Introduction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Matilda Greig
Keyword(s):  
Eyewitness Testimony ◽  
Napoleonic Wars ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Peninsular War ◽  
History Of ◽  
War Memoirs ◽  
Soldier's Tale ◽  
The Military

The Peninsular War (1808–1814) was one of the most colourful and brutal campaigns of the Napoleonic period. It prompted hundreds of veterans from the armies of the participating countries (Spain, Portugal, Britain, and France) to write and publish autobiographies about their experiences. These war memoirs are well-known to historians as rich and compelling sources, but relying on them for direct eyewitness testimony about the experience of war poses significant methodological problems. Military memoirs, including those from the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, tend to be written in hindsight and shaped to an unknown extent by selective or traumatised memory. They may be unrepresentative of the majority of experiences, written in very different styles and formats, published immediately after the war, or only made public decades after the author’s death. Taking these challenges as a starting point, this introductory chapter lays out a new methodological framework for ‘what to do with war memoirs’, including considering closely the identities and motives of the authors, tracing the material histories of the books themselves, and employing a comparative, transnational approach to the history of the military memoir genre. It also summarises the relevant historiography, emphasising the lack of attention so far given to Spanish and Portuguese wartime autobiography, and the long-term importance of Peninsular War memoirs as a precedent for the twentieth-century ‘soldier’s tale’.

Dead Men Telling Tales

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilda Greig
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Napoleonic Wars ◽  
Cultural Impact ◽  
National Narratives ◽  
The World ◽  
Peninsular War ◽  
History Of ◽  
Soldier's Tale ◽  
Multiple Languages

Dead Men Telling Tales is an account of the lasting cultural impact made by the autobiographies of Napoleonic soldiers over the course of the nineteenth century. Focussing on the nearly three hundred military memoirs published by British, French, Spanish, and Portuguese veterans of the Peninsular War (1808–1814), it charts the histories of these books over the course of a hundred years, around Europe and the Atlantic, and from writing to publication to afterlife. Drawing on extensive archival research in multiple languages, the book challenges assumptions made by historians about the reliability of these soldiers’ direct eyewitness accounts, revealing the personal and political motives of the authors and uncovering the large cast of characters, from family members to publishers, editors, and translators, involved in production behind the scenes. By including literature from Spain and Portugal, it also provides a missing link in current studies of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, showing how the genre of military memoirs developed differently in south-western Europe and led to starkly opposing national narratives of the same war. The book’s findings tell the history of a publishing phenomenon which gripped readers of all ages across the world in the nineteenth century, made significant profits for those involved, and was fundamental in defining the modern ‘soldier’s tale’.

The Myth of the Accidental Author

2021 ◽  
pp. 118-142
Author(s):  
Matilda Greig
Keyword(s):  
Eyewitness Testimony ◽  
Marketing Activity ◽  
Peninsular War ◽  
War Memoirs ◽  
Soldier's Tale

This chapter explores the concept of soldiers as professional authors, confronting the enduring myth of ‘accidental’ military autobiography. In their prefaces, veterans of the Peninsular War frequently confessed their astonishment at having produced long, descriptive memoirs, professing not to have the slightest literary talent nor education, nor the least authorial ambition, claims that have largely been taken at face value by historians. Using evidence from publishers’ archives, this chapter reveals the immense editing, publishing, and marketing activity that in fact underlay the facade of the simple soldier’s tale. It shows the authors of many Peninsular War memoirs to have been actively involved in the publication of their books, knowledgeable about the industry, and eager for success in the literary rather than military world, raising questions for future historians about the tension between ‘authentic’ eyewitness testimony and edited accounts.

scholarly journals O BRASIL COMO “TERRENO DE EXPERIMENTAÇÃO” DA EXPERTISE GERENCIAL: A ATUAÇÃO DO CONSELHO DE REITORES DAS UNIVERSIDADES BRASILEIRAS (1966-1985)BRAZIL AS A "LABORATORY" FOR MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE: THE ROLE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BRAZILIAN UNIVERSITIES (1966-1985)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Maria Caramez Carlotto ◽  
Sylvia Gemignani Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Contemporary Literature ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
The Board Of Directors ◽  
The Usa ◽  
History Of ◽  
Managerial Knowledge ◽  
The 1950S ◽  
America Latina ◽  
The Military

