A review of “Swiss Gnomes and Global Investing” (audiobook)

So I was recently listening to some additional presentations from an audio series about investment. This particular installment was called “Swiss Gnomes and Global Investing.” I found out that it was actually two presentations: one about “The Swiss Gnomes,” and one about “The Global Investors.” Both were as interesting as I expected them to be, and brought back fond memories of my days as a business major.

A review of the BBC’s “The Crusades”

The Crusades are one of the most infamous episodes in all of medieval history. More than 700 years later, they are still extremely controversial. This may be why the BBC decided to examine them in 2012. At that time, the British and Americans (plus many others) were still fighting in Afghanistan, and would soon be returning their troops to Iraq. Even after the Allies’ departure from Afghanistan, Islamic terrorism remains a hot topic, and it will likely continue to be so. Islam holds many grudges against the West, many of which go back to this turbulent period. Thus, I will review the BBC’s coverage here, and see how it compares to the earlier coverage of the History Channel in 2005.

A review of the BBC’s “The Stuarts & The Stuarts in Exile”

“… all and every person and persons, who shall or may take or inherit the said Crown, by virtue of the limitation of this present act, and is, are or shall be reconciled to, or shall hold communion with, the See or Church of Rome, or shall profess the popish religion, or shall marry a papist, shall be subject to such incapacities [to rule], as in such case or cases are by the said recited act provided, enacted, and established …”

– “An Act for the further Limitation of the Crown and better securing the Rights and Liberties of the Subject” (better known as the “Act of Settlement”), as passed by the Parliament of England in 1701 – later amended by the Perth Agreement in 2015

During the English Civil War, one king from this dynasty was executed …

During the English Civil War, one of the Stuart kings of England was executed. Specifically, Charles the First was beheaded by Oliver Cromwell and his allies in 1649. This was probably the most dramatic moment of the entire Stuart dynasty, but there are many other such moments. The Stuarts have a fascinating history, and left an indelible mark upon the history of the British Isles. Thus, the BBC decided to examine this story in the 2010s, by engaging Clare Jackson to make this documentary. It must have been reasonably popular, because they later added two bonus episodes to the original three in that same decade. More about those later. For now, let me examine the original three episodes, which were simply marketed as “The Stuarts.” I will cover “The Stuarts in Exile” somewhat later in this post.

Charles the First

A review of “Duns Scotus and Medieval Christianity” (audiobook)

The Scottish philosopher Duns Scotus got a bad rap after his death. The English word “dunce” comes from the name of “Duns Scotus.” By extension, so does the English phrase “dunce cap.” But there’s a lot to learn about with Duns Scotus, and from the other medieval Christian philosophers. This audiobook is marketed as “Duns Scotus and Medieval Christianity,” but the introductory narration for this audiobook calls it “Duns Scotus and Medieval Christian Philosophy.” To me, this sounds like a more appropriate title, since the focus of the audiobook is on philosophy – and, more specifically, religious philosophy.