Rolf Devinci

Purchased a copy of The Bronze Lie by Myke Cole from Osprey Publishing. The premise of the book is questioning the myth of Spartan warrior supremacy through a honest and accurate accounting of Sparta's role in ancient Greece. Well researched using archival, literary and archeological sources Myke examines the influence Sparta had upon Greece, the victories won and defeats suffered in the constantly changing geopolitical arena that was ancient Greece. Sparta's power and influence, like all empires, ebbed and flowed over the course of time. An excellent and refreshing look at the militarism of Spartan society not the Hollywood mythos of Frank Miller's fictional 300 that has so enraptured modern sensibilities. Color plates included along with some maps to support the text. A basic knowledge of ancient Greece and the various city states is helpful but not necessary.

With May coming to an end and summer around the corner the 2023/2024 ball hockey season has finished. It was a shortened transient season of play due to continued renovations of our venue. Fortunately we were able to source a replacement recreation centre to salvage a few months of play. Between my continued recovery from my 2021 accident and an extended layoff due to venue renovations I really struggled physically during and after our games. That led to self doubt about my ability to effectively play goal at a level I expected of myself. I was ready to retire. I possess a love for the game and having ceased cycling upon advice of my neurosurgeon I decided to explore options that might mitigate the physical demands of goaltending and extend my involvement in my remaining sporting passion. Compression socks definitely helped my sixty one year old calves and Achilles tendons. A refocus of my strength training regimen to include frequent "leg days" strengthening my lower body; c...

Finally picked up the latest updated edition (2017) detailing the history and search for the missing Franklin expedition searching for the Northwest Passage in 1845. A captivating read published by Greystone Books that definitively solves the mystery of the fate of the HMS Terror and HMS Erebus. In an easy to read format this book uses 19th century sources, Inuit oral histories, modern forensics and archeological excavations to determine the underlying causes of the tragedy. Included are chapters detailing the forensic examination of three crewmen preserved in the permafrost and a brief chapter addressing the recent discovery of both shipwrecks. If you like Maritime history this book is a must read.