History Archives

When Disney Bought ABC, ABC Lost Its Freedom

How did things change after Disney bought ABC? Why did Mike Ovitz fail as president of Disney? In his memoir The Ride of a Lifetime, Bob Iger talks about the struggles he went through when Disney bought ABC. Iger should have been first in line to become Disney’s new president, but Disney’s CEO Michael Eisner gave the position to his friend, Mike Ovitz instead. Keep reading to learn about how Disney bought ABC and Bob Iger was shoved to the side due to nepotism.

Modern Orientalism: The Tides of Change

What is modern Orientalism? What differentiates it from its old, pre-war state? What was the change that spurred this differentiation? When scholars talk about modern Orientalism, they typically refer to the state of the discipline after WWI. It was at that time that there was a shift in the core assumptions of the subject, specifically the notion that the people of the Orient were unchanging through time. Keep reading to learn more about modern Orientalism.

Anne Frank: Hiding for More Than Two Years

How long was Anne Frank in hiding? What was life like in the Secret Annex? Anne Frank spent over two years in the Secret Annex. While in hiding, Anne Frank kept a personal diary where she documented her life including her experiences and her fears. Keep reading to learn about Anne Frank’s life in hiding.

Antoine Isaac Silvestre de Sacy: Leading Orientalist

Who is Antoine Isaac Silvestre de Sacy? What role did he play in the Oriental Studies of the nineteenth century? Antoine Isaac Silvestre de Sacy (1758-1838) was a French nobleman, linguist, and Orientalist scholar. He is widely regarded within European academic circles for his work in translating Arabic as well as his success as a leading Orientalist. Read about Antoine Isaac Silvestre de Sacy’s career and contributions.

Anne Frank: The Story of the Girl Behind the Diary

What is the story of Anne Frank? How did her life change when the Nazis occupied Holland in 1940? In The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank tells the story of her life in the Annex, an attic apartment where she was hiding with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The diary was preserved by Anne’s friend, Miep Gies, and shared for publication by her father after the war. Here is a brief overview of Anne Frank’s story.

Romantic Orientalism and the War on Materialism

What is romantic Orientalism? What influence did Orientalism have on the movement of romanticism in the West? The movement of romantic Orientalism dates back to the first half of the 19the century. By revealing the ancient mysteries of the East, the Romantics sought to shake the West out of what they saw as its materialistic stupor and reacquaint it with the divine and mysterious. Keep reading to learn more about romantic orientalism.

Overview of The Diary of a Young Girl Book

Does the book The Diary of a Young Girl tell a true story? Who is the author of the diary? What is it about? The Diary of a Young Girl is a book of the entries from Anne Frank’s diary that she kept in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Written from 1942 to 1944, the diary reveals the humanity of those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during the occupation. Keep reading for more about Anne Frank’s book The Diary of a Young Girl.

David Goggins’ Childhood: Trauma and Fighting Back

What was David Goggins’ childhood like? What kinds of obstacles did Goggins have to overcome? David Goggins’ childhood was difficult—he dealt with an abusive father, who made him work constantly at the family business, Skateland. When his mother left his father, the family dealt with poverty, trauma, and chronic stress. Read more about David Goggins’ childhood.

Did the Other Wes Moore Murder Sergeant Bruce Prothero?

Who was Sergeant Bruce Prothero? How was the other Wes Moore involved in his murder? Sergeant Bruce Prothero worked at the Baltimore County police department and was shot during the other Wes Moore’s robbery of J. Brown Jewelers. The off-duty officer was moonlighting as a security guard when he became a victim of the violent crime. Continue reading to learn about the shooting of Bruce Prothero.

Auftragstaktik: The Brainchild of General Moltke

What is auftragstaktik? How is it different from the conventional command-central military culture? Auftragstaktik is a form of military tactic where the emphasis is on the outcome of a battle as opposed to the specifics involved in executing it. This military philosophy has been inspired by the German general Moltke who believed that flexibility and critical thinking are more important in a battle than following protocol and commands. Keep reading to learn about the principle of auftragstaktik and how it has been implemented in military and business contexts.