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Book Review: How The Army Made Britain A Global Power: 1688–1815, James D. Scudieri

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Jeremy Black

Reviewed by Dr. James D. Scudieri, senior research historian, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College

Senior research historian Dr. James D. Scudieri provides a detailed outline of Jeremy Black’s history of the British Army from 1688 to 1815, highlighting the author’s “theme that the British Army made the empire as much as the Royal Navy—through projecting Landpower.” Scudieri also notes the book’s value to American readers, writing, “American security professionals will see parallel insights from this small regular army within a parliamentary system” and that the “US Army’s evolution in a republic that centers the military …

Book Review: We Had To Get Out Of That Place: A Memoir Of Redemption And Betrayal In Vietnam, Wylie W. Johnson

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Steven Grzesik

Reviewed by Dr. Wylie W. Johnson, chaplain, US Army War College Class of 2010

Dr. Wylie W. Johnson reviews Vietnam War veteran Steven Grzesik’s memoir that, as Johnson explains, shows the effects of “the Army’s institutional policies” and how “[u]nit cohesiveness begins with senior leadership.” Grzesik’s personal experiences and the “isolation, abuse, and sacrifice of individual replacements” (which Johnson identifies as important themes in the book) provide a valuable perspective on “the imperative of caring for soldiers.”

Lazarin, Burt, Caitlin Omey

Bronx Jewish History Project

Summarized by Avi Frank

Burt Lazarin was born in 1944 and grew up in the Bronx in the Highbridge and Williamsbridge neighborhoods. His family came from Eastern European Jewish backgrounds, with his father’s side immigrating from Lithuania and his mother’s from a region that later became part of Belarus. Lazarin describes growing up in a working to lower-middle-class household, first in a small apartment in Highbridge and later, in 1952, moving to a larger two-family home in Williamsbridge with his parents, brothers, and extended family. Although not religious, Lazarin recalls a strong sense of Jewish identity shaped by family traditions, …

A Hellenistic Scale Weight From ‘Akko, Gerald Finkielsztejn

'Atiqot

A rare Hellenistic lead scale weight was retrieved from a Hellenistic-period accumulation layer (L121) excavated behind the moat counterscarp wall in the ‘Akko Ottoman fortifications (see Gosker, this volume). The well-preserved ‘Akko Moat weight sheds new light on the iconography and metrology of a series of weights, as it is similar to a lead weight of the same series found underwater offshore from ‘Atlit (Finkielsztejn 2016), and it exhibits some similar features to two other lead weights—one from an excavation at the ‘Akko Post Office, and the other from the Moussaief Collection. The ‘Akko Moat weight is described here, followed …

A Ravelin Outwork Uncovered In The Ottoman Fortifications Of The Old City Of ‘Akko, Joppe Gosker

'Atiqot

A small salvage excavation in ‘Akko exposed the remains of a previously unknown ravelin outwork in the counterscarp of the Ottoman-period fortifications—a previously unknown military feature—which cut through earlier Crusader and Hellenistic layers. Ravelins are known components of city fortifications in Europe from the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, continuing in use in the nineteenth century. In ‘Akko, it seems that the construction of the ravelin was not completed.

The Iron Age Inner City Gate And Gate Shrine At Tel Lakhish (Lachish), Saar Ganor, Igor Kreimerman

'Atiqot

An excavation carried out on the southern side of the six-chambered inner gatehouse at Lakhish exposed the gate passage, four piers and three chambers. The eastern chamber comprised two rooms, with a cultic niche in one of the room’s back wall and an altar in front of it. The chamber probably served as a gate shrine, and was desecrated during Hezekiah’s cult reform, when a toilet seat was placed next to the altar and the altar horns were trimmed. Evidence of Sennacherib’s destruction in 701 BCE was manifest by the presence of arrowheads, slingstones and collapsed burned mud bricks. The …

The Late Bronze Age Iii (Iron Age Ia) Gal’On Fortress In The Shephelah, Saar Ganor, Itamar Weissbein

'Atiqot

A previously unknown square building was uncovered at Gal’on in the Judean Shephelah, located between Tel Zayit and Tel Burna. The building was identified as a fortress, similar in plan and dimensions to several other excavated buildings designated “Governors’ Residencies”, and to a few buildings that were defined as “fortresses”—all associated with Egyptian imperial rule in Canaan in Dynasties XIX and XX. The construction of the isolated building at Gal’on may have been related to the reorganization of Canaan under Egyptian rule, possibly in the reign of Ramses III. The building may have been occupied by an Egyptian military force, …

