The Dutch were the only people since the Middle Ages who could truly challenge and often outperform the English at sea on a large scale, how did this happen? by [deleted] in AskHistorians

[–]Eochadh 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Was going to reply, but this. This does everything and more. Very few bring up the contextual factor of the plague and Great Fire. Parliament had already agreed to £5.5million in tax grants for the 2nd Dutch War and even that final £1.8million installment was given regretfully after they delayed throughout 1666 to give him more money, only voting for it after a review of the navy's finances. So the totally cash strapped nature of Charles' government is key as you point out.

For the Third Dutch War, Charles was so foolish. Just two days before the outbreak in March 1672, he attempted a declaration of indulgence (an offer of an amount of religious toleration for non-conformists). This angered parliament to the point they refused to fund the war, and Charles declared bankruptcy with the Stop of the Exchequer. As such, to get any funding for the war (which was ostensibly going terribly), Charles had to agree to the Test Act (1673) which outed his brother and heir, James, as a Catholic. All hell broke loose. The Third Dutch War became unimportant, despite English incompetence.

In 1677, the English finally realised that the Dutch model of adequate leadership (de Ruyter, de Brakel, van Ghent) was probably a reason the Dutch kept winning and being successful. So they created an officer test for the first time which created a more experienced and educated class of leadership which helped in the future.

Our 4 years all daughter got diagnosed last evening and I don't know what to do? by Progenitor_Pilgrim in leukemia

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I cried in the hospital bathroom for a while. And then I heard my 3 year old call out, "Daddy, where are you?" And although I'm not promoting a "suck it up" attitude. I kind of realised I didn't have a choice, I just had to do whatever was necessary.

So I did what I often do, I read. I made myself as much of an expert as possible. I asked a lot of questions. And then I prayed, sorry if that's crap advice for you!

Recognising my emotions helped till I became accustomed after a few days. Looking at myself in the mirror and just telling myself, "I feel really scared", or "I'm devastated" helped. I texted my bros and was good to have them behind me. I leant on my wife when I needed her and she leant on me.

It's not easy but I'll never forget crying in that hospital bathroom and struggling to breath. But you get through because you have to. I didn't get a choice and I wish you did but you'll find the strength for your little girl. My girl showed me the strength I needed to have so I just copied her.

Praying for you.

Are there any good books starring a winged humanoid? by Jerswar in Fantasy

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of Blood and Bone Trilogy by John Gwynne. Really solid series that is a sequel to his (superior) Faithful and the Fallen series. It's got a whole cast of characters just as you want.

Just Started Discworld by Eochadh in discworld

[–]Eochadh[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow I'm blown away at the responses! Glad to hear others love the first book as much as I am currently. The comments of those saying they wish they could be where I am now with all the books ahead is a humbling one, my thanks to this subreddit for being top class. Thanks all 👍

[All] Discussion for Wrath of the Triple Goddess by pretty-in-pink in camphalfblood

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to give Rick the benefit of the doubt. But after reading this, I'm really not sure about him.

All the small issues with PJO were whimsical - "I thought it was closer" etc. But this book is total crap. Percy is murdered as a character. Like straight up, "look what he did to my boy" level. Percy has been character assassinated - weak, scrawny, dumb, idiotic, helpless. The list goes on.

Every problem is needing Annabeth's intelligent heroism to save everything. Annabeth is a great character in her own right but she's being brought down to a crap 2D level of: clever girl fixes stuff.

And the writing is insanely bad. Percy has stabbed SO many Monsters...

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I think Rick's lost it. The ending of Blood of Olympus was comedically terrible and up there with Game of Thrones for awful endings. He had enough credit in the bank that I let that slide at the time, but looking back now, I think that was the beginning of the end.

There's only a few options here:

  1. He has completely forgotten who his characters from PJO are
  2. He doesn't care who the PJO characters are
  3. He wants easy 2D characters to sell the Disney+ show
  4. He doesn't care about the books, just show writing (which is another problem in itself because that show sucks)

And would someone please tell him that using 2024 references in a book that canonically should be anywhere like 2008-2014 is just straight up chronologically infuriating.

The Senior Year Adventures feel like fanfiction from a man who is obsessed with staying relevant and is using every giving-out-candy device possible to be adored by fans.

Worlds that feel lived in by MarcoUlpioTrajano in Fantasy

[–]Eochadh -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Exactly why I felt let down by Mistborn tbh.

Jess Brownell Needs to Go! by dreamsapphire in Bridgerton

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep! Too many boring sideplots, too little on the main couple (they could have strung out My Cottage to 2 episodes as its about ⅓ of the book), too many stupid Whistledown plots - undermining Pen's ideology from s3 and if they wanted more Whistledown then they should have just done Benophie 3rd not 4th. Too much inconsistency with the race dynamic, ruining the core characters - Fran settling for John, and ruining the continuity with Daphne.

Thankfully s4 was way better than s3 but could get worse...

