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The Un-Odyssey
On September 20, 2023 by ElyseWhat would’ve happened if, after the Trojan War, Odysseus had simply given up and not made the long, perilous journey home? The answer might lie in an anecdote from Scotland. . . Some short time ago, in one of the villages on the Firth of Forth, lived a lady whose husband had long before gone
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Insights in Iceland
On August 9, 2023 by ElyseAnother Wednesday, another post coming to you from a random corner of the world. You could be forgiven for thinking Second Glance History has turned into a travel blog. I promise we’ll resume our regularly scheduled programming of poison-detecting guinea pigs and singing dogs soon. But for today, join me in discovering how much more there
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Ambling around Amsterdam
On July 26, 2023 by ElyseOne of the most misunderstood cities in Europe is Amsterdam. For some reason or other this bright capital of the cut diamond has failed to make a vivid impression on the consciousness of the tourist world, yet it has an extraordinary beauty and variety all its own. – The Evening Post, April 11, 1935 Having
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Crêpe and Punishcake
On June 28, 2023 by ElyseWhat’s better for defending your home than an assault rifle? Why, a-syrup rifle, of course! A Paris message says: An elderly lady, Mme. Mouillebois, was engaged in frying pancakes in her rooms in the Rue de la Maison Blance on Saturday, when she was alarmed by hearing the door of her flat open. A man
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CSI: Valencia
On June 14, 2023 by ElyseSunscreen? ✔ Duolingo app for Spanish? ✔ The song “O Valencia!” on repeat? ✔ Crime scene investigation kit? X Doh, I knew I was forgetting to pack something. Fortunately for me, I’m in good hands, er, paws on my weekend jaunt with the Valencian Lassie. The sagacity of a dog has brought to justice a
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Clip of the Week: May 17, 2023
On May 17, 2023 by ElyseThis guy puts the “petty” in Pettibone: Some New York man has been having fun at the expense of the editors of that city. Knowing the eagerness with which republican editors publish letters from democrats who have turned republican, “A. C. Pettibone” wrote a letter to a republican paper in which he said he had
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The Danish Deadhead
On May 3, 2023 by ElyseOn a recent visit to Copenhagen, I fell in love with the scenic waterfront, the pastries, the castles and gardens, the pastries, the attractive men, and did I mention the pastries? While none of these are fodder for a history blog, they did send me scurrying to the historical newspapers. There, I stumbled across a
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Two Arms Are Better Than One: A Play in One Act
On April 19, 2023 by ElyseSecond Glance History’s brand-new, ripped-from-the-headlines production has as much nail-biting suspense as 2019’s “Behind Enemy Lines” and as much heart as 2020’s “Letters from the Front Lines.” Five out of five stars! – A totally real and not at all imaginary theater critic Special thanks to the Stark Country Democrat (July 29, 1880) for the
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Clip of the Week: April 5, 2023
On April 5, 2023 by ElyseBefore there was Beyoncé, there was the original single lady: Old Polly Thompson, of Camberwell Workhouse, is the “oldest lady in the land,” for on Monday she celebrates the 107th anniversary of her birthday, and is still hale and hearty. A photograph of the old woman was taken the other day and forwarded to her