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Welcome!
Hello! I’m Sam Amenn, host of the Art of Asymmetrical Warfare, a history podcast that focuses on asymmetrical warfare and colonialism/imperialism. I have a Masters in International Relations with a focus on insurgencies and state formation. My podcast utilizes a holistic approach to discuss one conflict per season. This means that I never talk about […]
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Episode 42-The Russian Civil War: Frunze vs the Basmachi 1920-1921
After disbanding the Musburo and overthrowing the Emirs of Khiva and Bukhara, Frunze has one more enemy to eliminate before communism can take hold in Central Asia: the Basmachi. Learn how Frunze created an counter-insurgency strategy against the Basmachi while dealing with mountain warfare, a ragtag army, and a region wracked with famine and sectarian […]
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Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs, Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!
Central Power POWs Before the Russian Revolution, Russia was at war with the Central Powers during WWI and by 1917, had captured approximately 2.4 million prisoners from its eastern front alone. When considering all of their fronts, it is estimated they captured 8 million prisoners in total. These prisoners were held all over the Russian […]
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The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921
From 1917 to 1919, Central Asia was cut off from Moscow and the Red Army. This allowed events in the Steppe and Turkestan to take their own course with a regionalized flavor. Beginning in 1919, that all ended with the defeat of the White Army in the Kazakh Steppe, the absorption of the Alash Orda […]
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Episode 41-The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921
General Mikhail Frunze has arrived in Turkestan and identified the Musburo and the two Emirs of Khiva and Bukhara as threats to Communism. But can he win a war with the Emirs when facing an insurgency and famine? If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Link to resources to Fight for Reproductive […]
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Special Episode: Dublin Lockout 1913
In honor of International Worker’s Day, we’ve taken a break from Central Asia to discuss how Jim Larkin, James Connolly, and the ITGWU fought for worker rights in Ireland in 1913. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Learn how to unionize Join Jonah Furman’s newsletter Follow Jonah Furman and Joshua Potash […]
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Dublin Lockout 1913
Today is International Worker’s Day and in honor of the thousands of workers across the United States striking for their rights and livelihoods, we’ll be discussing the Dublin Lockout 1913. Introduction Since it’s Workers’ Day and the United States is experiencing a revolution in worker rights, I thought it’d be fun to take a minor […]
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Episode 40-Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs , Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!
Join us as we discuss the fate of Central POWs in Turkestan, what Indian Revolutionaries were doing in Tashkent, and how the British attempted to continue their Great Game spy adventures during the Russian Civil War. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript Stand with Ukraine Resource Page Help Trans People […]
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Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920
Leaders of the Basmachi The Basmachi, who are often thought of as the great bogeyman of Turkestan, spent most of 1918 and 1919 organizing themselves, mostly in the Ferghana, but there were a few units in the Khiva and Bukhara Emirates as well. The Basmachi originated in the aftermath of the 1916 Central Asian Revolt, […]
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Episode 39-Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920
The Basmachi are facing famine, growing Red Army forces, and an uneasy alliance between the Bolsheviks and modernizing Muslim reformers. It’s time to organize or die. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript Organizations that will help you run for office: Run for Something Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Democratic Association of […]
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Episode 38-Turar Risqulov: A Kazakh Revolutionary Leader
Turar Risqulov: mighty intellectual, leader of the Musburo, and a powerful Kazakh member of the Soviet Union. He was betrayed by the very ideology he supported, and executed along with others like him because their nationalistic legacy threatened an insecure Stalin. Learn about how he tried to save Turkestan during a Russian Civil War, his […]