The Elusive Fortifications Of Yafo (Jaffa), Yoav Arbel

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The port city of Yafo was fortified during much of its four millennia of existence. However, today, even its most recent Ottoman walls are dismantled, and only fragmentary parts of its earlier fortifications have been traced despite decades of research and salvage excavations on the mound and its environs. These limited discoveries cannot provide a comprehensive delineation of any pre-Ottoman defensive lines. Nevertheless, new discoveries, the mapping of scattered sites, comparative observations and consultation with historical sources can shed some light on Yafo’s otherwise obscure fortifications through its many phases, as well as on various related issues. Through these we …

Trebuchets Were Not Siege Guns, So Why Use Them?, Michael S. Fulton

'Atiqot

Counterweight trebuchets were the most powerful ballistic weapons of their day, but their association with later siege guns has led to misunderstandings of their destructive capabilities. This article is an attempt to correct some misguided ideas by providing a short overview of the power and value of mechanical artillery and contextualizing its use in the Levant during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. After addressing the origin of certain theories that these engines were far more destructive than seems to have been the reality, a brief assessment of their actual power is conducted by looking at the ways sources exaggerate the …

A Methodological Framework For The Archaeology Of Conflicts In The Southern Levant, And The Battle Of Hattin (July 3–4, 1187), Rafael Y. Lewis

'Atiqot

This article presents a research framework for the Archaeology of Conflicts/Battlefield Archaeology. This work was motivated by the methodological challenge posed by the very attempt to study material evidence of events of short duration in the landscape. Such events occurred outside the boundaries of conventional archaeological sites, in the landscape, which is generally subject to more frequent changes. The theoretical model is presented through an examination of the Battle of Hattin, a decisive event that took place on July 3–4, 1187, within the days of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem (1099–1291). This theoretical construct can be applied to the study …

The Old Sword And The Sea: A Medieval European Sword Off The Coast Of Newe-Yam, Joppe Gosker, Jacob Sharvit, Izhak Hershko, Dan Braitman, Yotam Asscher

'Atiqot

This article examines a sword discovered on the seabed near Newe-Yam, providing an analysis of its physical characteristics. The location of the discovery and the submarine iron corrosion processes are described. The sword, covered in a biogenic crust, was studied using non- and minimally invasive techniques, and compared with contemporary swords. A European origin and an approximate date in the twelfth–thirteenth centuries CE are proposed. The study also discusses the role of swords in Medieval European society, their association with authority and chivalry, and the romantic perceptions concerning Crusader swords.

Power And Control In Crusader Acre (‘Akko): The Fortifications Of The Genoese Quarter, Edna J. Stern, Eliezer Stern, Fabrizio Benente

'Atiqot

An impressive fortification system on the northern border of the Genoese Quarter at Crusader-period Acre was discovered, comprising a defensive wall built of bossed ashlars and incorporating arrow slits, a fortified gate leading to the quarter through a vaulted passageway and a projecting tower with two levels of arrow slits. The gate and parts of the passageway were blocked, apparently during the Crusader period, as a consequence of the Saint Sabas War. This war broke out following a dispute between Venice and Genoa over ownership of a monastery located on the border between their quarters, near the port, which was …

The Principia Of The Sixth Legion At Legio/Caparcotani: Ground Penetrating Radar And Excavations In A Legionary Base, Yotam Tepper, Matthew J. Adams, Eileen Ernenwein

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The legionary base at Legio (Legion II Trajana and Legion VI Ferrata) is the first full-scale legionary base of the Principate excavated in the Eastern Empire. The 2015–2019 excavation seasons of the Jezreel Valley Regional Project focused on the headquarters compound, the principia. While many components of the compound are typical of those of permanent legionary bases throughout the Empire, several unique features of the principia at Legio offer new research avenues concerning the function of these buildings within the Roman army administrative system and community life. This paper summarizes the results of the 2015–2019 seasons of excavation and remote …

Were There Jewish Gladiators? A Re-Evaluation Of The Available Archaeological And Textual Evidence, Haggai Olshanetsky

