Quote from: SHARK on May 17, 2023, 09:48:30 PM
Greetings!

Here is one of my favorite historical films. Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan.
The film covers Temudjen's early years as a child, growing into manhood, and the battles and struggles along the way, culminating in a final battle and his rise from being Temudjen, to being Genghis Khan.

The movie has English subtitles, and is otherwise very accurate in language, equipment, weaponry, and more. The film features some really outstanding actors, excellent musical soundtrack, writing, direction, action, and cinematography. The film was done on location in Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

It is a gripping film, showing his romance with his first and primary wife, Borte, complex family and tribal relationships, all taking place with the backdrop of Temudjen's frequent hardships and tribulations. Seeing him slowly rise to gain absolute power and authority is exhilarating. Mongolia, and the entire world, will be forever changed.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

I showed this movie in my Mongol Empire class.  They were supposed to make a whole trilogy, but IIRC funding and other issues scuttled the project after the first film.

And this book, while a bit dated, is still probably the best one volume academic survey on the Mongols and contains info on the Order of Assassins: https://www.amazon.com/Mongols-Peoples-Europe-David-Morgan/dp/0631135561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14N8COBDCSVTI&keywords=the+mongols+by+david+morgan&qid=1684425226&s=books&sprefix=the+mongols+by+david+morgan%2Cstripbooks%2C118&sr=1-1

This is also good, and written by a friend of mine: https://www.amazon.com/Mongol-Edinburgh-History-Islamic-Empires/dp/0748642366/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684425422&sr=1-1

Quote from: Persimmon on May 18, 2023, 11:52:18 AM

Quote from: SHARK on May 17, 2023, 09:48:30 PM
Greetings!

Here is one of my favorite historical films. Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan.
The film covers Temudjen's early years as a child, growing into manhood, and the battles and struggles along the way, culminating in a final battle and his rise from being Temudjen, to being Genghis Khan.

The movie has English subtitles, and is otherwise very accurate in language, equipment, weaponry, and more. The film features some really outstanding actors, excellent musical soundtrack, writing, direction, action, and cinematography. The film was done on location in Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

It is a gripping film, showing his romance with his first and primary wife, Borte, complex family and tribal relationships, all taking place with the backdrop of Temudjen's frequent hardships and tribulations. Seeing him slowly rise to gain absolute power and authority is exhilarating. Mongolia, and the entire world, will be forever changed.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

I showed this movie in my Mongol Empire class.  They were supposed to make a whole trilogy, but IIRC funding and other issues scuttled the project after the first film.

Greetings!

Persimmon!!! My friend! Don't you just LOVE this awesome film? You showed it in your Mongol Empire class??? OOH RAH! OUTSTANDING!

How did your class like the film?

Yes, very sad that they could not continue on with the trilogy. I think it is a landmark historical film. I'mso tickled at all the crazy little details that these folks got right! Even including the Mongol's spirituality, like when Temudjen would encounter the WOLF up on Tengri's holy mountain! I roared when I saw that! Such awesome touches like that. The badass scimitars, the weaponry, the Mongolian language.

And, who can forget BORTE? That girl showed monumental courage and loyalty all across the board, and super cunning and shrewdness. Damn, what a woman, you know?

Such an awesome movie!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

My class had mixed thoughts on the film, finding it too much of a love story without enough bloodshed.  But that battle scene at the end in the storm is pretty freaking epic.

Sadly I tried to offer a course on the Mongols at my current university and there was zero interest so I had to teach something else.  Sad how ignorant provincials delight in remaining ignorant provincials.  There's declining interest in history anyhow, but if it's not US from the Civil War onwards, it's impossible to fill anymore and even those classes often don't fill.  Just 7-8 years ago that wasn't the case.  Alas!