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Episode 37-the Russian Civil War the Musburo: Creating a Muslim Nationalist-Communist Cadre in Turkestan, 1919
Kobozev arrived in Turkestan in 1918 and tried to bring order to the region. Facing resistance from the Russian Settlers, he turned to the Muslim population and created different political and governmental opportunities for them. One such opportunity was the Central Bureau of Muslim Communist Organizations of Turkestan (the Musburo). However, when the Muslims start […]
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Episode 36-the Russian Civil War The Struggle for Kazakh Autonomy in 1919
The Alash Orda can no longer trust the White Movement, but they burnt their bridges with the Bolsheviks back in 1918. As the Red Armies sweep the White Army out of Siberia, the Alash Orda have to repair their relationship with the Bolsheviks or become powerless and irrelevant. But why should the Bolsheviks accept the […]
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15 Holiday Gift Ideas for History and/or Book Lovers
The holidays are here and you haven’t bought a present yet for your history and/or book lover! No judgment-I haven’t gone holiday shopping either. But my own frantic panic inspired me to put together this list of 15 books about Central Asia for that special history or book lover in your life. Fiction Central Asian […]
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Episode 35-the Russian Civil War: Turkestan and Bolshevim
The Jadids are chased out of Kokand, Khiva, and Bukhara and they are outnumbered and outmaneuvered by their enemies: the Russian settlers, the Ulama, and the Basmachi. Their best hope lies with the Bolsheviks who need Turkestan to spread communism into the rest of Asia and Turkestan’s resources. But can a Islamic, nationalist, modernizing movement […]
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Episode 34- Giants of Alash Orda: Alikhan Bukeikhanov and Akhmet Baitursynov
Join us as we discuss two giants of Alash Orda and fathers of modern Kazakhstan: Alikhan Bukeikhanov and Akhmet Baitursynov. Indivisible’s Give Ground Campaign Indivisible’s Build Back Better Campaign Borderless Magazine Article on Increasing Vaccine Access in Prisons and ICE Detention Centers If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon
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The Anglo-Irish Treaty
Setting the Stage The Treaty is an incredibly controversial document for two reasons. First, it formally acknowledged partition (which was official British policy by 1921) while turning Ireland into a dominion (NOT an independent state) and required an oath to the king. Second, it triggered a civil war that took many of Ireland’s best and […]
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Episode 33-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the White Army
After negotiations with the Bolsheviks stall, the Alash Orda turn to the White Movement in Siberia. What they find are endless political factions, Cossacks, numerous battles with the Red Army, and a White Army coup. Help Afghanistan Page Support the victims the Haitian Earthquake and Hurricane Ida Stand Up for Abortion Rights If you enjoyed […]
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Episode 32-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the Bolsheviks
The Russian Civil War knocks on the door of Siberia and the Steppe. The newly created Alash Autonomy must decide who they will ally with: the Bolsheviks or the White Army. Attracted by Bolshevik rhetoric, the Alash Orda start negotiates with the Soviets, but quickly learn that they have two, conflicting definitions of “self-determination” Help […]
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Episode 31-Kolesov Bukharan Campaign or How not to Invade Bukhara
The Tashkent Soviet just overthrew the Kokand Autonomy and now they rule Turkestan which is being threatened from all directions by famine, the Red and White Armies, the Basmachi, and violent tensions between the Russian Settlers and the indigenous peoples. So, obviously, the bests thing to do is invade their name the Bukharan Khanate. If […]
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Episode 30-Mustafa Cho’qoy “Imperialist Bogeyman from Turkestan
Mustafa Cho’qoy activist, minister, refugee, and Bolshevik enemy #1. Learn how a Kazakh activist went from being a minister in Turkestan’s first all Muslim, autonomous government to isolated expat in Paris struggling to get Europe to care about the plight of his people and Turkestan bogeyman that haunted Bolshevik dreams. If you enjoyed this episode, […]
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Episode 29-The Kokand Autonomy
In November 1917, the Muslim modernizers of Turkestan came together to create the Kokand Autonomy. But how can people with no governing experience govern a region racked by ethnic violence and famine while their neighbors, the Tashkent Soviet, are planning an all out assault? If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Donate […]