'Atiqot

The participation of Jews in the arena, especially as gladiators, has received relatively little attention. The few articles written on this matter suggest that Jews were both spectators and participants. The present paper relates to all previously suggested indications for the existence of Jewish gladiators and also introduces new ones. Although the possibility that Jewish gladiators were active in the first–fourth centuries CE cannot be ruled out entirely, the evidence remains inconclusive, suggesting that their number was very limited at best. It is also suggested that if Jews had participated in the games, they possibly preferred to fight beasts rather …

Evidence Of The Roman Attack On The Third Wall Of Jerusalem At The End Of The Second Temple Period, Kfir Arbiv

'Atiqot

Remains of a first-century CE wall segment and a tower base uncovered in the Russian Compound, Jerusalem, shed light on the course of the Third Wall in the west of the city and the fierce battle that took place there in the First Jewish Revolt. A concentration of ballista stones and other weapons at the site support the evidence furnished by Josephus in Jewish War, describing the battle at the Third Wall and the siege imposed by Titus on Jerusalem in 70 CE. The archaeological evidence and the historical sources enable a reconstruction of the battle between the Roman army …

The Fortifications Of Tel Burna: A Reappraisal After Twelve Seasons Of Excavations (2010–2022), Aharon Tavger, Chris Mckinny, Deborah Cassuto, Jane Gaastra, Steven Ortiz, Itzhaq Shai

'Atiqot

Tel Burna’s prominent summit, encompassed by a 70 × 70 m casemate fortification, has attracted attention since at least the nineteenth century CE. An analysis of the archaeological data collected during ongoing excavations at the tell indicates that these fortifications were built in the late tenth or early ninth century BCE. The fortification of this Judahite stronghold, located on the border with Philistia, remained in use for the next 200 years. Recently, evidence has come to light of a massive undertaking to reinforce and strengthen the western side of the casemate wall in the late eighth century BCE. The authors …

Weapons, Warrior Burials And Agency In The Intermediate Bronze Age Southern Levant: Some Theoretical Observations, Naama Walzer, Yitzhak Paz

'Atiqot

The Intermediate Bronze Age (c. 2500–2000 BCE) is known for its abundance of formal cemeteries and various other types of burial sites. These comprise a substantial number of internments that contain metal artifacts, identified as weaponry and associated with warfare, and typically defined ‘warrior burials.’ In this paper, we discuss some theoretical issues concerning the identification and role of the so-called weapons, the ideology of warriors and warriorhood, and the mutual agency of objects and society during the Intermediate Bronze Age. Reference is made to examples and research in Europe, where similar patterns have been extensively studied. Through this examination, …

Hematite Mace-Heads: A Specialized Craft Unique To The Late Chalcolithic Period, Michael Sebbane

'Atiqot

The mace was one of the most important and commonly used weapons for striking and smashing in hand-to-hand combat in the battlefields of the ancient Near East, from the tenth to the second half of the third millennia BCE. Outside the battlefield, the mace served ceremonial and ritual functions, which persisted long after its use as a weapon ceased. Hematite mace-heads are unique in the Late Chalcolithic culture that flourished in the region of Israel and Transjordan from the second half of the fifth to the first half of the fourth millennia BCE. They seem to be one of the …

Up In Arms: Slingstone Assemblages From The Late Prehistoric Sites Of ‘En Ẓippori And ‘En Esur, Gil Haklay, Hendrik Bron, Dina Shalem, Ianir Milevski, Nimrod Getzov

'Atiqot

This paper presents the slingstone assemblages recovered from two large-scale excavations at the Late Pottery Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic (c. 5800–4500 cal BCE) sites of ‘En Ẓippori and ‘En Esur. Based on contextual, morphometric and other archaeological data, we suggest that during this time, the slings and slingstones were used as weapons. The high number of slingstones found within the settlements, and the traits of systematic production they reflect (formalization, standardization and time-consuming manufacturing), point to an organized production of weapons, interpreted as an escalation in the preparations for war, alluding to the possible existence of local power centers in the region.

Front Matter & Editorial, The Editorial Board

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Table of contents and Editorial

Cities And Strongholds: Of Middle-Earth: Essays On The Habitations Of Tolkien’S Legendarium (2024) Edited By Cami D. Agan, Marilyn R. Pukkila

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review, by Marilyn R. Pukkila, of Cities and Strongholds: of Middle-earth: Essays on the Habitations of Tolkien’s Legendarium (2024), edited by Cami D. Agan

Between The Satirical And The Sectarian: Review Of The Film Kneecap (2024), Alan Bradshaw

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

No abstract provided.

