Don’t read Blythe blithely In the early 2000s, Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey, two American editors, found themselves with a hunch and a conviction which led to them publishing a collection of essays under the title: State by State: a Panoramic Portrait of America. The conviction, as described in Matt Weiland’s preface, was the “easy Read more…
Two portraits of the scum of the earth: Guy de Maupassant’s ability to portray criminal effectiveness. Guy de Maupassant lived only 43 years (1850-1893), but his impact in fiction is such that almost any great writer is consciously or unconsciously influenced by this father of the modern short story. Maupassant’s childhood was not without drama; Read more…
The Battle of Kadesh 1350 B.C. In the capital of Hittite empire, Hattusa 76 years before the Battle of Kadesh The barracks adjacent to Hattusa were usually in constant motion. Even in passing you could always hear the sharpening of swords or the grunts of a late night spar. But tonight, the city lay still. The majority Read more…
Chess Foes enter the game, confidence in hand But leave with nothing but broken pieces A simple win by the move of a queen Had shattered any hopes along with their king The opening was strong but not for long As pawn by pawn vanished from the field The Rook and Bishop cleaned the rivals’ Read more…
Ace Hunt: Boy Thief Chapter One Ace Hunt walked toward the large museum under the starry night sky, by the 14th century-styled building, that from above would seem like a huge U. The Uffizi Gallery was a long labyrinth of rooms with breathtaking artwork displayed across the walls in alphabetical order, and Ace Hunt had Read more…
