Sunday, July 26, 2026

Conn Iggulden is an amazing writer--from Rome, to Genghiz Khan and his descendents, to War of the Roses, to Athens--

he started writing on a borrowed computer in the corridor of his father-in-law's office, and is descended from Irish wandering storytellers--it shows--believe you me.
His books are what most historical fiction writers would give their right hands and half their brains to write like.
He takes you right there. The early years of Genghiz Khan, the very difficult childhood after his tribe abandons their mother and the children after his father Yesugei was poisoned, and his doubt about his eldest son Jochi's paternity after his wife Borte was kidnapped--because the rest of the family left her behind--are some of the most moving portions.
Also Genghis, i.e. Temujin's, rise to the top.
The battle scenes are also amazing.
The last book on Kublai Khan though is a bit of a disappointment, because although it shows Bagan on both the front and back covers, it stops before the Mongol incursion into Burma--which Marco Polo might have come along on-- at least he mentions it in his Travels.
I highly recommend Conn Iggulden's novels.
I've only read the volume about Caesar in his Emperor series and only one each in his War of Roses and Athens series, so I can't comment.
I am really more interested in non-Western, non-European, non-American novels--
A female cousin likes to read about the Tudors--
I like the rebels--and am more interested for instance in Russian history.
I can't realy "read the whole world" though I loved Aztec by Gary Jennings and wierd coincidence,I got off one carriage on the Red Line metro and stepped into another to change trains and I saw 2 difft people reading Aztec in 15 minutes.
But these days you can't see what people are reading bc they are maybe reading e-books.
You can watch on planes on other people's TV screens--silent movies with the sound turned off.
But it reminds me too much of watching Mulan while getting intravenous chemo.
Oh,and also the medical instructions tell you Not to eat your favorite foods while on chemo bc you will end up hating those foods.
It's like my sister's mentor in the Commerce Dept. telling his wife to cook foods he hated while he was trying to lose weight.
Cheers,
May this day be a good reading and writing day for you,
Kyi May Kaung
7-26-2026

The one book I am missing in Conn Iggulden's Conqueror series--Genghis Khan series

"Wolf of the Plains" is the first book in Conn Iggulden's Conqueror series, focusing on the early life of Genghis Khan and his rise from hardship to power.
Overview of the Book
"Wolf of the Plains," published in 2007, is a historical novel that serves as the opening installment of the Conqueror series. The narrative centers around Temujin, who would later become known as Genghis Khan. The story begins with Temujin's childhood, detailing the challenges he faces after the assassination of his father, Yesugei, the khan of the Wolves tribe. Following his father's death, Temujin and his family are banished from their tribe and left to survive in the harsh Mongolian steppes WikipediaWikipedia+1.
Plot Highlights
Survival and Leadership: The novel explores Temujin's struggle for survival alongside his mother and siblings. They face starvation and threats from rival tribes, which forces Temujin to develop remarkable leadership skills and gather other outcasts to form a new tribe WikipediaWikipedia+1.
Vision of Unity: Throughout his hardships, Temujin dreams of uniting the fragmented tribes of Mongolia into a single nation, a vision that shapes his future as a leader GoodreadsGoodreads+1.
Author Background
Conn Iggulden, a bestselling author known for his historical fiction, wrote "Wolf of the Plains" after completing his Emperor series about Julius Caesar. His research for this book included travels to Mongolia, which enriched the authenticity of the narrative WikipediaWikipedia+1. Iggulden's storytelling is noted for its engaging style, making historical figures and events accessible to readers Amazon.com.auAmazon.com.au.
Reception
The book has been well-received for its vivid portrayal of Genghis Khan's early life and the challenges he overcame. Readers appreciate Iggulden's ability to blend historical facts with compelling storytelling, making it a recommended read for both history enthusiasts and fiction lovers alike GoodreadsGoodreads+1.
In summary, "Wolf of the Plains" is not just a tale of survival; it is the beginning of a legendary journey that would lead to the creation of one of the largest empires in history.

My LinkedIn posts regularly go between 400 to 1200--but have different subject matters.

My Blog Hits Champions--Alaungsithu Su Taung translated by Luce got 219 blog hits

followed by Cambodian history in high 30s.

Novels about Oppression--

https://paulfinchauthor.com/20-best-books-on-oppression-2023-reading-list-recommendations/

Naraka--The U Gambira Story--

https://www.amazon.com/NARAKA-Gambira-Story-Marie-Siochana/dp/0648307808

U Wisara wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U_Wisara

True story--unfortunately out ofprint and expensive--

https://www.amazon.com/Assisi-Underground-Priests-Rescued-Jews/dp/B000NWHBK2

Novels set in Umbria--

https://www.travelextra.ie/wanderlist-ten-famous-novels-set-in-umbria/

Who were the Umbri--

Copilot Search Branding
The Umbri — Ancient Italic Tribes of Central Italy
The Umbri were an Italic people of the Iron Age, attested in inner central Italy roughly between the middle Tiber River and the central Apennines Wikipedia. Their territory, now part of the modern region of Umbria, was bordered by the Tiber and Nar rivers and included the Apennine slopes on the Adriatic coast Wikipedia. Most Umbrian settlements were on hilltops for defense, and their language belonged to the Osco-Umbrian branch of the Italic languages, closely related to Oscan Wikipedia+1.
Origins and Identity
Ancient sources differ on their origins. Herodotus (5th century BCE) claimed they lived before a supposed Lydian migration into Italy, but modern scholars reject this as myth Wikipedia. Roman and Greek writers often linked them to Gaulish or Celtic peoples — for example, Cato the Elder called them “progenitors of the Gauls,” and Plutarch suggested a connection to the northern Ambrones tribe Wikipedia+1. The name may have meant “people of the thunderstorm” (from Greek hombrós), a folk-etymology tied to surviving a great flood Wikipedia.
Historical Development
Initially occupying a broad swathe of central and northern Italy — from the Apennines to Ravenna, Mantua, Ancona, and the Tyrrhenian coast north of the Fiora River — the Umbri were gradually pushed south and east by Etruscans and Gauls Wikipedia+1. By about 400 BCE, they were confined to Sabina and the Apennine valleys Britannica.
They were agriculturalists with few large towns, and their culture was influenced by Etruscan contact, as seen in their alphabet and ritual texts like the Iguvine Tables Britannica+1. The Umbri were never major rivals to Rome; in the Social War (90–89 BCE), they joined the rebellion late and were among the first to make peace Britannica. Cultural and Linguistic Legacy
The Umbri’s language, Umbrian, is now extinct but is studied through inscriptions and ritual texts. They are also linked to the Sabellian expansion, with some Sabine and Samnite tribes possibly originating from Umbrian stock Everything Explained Today. Archaeological sites in southern Umbria, such as Terni, show Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age cultures Everything Explained Today.
In summary: The Umbri were an ancient Italic tribe of central Italy, with possible Celtic or Gaulish roots, who lived in hilltop settlements, spoke an Osco-Umbrian language, and were eventually absorbed or displaced by Etruscans and Gauls, leaving a lasting cultural and linguistic legacy in the region.

Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, Assisi,Italy--from Wikipedia.

Ambapali and the Buddha--from Wikipedia

Friday, July 24, 2026

Marco Polo wiki--

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Polo
Marco Polo’s journeys have inspired both historical fiction novels and his own travel writings, offering readers vivid accounts of 13th-century Asia. Historical Fiction Inspired by Marco Polo Several authors have fictionalized Marco Polo’s adventures, blending historical events with imaginative storytelling: Marco Polo by Laurence Bergreen – A richly detailed novel capturing Polo’s travels through Asia, his interactions with Kublai Khan, and the grandeur of the Mongol Empire, combining historical research with engaging prose bookstoreadonline.combookstoreadonline.com. The Travels of Marco Polo (Historical Fiction Adaptation) by Ruskin Bond – A modern retelling emphasizing Polo’s personal growth and the diverse cultures he encounters, making the story accessible and heartfelt bookstoreadonline.combookstoreadonline.com. Marco Polo and the Ruby Princess by Michelle Moran – A tale of love, intrigue, and political alliances set against Polo’s travels, dramatizing his role in historical diplomacy bookstoreadonline.combookstoreadonline.com. Other notable historical fiction works explore Polo’s adventures, the Silk Road, and the cultural exchanges of his era, offering readers immersive experiences of medieval Asia bookstoreadonline.combookstoreadonline.com+1. Marco Polo’s Own Writings The most famous primary source is The Travels of Marco Polo, also known as Il Milione or The Book of the Marvels of the World. Written in the 13th century by Rustichello da Pisa from Polo’s accounts, it chronicles his travels from 1271 to 1295, including his time at Kublai Khan’s court and journeys across China, Mongolia, India, and other regions WikipediaWikipedia+1. The book is divided into four sections: Middle East and Central Asia on the way to China China and Kublai Khan’s court Coastal regions of the East, including Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and East Africa Mongol wars and northern regions like Russia Polo’s vivid descriptions of customs, traditions, and exotic landscapes made the book a popular success and influenced European cartography, including maps used by explorers like Columbus WikipediaWikipedia+1. Recommended Reading Lists For readers interested in exploring Marco Polo through novels and historical accounts, curated lists highlight the best books: 17 Best Marco Polo Historical Fiction Books – Includes Bergreen, Bond, Moran, and others that bring Polo’s journeys to life bookstoreadonline.combookstoreadonline.com. 20 Best Books on Marco Polo – Offers a mix of historical fiction and nonfiction, providing insights into his travels and the medieval world paulfinchauthor.compaulfinchauthor.com. Goodreads Collection – Marco Polo has over 345 books listed, with The Travels being the most popular GoodreadsGoodreads. These resources provide a wide range of options for both historical enthusiasts and readers seeking adventure narratives inspired by Marco Polo’s legendary journeys. bookstoreadonline.com bookstoreadonline.com 17 Best Marco Polo Historical Fiction Books paulfinchauthor.com paulfinchauthor.com 20 best books on marco polo - 2023 reading list & recommendations bookstoreadonline.com paulfinchauthor.com Wikipedia Show All Global web icon bookstoreadonline.com https://www.bookstoreadonline.com 17 Best Marco Polo Historical Fiction Books Aug 12, 2025 · Historical fiction based on his life brings the past to life, offering readers a vivid glimpse of distant lands, cultures, and … Images of Novels based on Marco Polo Marco Polo Travel Book Traveling Family Original Cover Marco Polo China.Book Marco Polo Kids Writing The Travels of Marco Polo: Marco Polo, Ronald Latham: 9780140440577 ... The Travels of Marco Polo by Marco Polo | Goodreads The Travels of Marco Polo: Polo, Marco: 9789363114166: Amazon.com: Books Marco Polo Books at Preston Lamb blog Marco Polo (Great Explorers): Ladybird Books: 9780721405568: Amazon.com ... 17 Best Marco Polo Historical Fiction Books - bookstoreadonline.com Marco Polo – Delphi Classics Marco Polo: The historic adventure based on the television spectacular ... The Travels of Marco Polo: The Venetian by Marco Polo, William Marsden ... Buy a Marco Polo Online in Australia from Sydney Based Boatbooks-aust ... Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu: Bergreen, Laurence: 9781400078806 ... Marco Polo Books at Preston Lamb blog Marco Polo Books at Preston Lamb blog Travels Of Marco Polo by Marco Polo, Paperback, 9780451529510 | Buy ... Amazon.com: Marco Polo: The Journey That Changed the World ... Marco Polo: History's Great Adventurer (Historical Notebooks): Twist ... Scrolled 0% See all images Global web icon paulfinchauthor.com https://paulfinchauthor.com 20 best books on marco polo - 2023 reading list & recommendations Nov 18, 2023 · Are you fascinated by the adventures of Marco Polo? Do you want to delve deeper into the fascinating life of this … Global web icon Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki The Travels of Marco Polo - Wikipedia OverviewHistoryContentsLegacySubsequent versionsAuthenticity and veracityOther travelersFurther reading
The Travels of Marco Polo, also known as The Book of the Marvels of the World (French: Livres des Merveilles du Monde) and by its Italian name Il Milione ("The Million"), is a 13th-century travelogue written down by Rustichello da Pisa from stories told by the Venetian explorer Marco Polo. It describes Polo's travels through Asia between 1271 and 1295, and his experiences at the court of Kublai Khan. Wikipedia · Text under CC-BY-SA license Global web icon Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com › shelf › show Marco Polo Books - Goodreads “The map of the world is drawn by travelers and nomads. Built into it are steps, nights and days, stations and encounters.” Amazon https://www.amazon.com › shop › the travels of marco polo by marco polo About our ads The Travels Of Marco Polo By Marco Polo | Adventurous Fiction Novels Sponsored Get Deals and Low Prices On The Travels Of Marco Polo By Marco Polo At Amazon. Choose From a Variety Of Specialty Travel Books Related To Business, Budget and More. Best Books of 2026 So Far Amazon Deals Editors’ Picks Children's Books Best Books So Far Audible https://www.audible.com About our ads Marco Polo Audiobook - By John Man Sponsored Gain Access To The Largest Audiobook Catalog For Endless Entertainment This Spring. In Addition, Members Receive An Extra 30% Off All Audiobooks. Get Hooked On Audible Today! Fan Favorite Titles · Members Save 30% · Always Fresh Selection · Over 760k Audio Titles Everand https://www.everand.com About our ads Marco Polo Books - Read for 30 days Sponsored Get Access To Millions Of Ebooks, Audiobooks, Podcasts, And More. Read Free For 30 Days. All The Titles You Love In One Monthly Subscription. Try Free For 30 Days. Join Millions of Readers · Exclusive Original Titles · Celebrity Narrators More searches about this subject Marco Polo book original Marco Polo travel guide books best books about Marco Polo Marco Polo books in order book written by Marco Polo who wrote marco polo's book adventures of Marco Polo book Marco Polo first book 1 2 3

Battle of Ngasaungyan--1277

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ngasaunggyan

Hsinbyushin vs The Chinese "pauk hpaw"

Copilot Search Branding
Hsinbyushin vs. China in 1767
In 1767, King Hsinbyushin of the Konbaung dynasty in Burma (Myanmar) was engaged in a major war with the Qing dynasty of China, part of a series of four invasions launched between 1765 and 1769 HistoryMaps.
Context
By 1767, Hsinbyushin had already: Defeated two earlier Qing invasions (1765–1766 and 1766–1767) at the border HistoryMaps.
Defeated the Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767), capturing Ayutthaya in April 1767 and deporting thousands of prisoners Wikipedia+1.
Expanded into Laos and Manipur, and was preparing for further campaigns Wikipedia+1.
The Qing, under the Qianlong Emperor, saw Hsinbyushin’s expansion into the Shan states, Laos, and Lan Na as a threat and launched a third invasion in late 1767 HistoryMaps. The 1767–1768 Campaign
The Qing forces, led by elite Manchu Bannermen, advanced deep into central Burma, reaching within a few days’ march of the capital Ava HistoryMaps.
Hsinbyushin redeployed his armies from Siam to meet the Chinese threat HistoryMaps.
The Qing forces struggled with tropical terrain, endemic diseases, and unfamiliar conditions, suffering heavy losses HistoryMaps.
Burmese troops, though outnumbered, managed to push the Qing back, though the invasion came close to a major Burmese defeat HistoryMaps.
Outcome
The third invasion failed to secure a Qing victory; the Qing withdrew after heavy casualties HistoryMaps.
A truce was reached in December 1769, with both sides maintaining heavy border garrisons for about a decade HistoryMaps.
The war preserved Burmese independence but kept the kingdom heavily militarized, contributing to later rebellions Wikipedia+1.
In summary: In 1767, Hsinbyushin successfully defended against the Qing third invasion, preventing a major loss of territory, but the campaign was a close-run thing. The near-disaster forced him to shift resources from Siam, and the war set the stage for continued border tensions for years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pagan

1287--Chinese invasion of Bagan--

Chinese (Yuan) Invasion of Burma in 1287
The Battle of Pagan in 1287 was the final major clash in the Yuan dynasty’s series of invasions of the Pagan Kingdom of Burma (modern Myanmar), which had begun in 1277 and continued through 1283–1287 Wikipedia+1. It marked a turning point in the collapse of the 250-year-old Pagan Empire. Background
After the Yuan’s 1283 victory at the Battle of Bhamo, they had penetrated the Irrawaddy River valley and established garrisons. This political instability emboldened Esen-Temür, Kublai Khan’s grandson stationed in Yunnan, to launch another campaign Wikipedia. King Narathihapate fled Pagan to Lower Burma, leaving the capital’s defenses to his three brother commanders — Athinkhaya, Yazathingyan, and Thihathu — who became central figures in the 1287 defense Wikipedia+1. The 1287 Campaign
Esen-Temür led a large Mongol force down the Irrawaddy, aiming to capture Pagan. Traditional colonial-era accounts claimed the Mongols ignored orders to retreat, advanced to the city, occupied it, and sent detachments south toward Prome Wikipedia. However, modern scholarship suggests the Mongols likely never reached Pagan itself, being held at bay by the Burmese forces and possibly never getting closer than about 160 km north of the capital Wikipedia+1. Even if they did reach Pagan, the damage was probably minimal, and the Mongols suffered heavy casualties before retreating north to Tagaung Wikipedia.
Aftermath
Political collapse: Narathihapate was assassinated in Lower Burma by his son Thihathu of Prome Wikipedia.
Fragmentation: The Pagan Empire disintegrated into smaller kingdoms, including Ava, Hanthawaddy, and various Shan states History Atlas+1.
Yuan position: The Yuan did not fully occupy the Irrawaddy valley; their forces remained in northern Burma at Tagaung Wikipedia+1.
Legacy: In Burmese history, Narathihapate is remembered as Tayokpyemin (“the king who ran away from the Chinese”) Wikipedia.
Significance
The 1287 campaign, whether or not it directly captured Pagan, accelerated the empire’s collapse. The Yuan’s inability to consolidate control in the central and lower Irrawaddy region allowed local powers to rise, reshaping the political map of mainland Southeast Asia for centuries History Atlas+1.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Photo--Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton--

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=SrkP%2bLl9&id=92BE613FF4E57A9A4C497FE23CD9C8B0ECE21FC5&thid=OIP.SrkP-Ll9yCrQ77MvrPE4twHaHS&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fi.etsystatic.com%2f18790343%2fr%2fil%2f38d818%2f4840592500%2fil_1080xN.4840592500_s170.jpg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.4ab90ff8b97dc82ad0efb32facf138b7%3frik%3dxR%252fi7LDI2Tzifw%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=1064&expw=1080&q=Elizathe+taylrosmarriiages&mode=overlay&FORM=IQFRBA&ck=C2F23C5612F69AC9B3249C09A5FB69A9&selectedIndex=0&idpp=serp&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0

Novels based (loosely) on the life of Leonardo da Vinci--

https://starbookmark.com/blog/novels-about-leonardo-da-vinci.html

The Group--1966 movie.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=movie+The+Groupcomplete+movie+youtube&&mid=659D77666E64C98985E1659D77666E64C98985E1&churl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fchannel%2fUCTC_pLf6ZvhU_oZzpqJN1Mg&FORM=VAMGZC

Mary McCarthy's The Group--

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Group_(novel)

Ideas for when you don't want to move--from your city.

But you need Money.

This is more like it--645 sq feet in Tokyo--books, plants--but no platforms for me

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/video/watch/global-small-spaces-how-an-architect-built-7-levels-into-a-2-floor-tokyo-home
need railings, safety features, lift, and safe stairs in case lift stalls.
My friend has a 5? story house in Philly with a lift.
She told me home owners are digging basements bc no space to expand sideways.

Small spaces--400 sq feet in NY--not for me--no space for books,

no paintings on walls, no storage--too large TV--don't want overnight ordaytime guests except med personell.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/video/watch/global-small-spaces-robert-garneau

World's largest pop up book + walk in cake--

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2026/07/daniel-gonzalez-matthew-reinhart-popup-book-los-anglees-library-world-record/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

IMPT--Rape support hotlines from the guardian--keep on your phone:

Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html

Amish Shah wins in AZ.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/arizona-1st-district-democratic-primary-amish-shah/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Conn Iggulden--Genghis Series--Highly recommended--

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=conn+iggulden+genghis+series&i=stripbooks&adgrpid=1344704078176845&gb=2&hvadid=84044199248233&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=91335&hvnetw=o&hvocijid=11251544875805401119--&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84044924107376%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=10028_13485522&mcid=b8737d9be81635539f94e8f0fc2125c2&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_8foihsndmj_e

Baidu or Baydu--

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baydu

from Kokochin wiki--

Accounts
There are three sources for the account of the mission to Persia – a passage in the Chinese work Yongle Encyclopedia (which however does not mention the princess), the Persian Jami' al-tawarikh written by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani, with the most detailed description given by Marco Polo:
Arghun Khan of Persia, Kublai's great-nephew, had in 1286 lost his favourite wife the Khatun Bulughan; and, mourning her sorely, took steps to fulfil her dying injunction that her place should be filled only by a lady of her own kin, the Mongol Tribe of Bayaut. Ambassadors were despatched to the Court of Khan-baligh to seek such a bride. The message was courteously received, and the choice fell on the lady Kokachin, a maiden of 17, "moult bele dame et avenant (very beautiful lady and comely)." The overland road from Peking to Tabriz was not only of portentous length for such a tender charge, but was imperiled by war, so the envoys desired to return by sea. Tartars in general were strangers to all navigation; and the envoys, much taken with the Venetians, and eager to profit by their experience, especially as Marco had just then returned from his Indian mission, begged the Khan as a favour to send the three Firinghis in their company. He consented with reluctance, but, having done so, fitted the party out nobly for the voyage, charging the Polos with friendly messages for the potentates of Europe, including the King of England. They appear to have sailed from the port of Zayton (as the Westerns called T'swan-chau or Chin-cheu in Fo-kien) in the beginning of 1292. It was an ill-starred voyage, involving long detentions on the coast of Sumatra, and in the South of India, to which, however, we are indebted for some of the best chapters in the book; and two years or upwards passed before they arrived at their destination in Persia. The three hardy Venetians survived all perils, and so did the lady, who had come to look on them with filial regard; but two of the three envoys, and a vast proportion of the suite, had perished by the way. Arghun Khan too had been dead even before they quitted China; his brother Kaikhatu reigned in his stead; and his son Ghazan succeeded to the lady's hand. We are told by one who knew both the princes well that Arghun was one of the handsomest men of his time, whilst Ghazan was, among all his host, one of the most insignificant in appearance. But in other respects the lady's change was for the better. Ghazan had some of the highest qualities of a soldier, a legislator and a king, adorned by many and varied accomplishments; though his reign was too short for the full development of his fame. —
 The Travels of Marco Polo[6]
The account of the marriage was confirmed by the Persian historian Rashid-al-Din Hamadani in his Jami' al-tawarikh where she was named Kūkājīn.[3]

Rusticello who wrote down Marco Polo's travels--

Rustichello appears to have been a native of Pisa. His first known work, the French text known as the Roman de Roi Artus or, simply, the Compilation, appears to derive from books in the possession of Edward I of England when he passed through Italy on his way to fighting in the Eighth Crusade in 1270 to 1274. While written in French, it is the first known romance by an Italian author to address the Arthurian legend.[1] The Compilation contains an interpolation of the Palamedes, a now-fragmentary prose account of Arthur's Saracen knight Palamedes, and a history of the Round Table.[2] It was later divided into two sections, named after their principal protagonists, Meliadus (Tristan's father) and Guiron le Courtois. Both remained popular for hundreds of years, and influenced many later works written in French as well as in Spanish, Italian, and even Greek.[1]
Rustichello may have been captured by the Genoese at the Battle of Meloria in 1284, amid a conflict between the Republic of Genoa and the Republic of Pisa. When Polo was imprisoned around 1298, possibly after a clash between Genoa and Venice (according to tradition the Battle of Curzola[3]), he told his tales of travel to Rustichello. Together they created the book known as The Travels of Marco Polo.[1]

The Mongols are coming--

First Mongol invasion of Burma
Mongol-Pagan war (1277–1287)
Overview
History
Battles
Legacy
Copilot Search Branding
The Mongol invasions of Burma led by Kublai Khan between 1277 and 1287 toppled the Pagan Empire and reshaped the political landscape of Southeast Asia.
Background
The Pagan Kingdom, ruling central Burma for over 250 years, faced internal instability under King Narathihapate, who ascended the throne in 1256. Early in his reign, rebellions erupted in Arakan and Martaban, and the kingdom struggled with declining royal authority and growing tax-free religious landholdings, weakening its capacity to resist external threats Facts and DetailsFacts and Details+1. Meanwhile, Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, sought to expand Mongol influence into Southeast Asia as part of his broader strategy to encircle the Song dynasty of China WikipediaWikipedia.
Initial Contact and Tribute Demands
The Mongols first demanded tribute from Pagan in 1271–1272, which Narathihapate refused. Kublai Khan sent envoys again in 1273, but the Burmese king executed the second mission, prompting military action WikipediaWikipedia+1. In 1275, Kublai authorized the Yunnan government to secure the borderlands and engage Pagan forces if necessary, leading to the first military clashes in 1277–1278.
Major Campaigns and Battles
The first significant battle occurred at Ngasaunggyan in 1277, where the Mongols defeated the Burmese army using superior cavalry tactics and strategic coordination Facts.netFacts.net+1. Subsequent campaigns in 1283–1285 saw Mongol forces advance southward, occupying key northern cities such as Bhamo and Tagaung, forcing Narathihapate to flee to Lower Burma WikipediaWikipedia+1. The Mongols organized northern Burma as the province of Zhengmian, consolidating their control over the region WikipediaWikipedia.
Outcome and Consequences
By 1287, the Mongols had sacked Pagan, effectively ending the Pagan Kingdom's dominance in central Burma Facts and DetailsFacts and Details+1. Narathihapate submitted to Mongol authority in 1286, but the kingdom never recovered its former power. The invasions triggered a period of political fragmentation lasting approximately 250 years, during which smaller ethnic Tai-Shan states emerged throughout mainland Southeast Asia WikipediaWikipedia+1. The Mongol campaigns, while militarily successful, were costly and stretched their forces, reflecting the challenges of projecting power into tropical, jungle-covered regions far from the Mongol heartland Facts and
DetailsFacts and Details.
Legacy
The Mongol invasions demonstrated the empire's military reach and strategic ambition, but also highlighted the limitations of sustaining long-term control over distant territories. In Burma, the collapse of the Pagan Kingdom reshaped the region’s political and cultural landscape, leading to decentralization and the rise of new polities that influenced Southeast Asian history for centuries Facts.netFacts.net+1. Narathihapate became infamously remembered as "Tayokpyay Min," or the King who fled from the Mongols, symbolizing the dramatic impact of the invasions on Burmese leadership and society FandomFandom. Facts and Details Facts and Details YUAN-MONGOL INVASIONS OF BURMA AND JAVA Fandom Fandom Mongol invasions of Burma | Military Wiki | Fandom Facts and Details Fandom Wikipedia Show All Global web icon Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › First_Mongol_invasion_of_Burma First Mongol invasion of Burma - Wikipedia

Gordon H. Luce--

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%81k%C4%81p%C5%8D

Kakapo parrot--

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%81k%C4%81p%C5%8D

Canada cancels bridge celebration--

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/canada/canada-cancels-joint-bridge-celebration-us-citing-trump-trade-threats-rcna588665?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Clips from The Thorn Birds--based on novel by Colleen McCullough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXPJKlc9wO4&list=PLpVNvJZ9XQMeSL_bfoOb-SOiOukWBB1am&index=36

Vermont police photo cam--alteraction between Vermont police and ICE.

https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2026-07-15/ice-raid-south-burlington-vermont-bodycam-video?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Muslim and Hindu--from 1958--Frederic Bennett.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1958/02/muslim-and-hindu/305462/
Very excited today--while looking for Alaungsithu's Prayer translated by Gordon H. Luce, I found a whole special edition of The Atlantic from Feb 1958, a year after my father died.
I wonder what he would have written if he had not died.
I'll isolate the articles and post them one by one.
All the leading intellectuals of the day are represented.
For today--here is the link to the whole edition.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/toc/1958/02/

Whao--Special Burma Issue Feb 1958 --The Atlantic.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/toc/1958/02/

Special post--Alaungsithu Su Taung--translated by Gordon H. Luce.

What driving energy could have produced this vast, richly adorned city? And why did the ancient kings build pagodas and monasteries rather than stone palaces? As Professor Kyaw Thet suggests, the economic basis of this high civilization was an extensive irrigation system. But its deeper stimulus, as we learn from the temple inscriptions, was the Buddhist faith. Not content with worldly success and victories in battle, each of the kings tried to outdo his forebears in raising shrines which would glorify the Lord Buddha and in so doing insure his own spiritual progress in later rebirths. Thus, in an inscription in the Shwegu Temple, we find this beautiful prayer, written in Pali verse, by King Alaungsithu (1112-1167):
By this my gift, whatever boon I seek,
It is the best of boons to profit all;
By this abundant merit I desire
Here or hereafter no angelic pomp
Of Brahmas, Suras, Maras; nor the state
And splendors of a monarch; nay, not even
To be the pupil of a conqueror.
But I would build a causeway sheer athwart
The river of Samsara, and all folk
Would speed across thereby until they reach
The Blessed City. I myself would cross,
And drag the drowning over. Aye, myself
Tamed, I would tame the willful; comforted,
Comfort the timid; wakened, wake the asleep;
Cool, cool the burning; freed, set free the bound.
And Alaungsithu’s predecessor, the conqueror and builder Kyanzittha (1084-1112), inscribed his edicts on massive pillars in this vein:
O King of Devas, hear thou! . . . The sage Bisnu shall become the king Kyanzittha, and he shall uphold the religion of the Lord Buddha . . . . All vice, which is as a stench, shall the king utterly blot out with true morality, which is as a perfume. . . . The tears of those who have lost their friends shall the king wipe away with the hand of loving-kindness. . . With his right hand shall the king give boiled rice and bread to all the people, and with his left hand ornaments and wearing apparel to all men. . . .He shall soften the hearts of those who intend evil, and exhort those who speak evil to speak good. . . .
The spirit, of these utterances is all the more remarkable when we consider that only a hundred years before the religion of Pagan had been in the hands of the debased Ari priests who had corrupted the Buddhism brought from Tibet with magical tricks, snake worship, and lewd Tantric rites. Two men accomplished this striking reformation: Kyanzittha’s father, Anawrahta, and the evangelical monk Shin Arahan, who attracted the king by his holiness and became his chief adviser.
Thawka—The Atlantic,1958.
End quote.

Mat Damon's stunt double--4'5"--and a girl.

https://consequence.net/2026/07/matt-damon-odyssey-stunt-double/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us