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The Russian Revolution and the Khivan Khanate
Introduction Last week we talked about the Russian Revolution and Central Asia, but we limited it to the urban areas of Turkestan and the Bukharan Emirate. Today, we’ll be discussing how Russia’s other protectorate, the Khiva Khanate, responded to the fall of the Tsars. Khiva Under Russian Rule 1880-1916 As we discussed in our episode […]
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The Basmachi
We’ve spent considerable time exploring how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia from several different perspectives. So far, we’ve talked about the Russian Settlers, the Alash Orda, the Jadids, and the Bukharan and Khivan Emirs. You may be thinking, that’s plenty of peoples and we’re ready to move onto 1918, but we have one more […]
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Episode 28-The Basmachi
Famine, civil wars, complete breakdown of authority-it only makes sense to join a guerilla movement that promises provisions and safety, right? Learn about the Basmachi, a group of warlords turned guerilla movement that became one of the Soviet’s most persistent headaches in Central Asia during the 1920s and 30s. If you enjoyed this episode, please […]
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The Russian Revolution and Central Asia-1917
When we last discussed Central Asia, they were in the midst of the 1916 Revolt, which is now seen as the harbinger of the Russian Revolution and the Russian Civil Wars. Today we’ll discuss how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia. Russian Revolution in Russia February Revolution 1917 is an odd year for Russia, because […]
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History in 5ish Minutes: Fathers of the Jadids in Turkestan
In this episode we discuss two giants within the Jadid movement in Turkestan: Munavvar qori Abdurashidxon and Mahmudxo’ja Behbudiy. Both men came from religious families, both men were successful merchants, and both men believed that reform was the only way to save Turkestani society. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon References: […]
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The Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda-1917
Listen to our episode above or read our blog post version of our episode below: It’s 1917 and Central Asia is adjusting to a Tsarless reality. To briefly recap, because a lot has already happened and it’s about to get even more complicated: Russian settlers created the Tashkent Soviet in the city, Tashkent. It is […]
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Episode 27-the Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda
The Russian Revolution provided the Kazakh intellectuals an opportunity to create their own government and redistribute land that had been taken from them by Russian settlers. But what sort of government can you create when you and your fellow indigenous intellectuals can’t agree on the best way to rule and the Russian Civil War is […]
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Episode 26: The Russian Revolution and the Khiva Khanate
Today we are discussing how Russia’s second protectorate, the Khiva Khanate, reacted to the fall of the Romanov Dynasty. We’ll discuss Turkmen Revolts, a desperate Khan clinging to power, and a coup. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our newsletter A […]
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Book Review: Lost Enlightenment by S. Frederick Starr and Polymaths of Islam by James Pickett
Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia’s Golden Age from the Arab Conquest to Tamerlane by S. Frederick Starr, published by Princeton University Press, 2013 Polymaths of Islam: Power and Networks of Knowledge in Central Asia by James Pickett, published by Cornell University Press, 2020 I enjoyed both books and would highly recommend them to anyone interested in […]
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We have a Patreon!
We’re excited to announce that we launched a Patreon! And if you sign up now you’ll get access to an exclusive episode on Michael Collins and the Irish War of Independence. Available Tiers We have five tiers you can choose from with awesome rewards such as Lecture Attendee-$1 per month A tip jar level where […]
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Episode 25-The Russian Revolution and Central Asia
Did you ever wonder how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia? This episode discusses how the various political factions in Central Asia-the Jadids, Alash Orda, the Ulama, and the Russian Settlers-responded to the fall of the Tsar and the rise of the Bolsheviks. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon If you […]
