's family (especially the mother-in-law) did not receive sufficient dowry. Outsider murders when daughters were raped or seduced without male family consent. "Tough Trip through Paradise"-Andrew Garcia. 3. Kurds: Saladin a honorable enemy in reading Crusader history.
Read this to get contextual background for the Knight's Watch in Game of Thrones. Written in 1879, 20 years after Civil War, when it was difficult to Read this to get contextual background for the Knight's Watch in Game of Thrones. Written in 1879, 20 years after Civil War, when it was difficult to get historical information.
Must be more than one Barbarossa: Woodhouse talks about 2 pirate Barbarossa brothers who allied with Solyman. The other Barbarossa, is the nickname of Emperor Frederick I of Swabia. (1121-1190) a Crusader.
The Crusades had a naval component, Templars, Hospitallers.
The Venetians a trading state, had their own navy and army.
Phillip the Fair (French King) first to take assets from Templars, was followed by Henry VIII, etc. To justify takings used torture etc.
Interesting dynamics with Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia, Denmark, Albania, ....up to Napoleon. With edits and updates, this could be an addition to the "A Very Short Introduction"series published by Oxford University Press. (Medieval Religious Orders.)
The Popes abandoned the Knights of St John, Kings took their property, Martin Luther in Germany argued the Knights should marry. No country would support them, small contingent wound up in Russia as Teutonic Knights. Last Chivalrous Order of the Garter formed by Edward III of England and France, Order of the Garter, counts 8 emperors of Germany, 3 Spanish kings, 5 Kings of France, 2 of Scotland, 5 Danish, 5 Portugal, 2 Swedish, 1 Polish, 1 King of Aragon and 2 Kings of Naples as members. ...more
An early travelogue by an American camping in the Alhambra. Different versions of Aladdin and the magic carpet....likely the origin of Spielberg/HarriAn early travelogue by an American camping in the Alhambra. Different versions of Aladdin and the magic carpet....likely the origin of Spielberg/Harrison Ford movies "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Read for bookclub, wouldn't recommend the electronic version. Illustrations in paper editions improve the reading experience....more
A summary of the breakup of the Ottoman empire, from around late 1800's through the end of WWII. Which parts went to which country. Surprised to find A summary of the breakup of the Ottoman empire, from around late 1800's through the end of WWII. Which parts went to which country. Surprised to find Russian/German/British/Arab's in the mix. ...more
Fascinating time. Covers 600 years of Ottoman/European/Middle Eastern history. Need to read with reference map, of Greece, Turkey, Italy, Venice, SerbFascinating time. Covers 600 years of Ottoman/European/Middle Eastern history. Need to read with reference map, of Greece, Turkey, Italy, Venice, Serbia, Albania, and many islands, St Johns, Malta to get a sense of proportion. The high point of Pirates/corsairs/naval mercenaries.... Development of white and African slavery. Spanish naval power financed with South American gold shipments. Would like to read more. Low point of Catholic power, end of the Crusades. ...more
Fills in the blanks, before and after the birth of Jesus for the Jewish people. Most of the book covers the origins of Jewish people before they were Fills in the blanks, before and after the birth of Jesus for the Jewish people. Most of the book covers the origins of Jewish people before they were "Jews". They were Hasmoneans, Maccabees, many and other Jewish"tribes." Before there was a Yiddish language, there was Aramaic and Hebrew. Before there were Persians, there were the oldest tribes, Assyrians, Babylonians. At one time Jews were an integrated part of Greek and Roman societies. What separated Jews from Christians philosophically was the prejudice of Christians against business and money. How can a complex society grow without money and trade?
The PBS 2 disc, 5 part movie by the same name and author answers basic questions about Judaism. How do Askenazi and Sephardic Jews differ? Where did the Kabbalah come from?
The Pale of Settlement was an area (450,000 sq miles, 11 million Jews) covering Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and Poland for 130 years (1790 to 1920) where most Askenazi Jews lived.
Reminds me of the area covered by Viking Danelaw in Britain.
Muslims and Jews haven't always hated eachother. ...more
Zainab Salbi, and her family grew up as part of Saddam Hussein's (Amo) inner circle and lived in a Hussein's compound.
pg 24: Today, the principal theZainab Salbi, and her family grew up as part of Saddam Hussein's (Amo) inner circle and lived in a Hussein's compound.
pg 24: Today, the principal theological difference between the two sects is that Shia theologians tend to accept the necessity of continuously applying independent reasoning to contemporary life while Sunni Theologians are more comfortable relying on doctrines established centuries ago by religious scholars who established 4 different schools of Sunni thought.
pg 207: Amjad's adviser, Dr Sachedina was the imam, who was to perform our Islamic wedding and help with the marriage contract. Amjad and I had already discussed the dowry and had agreed that it was to be symbolic, a single gold coin from Jerusalem. "Zainab, you have a lot more rights to discuss besides the dowry, Zainab. You need to put down all your conditions." ...People don't know Islamic law, and they assume cultural practices stem from Islam. When a woman marries in Islam, she has the right to stipulate all the conditions she wants to have in her marriage. Then, the husband needs to sign if he agrees to those conditions. This is your chance to put in whatever conditions you choose as part of your contract for marrying Amjad. Anything I want? Anything from the kind of lifestyle you want to the way you want to raise your children. A kind of prenuptial agreement.
Here's my computer, Zainub..."Just type in all your conditions for the marriage contract, and if Amjad agrees, they're binding. Good luck.
She types: "You may not stop me from pursuing any career or educational path." "You must share with me all household duties fifty-fifty. You must do half the cooking, you must do half the cleaning..." "I want to share the right to initiate divorce."