Institutions Matter: How So?, Alper Duman

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

This paper examines the influential theory of Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson (AJR) on the role of institutions in economic development, highlighting its strengths, limitations, and areas for further research. A central contribution of their work is the emphasis on power and conflict in institutional formation and change.

The theory's focus on the interplay between inequality, political power, and institutional change provides a valuable framework for understanding development trajectories. This paper also considers critiques of AJR's work, including the lack of robustness of the positive correlation between inclusive institutions and economic performance in lower-income countries and the significant …

Food Deserts, Socioeconomic Status, And Health In The City Of Detroit, Nolan Booth

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

While many attribute health disparities in Detroit residents to the phenomenon of food deserts, this essay takes a closer look at such a seemingly obvious explanation and critically examines the concept of food deserts. This essay argues that the commonly held definition of food desert is inadequate for describing the complexities of a setting such as Detroit, and the true cause of the health disparities between the city and surrounding suburbs can be attributed to the lower socioeconomic status of the average Detroit resident, itself a product of racist housing policies and segregationist laws.

The Green Agent: Detroit's Urban Agriculture, Lydia Bonney

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This paper examines the role that urban agriculture has played in the lives of the citizens of Detroit throughout its history. By using newspaper articles, books, scholarly journals, websites, and one self-conducted interview, this essay explores several Detroit urban agriculture programs. Analysis of past successes and failures of urban agriculture programs shows how investing in urban agriculture today may address many similar problems Detroit faces. Thanks to the city’s unique landscape, community, and spatial disparity, Detroit has the potential to become a world leader in urban agriculture.

The Implications Of Jack Kerouac’S Modern Flâneur In On The Road, Jane Valente

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

­­­­Post-World War II society became increasingly reliant on automobiles as the primary mode of transportation in the United States, fostering conditions that gave birth to a modern reconceptualization of the flâneur. Jack Kerouac’s On the Road serves as a reference for character analysis, continuing and revising the Parisian origins of the concept. Drawing from literary works such as Virginia Woolf’s Street Haunting and Sherman Young’s essay “Morphings and Ur-Forms,” this essay argues that the protagonist of On the Road, Sal Paradise, embodies a uniquely American flâneur.

The Maiden’S Tower Of Femininity, Amrita Dhar

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This paper examines portrayals of femininity within “Maiden in the Tower” tales. It analyzes the means by which maturation, sexuality, reproduction, and female agency contribute to the shaping of femininity. Via Petrosinella by Giambattista Basile, Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm, and Tangled by Disney, the paper explores how variations portray historically unique interpretations of ideal, female traits that defy common assumptions. The evolution of perspectives across “Maiden in the Tower” tales help us grasp how gender ideologies are communicated and how women are socialized.

Shadows And Seduction: Exploring The Duality Of Night In Romeo And Juliet, Elizabeth Woelkers

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This essay explores how societal perceptions of night evolved from a time of secret worship to a period fraught with fear and demonic influence. Further, this essay explores Shakespeare's use of night to frame the clandestine romance between Romeo and Juliet, highlighting the lovers' perilous engagement with darkness. By embodying the duality of night within the lovers, Shakespeare underscores the timeless struggle between the purity of light and the seduction of night. Additionally, this duality serves as a cautionary narrative, urging audiences to resist the allure of night's temptation and remain in the true light of God.

The Patronage Of Noble Medieval Women And Marie De France’S Yonec, Rex Wagner

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

Marie de France’s Lais emerged during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, reflecting the literary patronage of noble women. This paper focuses on the lai Yonec, a story that centers on a noblewoman trapped in a loveless marriage to an elderly king, exploring themes of romantic longing and the constraints of dynastic unions. By examining historical expectations of marriage alongside advancements in vernacular literature, the paper reveals how Yonec articulates the frustrations of women feeling confined by political arrangements. Ultimately, it argues that these women used literary patronage to express their desires for love and fulfillment.

Political Posters, Periperformativity, And Power: An Analysis Of The Connections Between An Activist Movement's Image And Sound, Adeline Navarro

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This essay argues that we can gain a better understanding of the relationship between ACT UP’s image and sound, specifically its political posters and subsequent chants, by using Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick’s theory of periperformativity to examine the periperformative dimension of these chants and thus the power they lend ACT UP members during civil disobedience demonstrations. Second, it argues that the periperformative has the capacity to register historical change because it is an instance of, we-work.