Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs, Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

Intro Learn 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. After all can you really claim you discussed the Russian Civil War without dedicating at least one post to spies, revolutionaries, and … Continue reading Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs, Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

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 … Continue reading Episode 40-Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs , Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

The Russian Revolution and Central Asia-1917

Introduction 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. Support Me on Patreon Support LGBTQ+ Organizations Stop Asian Hate Listen … Continue reading The Russian Revolution and Central Asia-1917

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 … Continue reading Episode 25-The Russian Revolution and Central Asia

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 … Continue reading Episode 22-the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

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 … Continue reading Episode 18-Interview With Jesse Alexander

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 … Continue reading Thoughts on African Kaiser and handling colonialism

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 … Continue reading Book Review: Syria: An Outline History

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 … Continue reading Book Review: A Peace to End all Peace

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, … Continue reading Book Review: The Ottoman Endgame

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 … Continue reading Thoughts on World War I

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. 6. Bela Kiss-the Vampire of Cinkola Bela Kiss was a Hungarian soldier who fought during WWI, a serial killer, and-possibly-a vampire. A man … Continue reading 5 Notorious Historical Figures with Supernatural Connections

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 … Continue reading Book Review: Armenian Golgotha

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 … Continue reading Qodiriy, Fitrat, and Cho‘lpon

Book Review: The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille

The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille by George Thenault. Published in 2009 by Bibliolife I’m sure one can imagine my excitement when I saw this memoir in my local military library. George Thenault was the French commander of the Lafayette Escadrille from the very beginning to the moment it was swallowed by the American Expeditionary … Continue reading Book Review: The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille