AD 79: Year of Vesuvius In AD 79, Italy's mount Vesuvius erupted, covering Pompeii and Herculaneum in hot ash and lava. This was not, however, the only important event of that year. One emperor died, another succeeded, farmers farmed, politicians plotted, lawyers advocated, businessmen cut deals, life went on. In this podcast, we will follow the seasons of a typical year at the height of Rome's power from the perspectives of people high and low.
posted to MetaFilter Projects by BWA at 6:55 AM on February 9, 2023

Launch day for Tiber: Eternal River of Rome Italy’s Tiber river has served as the realm of proto-mythic creatures and gods, a battleground for armies and navies, a livelihood for stevedores and fishermen, the subject matter of poets and painters, and the final resting place for criminals and martyrs. Tiber: Eternal River of Rome, is a collection of a hundred essays examining these many facets. Entries range from a single paragraph to several pages, drawn from over three thousand years and more of the river's history. The stories range from familiar to obscure, violent to gentle, inspiring, diverting, weird, unlikely, and at times downright comedic.
posted to MetaFilter Projects by BWA at 5:04 PM on November 19, 2018

A Proposed Alliance of the Knights of Malta and the United States of America Anyone interested in some of the more odd and curious aspects of the American Revolution, its life and times, should enjoy the wealth of material at Journal of the American Revolution. Title link my latest, but there is something there for everyone. While I'm here, my Great Siege of Malta is now available for pre-order in paperback, release date June 6. Very reasonably priced and just as good as the hardcover (which is available now). Perfect for graduation/fathers' day/beach reads. Do the author a solid! I have a child looking at colleges.
posted to MetaFilter Projects by BWA at 7:02 AM on April 25, 2017

The Great Siege of Malta, 1565 Official release day for my history of same. Christmas is coming, the book could be suitable for the non-fiction readers on your list. Pre-release readers have described it as a fast read, "well-researched, convincingly argued and engagingly written."
posted to MetaFilter Projects by BWA at 8:58 AM on November 4, 2015