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Episode 24-Bird’s Eye View: What a Civil War Is and Isn’t
Tomorrow is our one year anniversary! To celebrate we posted our first ever Bird’s Eye View episode. This format allows us to take a step back and discuss the definitions, theories, and common features of an aspect of asymmetrical warfare. Today we’ll discuss what a civil war is and isn’t. Be warned, this episode contains […]
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History in 5ish Minutes 5 Tactics the Russians Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916
Today we take a deep dive into the tactics the Russians used to suppress the Central Asian Revolt of 1916, discussing the Urkun Exodus, the mass reallocation of Steppe lands, and Kuropatkin’s decision to use an scorch earth strategy. Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to […]
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History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Tactics the Kazakhs and Kyrgyz Peoples Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916
During this episode we revisit the Central Asian Revolt of 1916, this time focusing on the tactics used by the indigenous rebels, particularly the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples in the Steppe. We’ll discuss their use of hit and run tactics, the advantages the Steppe provided, and their targeted assaults on major infrastructure. Transcript coming If […]
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Episode 23-Interview with Dr. Adeeb Khalid
This is a very special episode as we discuss the Jadids with renowned scholar, Dr. Adeeb Khalid. The Jadids were an Islamic modernizing movement within Central Asia that would later find common cause with Bolsheviks and create modern day Uzbekistan. We’ll be discussing who the Jadids were, their doctrinal development, and how they fit within […]
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History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Facts about the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia 1890-1916
In this episode, we briefly discuss the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia, focusing on how the Russian administration created two societies one of the incoming Russian Settlers and one for the indigenous peoples. We also discuss the two biggest problems facing the Russian administration: land and the demand for political participation. Transcript coming If you […]
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Episode 22-the Central Asian Revolt of 1916
In this episode we discussed the Central Asian Revolt of 1916. Sparked by decades old administrative issues, the Russian settler’s “redistribution” of land and resources, and the Tsarist’s decision to conscription indigenous peoples (who up until that point that had been exemption of conscription), the revolution overtook most of Turkestan and lasted into 1917. In […]
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History in 5ish Minutes: the 1898 Andijan Uprising
In this episode, we discuss 5 facts abou the 1898 Andijan Uprising, discussing Madali Ishan’s revolt against Russian colonialism in Central Asia and stoking paranoid Islamophobia. Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our newsletter
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Episode 21-Russian Colonialism in Central Asia 1860-1890
During this episode we will briefly discuss Russian colonialism in Central Asia from 1860-1890, focusing on the how and why. We’ll discuss the subsuming of Steppe Lands, the abolishment of the Kokand Khanate, the subjugation of the Bukharan and Khivan khanates, and the attacks on the Turkmen people of the Ferghana Valley. Transcript If you […]
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Episode 20-Interview with James Nagle
Today we have a very special episode where we spoke to James Nagle about what life was like for an average IRA recruit and a British soldier. If you enjoyed our big picture overview but want to dive deeper into what life was like for an IRA recruit on the run, a civilian having to […]
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Episode 19-A BRIEF History of Central Asia
It’s season 2 of the Art of Asymmetrical Warfare! This season we’ll be discussing the Central Asian Civil Wars during the Russian Civil War. Today, we’re starting with a BRIEF history of Central Asia. In this episode we’ll explain how this podcast defines Central Asia, give a very brief overview of Central Asia’s ancient and […]
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Special Episode-6 Books on the Irish War of Independence
We reached 101 followers on Spotify this weekend and so we produced this special episode to celebrate! We discussed the 6 books we used the most when writing our scripts for our episodes on the Irish War of Independence.