Quote from: Persimmon on May 18, 2023, 11:58:31 AM
And this book, while a bit dated, is still probably the best one volume academic survey on the Mongols and contains info on the Order of Assassins: https://www.amazon.com/Mongols-Peoples-Europe-David-Morgan/dp/0631135561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14N8COBDCSVTI&keywords=the+mongols+by+david+morgan&qid=1684425226&s=books&sprefix=the+mongols+by+david+morgan%2Cstripbooks%2C118&sr=1-1

This is also good, and written by a friend of mine: https://www.amazon.com/Mongol-Edinburgh-History-Islamic-Empires/dp/0748642366/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684425422&sr=1-1

Greetings!

I have them both on order now, my friend! Awesome!

Thank you for the suggestions, Persimmon!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: SHARK on May 19, 2023, 03:00:16 AM

Quote from: Persimmon on May 18, 2023, 11:58:31 AM
And this book, while a bit dated, is still probably the best one volume academic survey on the Mongols and contains info on the Order of Assassins: https://www.amazon.com/Mongols-Peoples-Europe-David-Morgan/dp/0631135561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14N8COBDCSVTI&keywords=the+mongols+by+david+morgan&qid=1684425226&s=books&sprefix=the+mongols+by+david+morgan%2Cstripbooks%2C118&sr=1-1

This is also good, and written by a friend of mine: https://www.amazon.com/Mongol-Edinburgh-History-Islamic-Empires/dp/0748642366/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684425422&sr=1-1

Greetings!

I have them both on order now, my friend! Awesome!

Thank you for the suggestions, Persimmon!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Same, all these books (along with SHARK's suggestions) are either wish listed or ordered.......now just need to find the room to put them when they arrive.

Quote from: Thorn Drumheller on May 19, 2023, 08:52:54 AM

Quote from: SHARK on May 19, 2023, 03:00:16 AM

Quote from: Persimmon on May 18, 2023, 11:58:31 AM
And this book, while a bit dated, is still probably the best one volume academic survey on the Mongols and contains info on the Order of Assassins: https://www.amazon.com/Mongols-Peoples-Europe-David-Morgan/dp/0631135561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14N8COBDCSVTI&keywords=the+mongols+by+david+morgan&qid=1684425226&s=books&sprefix=the+mongols+by+david+morgan%2Cstripbooks%2C118&sr=1-1

This is also good, and written by a friend of mine: https://www.amazon.com/Mongol-Edinburgh-History-Islamic-Empires/dp/0748642366/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684425422&sr=1-1

Greetings!

I have them both on order now, my friend! Awesome!

Thank you for the suggestions, Persimmon!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Same, all these books (along with SHARK's suggestions) are either wish listed or ordered.......now just need to find the room to put them when they arrive.

Greetings!

Yes. I love reading books. It is also a joy to collect them. So, I like buying them and having them in my personal library. I don't think I am satisfied with borrowing books from libraries.

Have you watched the videos I linked? What do you think of the videos?

And the wonderful film, Mongol?

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: Persimmon on May 18, 2023, 07:01:23 PM
My class had mixed thoughts on the film, finding it too much of a love story without enough bloodshed.  But that battle scene at the end in the storm is pretty freaking epic.

Sadly I tried to offer a course on the Mongols at my current university and there was zero interest so I had to teach something else.  Sad how ignorant provincials delight in remaining ignorant provincials.  There's declining interest in history anyhow, but if it's not US from the Civil War onwards, it's impossible to fill anymore and even those classes often don't fill.  Just 7-8 years ago that wasn't the case.  Alas!

Greetings!

Persimmon, I am saddened to hear of what deep rot and corruption has swept into our universities. Earlier tonight, a friend of mine joined me for some whiskey and some cigars. We talked current events, politics, and education. I explained to him what you have described here. It is mind blowing. I recall reading a comment somewhere, when discussing the whole Afro-centrism, Black Cleopatra BS, and Liberal rot within our education, and the commenter said--"They all think that "world history" doesn't exist, and American history begins at the Civil War." That commentary obviously came to my mind when I read your own *ironically timed* testimony. It's all part of this "Black, Black, Black" everything, and it is all extremely focused on American history, and Black slavery. That's it. There is nothing else, and no one else even matters. Everyone, and everything else--is entirely irrelevant.

