Talk Like a Pirate Day is merely a starter for the Language of My Foremothers. Talking the talk is fun, but knowing your heritage is even better. Read More
Talk Like a Pirate: Family History Time
Tag Archives: History
‘Timeline’ and ‘CardLine’: Quick Games That Teach You Something
I like to challenge myself by testing what I know, and if I get to learn something new in the process, all the better. That’s why I love trivia games. But straight trivia games (‘Trivial Pursuit’ and the like) aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. That’s why I look for games that add some other features or sophistication to the straight facts. Asmodee Games offers exactly that in its ‘Timeline’ and ‘CardLine’ games. Read More
‘Science Comics’: ‘Coral Reefs’ and ‘Dinosaurs’
Kids will be engaged and enjoy learning about dinosaurs and coral reefs with ‘Science Comics.’ Read More
‘Library of Luminaries’: Illustrated Biographies of Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf
Chronicle Books has begun a series of books about important people in history, in relatively short, beautifully illustrated volumes. Though not long, these books contain plenty of detail, painting pictures of the luminaries’ lives. Read More
Canadian Heritage Minutes Turns 25
25 years later, Historica Canada Heritage Minutes are as much a part of Canadian culture as maple syrup and hockey; both of which are profiled in this collection of short films. Read More
Go on an Adventure to Find ‘The Wrong Wrights’
The great folks at Smithsonian Books have begun a new series of graphic novels for the 9-12 age range called ‘Secret Smithsonian Adventures.’ The first book in the series, ‘The Wrong Wrights’ by Chris Kientz and Steve Hockensmith, and illustrated by Lee Nielsen, comes out this week, and I can tell you that it is an entertaining read. Here’s my slightly spoiler-y recap, but I’ll refrain from spoiling the really important stuff. Read More
Geekdad Passport: Bletchley Park
When it comes to World War II, much attention is placed on the battles that took place throughout Europe, sites of monumental confrontations and decisive victories. But some of the most epic battles were fought silently on the grounds of Bletchley Park, a British estate just north of London in the small town of Bletchley. Read More
A History of Computer Entertainment
Recently, at the Christmas party at work, talk turned to our first computers, and from there to the computer games we played back then. “Ah,” says one, “‘Defender of the Crown’ on my Amiga, that was something.” “‘Monkey Island,'” says another. “Those Infocom games,” says I. As we continue reminiscing, I realize that none of my colleagues is aware of ‘The Digital Antiquarian,’ who during the past years has thoroughly researched these and many more computer game classics. Read More
My Favorite Google Doodles from 2015
Google constantly ups the ante for doodles on their page. The Google Doodles began with static artwork replacing the iconic letters G-o-o-g-l-e, but they’ve lifted it to its own art form. For quite a while now, we’ve expected great things from the doodles. The pressure is on, and Google continues to deliver. Read More
Take a Trip to ‘American Places’
Traveling and American history are two of my biggest passions. So visiting locations that are important in history pretty much sums up glee for me. And William Zinsser, author of ‘On Writing Well’ among other books, pulls that all together in his book, ‘American Places.’ Read More
Hamilton: The Story of a Musical and My Six-Year-Old
Growing up, music and musical theater gave me a home and community. Hamilton is helping me gift my son an entrance into this community by using his musical as well as intellectual interests. Read More
Counter-Culture History, 1969-1972: ‘The Smith Tapes’
The 1960s were such a time of obvious change in the United States. Portions of society lost their innocence, while others were empowered. Music often made a statement, and drugs influenced lives. What was life like at the end of that decade, and at the turn of the 1970s? The boundless optimism of earlier in the ’60s had disappeared, and times, they were a’changin’. The best way to learn about a certain time is to go straight to the source. Read More
We Bought Our Sons a New Gaming System…and a History Lesson
Patricia’s sons asked about what it was like to play video games like Pong and Pac-Man in the 1980s. She and her husband decided to show them first-hand. Read More