Changes to the Islamic marriage contract are allowed after you are married.
Zainub makes a decision to become a "strong woman" instead of a "good wife."
Congratulations Zainab Salbi, you seem to be well on your way to reaching Maslow's self-actualization peak....more
Great legacy Noah Gordon, thank you. Must have been fun to write this book. Great introduction to medieval history in places other than Europe. Novel Great legacy Noah Gordon, thank you. Must have been fun to write this book. Great introduction to medieval history in places other than Europe. Novel takes place in Persia, Afghanistan, England, Europe, Scotland, Turkey, Egypt, India and Mediterranean. Medieval religious practices, Shiite, Sunni, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish and a touch of Buddhism. N. Gordon does a great job integrating religion, cultural, and political practices at the time. Great writing, couldn't put it down. Recommended for reluctant medieval history study. ...more
History without excessive brain strain. A short read, with interesting conclusions about the effects of the Crusades on the Europe, Britain, the collaHistory without excessive brain strain. A short read, with interesting conclusions about the effects of the Crusades on the Europe, Britain, the collapse of the Byzantine empire. The collapse of the Byzantine empire completed the split between two Christian schools of thought. Islam has a split between Shia and Sunni. Buddhism has a split between Mahayana and Hinayama....more
Didn't realize there was more than one Crusade, each initiated by a different pope over a period of about 300 years. The rise and fall of the Templar Didn't realize there was more than one Crusade, each initiated by a different pope over a period of about 300 years. The rise and fall of the Templar movement is a history of the Crusades and pilgrimages to the holy land. The Templars exemplified the best of Medieval Christianity, not the Popes or the Catholic Church. It seems the Pope(s) used the Templars when and while they were politically useful to control kings and nobles, and turned on them and others when politically expedient.
Interesting note, the Mongols switched alliances between Crusaders or the Musselmen at various stages. Muslim tribes constantly switched alliances, similar to today's middle east.
This book was written in 1852, when to be literate included reading knowledge of both French and Latin. ...more
Published in 1817. True survival adventure. 12 shipwrecked sailors returned. "The Arab is high-spirited, brave, avaricious, rapacious, revengeful; andPublished in 1817. True survival adventure. 12 shipwrecked sailors returned. "The Arab is high-spirited, brave, avaricious, rapacious, revengeful; and, strange as it may appear, is at the same time hospitable and compassionate:he is proud of being able to maintain his independence, though on a dreary desart, and despises those who are so mean and degraded as to submit to any government but that of the Most High. He struts about sole master of what wealth he posses, always ready to defend it, and believes himself the happiest of men, and the most learned also;handing down the traditions of his ancestors, as he is persuaded, for thousands of years. He looks upon all other men to be vile and beneath his notice except as merchandise.
They are very severe and cruel to their wives, whom they treat as mere necessary slaves, and do not allow them as much liberty as they grant to their negroes.....they are considered by the men as beings without souls and not permitted to join in their devotions. The continual harsh treatment have worn off the line edge of delicacy, sensibility and compassion, so natural to their sex, and transformed into unfeeling and unpitying beings...their conduct was brutal in the extreme, and betrayed the extinction of every humane and generous feeling."...more
Forty years ago I read " Trinity" and "Exodus" was my education on the Irish Catholic/Protestant conflict, and the founding of Israel. "The Haj" publiForty years ago I read " Trinity" and "Exodus" was my education on the Irish Catholic/Protestant conflict, and the founding of Israel. "The Haj" published in 1984, has all of today's Middle Eastern players. The brutality of the desert has spawned a brutal survival culture based on hate. Where there is no trust, there is no cooperation or love. I suspect the difference between the culture in the US and others is based on the "Judeo" part of our Judeo-Christian origins.
"The Haj" puts all the pieces together, TE Lawrence, David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meyerson, the Wahhabi's, the Alawaits, the Kurds (Saladin),the Sunni/Shiite split, the Egyptians, the British, the Germans, the Ottomans, WWI, WWII, Rommel, Haganah, Irgun, Jordan, trans-Jordan.....
I didn't realize Saladin was a Kurd. Doesn't seem like the US learned much if anything from the experience of the British.
Read for bookclub. Interesting biblical historical fiction?? Dynamics of polygamous wives. Contrast with "The 19th Wife" of Brigham Young.Read for bookclub. Interesting biblical historical fiction?? Dynamics of polygamous wives. Contrast with "The 19th Wife" of Brigham Young....more
Last month's bookclub selection based on author's Charlie Rose interview. A Muslim who joined the discussion didn't like to book. "Cutting off someoneLast month's bookclub selection based on author's Charlie Rose interview. A Muslim who joined the discussion didn't like to book. "Cutting off someone's ears" is a colloquial expression to tell a child "none of your business." Author is filled with 20 something angst and hasn't out grown her messiah phase, as we 60's college kids used to call it. Recommended movie to go with popular Muslim media "My Name is Khan" available on Netflix....more
The most "epic" of Hosseini's books so far. Reminds me of some of Pearl Buck's "Kinfolk" Chinese family stories. Shows lifetime driving force of decisThe most "epic" of Hosseini's books so far. Reminds me of some of Pearl Buck's "Kinfolk" Chinese family stories. Shows lifetime driving force of decisions made by ancestors several generations back. Whether you know or not, your family karma follows you, almost genetically.
Afraid this is the history of all women. Made me appreciate the sacrifices of my direct and indirect ancestors and my determination to live a life of Afraid this is the history of all women. Made me appreciate the sacrifices of my direct and indirect ancestors and my determination to live a life of love and responsibility. Thank you Khaled Hossenini for speaking for the women of Afghanistan....more
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