Your commentary brought to my mind some of my own experiences at my university years and years ago. I had a "Graduation Requirement" of taking any combination of two classes about minorities, multiculturalism BS, or Women's Studies. I took two BS women Studies classes. Here I am, a senior, getting ready to graduate, and I have to take these moron classes. Listening to a DR. Professor chick bloviate with all academic seriousness and authority about how "Women are just as strong as men" and blah, blah, blah. I used to wonder, throughout my courses in Political Science, English, and History--as well as science classes like Biology--and Philosophy classes--everyone was on the same page, and papers, evidence, knowledge, facts and truth were essentially transferable. One class wouldn't discount what some other class in a different field had said.

Until I stepped into a Women's Studies class, or went over to sit in on a lecture given for a Black Studies class. Suddenly, I walked into the an episode of the Twilight Zone. These classes--by proud, arrogant, smug Ph.D. Professors--tried to shovel absolute nonsense and BS to the entire class. 90% of the students in these classes gulped it down. I, of course, had something to say. I could not believe how these people lie, lie, lie. They are absolute FRAUDS. If I gave *ANY* paper I wrote in these corrupt classes to *ANY* of my other professors--I would have been unceremoniously failed, and dressed down for my academic laziness, and seeking to peddle total BS and nonsense. I can imagine the shocked "WTF?" looks my other professors would have given me. Of course, no such thing ever occurred, because I was educated and trained properly, by solid, strong professors that were excellent, professional scholars and fine men, and women. However, that wasn't the case in the Multicultural Studies and Women's Studies courses. Their entire departments were full of frauds, Marxism, Feminism, and absolute BS.

That experience made me wonder, however, and forgive my digression--but where are all of the OTHER PROFESSORS that embrace Truth? Why are they not stomping these Fraudulent, BS professors out of the university? How can these people even be hired? How can thy promote such LIES and INTELLECTUAL FRAUD to students? These jackasses keep their jobs, even! No getting fired! WTF? These morons even receive academic awards, and oh, so much slobbering and obsequious, Grima-Wormtongue praise! These academic frauds get TENURE. They are GIVEN POWER AND GLORY AND PRESTIGE. I wouldn't let these fraudulent professors teach kids how to play with Playdoh, let alone genuine academic classes in a university.

I say that as a verbose tangent on how it is also these same kind of professors that are promoting this evil, twisted, pathetic hatred of truth, facts, evidence, shrewd judgment, academic balance, sober historical and academic scrutiny--a cautious, strict view of evidence, testimony, and sources. These professors actively HATE YOU. They sneer, and mock, and despise genuine history classes. They actively work and encourage their students to avoid genuine history classes and they lobby against students taking *any* kind of courses that are not firmly swallowed up by Marxism, Feminism, Afro-centrism, blah, blah, blah. And, sadly, since so many students "love" these professors, worshipping them, and viewing them as "Cool and Hip" professors--they embrace these hostile attitudes. I know something of what this feels like--when I had Liberal, Feminist, Marxist professors ask me about my own views about history were, historiography, and the schools of history--I responded to them honestly, and forthrightly.

I embraced the Traditionalist School. (Are you surprised?)

They, of course, looked at me upon learning this with an attitude that you can no doubt imagine well. Yeah, in these special classes, I had to work extra hard just to get a passing grade, taking the hit to my excellent GPA, just so I could be done with them and move on. It was a thoroughly unpleasant experience, I can assure you.

It is so frustrating, and sad, that so many students nowadays have zero interest in truth, real history, and world history. It is mind boggling how, they reject truth and exchange it for a fiction instead. No, no, we don't want to learn about real history, real cultures, real struggle, real people that actually existed, and did great things--no. We want gentle jello spoon fed to us, that has been drenched in Marxist propaganda and outright lies.

