32 Comments

TGIF🎉🎉🎉

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As a fellow voracious reader, you’ve given me more to add to my plate. Thank you, Greg, for expanding my worldview. Particularly pleased to hear about lusty and brilliant women. And your deft wrapping all of this into today’s disasters is masterful.

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Thanks, Katharine. Enjoy!

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Greg, thank you for these book recommendations. Can’t wait to get started.

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Thanks, Helen. Let me know what you think!

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Nov 17, 2023Liked by Greg Olear

My father was a History major at Creighton University (Jesuit) and he was most curious about Civil War, WWI and WWII. You would have loved his library, which included Guns of August.

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Oh, no doubt. As a graduate of a Jesuit university, I have a soft spot for Jesuit universities.

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Is there any connection between the extreme patriarchy of Ancient Rome and the extreme patriarchy of the Roman Catholic Church? Asking for a friend.

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The Royal Sausage became a deity unto itself, connecting all.

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Just a smidge...

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Where do you find the time, Greg? Reading/vetting books, listening to and hosting podcasts, hosting the Five/8, and writing Prevail, not to mention writing and performing music...I'm in awe!

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It takes me a LOOONG time to read stuff these days. I'm on a good streak right now. I'm always happier when I'm reading a good book...

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Greg, I bought the Kindle of the Tuchman book and have dived in. Thank you for pointing it out to us, since I read mostly fiction. I love it already. It will really help me understand much better what is going on today. Heather Cox Richardson has ignited a passion for learning and re-learning our history and how it relates to the present time. I love how you link Tuchman’s history to the current nightmare we are witnessing in the Middle East. I am so grateful for your writing and your wisdom. Thank you.. Good night from western India.🇮🇳

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Thanks so much, Elisabeth. It's such a good read. The writing is exquisite. Let me know what you think!

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Nov 17, 2023Liked by Greg Olear

I loved all of Barbara Tuchman’s books. Thanks for the other recommendations.

One of my favorites reads was “The Arms of Krupp” by William Manchester.

The Krupp family were the premier German arms manufacturers from the middle of the 19th century until the end of World War II, producing artillery pieces and submarines that set the standard for effectiveness. This book relates the history of this influential company.

Amazon readers have better reviews than anything I could ever do:

https://www.amazon.com/Arms-Krupp-Industrial-Dynasty-Germany/dp/0316529400

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Oooo, that's certainly a good one. Thank you!

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Nov 17, 2023Liked by Greg Olear

The author's name, "Charles Beaumont" took me up short for a moment as the name is so attached to fiction like, "The Twilight Zone," but since THAT Charles Beaumont died in 1967, the two should not be confused! "A Spy Alone" is already on its way to my Kindle.

I am pretty sure that I read "The Guns of August" in high school, but I could be wrong. Would that book have been an assignment in a history course? The title seems so familiar.

I would DEFINITELY read, "Incels of Centuries Past." 😂 Someone needs to get on that one!

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Incels of Centuries Past. That IS a good title. Horror and history combined!

August is a long book, but you could certainly have read some of it. It's well known, for sure. I'm not sure how I missed it.

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Nov 17, 2023Liked by Greg Olear

Well fuck me! Good stuff! Thanks.

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Nov 17, 2023Liked by Greg Olear

How about A.S. Baytt?

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RIP.

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Nov 17, 2023·edited Nov 17, 2023Liked by Greg Olear

Greg, could you please start a weekly or monthly book review feature. This was wonderful! I was also thinking you could give a Youtube "History of the World" class. I would pay for that.

And why don't you try out for Jeopardy? Your knowledge must be incredible. I attended a taping 6 years ago when Alex was still alive. It's very subdued, not anything like you see on TV. I always thought I would panic, but it's far from it. They add all those music and bright lights later. Give that a thought while you are enjoying your Thanksgiving feast!

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Thanks, Anita! I would love to do that, but that's sort of what Sunday Pages is, in its way. It would be fun to talk about history stuff for sure.

My mom wants me to go on that show SO BAD. I did the test a few years ago and I couldn't remember Jane Austen's name so I didn't make the cut. Honestly, I would have been great 20 years ago. My memory was better. My brain is too slow now. And without Trebek, it's just not the same.

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Nov 17, 2023·edited Nov 17, 2023

Dang you Jane Austen! I do like Ken Jennings though. He has such a quick wit. And probably knows every answer although he doesn't show his disdain unless it's something easy they all miss. Like Garth Brooks on last night's show. I encourage you to keep trying. What a fanbase you would have to be with you along the ride!

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I would not have gotten Garth Brooks in almost any context, but it would be worth it all to see Ken Jennings disdain! I can't even imagine what that looks like.

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Always thought Jeopardy was an idiot game. Thanks for another view

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Nov 17, 2023Liked by Greg Olear

Keep surfing

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He had his heart set on me attending one. I came very close to attending Loyola in Chicago, but at the end of my senior year I got a partial scholarship to a Holy Cross university in Portland, Oregon. I almost got a double major (History in addition to English) and I still regret that I didn't.

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Another WOW, from a teacher who is wise in what he puts forth. It helps to look at the processes from which our current “troubles” spring. No matter how long ago, even to the Romans. It’s never just about the players on the stage, 2023. We pass on the hate and dysfunction to our “not yet born” progeny.

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