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History in 5ish minutes 5 facts about Margaret Skinnider
Today during History in 5sh Minutes we’ll be discussing 5 Facts about Margaret Skinnider Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our newsletter
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History in 5ish minutes 5 facts about Arthur Griffith
Welcome to History in 5ish minutes, a new episode format in which we discuss a historical event or person in roughly 5 minutes. Today we’ll be discussing the 5 facts about Arthur griffith If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our newsletter […]
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History in 5ish minutes: 5 tactics the IRA used to defeat the British during the Irish War of Independence
Welcome to History in 5ish minutes, a new episode format in which we discuss a historical event or person in roughly 5 minutes. Today we’ll be discussing the 5 tactics the IRA used to defeat the British during the Irish War of Independence If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you […]
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Episode 18-Interview With Jesse Alexander
We are excited to talk to Jesse Alexander, host of the YouTube History Documentary the Great War. We discussed how asymmetrical warfare developed during the immediate interwar period, following World War I, as well as his newest project, Rhineland 45, which he is currently crowdfunding. Learn more about Rhineland 45 and support the project here […]
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Episode 17-the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty
In today’s episode we discuss the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, including the many controversial decisions made by DeValera during the Truce, the struggle Prime Minister David Lloyd George, Michael Collins, and Arthur Griffith faced from internal and external stakeholders during the negotiations, and the tragic fracture that occurred within the Irish people after the Dail approved […]
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Episode 16-Cathal Brugha and the Irish War of Independence
Today we’ll be discussing Cathal Brugha’s role during the Irish War of Independence, including his struggles as minister of defense, his difficult relationship with Collins and Mulcahy, and his role in the Treaty debates. Transcript Voting Links: Indivisible IL 09 Twitter Page Indivisible Chicago Twitter Page Indivisible Chicago South Side Twitter Page Virus Free Voting […]
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Episode 15-Cathal Brugha and Easter Rising
Today we’ll be discussing Cathal Brugha and his role in the Gaelic League, Easter Rising, and the creation of Sinn Fein and the IRA. Transcript Voting Links: Indivisible IL 09 Twitter Page Indivisible Chicago Twitter Page Indivisible Chicago South Side Twitter Page Virus Free Voting Payback Project Protecting Ruth Ginsberg’s Seat Until After the Election […]
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Episode 14-Northern Ireland and the Irish War of Independence
Today we discuss Northern Ireland and the role it played during the Irish War Of Independence, discussing figures such as James Craig, Edward Carson, and David Lloyd George. Transcript Donation Links for California: Direct Relief Wildfire Relief Election links: Illinois Virus Free voting References https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/james-craig-backbone-of-revolt-the-soul-of-intransigence-1.508452 https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/ireland-s-first-world-war-veterans-shunned-ostracised-murdered-1.3691036 https://www.irishnews.com/news/easterrising/2016/03/26/news/1916-46-000-from-belfast-volunteered-for-first-world-war-443443/ The Republic: the Fight for Irish Independence by […]
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History in 5ish Minute: 5 Ways the IRA Disrupted the British Prison System
Welcome to History in 5ish minutes, a new episode format in which we discuss a historical event or person in roughly 5 mintues. Today we’ll be discussing the 5 ways the 1920s IRA and the Provisional IRA disrupted the British Prison System. Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro […]
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Episode 13 Michael Collins’ Intelligence War
Today we discuss Michael Collins and his intelligence war including the formation of the Squad, his spies such as Ned Broy, David Neligan, and James MacNamara, and Bloody Sunday Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3 References: The Republic: the Fight for Irish Independence by […]
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The RICs, Auxiliaries, and the Black and Tans
During our podcast episodes on the Irish War for Independence, we focus on the IRA’s tactics and perspective. Today, we’ll be focusing on the British response and the different military and law enforcement groups they employed against the IRA and the Dail.
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Episode 12-Hunger Strikes During the Irish War of Independence
In this episode, we discuss the role of hunger strikes during the Irish War of Independence, including the story of Thomas Ashe, the Mountjoy Prison and General Strike of 1918, and Terence MacSwiney. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our […]
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Book Review for Making Uzbekistan by Adeeb Khalid
Rating: 5/5 Pros: A comprehensive exploration into the creation of Uzbekistan and its neighboring states A long overdue overview of an often-neglected region of the world Well-researched and detail heavy but still easy to read Cons: Need to know a little about the region before reading Is VERY detail heavy and needs to be reread […]
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Episode 11-Interview with Dr. Mary McAuliffe
We are very excited to interview Dr. Mary McAuliffe about her new biography on Margaret Skinnider and the experience of Irish women during the Irish War for Independence and the Irish Civil War. Buy Dr. McAuliffe’s biography on Margaret Skinnider here: http://www.ucdpress.ie/display.asp?isbn=9781910820537& Follow Dr. McAuliffe of Twitter: https://twitter.com/marymcauliffe4 If you enjoyed this episode, please […]
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Episode 10-Richard Mulcahy and the Irish War of Independence
In this episode we discuss Richard Mulcahy’s role as Chief of Staff of the IRA during the Irish War of Independence, including his efforts to instill discipline and organization, his difficult relationship with Brugha and DeValera, and his increased radicalization. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. […]
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Episode 9-Richard Mulcahy and Easter Rising
In this episode we talk about IRA”s chief of Staff, Richard Mulcahy’s role in Easter Rising and the efforts to rebuild the IRA up to 1919. Transcript coming Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3 BLM Links Movement for Black Lives SURJ Chicago Chicago Alliance Against […]
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Episode 8: Anglo-Irish War Part III 1921
Before we begin, we want to make it clear that this podcast and website knows Black Lives Matter and support the protesters demanding justice and arguing for the abolition of the police. There are links below on how we can help support the movement and challenge our own prejudices and educate ourselves. This is the […]
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Episode 6 – Anglo Irish War Part 1 1919
This is the first episode in a three part series, where we will discuss the Anglo-Irish War. Today, we review the major events that occurred in 1919 including rescuing DeValera from prison, sending DeValera to America, and the IRA ambushes at Soloheadbeg and Fermoy.