Na literatura contemporânea sobre as transformações do ensino superior existe um forte consenso de que a expansão do saber gerencial foi um dos principais fatores que alterou sua dinâmica e organização interna. No caso do Brasil, são muitos os trabalhos que, seguindo essa percepção geral, apontam a estreita relação existente entre as políticas ditas “neoliberais” implementadas a partir da década de 1980, e a modernização gerencial difundida no país a partir de acordos de cooperação com os EUA durante os anos 1950 e 1960. No entanto, esses trabalhos, de modo geral, falham ao não conseguir mostrar, empiricamente, como se dá a relação entre esses dois momentos da história das políticas educacionais do país. O objetivo do presente trabalho é contribuir para a compreensão dessa relação a partir da análise de Yves Dezalay e Brynat Garth sobre o modo pelo qual a América Latina funcionou, nos anos 1950 e 1960, enquanto um “terreno de experimentação” de políticas que viriam a se difundir mundialmente nos anos 1980 e 1990. Para tanto, tomamos como objeto o Conselho de Reitores de Universidades Brasileiras (CRUB), no período que vai de 1966, ano da sua criação, até 1985, ano que marca o fim do regime militar, analisando tanto o conjunto de acordos internacionais então firmados pelo CRUB, quanto o resumo das suas principais atividades, e o perfil da sua diretoria executiva no período analisado.ABSTRACT In the contemporary literature on the transformations of higher education there is a strong consensus that the expansion of managerial knowledge was one of the main factors that altered its dynamics and internal organization. In the case of Brazil, there are many studies that, following this general perception, point to the close relationship between the so-called “neoliberal” policies implemented since the 1980s and the managerial modernization diffused in the country through cooperation agreements with the USA during the 1950s and 1960s. However, these works generally fail to show the relationship between these two moments in the history of educational policies in the country empirically. The objective of the present work is to contribute to the understanding of this relationship using, as a starting point, the analysis of Yves Dezalay and Brynat Garth on how Latin America functioned in the 1950s and 1960s as a “laboratory” of policies that would begin to spread worldwide in the 80s and 90s. To this end, we investigate the Council of Rectors of Brazilian Universities (CRUB) in the period from 1966, the year of its creation, until 1985, the year that marks the end of the military regime, analyzing both the set of international agreements signed by the CRUB during the period as well as the summary of its main activities and the profile of its executive board in this period of time.

DON HERO OF KABARDINO ORIGIN DAVID GRIGORIEVICH BEGIDOV: A GLORIOUS BEGINNING OR CURVED ANGLES IN A DIRECT BIOGRAPHY

2021 ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
A.V. Zakharevich ◽  
Keyword(s):  
19Th Century ◽  
Military History ◽  
War Of 1812 ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Napoleonic Wars ◽  
Main Attention ◽  
Russian Army ◽  
History Of ◽  
The 19Th Century ◽  
The Military

The article is devoted to the history of the famous Kabardian Uzden (nobleman) and the Don Cossack hero of the Russian army of the era of the Napoleonic wars and the military history of the Don Cossacks of the late 18th - first half of the 19th century, General D.G. Begidov (1778-1838). The author researched the history of history and archival sources about the origin and early years of the biography of D.G. Begidov and paid the main attention to his participation in the Napoleonic wars among the Cossacks of the Ataman regi-ment under the command of the legendary Cossack hero of the Patriotic War of 1812 - Ataman M.I. Platov.

Facing Historical Challenges: the Work of Soviet Philosophers During the Great Patriotic War

2020 ◽  
pp. 175-181
Author(s):  
Anatoly V. Chernyaev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Work ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
State Identity ◽  
Great Patriotic War ◽  
Science And Culture ◽  
History Of ◽  
Historical Heritage ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
The Military

The Great Patriotic War was a decisive challenge not only for the military power and material and technical base of our country, but also for its spiritual, cultural and ideological foundations. Many Russian philosophers became participants in the hos­tilities, but the role of philosophers who continued scientific work was no less im­portant, the plans of which were adjusted and aimed at implementing projects re­lated to the strengthening of patriotism, the development of national identity, the revival of the classical forms of science and culture, consistent with historical heritage of Russia. This scientific work was in the context of the socio-cultural and spiritual processes that intensified in the USSR during the war and responded to the tasks of strengthening defense capability and the formation of a new socio-state identity. The main undertakings implemented in this connection by the Institute of Philosophy of the USSR Academy of Sciences were the development of the history of Russian philosophical thought and the creation of a new textbook of formal logic. These areas of research activity have shown their relevance in the light of the chal­lenges of wartime and prospects in terms of the long-term development of science.

scholarly journals Development Trends of Project Finance in Russia

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-418
Author(s):  
Danil Bobrov
Keyword(s):  
Oil Fields ◽  
Project Finance ◽  
Capital Investments ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
History Of ◽  
Concession Period ◽  
The Russian Empire ◽  
Global Project

The article discusses the history of the development and establishment of project finance in Russia, existing approaches to the periodization of its development are described. The starting point for the deve­lopment of project finance is the exploration of Siberia and Alaska. The concession period of the Russian Empire and NEP, methods of attracting foreign capital in the development of telecommunications, railways and oil fields are examined. The similarity of long-term finan­cing of capital investments in the USSR and project financing according to the basic principles is revealed. A parallel with the global experience in the application of project finance in the 20th century is drawn. An overview of the volume and structure of the global project finance market and current Russian trends in the application of the project finance mechanism is provided.

