Michael Rank's Blog, page 20
August 5, 2013
HFM 026 | The Most Interesting Crusaders, Part 3: Richard the Lionheart: The Hero of the Battlefield and Absentee King of England
Does Richard the Lionheart, the hero of Robin Hood, live up to the legend? On the battlefield yes, but as a king, not exactly. We look at the larger-than-life leader of the Third Crusade in this podcast.
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July 29, 2013
New book “The Crusades and the Soldiers of the Cross” has launched! Discounted to $0.99 for a limited time
‘The Crusades and the Soldiers of the Cross’ is an exciting new book by best-selling author and historian Michael Rank about the quest to retake the Holy Land. It looks at the lives and times of the 10 most important people in one of the most interesting times in history, covering 1095 to 1212.
Whether it is Peter the Hermit raising an army of 100,000 peasants to fight in the Holy Land with nothing but pitchforks or Baldwin IV personally leading his forces against Saladin despite having terminal leprosy, these larger-than-life figures were all drawn to the Holy Land and compelled to forsake their vast land holdings while embarking on a dangerous adventure against a superior enemy.
This book will look at the reasons for these 10 figures joining the crusade. Perhaps it was for glory in battle, as was the case for Richard the Lionheart. For others it was simple curiosity, such as Eleanor of Aquitaine, who added dramatic panache to the whole affair and brought along 300 female servants donned in decorative armor and carrying lances while on the march to Jerusalem. For many it was a simple faith conviction, such as the thousands of child crusades, who legend has it marched to the Mediterranean sea and expected it to open for them as the Red Sea had done for Moses.
It is now available on Kindle right now, and you can get it by clicking here. It is only 99 cents for a limited time. Hope you enjoy!
HFM 025 | The Most Interesting Crusaders, Part 2: Godfrey of Bouillon (1060-1100): Jerusalem’s Conqueror and Wielder of Christendom’s Enchanted Blade
Godfrey of Boullion, a commander of the First Crusade, was immortalized for being the first knight to enter Jerusalem. To arrive at this point he led thousands of soldiers on an expensive and dangerous adventure across a continent. How did he do it?
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July 22, 2013
HFM 024 | The Most Interesting Crusaders, Part 1: Peter the Hermit — The People’s Preacher Who Resembled his Donkey
Today we look at the life of Peter the Hermit, the rag-tag leader of the first crusading force (whom many said resembled the donkey he rode), and one that would meet its complete slaughter at the hands of the Seljuk Turks.
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July 15, 2013
HFM 023 | Common Knowledge About Medieval History that is Incorrect, Part 3: With Tim O’Neill
Today special guest Tim O’Neill, medievalist and Quora’s resident historian, explains that the idea that millions of women died in the medieval period (500-1500 A.D.) from witch burnings due to superstition and is incorrect. Witch burnings did happen, but at a time and for reasons that we wouldn’t expect.
If you would like to see Tim’s book review website Armarium Magnum, you can check it out by clicking here.
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July 8, 2013
HFM 022 | Common Knowledge About Medieval History that is Incorrect, Part 2: With Tim O’Neill
Today special guest Tim O’Neill, medievalist and Quora’s resident historian, explains that in the medieval period (500-1500 A.D.), rather than being the Dark Ages, was a time of great technological advancement. If you appreciate the printing press, clocks, eye glass, or modern agriculture, then you have the Middle Ages to thank.
If you would like to see Tim’s book review website Armarium Magnum, you can check it out by clicking here.
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July 1, 2013
HFM 021 | Common Knowledge About Medieval History that is Incorrect, Part 1: With Tim O’Neill
Today special guest Tim O’Neill, medievalist and Quora’s resident historian, explains that no educated person thought the earth was flat in the Middle Ages in the first of a three-part series on common knowledge about medieval history that is incorrect.
If you would like to see Tim’s book review website Armarium Magnum, you can check it out by clicking here.
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June 24, 2013
HFM 020 | When did ancient Greeks and Romans stop worshipping Greek Gods and Goddesses?
When did ancients stop believing in Greek gods and goddesses? Was it Constantine’s conversion to Christianity? Zeus no longer sending down thunderbolts? Dionysus no longer providing his wine? Find out here, and learn that it probably took much longer than you think.
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June 17, 2013
New book “Gods and Goddesses Gone Wild” has launched! Discounted to $0.99 for a limited time
Why did the Greek gods behave so badly? Because it is one thing for God to make man in his own image and quite another thing for man to return the favor.
Whether it is Zeus constantly philandering and turning his mistress into a cow in order to escape Hera’s wrath or Artemis turning a Greek voyeur into a deer to be consumed by his own hunting dogs, petty feuding and revenge seemed to be the national pastime on Mount Olympus.
This book looks at the immortal, short-tempered, and oh-so-mortal actions of the Greek gods, both major deities and the lesser ones.Does it pay to be crazy? Based on the longevity of the reigns of history’s craziest rulers, the answer appears to be ‘yes.
It is now available on Kindle right now, and you can get it by clicking here. It is only 99 cents for a limited time. Hope you enjoy!
HFM 019 | Imposters in History, Part 2: George Psalmanazar, the Native of Formosa
This podcast looks at the life of George Psalamanazar: The French youth who managed to convince England he was from Taiwan, and that all the natives were sun-worshipping cannibals who followed a strange calendar and lived underground. How did he managed to fool all of society? Did he know a trick that we can still use today?
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