Traditional Polynesian Tattooing
Adrienne L. Kaeppler, author of The Pacfic Arts of Polynesia and Micronesia, tells us a little about traditional Polynesian tattooing
Medvedev’s Election Victory
Goldman reflects on Medvedev’s recent victory in the Russian elections and on what it means for Russia.
Bad Blood: U.S.-Cuban Relations after Fidel
Given relations between the United States and Cuba over the last 50 years, one should not expect matters to change despite Fidel’s resignation. There is bad blood between the two countries. And no event did more to make this bad blood than the Bay of Pigs, almost routinely referred to as a “fiasco.”
Kosovo: What Everybody Needs To Know
Tim Bent introduces Tim Judah.
Priština, Kosovo
Ben’s place of the week is Priština, Kosovo.
The History of Medicine: Early Specialization in America
George Weisz is a Professor of Social Studies of Medicine at McGill University. In his book, Divide and Conquer: A Comparative History of Medical Specialization he traces the origins of modern medical specialization to 1830s Paris and examines its spread to Germany, Britain, and the US, showing how it evolved from a feature of academic […]
Milblogs: Yesterday and Today
David Perlmutter introduces us to Military blogs.
Because it’s there:
A Tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary
In recent years, climbing Everest has become something of an industry, and today when I learned of Sir Edmund Hillary’s death at the age of 88, in his native New Zealand, I marvelled at his extraordinary accomplishment. ‘High Adventure’ is one of my favorite books – both unforgiving, and exciting.
Pakistan at a Crossroads
John L. Esposito, editor-in-chief of Oxford Islamic Studies Online looks at the effects of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.
Milton in 2008
Four hundred years after the birth of John Milton, he still lives, his example still inspires, his words still echo. “Paradise Lost” is played on the stage, is sung to music, is choreographed for a ballet; it is an audiobook, the subject of countless theses and dissertations – and even paintings.
China leads in mass surveillance. Will the West follow?
James B. rule looks at how nations track their citizens.
Facing AIDS In South Africa
An excerpt from Shattered Dreams?: An Oral History of the South African AIDS Epidemic.
World AIDS Day: Africa Still Suffers
We celebrate World AIDS Day.
This Day In History: King Tut’s Tomb Opened
A look into ancient Egypt.
Iron Curtain: From Stage to Cold War
Patrick Wright, author of Iron Curtain, explains how he came to write a book on one of the most powerful political metaphors of the 20th century.
Otherness
Author Philip Davis begins his blog.