There are all kinds of great events, people, and things going on in Mongolia. The Mongol Empire changed the entire world. Warfare, cultures, religious exchanges, economics, on and on. The impact and scope is staggering!

But no one is interested in learning about the Mongol Empire?

I need to make me some fresh coffee, and light my pipe, my friend. I hope you at least get some entertainment from my rant and questions.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Shark,

The problem, as I'm sure you know, is that the Leftist SJWs completely dominate the universities, particularly in the Humanities fields.  So if you're not one of them you are kept off committees, denied sabbaticals, overlooked for awards and recognitions, etc.  As a case in point, I recently applied for a "Distinguished Professorship" at my university, which would have granted release time and extra salary to complete a book.  It's theoretically reserved for senior professors with the highest credentials.  I decided to apply despite my misgivings as the dean in charge of granting the award doesn't like me because I refuse to tow the leftist line in curriculum committee discussions.  This past year I was the only person (of 15) to question why the music program needed an entire required class in Rap & Hip Hop Awareness.  I simply asked why they don't teach "cultural awareness" in all their classes.  The professor proposing the class literally had no response and they passed the class anyhow by a 14 to 1 vote.  Later I got pushback for my proposal on a Survey History of Asia to 1500 because it was a "course that only I was qualified to teach."  They wanted "more generic" offerings.  I managed to push it through by pushing the diversity card, but it was ridiculous to even be challenged.

So anyhow, I applied for the Professorship.  In my time at the university I have published more than anyone else in my department.  My seventh book is just going into production.  I already have a contract for the next one, which will be a history of the Three Feudatories Rebellion (1673-1681) in China.  I have international standing in my field.  All my monographs are being translated into Chinese, which is a big deal for a white guy like me.  I'm a board member of The Chinese Military History Society, which I also helped to found.  I'm Senior Project Adviser to the Aftermath Project at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, which studies the repercussions of Japan's invasion of Korea in the 1590s.  But of course I didn't get the professorship.  Not sure who did, but I suspect it was one of the English profs from the department the dean was in because they study things with "more resonance for our students."  And they like to give this award to people to help them get promoted, which makes no sense if it's "distinguished."  And ironically the only people who have finished books with this grant in the past 15 years have been the other military historians in my Center for the Study of War & Society. 

Sorry for the rant, but I knew you could appreciate it!

Quote from: Persimmon on May 20, 2023, 09:00:01 AM
Shark,

The problem, as I'm sure you know, is that the Leftist SJWs completely dominate the universities, particularly in the Humanities fields.  So if you're not one of them you are kept off committees, denied sabbaticals, overlooked for awards and recognitions, etc.  As a case in point, I recently applied for a "Distinguished Professorship" at my university, which would have granted release time and extra salary to complete a book.  It's theoretically reserved for senior professors with the highest credentials.  I decided to apply despite my misgivings as the dean in charge of granting the award doesn't like me because I refuse to tow the leftist line in curriculum committee discussions.  This past year I was the only person (of 15) to question why the music program needed an entire required class in Rap & Hip Hop Awareness.  I simply asked why they don't teach "cultural awareness" in all their classes.  The professor proposing the class literally had no response and they passed the class anyhow by a 14 to 1 vote.  Later I got pushback for my proposal on a Survey History of Asia to 1500 because it was a "course that only I was qualified to teach."  They wanted "more generic" offerings.  I managed to push it through by pushing the diversity card, but it was ridiculous to even be challenged.

So anyhow, I applied for the Professorship.  In my time at the university I have published more than anyone else in my department.  My seventh book is just going into production.  I already have a contract for the next one, which will be a history of the Three Feudatories Rebellion (1673-1681) in China.  I have international standing in my field.  All my monographs are being translated into Chinese, which is a big deal for a white guy like me.  I'm a board member of The Chinese Military History Society, which I also helped to found.  I'm Senior Project Adviser to the Aftermath Project at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, which studies the repercussions of Japan's invasion of Korea in the 1590s.  But of course I didn't get the professorship.  Not sure who did, but I suspect it was one of the English profs from the department the dean was in because they study things with "more resonance for our students."  And they like to give this award to people to help them get promoted, which makes no sense if it's "distinguished."  And ironically the only people who have finished books with this grant in the past 15 years have been the other military historians in my Center for the Study of War & Society. 

