Before 1933, the Communist Party of Germany, the KPD, was a significant political party in Germany, with 100 seats in the Reichstag. Their main rivals were the NSDAP, the right wing Nazi Party. Running battles between the two groups were commonplace in the streets of every major city in Germany.… Read More »The KPD and The Red Orchestra by JJ Toner
One of my goals for writing the books in my Victorian San Francisco Mystery series has been to feature occupations held by women in the late 19th century. Consequently, in Maids of Misfortune, Annie, my amateur sleuth, goes undercover as a domestic servant, in Uneasy Spirits, she investigates a fraudulent… Read More »Victorian Shoplifters by M. Louisa Locke
Stephen de Blois came to London, and the people received him and hallowed him to king on midwinter day. But in this king’s time was all dissension, and evil, and rapine; for against him rose soon the rich men who were traitors. Then was England very much divided. Some… Read More »The Unexpected Ally by Sarah Woodbury
Today is Independence Day for the United States. What most Americans don’t know, however, is that, while Wales never managed an independence day for itself, Welsh people had a huge impact on the founding of the United States and were leading inciters and leaders of its revolution. Thomas Jefferson, the… Read More »The Welsh Foundation of the American Revolution by Sarah Woodbury
The Victorians may be responsible for many of the world’s ills, like post-colonialist political disorder, industrial pollution, and rampant consumerism, but they by gosh knew how to have fun. They were fearless optimists, certain that they could do anything, given enough hard work and imagination. So many of the things… Read More »Victorian Inventions by Anna Castle