Thursday, September 27, 2007

Have You Tried "Birth of America"


I haven't tried this game yet, but it looks really neat. Follow the link above for information on how to order the game.

In the meantime, you can read more information on the game here, courtesy of Strategy First. And there are some reviews of the game here, courtesy of metacritic.com.

Michael Medved on American Slavery

Very good article from nationally syndicated columnist Michael Medved on some of the misconceptions surrounding America's culpability with slavery. It's long, but definitely worth your time.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

American Conquest: PC Game Review


Several years ago, I bought, played, and reviewed CDV's American Conquest, a PC game that spans the settlement and colonization of North America as well as the founding of the United States.

You can read my 2003 review of the game here.

Though the graphics are a bit dated, the game is still a lot of fun. American Conquest plays much like Microsoft's Age of Empires. You grow your own food, chop down trees, mine for raw materials (i.e., gold, stone), and produce peasants and soldiers.

You can group your forces into formations, so long as you have the requisite units, which at a minimum include an officer and usually a standard-bearer. In many cases, a drummer is also needed. In addition to formation, unit morale, positioning (i.e., flanking) and equipment play a role in how effective one force may be over another. You can even garrison your troops inside of buildings - and not just forts. Houses, storehouses, and blacksmith shops can provide some of your troops protection as they fire out through windows and doors at the approaching enemy.

I won't repeat everything that I wrote in the original review. Suffice it to say, the game is a blast. And now you should be able to find it in the bargain section of most software stores and even some major chain stores. I saw it recently at Wal-Mart for $9.99. At that price, don't hesitate. Get it and play it. If you like real-time strategy, you'll enjoy American Conquest.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

No Genocide in Early America

Michael Medved is right. There was absolutely no systematic policy on the part of British colonists and/or early US settlers that resembled genocide against the native inhabitants of the New World.

It's a shame that there's so much rage and emotion on matters regarding race relations that this point can't be made without resulting in savage rebukes from those offended. Yet the truth remains. There was no systematic genocide on the part of white settlers or colonists in early American history.

There WERE incidents of savage brutality, to be sure. Indeed, greed, corruption, tragedy, and violence are fair descriptions which can be associated with the settlement and growth of white populations in North America during the 1600s, 1700s, and 1800s. However, to use the term "genocide" is to overstate the case. What's more, it ignores atrocities committed by the native inhabitants against white settlers.

To read more on this issue, see Michael Medved's op-ed.

Monday, September 17, 2007

It's Constitution Day

Happy Constitution Day! On this day in 1787, the Constitutional Convention authorized and submitted to the states its handiwork - the document that would become the Constitution of the United States.

Here is an article I wrote about this last year.

You can also follow this link for information on this important anniversary from the National Constitution Center.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

John Adams Coming to HBO March 2008

Tom Hanks' Playtone production company is teaming with HBO to bring to the small screen an epic miniseries on the life of John Adams, the second President of the United States. The miniseries is inspired by and based on David McCullough's Pulitzer winning and bestselling John Adams biography.

I don't subscribe to HBO, but I may have to temporarily get a subscription to watch this miniseries.

Be sure to follow this link and click to watch the video trailer. Awesome! I can't wait.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Poll on the Founders and Christianity

According to a poll conducted by the First Amendment Center, sixty-five percent (65%) of Americans believe that the nation's founders intended the U.S. to be a "Christian nation." And fifty-five percent (55%) believe that the Constitution establishes a Christian nation.

The U.S. Constitution of course does NOT establish the United States as a "Christian" nation. In fact, the Constitution and its amendments very clearly separate the institutions of Church and State.

Nevertheless, the poll respondents ARE correct that the Founding Fathers hoped and expected that the population of the US would remain predominantly Christian, thus fixing the cultural character of the nation.

Follow the link and read more about this interesting poll.

Monday, September 10, 2007

George Washington vs. Current Washington

Marvin Olasky has written a great op-ed on the differences between George Washington and secularists in modern-day Washington (the city that bears his name) over the issue of religion in public life.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Alan Axelrod Studies Washington's Trial by Fire



There's a book on the market (which I just bought) that takes a look at George Washington's "trial by fire" learning experience in the French and Indian War. Interestingly, the book focuses on Washington's life up until his humiliating defeat at Fort Necessity. It then only briefly mentions his redemptive heroism at Braddock's defeat.

While I've only skimmed the book, I can say that I'm looking forward to delving into it more deeply. This really was a pivotal time for George Washington. A great leader learns more from failure than success. And Washington's "blooding" at the "Great Meadows" certainly was a learning experience for him.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Indentured Servants in Early America

Suite101 American History Feature Writer John Crandall has written an interesting article on indentured servants in early colonial America. Surf on over and check it out.

I'm back

After a long hiatus, I am returning to moderate and regularly post articles to this blog site. To whoever is out there reading these articles...Please accept my apologies for the long absence. I'm back.

Monday, February 19, 2007

It's NOT Presidents Day

I received an electronic card from a friend today, wishing me a "Happy Presidents Day." The card's subtitle read: "A day which we honor all Presidents."

No...No...NO! There is no Presidents' Day, except in informal, albeit PERVASIVE culture-speak. The actual holiday is (and has been from the beginning) George Washington's Birthday, observed. We officially, though NOT in reality, honor only ONE President the third Monday in February.

Am I one of the only people that cares about this? Are there others who care about honoring the Father of our Country?

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

George Washington coming to Big Screen?

Will Hollywood bring the Father of our Country to the Big Screen? Follow the link above to read a review of the script that is currently in what Hollywood affectionately calls "Development Hell."

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Slavery and the American Founders

Check out the video documentary I put together for YouTube.com

Friday, November 17, 2006

Did Washington Say "So Help me God"?

In a previous blog post, I noted that George Washington was the first President to add the words "so help me God" to the presidential oath. It has since come to my attention that this claim is hotly contested by some individuals in our society. Not surprisingly, those individuals tend to be those who object to religious references in the public square.

This is an odd objection, since no one contests the fact that George Washington took his oath on the Bible and made several references to God in his Inaugural Address. Her'e just one of those references:

"[I]t would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge."

Even if somehow Washington didn't add "so help me God" to the oath, it's plainly obvious that, in his Inaugural Address, he is publicly calling on God to assist him in executing his duties as the President. And, again, this is but one reference to God in the speech. There are others.

George Washington was a devout man of prayer and faith. Whether he was an evangelical Christian is open for further analysis and debate. The evidence on that is mixed. But Washington was most certainly a devout monotheist, who believed that the United States of America should indeed be under God.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Leave of Absence

Due to a rather intense schedule right now w/ family, my ministry, and seminary, I will not be able to update this site for some time. Please check back in a couple months for further updates. I apologize for the inconvenience and want those of you who take the time to check out my humble blog on this very important part of our history.

I am continuing to update my new Suite101 site on Protestant Christianity. Check it out at...

http://protestantism.suite101.com/

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Valley Forge Getting an Upgrade

Looks like Valley Forge is getting an upgrade. Follow the link above to read all about it.

Monday, October 02, 2006

Joseph Ellis on the Founders

Historian and biographer Joseph Ellis explains why the Founding Fathers matter. Follow the link above to read the article.

Friday, September 22, 2006

George Washington Program - Oct 26

Interesting program coming on October 26. It's geared for students, but anyone can participate. Follow the link to learn more....

http://www.fcps.edu/fairfaxnetwork/washington/

...and don't forget to mark your calendar!

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Star-Spangled Banner Anniversary....Forgotten

Follow the above link to check out an article I wrote for AssociatedContent.com on the ignored and forgotten anniversary of our national anthem...