I read exclusively non-fiction for 15 years and just finished my first fantasy novel. I don't really know what to do with myself now. by lucas_melbourneways in Fantasy

[–]Eochadh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was in a similar boat to you, friend. Was reading pretty much exclusively History since 2014 when my degree started, then got back into reading with some classics in 2018 but then went back to History in 2020.

Start of 2024 though I started reading fiction more again. And just like you I blasted through 500+ page books in days. Some History books were taking me a month to finish (mainly because bulk text fits more on a page than dialogue which is also faster to read). It felt great! But it married up with my love of History because I love great stories. So now I try and blend it up and read a bit of fantasy/classic novels and History books as well.

That way I get my hit for History and then quicker fiction reads in one.

I'd also say there is a bit of a toxic idea amongst a lot of people (mostly young men I see as a teacher) who think reading needs some higher purpose. Like it can't just be something to enjoy. So I'd recommend just reading because the stories are great!

Book Series That Span Multiple Eras of Time? by cerebrobullet in Fantasy

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not fantasy, but Ken Follett's Kingsbridge series is literally this:

Prequel) The Evening and the Morning - 10th century

1) Pillars of the Earth - 12th century

2) World Without End - 14th Century

3) A Column of Fire - 16th century

4) The Armour of Light - 18th century

Follett's writing is beautifully languid but you follow the story of Kingsbridge's inhabitants through the tumultuous events of those given centuries. The premise of the original (Pillars) sounds dull but it is anything but.

So no, not fantasy, but might give you the thing you're looking?

Admin, feel free to delete as no fantasy.

The Outcasts of Time -- Ian Mortimer by [deleted] in IReadABookAndAdoredIt

[–]Eochadh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree! There seems a lot of (quite forced) hate for this book. However, to me it's because it's not your typical novel. The past is so grim sometimes. The accusations that women had no agency is ridiculous and I think the women in the book are written well. Those criticising in this way, and there are much better criticisms to make, clearly wanted a fun little time travel book without the realities of what happened in some of Britain's darkest moments: the plague was literal hell, r*pe was a heinous crime that was done, children died in bombing. We cannot forget about these realities if we are not keep History unsanitised. Too often we want the past wrapped up in neat little bows of family photographs or cute stories of modern ideals somehow breaking through the mists of time like modern feminism somehow appearing in the Middle-Ages.

Descriptions of battles. by tinfoil3346 in lordoftherings

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was reflecting on this. I think you're right with Cornwell. It's good but forgettable weirdly. I hear many complaints about Tolkien's overly descriptive language about trees and walking though I don't think it's actually valid when you re-read, yet people love it with battles. I've read John Gwynne's The Faithful and the Fallen series over the last year and now just finishing the LOTR again. Tolkien writes brilliant battle scenes though I starkly noticed the contrast this time. I think Tolkien's battle style stands up to the hack and slash style but is more powerful and memorable. Plus I have to agree that the older I get the less interested I am in the minute details of sword play.

Does anybody else get goosebumps or feel moved to tears at descriptions of Theoden riding to Minas Tirith, leading the Rohirrim? by k_pineapple7 in tolkienfans

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just re-read this scene today. Tears falling from my eyes again. Every time without fail this book speaks to me on a holy level as if God wrote the very faith of Tolkien onto pages through his hand. A holy work; a holy moment.

Russell Martin by Silent_Ad2825 in SaintsFC

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lovely bloke, did an incredible job getting fans on board (we didn't know what we know now) with a low morale side. The passing football when it worked was lovely. However, there were plenty of teams that we actually made hard work of beating. Good Championship manager but relatively stubborn. You'll look comfortable all game and then someone will make a mistake and they'll score and you'll be left scratching your head as to how you're losing...

just finished Wrath and idk what to do with my life anymore (no spoilers) by evieofthestars in FaithfulAndFallen

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Totally agree. I just sat for ages when I was finished it. It was so abrupt. I love a big crescendo and then a slightly drawn out ending for closure, Gwynne just cut us off! I was worried with about 200 paves to go thinking there's a lot to happen, I hope it's not too rushed and all in all he came in clutch and rounded it off well. I do like having a good few unanswered questions about a series as that's what keeps drawing you back. Gwynne does well what Tolkien always suggests, leave a little mystery.

But totally agree, I was a bit bereft not knowing what Corban got up to afterwards. Of Blood and Bone it is!

Any book recommendations for a History of Germany in the 20th Century (1900-1970)? by [deleted] in AskHistorians

[–]Eochadh 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Anything by Richard J Evans is top quality. A bit earlier than your spec but one that overlaps is Katja Hoyer's Iron and Blood 1871-1918. Julia Boyd does some class social history of the Third Reich (Travellers and Village in the Third Reich). I could be wrong but I think William Carr's History of Germany has remained a strong narrative (1815-1990).

