Movie Review- Mitt

As we have talked about, Netflix is on fire. I decided to check out Netflix’s  documentary on Romney tonight and I am now more confused than I was when he was running.

Book Review- The Fighting 69th: From Ground Zero to Baghdad by Sean Michael Flynn

Wow! Two books in a row turned in to the library on time.


I just finished (well finished listening) to this book and pleased for having done so.  Beyond the obvious patriotic elements of the book there were a few things that stood out as a first-hand look at the Iraq War.

The first was the unit itself.  The Fighting 69th had been a part of every major conflict since the Civil War until Vietnam.  By the time of September 2001, the unit had transformed itself to a loose band of misfits who could barely muster for a parade, to a slightly less loose band of misfits who could barely muster for a parade. Security duty at West Point, and duty at Ground Zero moves the unit closer to its deployment, but not fully.  From there they train in the states, and ship to Iraq.  They serve with distinction the blood soaked town of Toji to Route Irish in Baghdad making a lasting mark on the Iraq War.  By the end of their tour of duty, the 69th was ranked by Army Brass as one of the best in country.  In a sense, the Fighting 69th is a feasible comparison to the Dirty Dozen of Hollywood.  It provides a interesting perspective which is the book's hook.  Flynn well documents the struggle of Colonel Jeff Slack to prepare the unit. This was particularly eye opening when you consider the lack of simple competency the unity processed before the war, to where it ended the war.

The History Podcast #36 - Snake Handling Snake Handler (preacher)

The History Podcast #36

Download Podcast - Snake Handling Snake Handler

In This History Podcast...

And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak in new tongues. The shall take up serpents; and they drink any deadly things, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover
(Mark 16:17,18)

With the recent death of Jamie Coots, we decided here at The History Podcast to look deeper into this obscure religious following. We touch on the roots, question why, jump to the Protest Reformation, and Mr. Jackson get's saved!!!....Well maybe not that last part, but it's not for a lack of trying by his coworker.

The History Podcast #35 - McConaissance

The History Podcast #35

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In This History Podcast...

You know what I love about.....this History Podcast answers that as we cover the resurgent career of Matthew McConaughey. From his upstart roles in Dazed and Confused and The Newton Boys, to low points like Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, there have been some ups and downs. Roles in The Paperboy and Dallas Buyers Club have brought a deeper hue to McConaughey's career. We delve into the highs, lows, and downright dark turns. Mr. Lincoln even reveals a possible mancrush.

Book Review- The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter

Always a fan of reading the book before the movie, I hurriedly read The Monuments Men recently. Honestly, it is one of the few books I have ever finished in the allotted time from the library

Movie Review- 42

Robinson Won Rookie Of The Year in 1947

To be honest, I had my doubts about this movie.  When I saw its impending release way back when, my first reaction was it would go one of two ways.  One: yet another glorified rah-rah about someone was far but.  Hollywood would wash it clean of any facts or blow out of proportion a few of the more tasty morsels.  Two: An overly dramatic account of something that by nature was pretty dramatic.  After watching it, I concluded that it was neither. Reviewing 42 might best be done by breaking it down into a couple of different areas.  After all it is a film trying to big things.

Bigger Than The Game: Cool Runnings

Happy Birthday Bob!

In honor of Robert Nesta Marley’s birthday and the opening ceremonies for the Sochi Olympics tonight (in the US), I thought I might post a brief history of Jamaica’s sole contribution to world of arctic sports. Bobsledding. If you are a certain age, you are likely familiar with John Candy coaching to Doug E. Doug, Leon, and Rawle D. Lewis to Olympic…..defeat, but the team’s history has been marked by reasonable success.

The team was initially founded by American businessmen George Fitch  (now mayor of Warrenton, Virginia) and William Maloney. Originally interested in Jamaica's push-cart culture, the two recognized that the nation’s sprinters would serve valuable speed in the bobsled’s push starts. The 1988 team finished dead last at the Calgary games, but gained attention as the game's underdogs story.