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Overview of the Members of the GHQ Staff
In last week’s episode (included above), I talked about how the IRA organized itself, the tactics it used, and its relationship with members of the Dail. Since then, I’ve done some research into the members that made up the General Headquarters Staff. I even made a spreadsheet, capturing basic information about the men: GHQ […]
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Episode 5 IRA: Formation and Organization
In this episode we talk about the IRA as an organization, how it was formed, the many different command structures it tried, its tactics, it’s relationship with civilian ministers, and the relationship between ground troops and General Headquarters Transcript coming Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by […]
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Episode 4-The First Dail
In this episode we talk about the creation of the first Dail and its relation with the IRA Transcript coming Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3 References: The Republic: the Fight for Irish Independence by Charles Townshend, 2014, Penguin Group Fatal Path: British Government and […]
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Episode 3-Ireland 1917-1918: Resurrecting a Rebellion
In this episode we talk about Ireland between 1917 and 1918, focusing on how Sinn Fein and the Irish Volunteers were able to rebuild themselves after Easter Rising. Transcript Theme Sound: Symphony no. 5 in Cm, Op. 67 – III. Allegro Image designed by @GraphicsHub3
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Women of Easter Rising Part II
I had a lot of fun researching Irish women who took part in Easter Rising for this episode, but I couldn’t cover them all in one sitting, so here is a thread of the other women who contributed to the Rising one or another. #WomensHistoryMonth
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Irish Women Who went on Hunger Strike
Hunger strikes are a familiar weapon in the war against colonial policies and wrongful imprisonment. Although today it is associated primarily with Gandhi or with the IRA, like Bobby Sands, it is an old tactic practiced all over the world and by all genders, such as revolutionaries in Imperial Russia, suffragettes in Britain and the […]
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Episode 1-Easter Rising
Our first episode will discuss Easter Rising, contextualizing it within Ireland’s long fight for self-governance and discussing its long legacy.
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Episode 2-Women of Easter Rising
This episode will talk about five women who contributed to Easter Rising: Constance Markievicz, Kathleen Clarke, Winifred Carney, Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, and Molly Osgood.
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The Art of Asymmetrical Warfare
This episode will introduce the host, Sam Amenn, and discuss the goals of this podcast.
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I’m Launching a Podcast!
Hello all! I am very excited to announce that on March 23rd, I’ll be launching a podcast! It is called the Art of Asymmetrical Warfare and it is a history podcast that focuses on asymmetrical warfare (surprise, haha!) I’m very excited. I’ll be posting the episodes on this blog and will also upload them to […]
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Book Review: A History of God
A History of God by Karen Armstrong, Gramercy Books, 2004 Pros: Fair and balanced look into the history of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Succinct summary of dense information Well-written Cons: Lot of information Can be dense and is a long read Could be organized differently This is a well written and fair book that covers […]
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Book Review: The Good Friday Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement by Siobhan Fenton, 2018, Biteback Publishing Pros: Quick and Easy read Provides needed context on women’s and LGBTQ issues in Ireland A great overview of what’s happened in Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement Cons: Lacking in deep analysis on any issues This book is a breezy and easy read of […]
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The Organizations Involved in Easter Rising and the Anglo-Irish War
The Anglo-Irish conflict, like many asymmetrical conflicts, can be confusing because of the vast amount of people and organizations involved. I have often wished there was a simple chart that I could refer to as I am reading about the conflict, so I made my own.
