Category Archives: History

The appeal of the political outsiders

Posted on 2015-09-14 by Andreas Moser

The three Republican candidates who have never held any elected office before, Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina, now poll – taken together – at more than 50%. More than half of Republican primary voters seem to think that … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, USA | Tagged | 1 Comment

Visit Romania! (1964)

Posted on 2015-09-13 by Andreas Moser

Ok, the film is a little bit older, but honestly, Romania isn’t all that much different today.

Posted in Cold War, History, Romania, Travel | 5 Comments

250,000 cigars

Posted on 2015-09-06 by Andreas Moser

In his book The Churchill Factor, Boris Johnson makes the apodictic claim that Winston Churchill smoked 250,000 cigars over his lifetime. This number looks too much like it has been pulled out of Mr Churchill’s famous hat. Let’s apply some … Continue reading →

Posted in History, UK | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Easily Confused (54) Impaling

Posted on 2015-08-21 by Andreas Moser

Impaling in the 15th century: Impaling in the 21st century: No wonder this method of barbecuing pork is popular in Transylvania. Poor pigs. :-( After seeing this photo, I think I will become vegetarian for a week or so. (Thanks … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, History, Romania | 5 Comments

Idols

Posted on 2015-08-17 by Andreas Moser

One is Michael the Brave, at one time the Prince of Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldova, and the first Romanian ruler to rule over these three principalities together, albeit only for half a year. The other one used to play football. One … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Photography, Romania, Sports, Travel | Tagged | Leave a comment

Book Review: “Young Philby” by Robert Littell

Posted on 2015-08-16 by Andreas Moser

I don’t know why I go for historical fiction or alternative history again and again, when I should know by now that I’ll be annoyed or disappointed. In Young Philby, Robert Littell tries to flesh out the early life of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Cold War, Germany, History, UK | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

When terrorism was a women’s issue

Posted on 2015-08-15 by Andreas Moser

Remember when your grandmother told you about her time with the Suffragettes, the women campaigning for voting rights in early 20th-century Britain? But they did not only pass out pamphlets, give speeches and sit around knitting and drinking tea. No, some of … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Human Rights, Law, Politics, Terrorism, UK | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Film Review: “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”

Posted on 2015-08-14 by Andreas Moser

There are spy stories which have become better by being turned into movies (Ian Fleming’s James Bond being the prime example) and there are those whose writers never should have given permission for their stories to be put on the screen. Tom Rob Smith’s Child … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, Cold War, History, UK | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Easily confused (52) Hungarian fences

Posted on 2015-08-12 by Andreas Moser

Hungarian fence in 1989: Helping economic migrants who want to buy better cars and bananas – good. Hungarian fence in 2015: Helping genuine refugees from war-ravaged countries who risk their lives to survive – bad. And just because it rhymes: Hungarian dance

Posted in Cold War, History, Human Rights, Hungary, Music, Politics | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Hotel Trianon

Posted on 2015-08-12 by Andreas Moser

I bet this hotel in Amsterdam doesn’t receive many guests from Hungary. Ok, that one is hard to understand for non-Hungarians or non-historians. Don’t worry about it, or – if you have too much time on your hands – read … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Hungary, Travel | Tagged , , | 3 Comments