Sorry for the rant, but I knew you could appreciate it!

Greetings!

Oh yes. So sad, and frustrating, Persimmon! It is mind bogging and a huge tragedy watching our entire school system become blasted through with such filth and corruption! I remember that several of my good professors and mentors o mine, we would be having lunch together, and they would seriously and earnestly tell me, that if I went on to get my Ph.D in Ancient History, that I would be best advised finding a position in a small, conservative religious school, or one of the old universities that still prided themselves on being Military Schools--or at least greatly celebrated their Ancient History and Military History programs and sub-schools. In truth, there were not many of them to really choose from. A few back east, a few in the South, and a few in Texas. I had several of them at the time send me admissions and invitations to join them. I was surprised to see that Texas A&M wanted me, too. Alas! My academic mentors explained to me that the academic environment, professionally, was becoming increasingly politically Leftist, and actively hostile towards any Conservatives, from any discipline. That was over 25 years ago, my friend. Sad to see where we are at now, isn't it?

It also provides fuel for my ranting belief that 50% or more of humanity are hopelessly lost, stupid, brutal and simple animals, barely above apes. They seek only to slake themselves on sex, eating, a house, and being entertained. That is all that they care about, and that I all that they *can* care about. Their minds and cognitive capacities are simply burnt out, and reduced to just above minimal functioning. That is what 50% and more of our society is composed of. It saddens me to think that we are really here, at such a dark and dismal place.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: Persimmon on May 20, 2023, 09:00:01 AM
I'm a board member of The Chinese Military History Society, which I also helped to found.  I'm Senior Project Adviser to the Aftermath Project at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, which studies the repercussions of Japan's invasion of Korea in the 1590s.  But of course I didn't get the professorship.  Not sure who did, but I suspect it was one of the English profs from the department the dean was in because they study things with "more resonance for our students."  And they like to give this award to people to help them get promoted, which makes no sense if it's "distinguished."  And ironically the only people who have finished books with this grant in the past 15 years have been the other military historians in my Center for the Study of War & Society.

Sorry about your Mongol history class, Persimmon. At this point, I'm neither a historian nor an academic - but I appreciate historical studies. In my family, the third generation are pretty interested in history. I have a nephew who majored in history and is currently living in Taiwan improving his Chinese and teaching there. I'm checking out the Aftermath project now - I'm very into Korean history.

I feel like a lot of the current generation have lost studying the past for its own sake, and are focused only on current political differences. Within the U.S. especially, the intensity of partisan politics has intensified a lot over the past 25 years or so.

Would you be interested in a thread on Mongol and/or Central Asian based RPGs? I'd love some recommendations.

Quote from: jhkim on May 20, 2023, 11:10:01 PM

Quote from: Persimmon on May 20, 2023, 09:00:01 AM
I'm a board member of The Chinese Military History Society, which I also helped to found.  I'm Senior Project Adviser to the Aftermath Project at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, which studies the repercussions of Japan's invasion of Korea in the 1590s.  But of course I didn't get the professorship.  Not sure who did, but I suspect it was one of the English profs from the department the dean was in because they study things with "more resonance for our students."  And they like to give this award to people to help them get promoted, which makes no sense if it's "distinguished."  And ironically the only people who have finished books with this grant in the past 15 years have been the other military historians in my Center for the Study of War & Society.

Sorry about your Mongol history class, Persimmon. At this point, I'm neither a historian nor an academic - but I appreciate historical studies. In my family, the third generation are pretty interested in history. I have a nephew who majored in history and is currently living in Taiwan improving his Chinese and teaching there. I'm checking out the Aftermath project now - I'm very into Korean history.

