General historical information
I don’t know about you, but I spent last Saturday watching the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla. I love the traditions and the history involved. This is the formal ceremony for the new monarch, but a sovereign’s reign begins with the death of the previous. Queen Elizabeth II was the queen for 70 […]
God Save the King! Read More »
Today, we rely heavily on clocks. Almost everything we do happens on a time schedule. I used to joke that I couldn’t get away from them. There are watches, the clock on the stove or the walls of the house, my car, my computer at work, and later my ever-present phone. But what did people
In researching the next book in the MacKay mysteries, I am learning a lot about protesting, boycotting, and secret societies. As in many time periods, certain everyday items can take on new significance. In the Pre-Revolutionary period, homespun fabric represented the boycott of English goods. A red and white flag symbolized the Sons of Liberty,
(G)nomenclature: Dwarf or Gnome? Read More »
Smuggling invokes images of pirates on the high seas. And yes, Blackbeard and others have been romanticized over time in stories as well as movies. In researching Angus’ arrival in Philadelphia for Death on the Line, I learned that they would not have sailed all the way up the Delaware River to the city. The
Fiction is the art of telling a story. But history is based on facts, though we all know that history is written by one side or the other or from one person’s perspective. So I try to keep in mind that old saying “trust but verify.” How important is accuracy in telling a story? What
It is impossible to learn about every period in history, or at least not in any depth. But are there periods in time that fascinate you more than others? For me, there are several particular times that captivate my attention, inspiring me to delve deeper. One thing I have learned about myself is that I
These are a few of my Favorite Things Read More »
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? Anyone who knows me knows I love history. It permeates most of what I do, whether reading, travel, or Google searches. When we moved to Germany, we were excited to rent a house built in 1705. It is still in the same family but is not the oldest
When I was in School… Read More »
Should we bother? I suppose this is tough for me to answer objectively, as I would be screaming, “yes!” But then, I love history. I am fascinated with the past, so maybe I’m not very objective. Admittedly, I am more interested in some periods than others, but I suppose that should be the topic of
Is it Important to Learn History? Read More »