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Review for the Irish Civil war: Law, Execution, and Atrocity
Irish Civil War: Law, Execution, and Atrocity by Sean Enright, Merrion Press, 2019 4/5 A slightly dry, but fascinating read about the executions that took place during the Irish Civil War. Like his prior book on the Easter Rising Trial, Sean spends the first half of the book providing historical and legal context for the […]
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Review for Fatal Path
Fatal Path: British Government and Irish Revolution 1919-1923 by Ronan Fanning, Faber and Faber, 2013 4/5 A light and easy read about the British perspective during the Anglo-Irish War. I greatly enjoyed this book. Since I normally read about the conflict from the side of the IRA/Irish Nationalist’s, this book was enjoyable and provided needed […]
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Thoughts on African Kaiser and handling colonialism
African Kaiser: General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and the Great War in Africa, 1914-1918 by Robert Gaudi, Berkley, 2017 I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for a while. I read African Kaiser by Robert Gaudi last year and, while it was an easy and enjoyable read, there was an element that didn’t sit right […]
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Book Review of Richard Mulcahy from the Politics of War to the Politics of Peace 1913-1924
Book Review of Richard Mulcahy from the Politics of War to the Politics of Peace 1913-1924 by Padraig O Caoimh, Irish Academic Press 2019 Rating: 4.5/5 Pros: A long overdue biography on a vital founder of the Irish Free State and Irish Army Rich analysis that is easy to read Provides needed context on the […]
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Book Review-The Woman Who Would be King
The Woman Who Would be King: Hatshepsut’s Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney, 2014, Crown Publishing 4/5 This is a well-written, engaging study of a fascinating woman from Ancient Egypt. It has an easy to read study and, while it sometimes strays a little too far into the theoretical, it […]
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Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut was one of the most successful pharaohs in Ancient Egypt, a woman who took the name pharaoh after serving as Thutmose III’s regency for seven years. She oversaw the expansion of Ancient Egypt’s trade, a great reign of peace, and oversaw a series of large building projects such as one of the architectural wonders […]
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Treaty of Versailles
Last week, I attended a fantastic given by Michael S. Neiberg at the Pritzker Military Museum and library about his latest book the Treaty of Versailles: a Concise History (which I also read) and I thought I’d write about the experience. Mr. Neiberg modeled the structure of his lecture on the structure of his book, […]
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Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells is a giant, not only within the civil rights movement, but in American history. She was an African-American investigative journalist, educator, and an early leader in the Civil Rights Movement. A founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a co-owner of the newspaper Memphis Free Speech […]
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Book Review: Syria: An Outline History
Syria: An Outline History by John D. Granger 4/5 This is a well-written book about a large swath of land in what is now known as the Middle East. Even though there is a modern-day equivalent of Syria, it is a small portion of what had been Syria until roughly the 20th century. The borders […]
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Book Review: Religion and Magic in Ancient Egypt
Review of Religion and Magic in Ancient Egypt by Rosalie David. Published by Penguin in 2002 4/5 This book, while different from what I had been expecting, was a well written and insightful read. It focuses on the development of the Ancient Egyptian belief system chronologically, focusing on the historical events that affected who and […]
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Book Review: A Peace to End all Peace
A Peace to End All Peace: the Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East by David Fromkin. Published by Owl Books 2001 4/5 This is one of those books that everyone reads for a foundational knowledge about the Middle Eastern policy during WWI. It is a well-researched and well […]
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Book Review: The Ottoman Endgame
The Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution, and the Making of the Modern Middle East by Sean McMeekin. Published by Penguin Books, 2016 5/5 This is a well written, well researched study of the military situation of the Ottoman Empire before and during the First World War. It provides a refreshing perspective, focusing on the Ottomans themselves, […]
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Two Giants of the Civil Rights Movement
Saturday was the Women’s March and today is MLK Day, making me reflect on the Civil Rights movement and social change in general. MLK represents many different things to so many people and I think everything we project on him can sometimes obscure the man and the many people around him, who fought just as hard and sacrificed just as much. And I think that was MLK’s greatest gift and legacy-empowering, not only a nation, but each and every individual who came in contact with him to fight for justice and for what’s right. Today, I want to write about two such people, two women who I deeply admire and can’t help but be inspired by: Dorothy Height and Fannie Lou Hamer. Hopefully, this way I can pay my respects to the Women’s March and MLK’s and the Civil Rights Movement’s legacy.