Megan Lee’s Gorgeous Nerdy Science Art and Flashcards
I’ve had my eye on Megan Lee’s scientist art for quite some time. It’s the perfect mixture of simplicity, unity, and graphics, all with science history as the underlying theme. Most of the scientists she has profiled in art are at least somewhat known if not very well known. But for a few, I actually had to research who they were and what they have done. Read More
Geek Speaks…Fiction! Guest Author Gail Z. Martin
Writing ‘Iron & Blood’ was so much fun, in part because the more Gail Z. Martin and Larry Martin dug into Pittsburgh’s past, the cooler, geekier things they discovered. Read More
Geek Speaks…Fiction! Guest Author Django Wexler
Fantasy author Django Wexler has taken some time to tell us what made him geek out while writing his Shadow Campaigns novels. Please welcome him! Read More
Maps, Time, Geography: 2 Books to Delight the Mind
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to look at maps. Maps of all kinds. Road maps, house floor plans, diagrams, graphs, and more. I love to know how things work and how they are laid out. I adore any well-done visual representation. I often explain my feelings as graphs. So when I saw these two books, they caught my attention right away. Read More
Study the History and Science of ‘Time and Navigation’
This book is a rich companion piece to a current exhibition of the same name at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Read More
What We Learned Today: 10 Things About Greenland
Greenland? Isn’t that place green? Or cold? Or something? What’s up with Greenland anyway? So glad you asked. Practically at the North Pole, Greenland is on my “someday” list of places to visit. Read More
Bristol Banter #2: Libraries
Episode number 2 of Bristol Banter brings lengthy discussion by GeekDad Rory and GeekMom Jenny on libraries, including the Library of Congress, the Library of Alexandria, Andrew Carnegie, and a tangent about ‘Doctor Who.’ Find out the answer to last episode’s trivia question, and take a guess at the one in this episode! Read More
Why You Should Talk to Your Kids About History
History is cool, and your kids’ curiosity about it can lead to some wonderful things. Read More
Bristol Banter #1: Firsts
Bristol Banter is a geeky conversational podcast. Rory and Jenny Bristol discuss a new theme each week, with sections including “Did You Know?” and “Obscure Awesome Trivia” (OAT). Read More
Fun With History: The Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry is an important piece of history, and now you can make your own virtual collage in the same style. Read More
Study and Dream With ‘American Homes’
The new book ‘American Homes: The Landmark Illustrated Encyclopedia of Domestic Architecture’ is a feast for the eyes and the brain. It is filled with over 1,000 illustrations, home elevations, and floor plans. There are dozens of home styles, ranging from the Longhouse to the Saltbox to the German Colonial to the A-Frame to the Passive Solar. Read More
‘The World’s Great Wonders’ Explains the Planet’s Masterpieces
If you’re looking for some fantastic background information on the world’s incredible sites and sights, Lonely Planet has another quality book that will teach you the wheres, whens, whys, and hows of 50 of them. Read More
GeekMom’s 2014 Gift Guide of Books
Today’s gift guide is full of books: Historical books, storybooks, reference books, baby books, comic books, and more. There is something for everyone on this list! Read More
Pulp Fiction in Pearl’s Peril
Pearl’s Peril features a competent heroine whose engineering prowess often saves the day in this pulp fictional adventure game. Read More
Colonial Comics: New England, 1620-1750
Learn about history through graphic novels, from the point of view of individuals and groups not usually represented. Read More
The Art of Space: Nostalgia Art at Its Best
Float down memory lane with these stunning space art images from history and the more recent past. Read More
Happy Ada Lovelace Day! Now With More Quizzes
In honor of Ada Lovelace Day, here’s a quiz about discoveries and inventions. Can you correctly identify which were made by women, and which were not? Read More
Civil War in 3D: The Life and Death of the Soldier
Learn about every day life for the Civil War soldier. Read More
Summer Science Fun: The Moon
The summer is a great time to observe the moon. Learn about the moon, some of its history, and how lunar eclipses occur. Read More
