Shakespeare for Squirrels – Is This Strange Book Worth Reading?

The recent novel Shakespeare for Squirrels is the work of Christopher Moore. A particularly well-read aunt introduced me to Moore’s books several years ago. He writes funny books, and his sense of humor border on insane, but in the best possible way. Moore’s trilogy You Suck, Bite Me, and Bloodsucking Fiends remain the funniest books […]

The Battle of Thermopylae – Facts, Myths, and its Real Importance

The Battle of Thermopylae gained pop culture fame in 2006 when the movie 300 caught the attention of audiences. Although scholars had not neglected the battle prior to 2006, its popularity soared, at least temporarily. In the process, the Battle of Thermopylae (fought in 480 BCE) became a popular symbol of heroic resistance against overwhelming […]

The Spartans at Thermopylae

Today, a friend mentioned he was a big fan of the Spartans and the movie “300” and asked me what I knew about it. A little bit, as it turns out, considering I just gave my Western Civilization class this lesson a few days ago. What interests me most, however, was the irony that the […]