On May 3rd, The History Group reviewed “coal: A Human History” by Barbara Freese (DB58009). Everyone seemed to like the book, especially the author’s presentation of the historical background of coal and how it was indispensible in the development of modern civilization as well as coal’s present threat to humanity. Nobody seemed to agree with ex-coal CEO, Don Blankenship’s speech denying Global Warming. The song “Black Water” which everyone liked is part of an album called “music of Coal” and can be found on the internet or Amazon or of course in the Accessible World Archives.

D-Day is coming around again next month and we will be reading the historical novel, “Agincourt” by Bernard Cornwell. It provides an exciting, but historically accurate account of another English invasion of France some 700 years ago. Then it was not a war of liberation, but of pillage, and ransom. Also, Henry V. efforts to invade France and wrest the throne from the French King was seen, not as Shakespeare did, “a band of brothers” consisting of knights, dukes and kings, but through the eyes of a common soldier of the times. It is seen through the eyes of Nick Hook an English archer forced by threat of arrest to become a mercenary in King Henry V’s invasion of France. His rescue of a young novitiate from the infamous French pillaging of Soissons provides the love interest. Cornwell provides an extensive description of the weaponry, as well as political and social life of the times. However, he does disagree with historians as to the role of the English Longbow as the reason for the surprise victory of the outnumbered English.

Agincourt
Cornwell, Bernard. Read by Joe Peck. Reading time 15 hours 29 minutes.
Bestseller. 2009.
Download Agincourt, DB68608

facilitated by Don Queen
Email: queens@pacbell.net