Gilbert M. Stack's Blog, page 120
October 17, 2018
Today in History: Al Capone
On this day (October 17) in 1931 Al Capone was convicted on income tax invasion. Perhaps the most famous mobster of all time, Capone escaped responsibility for his most notorious crimes, falling at last to the IRS. The movie The Untouchables has a nice cinematic account of Capone’s eventual fall.
October 16, 2018
Today in History: Jadwiga Crowned King of Poland
On this day (October 16) in 1384 Jadwiga (sometimes called Hedwig) was crowned King of Poland. She was Poland’s first female king. During her reign, she would successfully convince the King of Lithuania to convert to Catholicism and encourage his subjects to also convert as a pre-condition to marrying her. She would rule for nearly fifteen years.
October 15, 2018
Today in History: Marie Antoinette Was Condemned to Death
On this day (October 15) in 1793, Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, was put on trial for crimes against the state. The outcome of the trial had been decided in advance. Only the charge of incest with her young son “failed” as the women in the gallery were as outraged by the fiction as the Queen herself. She was found guilty of draining the national treasury, conspiring against the security of France, and giving intelligence to the enemies of France. She was condemned to death.
October 14, 2018
Want Another Book by the Author of Legionnaire?
While you're waiting on Legionnaire 6 Morganita Burning to be released, why not take a look at Blood Ties. It's a supernatural thriller set in the present day, perfect for the Halloween season which my son has named, Occult-tober. So if you like vampires, werewolves, a ghost, a succubus and more, why don't you take a break from the ancient world and get supernatural with Blood Ties? In the quest for immortality, a relative is a terrible thing to waste.
Here's the back of the book blurb:
It seemed like such an easy case. All attorney Liz Dunn had to do was escort Ryan Hart to meet his long lost uncle in the tiny country of Carpathia on the Transylvanian border. Ryan stood to gain a ten million dollar estate. Liz wanted the hefty check that would keep her law firm in the black. But Ryan’s dying uncle, the enigmatic Stefan Carpathios, planned to get something far more sinister in return. In an ancient land where legends come to life, Liz is about to discover that the world is much more complex than she believed and a blood tie can be an exceedingly dangerous thing.
Blood Ties is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iBooks, Smashwords, and other fine e-retailers.
Legionnaire 6 Is Almost Ready for Pre-Order
Legionnaire 6: Morganita Burning is almost ready for pre-order. The book is written but I'm still waiting on the final verison of what's shaping up to be an awesome cover. Here's the blurb for the sixth installment of the series:
The long-feared war has erupted and Prefect Marcus Venandus and his newly raised legion are on the front lines of the fighting. After the successful conquest of a fortified border town, Marcus leads his men deep into Morganitan territory, part of a daring plan to secure Amatista’s rear by eliminating its major northern opponent before it’s other foes can join in the fighting. Yet will his new infantry prove up to the task? Despite new weapons and the strategies of far off Aquila to direct them, Marcus’ men are badly inexperienced and riven with the same deep-seated racial prejudices that embroil all of the peoples of the north. With just as many enemies within as without, can Marcus find the path to victory?
Today in History: Robert the Bruce Defeats Edward II
On this day (October 14) in 1322 Robert the Bruce of Scotland defeated Edward II of England at the Battle of Old Byland. Robert had attempted to capture Edward II at Rievaulx Abbey but was confronted by a force under the command of John of Brittainy. Robert drove John off the high ground by charging against him uphill while a force of highlanders scaled the cliffs behind John and attacked from the rear. The English force was routed and Edward forced to flee Rievaulx.
October 12, 2018
Today in History: The First Columbus Day
On this day (October 12) in 1792, Columbus Day is celebrated for the first time. The location was New York City. People like to point out that Columbus didn’t actually “discover” the New World which is obviously true. Millions of people lived in North America and the Vikings had visited a couple of centuries earlier. However, there is another meaning of the word “discover”. Columbus discovered the New World in the same sense that you might discover a great new restaurant. Obviously lots of people already knew that restaurant existed, but you tell all your friends about your “discovery” and make it possible for more people to patronize the restaurant. Columbus’ “discovery” opened North America to Europe and in doing so changed the course of the world.
October 11, 2018
Today in History: The Battle of Valcour Island
On this day (October 11) in 1776, the British defeated the Americans at the Battle of Valcour Island in Lake Champlain. Benedict Arnold commanded American forces losing or destroying most of the vessels in his fleet. While the battle was a clear victory for the British, it did delay their invasion from the north until the following year.
October 10, 2018
Today in History: The Great Hurricane of 1780
On this day (October 10) in 1780 The Great Hurricane of 1780 struck the Caribbean killing between 20,000 and 22,000 people. Winds over Barbados reached 200 miles per hour. The storm greatly weakened the British fleet which was contesting with the Americans during the Revolutionary War. It is the most lethal Atlantic Hurricane on record.
October 9, 2018
Today in History: Roger Williams Was Kicked out of Massachusetts Bay
On this day (October 9) in 1635 Roger Williams was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for speaking out against the taking of Native American Lands. He also disapproved of punishments for religious offenses. When he founded the colony of Rhode Island he scandalized other colonists by not giving Rhode Island a state religion.