The Military Orders in the Crusading Proposals of the Late-Thirteenth and Early-Fourteenth Centuries

Traditio ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 317-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Forey
Keyword(s):  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Holy Land ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Secular Clergy ◽  
Military Orders ◽  
History Of ◽  
Religious Establishment ◽  
The Military ◽  
The Temple

The most outstanding event in the history of the military orders at the end of the thirteenth and start of the fourteenth centuries was, of course, the dissolution of the Temple. This was not, however, an isolated happening. Although the accusations which led to the abolition of that order had been publicly voiced only shortly before the Templars‘ arrest, the proceedings against the Temple took place at a time when criticism of the military orders in general was mounting, and this growth of hostile opinion no doubt facilitated Philip IV's attack on the Templars. Ever since their foundation the military orders had been subjected to some criticism, but much early censure had been of a kind which might be directed against any religious establishment, especially by members of the secular clergy who found that their authority and resources were being impaired by the privileges which the military orders and other religious institutions enjoyed: it was not primarily concerned with the orders’ contribution to the struggle against the infidel. But as the fortunes of the crusading states declined, the military orders became increasingly criticised for their inadequacies as defenders of Christendom. Defeat in the Holy Land had to be explained by faults on the Christian side rather than in terms of Muslim superiority, and the military orders were an obvious target for attack. The authors of the numerous crusading proposals which were put forward in the late-thirteenth and early-fourteenth centuries were inevitably influenced by this growing criticism, and many crusading plans therefore included suggestions concerning the military orders. Those who drew up proposals did not themselves provide a reasoned or detailed account of the orders' faults or attempt to judge to what extent these failings contributed to Christian defeats, but the criticisms on which they based their plans were clearly not altogether groundless: although some strictures were ill-informed or excessive, the policies which the orders themselves pursued certainly provided a starting-point for the growth of hostile opinion. Yet some writers did not seek merely to remedy existing defects in the orders; they sought also to discuss what the role of the military order should be in the struggle against the infidel, and thus viewed the subject in a rather wider context.

The Power of Pigs

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Max D. Price
Keyword(s):  
Near East ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
Eastern Cultures ◽  
History Of ◽  
Environmental Process ◽  
Previous Scholarship

This introductory chapter outlines the themes of the book. Pigs have long played important roles in the cultures of the Near East, especially in times of ethnoreligious conflict. The mass cull in 2009 of swine owned by the Zabaleen in Cairo is one of the most recent examples. Examining pigs provides a lens into the past, a unique means of studying Near Eastern cultures. Whereas previous scholarship has been content to study the pig in specific cultural contexts, often attempting to explain its history with reference to a single cultural or environmental process, this book covers the history of the pig from before its domestication to the present day. By adopting this long-term, wide-reaching perspective, I advance the argument that pigs, and the taboos placed upon them, can be understood only as evolving cultural elements.

The Presidents of Costa Rica

1989 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Busey
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Presidential History ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Military

Writers have long claimed that Costa Rica has achieved standards of popular, constitutional government unusual for Latin America. A few recent commentators have attempted to modify the unstinted praise which others have been prone to lavish upon Costa Rican political institutions and processes.To evaluate properly the assumption that Costa Rica is somehow more “democratic” than her neighbors, there must be examination of a number of elements of Costa Rican political life—that is, press and public expression, individual rights, political parties, roles of judicial and legislative bodies, role of the military, and the like. Some studies have touched upon a few of these elements. Scholarship has yet to cover all of them. The present paper will confine itself to a further aspect of Costa Rican political life—that is, the presidential history of the country. By what means and under what circumstances have presidents secured and left office? How many have been long-term dictators? What have been the backgrounds and characteristics of leading Costa Rican presidents? How many have come from the military profession, and how many from civilian life?

scholarly journals Armies and Ecosystems in Premodern Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sander Govaerts
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
Environmental Footprint ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Military

Using the ecosystem concept as his starting point, the author examines the complex relationship between premodern armed forces and their environment at three levels: landscapes, living beings, and diseases. The study focuses on Europe’s Meuse Region, well-known among historians of war as a battleground between France and Germany. By analyzing soldiers’ long-term interactions with nature, this book engages with current debates about the ecological impact of the military, and provides new impetus for contemporary armed forces to make greater effort to reduce their environmental footprint.

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