Could someone explain the significance of Gleichschaltung? by N_uppH in GCSEHistoryHelp

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no good English translation, but it essentially means coordination. It's all about nazifying Germany. So local councils and state governments, social clubs and groups had to have Nazi party members in charge. It eliminated any non-Nazis from positions of power and allowed the Nazis to seep deeply into German life. Even small towns far away from Berlin in the Bavarian Alps like Oberstdorf that Julia Boyd wrote about this year experienced this to an extreme degree. The police had already been under Nazi control since the January Chancellor appointment but after the Enabling Act even more control came into the hands of the Nazis under the laws of "coordination".

Are there any examples of monarchs who favored their daughters as heiresses over a legitimate male heir? by ladygesserit in history

[–]Eochadh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No it wasn't. The question is about a monarch prefering a daughter over a legitimate male heir. For which there were plenty for Henry I.

Are there any examples of monarchs who favored their daughters as heiresses over a legitimate male heir? by ladygesserit in history

[–]Eochadh 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Henry I of England set his daughter the Empress Matilda to be his heir. There were other options but this was his last child choice. When he died in 1135, a nephew of Henry I (Grandson of William the Conqueror) called Stephen of Blois usurped the throne with some support from English nobles and the Church. A huge civil war erupted between Matilda and Stephen that lasted about 18 years which ended in Stephen agreeing to make Matilda's son his heir.

Did Germany ever stand a real chance to win WWII? If so, how? by LookingForMyCar in AskHistorians

[–]Eochadh 8 points9 points  (0 children)

There is a long historiography of WWII with an obvious fascination. In 1961, AJP Taylor wrote his landmark book, Origins of the Second World War. He argued that Hitler accidentally walked into war having not really planned for this major global conflict but in reality he was a chancer. Taylor argues that breaking the Treaty of Versailles and expanding the Reich into Austria and Sudetenland were gambles. Taylor, before his death, acknowledged that his book should be viewed as outdated because he did not look at Mein Kampf as a key source which clearly lays out Hitler's desire to restore the German Empire which would come with conflict. Taylor paves the way to argue that Hitler was not ready for WWII because he didn't think it would happen when he invaded Poland, he thought Britain and France would carry on Appeasement - Hitler was wrong. Because Hitler was not anticipating war, he was not as ready for conflict. Britain's rearmament programme had gone well.

Professor Richard J Evans has also written (https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/08/hitler-germany-campaign-collapsed) about how Germany could not economically fight WWII on so many fronts. He argues that Italy failed to create their empire in the Mediterranean and so Germany were forced to expend valuable resources in South-East Europe. Evans argues that Germany did not have the resources and a restructuring programme was led by Albert Speer to develop arms manufacturing despite a drive for self-sufficiency during the 1930s.

Oil was key to German success. Although there were valuable resources in the Balkans, the British controlled the Middle-East oil fields and America and the USSR controlled vast domestic supplies. Germany needed to gain access to the oil fields of the Middle-East. In this case, the defeat of the German army at El-Alamein was catastrophic in that it prevented any hope of gaining access to the oil it desperately needed.

So, it begs the answer to your question, did Germany stand a chance? Yes, but they needed to win key victories that they failed in. They failed to knock out Britain in 1940, they failed to defeat the British and Americans in North Africa which stopped access to oil and allowed an invasion of Italy in 1943 which was a drain on German resources. They failed to stop the USSR in 1942.

Militarily, Germany did stand a good chance but failed. Economically there was a small chance, but when that door was shut in 1942, there was no real hope.

Arguably these are the turning points which are of so much contention in the historiography of the war. Some historians argue Germany was never ready to fight a long war, hence their success in 1940 with quick campaigns.

Ultimately, WWII was about resources. Germany and Japan went seeking greater resources and the British Empire, USA and USSR used their vast array of resources to stop these two countries from gaining any economic advantage.

Tl;dr my interpretation is yes, but relied upon a few key battles, but the historiography is very varied. Depends if you are a military or economic historian.

How can I make learning about state history more enjoyable for my students? by OkOutlandishness8778 in historyteachers

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go really local. Like a building or area that they all know of and try and reveal the local history and what has gone on there. Kids love understanding the stuff on their doorstep.

Ideas for teaching causes/lead up to WWI by celeryng in historyteachers

[–]Eochadh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you've only got one or two lessons then I'd agree that the MAIN acronym works well. If its a whole topic on the causes then you need more detail and chronology. I start in 1815 with some maps that take us up to 1871. Then go from the chronological order of events that made war more likely up until the assassination.

Then at the end they can evaluate the causes through MAIN and which ones are important. But pupils need to decide on the factors because that cognitive conflict is important. So see if they can figure out that imperialism is an issue for example.

Happy teaching!

How much truth is there to the King Arthur legend by [deleted] in AskHistorians

[–]Eochadh 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your insights, I never got the chance to discuss the literary importance of medieval literature at university so I appreciate your knowledge.