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Thoughts on World War I
Yesterday, I was going to write a blog post about the 100th year anniversary of the WWI armistice and of Poland’s independence, but I couldn’t find the right words. I wanted to celebrate with Poland (lord knows they deserve it), while also properly reflecting on the war that killed 7 million civilians and 10 million […]
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The Battle of Ashbourne
Tuesday 25, April 1916 was a fine, spring day. There had been gentle showers earlier, but the land had dried since then, and the rest of week promised to be warm. After a disastrous start on Easter Sunday, things had gone as smoothly as could be expected for Irish Volunteer, Lieutenant Richard Mulcahy. After reporting […]
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5 Notorious Historical Figures with Supernatural Connections
Since it is Halloween, I thought it would be fun to write a post about the five notorious historical figures who have either inspired supernatural creatures or were confused for supernatural creatures.
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More notes on Armenian Golgotha
I’ve been thinking about Balakian’s memoir and two points that stuck out the most to me were: the international community’s culpability/lack of proper response and Turkey’s complaints once the Armenians were murdered. Starting with the Turk’s complaints, it’s so similar to the U.S. right now, it’s terrifying. Balakin writes that the Armenians were the core […]
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Book Review: Armenian Golgotha
Armenian Golgotha by Grigoris Balakian. Published by Vintage in 2009. This memoir was written by Grigoris Balakian, a bishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Balakian was an educated Armenian, having studied in Germany and spoke Armenian, Turkish, and German. He was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide and wrote this memoir to chronicle what he […]
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5 Famous Women of Central Asia
When I’m not reading/researching history topics, I write fiction. My newest project is a Middle Eastern/Central Asian novel about a royal family trying to keep out colonists and a growing terrorist ring wanting to recapture the glories of the past. While writing this book, I need to do a lot of research. This week, I’ve […]
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Qodiriy, Fitrat, and Cho‘lpon
I recently finished Hamid Ismailov’s book the Devils’ Dance, which is about Abdulla Qodiriy’s last days in a Soviet prison and the book he was working on before his arrest. The book mentions several Uzbek writers who I was unfamiliar with, so I decided to do a little research. This was what I was able […]
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Emir Nasrullah, Stoddart, and Connelly
A few months ago, I finished Hamid Ismailov’s the Devils’ Dance, which is a historical novel about the famous Uzbek writer, Abdulla Qodiriy’s last days in a Soviet prison, and the book the real Qodiriy was working on, but never published about an Uzbek princess, Oyxon, and the courts of Kokand and Bukhara. I was […]
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Book Review: Anonymous Soldiers
The Anonymous Soldiers by Bruce Hoffman. Published by Random House in 2015 This is a well written and well researched book that is easy to read, and is packed with information. While there is a lot in there, it’s not a ‘dense’ book. It is a definitely a book that needs to be ready multiple […]
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The Fall of Vicksburg
Today is the first week of July, an important week for American Civil War buffs. During this week, a 150 years ago, Lee took a great gamble at Gettysburg and lost, and Vicksburg finally fell to General Grant’s army. While the Battle of Gettysburg is an important battle and has reached mythical proportions in the […]
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