I feel like a lot of the current generation have lost studying the past for its own sake, and are focused only on current political differences. Within the U.S. especially, the intensity of partisan politics has intensified a lot over the past 25 years or so.

Would you be interested in a thread on Mongol and/or Central Asian based RPGs? I'd love some recommendations.

Are there any Mongol-based RPGs?  Obviously you have The Horde Boxed set for AD&D and the Ethengar Gazetteer.  Some of the Conan RPGs have cultures with obvious Mongol influences and there's the Unicorn clan from L5R.  That's all I can think of, off the top of my head.

Incidentally, you might be interested in an indie supplement for 5e that was based on Korean history & culture: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/350882/The-Koryo-Hall-of-Adventures-5e-Compatible-Campaign-Setting

Quote from: SHARK on May 19, 2023, 03:57:38 PM

Greetings!

Yes. I love reading books. It is also a joy to collect them. So, I like buying them and having them in my personal library. I don't think I am satisfied with borrowing books from libraries.

Have you watched the videos I linked? What do you think of the videos?

And the wonderful film, Mongol?

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Oh, indeed. The vids have been very elucidating. Just haven't watched the film yet. Thanks again!

Quote from: Persimmon on May 20, 2023, 09:00:01 AM
Shark,

The problem, as I'm sure you know, is that the Leftist SJWs completely dominate the universities, particularly in the Humanities fields.  So if you're not one of them you are kept off committees, denied sabbaticals, overlooked for awards and recognitions, etc.  As a case in point, I recently applied for a "Distinguished Professorship" at my university, which would have granted release time and extra salary to complete a book.  It's theoretically reserved for senior professors with the highest credentials.  I decided to apply despite my misgivings as the dean in charge of granting the award doesn't like me because I refuse to tow the leftist line in curriculum committee discussions.  This past year I was the only person (of 15) to question why the music program needed an entire required class in Rap & Hip Hop Awareness.  I simply asked why they don't teach "cultural awareness" in all their classes.  The professor proposing the class literally had no response and they passed the class anyhow by a 14 to 1 vote.  Later I got pushback for my proposal on a Survey History of Asia to 1500 because it was a "course that only I was qualified to teach."  They wanted "more generic" offerings.  I managed to push it through by pushing the diversity card, but it was ridiculous to even be challenged.

So anyhow, I applied for the Professorship.  In my time at the university I have published more than anyone else in my department.  My seventh book is just going into production.  I already have a contract for the next one, which will be a history of the Three Feudatories Rebellion (1673-1681) in China.  I have international standing in my field.  All my monographs are being translated into Chinese, which is a big deal for a white guy like me.  I'm a board member of The Chinese Military History Society, which I also helped to found.  I'm Senior Project Adviser to the Aftermath Project at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, which studies the repercussions of Japan's invasion of Korea in the 1590s.  But of course I didn't get the professorship.  Not sure who did, but I suspect it was one of the English profs from the department the dean was in because they study things with "more resonance for our students."  And they like to give this award to people to help them get promoted, which makes no sense if it's "distinguished."  And ironically the only people who have finished books with this grant in the past 15 years have been the other military historians in my Center for the Study of War & Society. 

Sorry for the rant, but I knew you could appreciate it!

Persimmon, it's truly tragic to hear this. I would love to say I'm surprised......but I'm not. The rot infests everywhere. Education, hobby, churches.....all in the name of inclusion and diversity. In the left's desire to force inclusion they're actually fomenting segregation. But eh.....another topic for another day.

UK academia is only fractionally less extreme than USA. And there has definitely been a strong leftwards shift in the decades I've worked in academia. In the mid-late 1990s my (gay) PhD supervisor was a right-wing Eurosceptic Conservative! Back at Oxford in the early 1990s, one of our law tutors openly mocked Andrea Dworkin & Catherine McKinnon.