Our story will deal with the ancient Cushite empire of Ethiopians; that covered three continents and held unbroken sway for three thousand years. We will visit old Ethiopia; where as Herodotus said; "the gods delighted to banquet with the pious inhabitants." We will study the land and the ancient race. The "Old Race;" will next win our attention; that Petrie found in Egypt of distinct and unique culture; who were the people of the earlier and superior civilization of the first dynasties. Down through this prehistoric vista we see "Happy Araby" with her brilliant primitive culture and her unrivalled literature of later days. On the screen flashes the rich and surpassing culture of old Chaldea; which belonged to the ancient Cushite empire of Ethiopians. Next comes veiled and mysterious India; the scene of charming story and magic fable; with her subtle mysticism and philosophy. Tarrying a while with the conquest and life of the ancient Medes and Persians; the trail runs far afield into the dominions of Western Europe and the striking questions array themselves demanding to be answered. Who were the Celts? Who were the Teutons? and what was the origin of the so-called Aryan race? The author was as much astounded as will be the reader; as to what this study reveals. It leaves us wondering if there is any Aryan race.
#1188790 in Books 2011-11-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.30 x 6.00l; 1.43 #File Name: 1594161461337 pages
Review
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Oft-Told Tale Well Re-ToldBy Thomas M. SullivanLet me tell you; there is nothing more deflating for someone who fancies himself a `know-it-all' about a particular historical subject than to nonetheless keep reading and discover; well; a gap or two in the `all.' And so it was with this excellent short work on one of my favorite subjects; the British surrender of Fort William Henry to the French in early August; 1757.As my other reviews will attest; I've read every account of the battle (usually presented in a larger historical context) I could find; from Parkman to Anderson; and from Steele to Bellico; along with various contemporary and later pamphlets and; of course; the seminal fictional version; `The Last of the Mohicans.' Enforcing my certitude is the fact that I live about 1/3 of a mile due west of the fort's reconstruction (just to the south of the `second battery'); and thus can literally walk to the prospect at the end of my street and envision the troop positions and events described in these narratives.So what's new and different about this author's version? First; Hughes does a splendid job of addressing the year and the siege while placing the events in the larger historical context of the FIW. He also adds a very significant number of details about the principals and the composition and disposition of the respective fighting forces; many; I'm reluctant to say; new to me. All in all; throughout the work; and entirely due to his meticulous explanations; the reader is always comfortable in understanding who is doing what to whom; and why.Second; he includes as appendices a comprehensive chronology covering the extended period from Verrazano's first exploration of the East Coast in 1524 to 1992's film version of `The Last of the Mohicans' (I said `comprehensive') and an absolutely terrific glossary containing brief descriptions of the various Indian tribes involved in the story; military terminology for equipment; maneuvers; etc. The glossary will be tremendously helpful to siege first-timers and makes one wonder why History authors so infrequently make the effort to compose similar helpers as related to their subject matter.Additionally; Hughes is a fine storyteller who writes in clear; concise prose and obviously made a real effort to stick to the heart of his tale and resist the clarion call to wander off into side yarns; no matter how beguiling. Rather; he better spends his time conveying gems such as the fascinating after-action careers of the principals; including the British commander Monro's untimely death; no doubt a result of his siege ordeal; and the ironic (but in the British Army of the time; not surprising) promotion of Stay-at-Edward Webb.But the `know-it-all' has a cavil; and one I found disconcerting in the context of such a carefully constructed work. Understanding that the author's native England is a fair piece from Lake George; his given distances are often quite a way off; and he could have checked Google Earth before citing that from William Henry to Ticonderoga as 20 miles when it is actually 33; or from Fort Edward to Fort Ti as 30 when it is actually 42 (all as the crow flies; not carrying a musket). No small discrepancies given at the time the lack of even rudimentary byways made any sizeable troop and baggage movements truly daunting undertakings.That said; the `know-it-all' knows a good bit more now and hazards to say that if a less knowledgeable (wink-wink) History buff were to ask me to recommend one; and only one; book about the siege; this would be it.17 of 17 people found the following review helpful. History Made RealBy billdalton"The Seige of Fort William Henry: A Year on the Northeastern Frontier" by Ben Hughes balances historical detail and readability very nicely. Reading this well-researched book brings the brutal reality of the French Indian wars from the distant past to today's reader.James Fenimore Cooper's "Last of the Mohicans" fictionized many of the events described in Hughes' book; and; of course; took liberty with the facts; because it was a novel. The 1990s movie; "Last of the Mohicans" goes even further from the facts; so it is nice to get the real account. Hughes does not in any way gloss over the massacre that occurred; and his description of French General Montcalm's behavior was particularly interesting. In fact; there is barely a page that that is not interesting to anyone with an interest in history.22 of 22 people found the following review helpful. The Siege of Fort William Henry: A Year on the Northeastern FrontierBy SulermontExcellent piece! Greatly clarifies the magnitude of the British and French conflict in North America; the complexities of the relationships with the Native Americans; the "class conflict" between the regular British troops and the Colonials; etc. Additionally; the fictional episode represented in Last of The Mohicans is set straight. For those who enjoy the French Indian War period; it is well worth the time to read.
