Armed with percussion rifles when most other US soldiers still carried flintlock muskets; the “Mississippi Rifles†served in the war against Mexico that followed the annexation of Texas in 1845. In Panting for Glory: The Mississippi Rifles in the Mexican War; Richard Bruce Winders skillfully uncovers the contrasting wartime experiences of two regiments; the 1st and 2nd Mississippi Rifles. The 1st Mississippi Rifles were lauded for their service and remain a familiar part of the history of the Mexican War. Under the leadership of Col. Jefferson Davis—later the President of the Confederate States of America—the 1st enjoyed significant victories at the Battle of Buena Vista and the Battle of Monterey. The 2nd Mississippi Rifles; by contrast; saw little action and returned home overlooked and largely forgotten. Panting for Glory compares these regiments to show that the contours of history were sometimes arbitrary and that military historians; in their analysis of failure; should take into account a wide range of factors that influence outcomes; not merely records of wins and losses. As Winders concludes; “the 1st and 2nd Mississippi Rifles . . . offer the perfect opportunity to examine two sides of war: glory gained and glory denied.â€
#364315 in Books Park Street Press 2015-08-31 2015-08-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .90 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 1620554739304 pagesPark Street Press
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I'm glad to report that The Witches' Ointment by Thomas Hatsis ...By David D. SalisburyThe Witches' Ointment is a topical book I've been hoping someone would write for a very long time. I was apprehensive with my wait because I was hoping that someone would write it with both a solid; scholarly approach as well as a sincere interest in the occult lore of flying ointments and their importance in folkloric witchcraft. I'm glad to report that The Witches' Ointment  by Thomas Hatsis is a book that's filled that criteria.This book presents just about everything one might want in a book about the notorious witch's flying ointment. Poison; politics; romance; folklore; terror; and persecution are all elements present. The style of the book is narrative and relies on historical storytelling to cultivate a visceral feel for what life may have been like for ointment crafters and the people who sought them out. Each chapter focuses on different types of ointments throughout different parts of the world and times in history. Learning about the love potions of central Greece and the lethal liquids of the southeastern French countryside contribute to the global emphasis placed on the idea of supernatural and psychedelic infusions.While many modern witches are familiar with the idea of the ointment as originating from the British Isles through witch-trial records; Hatsis weaves together a more complete story of the unguent. He showcases its importance in magical folklore throughout the centuries. This is a refreshing deep-dive approach into a topic that's often left at the doorstep of modern herbal folklorists. A scholarly curiosity is required to prod further into what is truly a vast subject matter.One of the reasons this work shines is Hatsis' confidence in compiling many different stories of the salves without forcing a thesis on any central connection they may share across the world. This is important in an area like scholarly witchcraft where many authors search too hard to find common threads in what is really a whole other cloth. The fascinating lore of the ointments stands on its own here; giving respect to the myriad cultures that host it.The only reason I can find to give the title four stars instead of five is the sometimes lengthy detours taken from the topic. While many of the asides to the tales are worthwhile to give a sense of story and history; some sections steered too far away from the subject matter for me. It might be challenging to hold your attention. Nevertheless; every chapter is worthwhile and intriguing; all leading to deeper insight in a topic that's typically only approached at a surface level.The Witches' Ointment is an important work for readers interested in a wide variety of subjects. The witches among us will appreciate the scholarly treatment to what is usually considered a fringe topic in the Craft. Readers interested in psychedelic plants will be hooked by ancient stories of mixtures that stir the senses and bend the mind. Even secular botanists can't help but become enamored with learning about the many ways in which our ancestors used roots; leaves; and stems to shift their consciousness and experience the world in a new way.The book didn't seem to create much of a stir within the world of pagan literature; but I feel that has more to do with marketing and says nothing about the quality of the book; which is entirely worthy of a spot in the herbalism section of my personal library.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. aBy LucieA very good and fascinating history book.Very well documented. Very well written.But don't expect to have old ointment receipes or neo-pagan point of view on every chapter!Hatsis is an historian and he makes a historian work.A very good work for those who are interested in.I definitely recommend it.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Very goodBy CustomerVery good book with some common sense on the subject. The research is from a sober academic predictive; but enlightened enough to express a common affinity for the folk tradition known as witchcraft.My greatest takeaway was his analyses of experimentation in the seventies with tropane alkaloids (witch's ointment ingredients) with three very different results. The conclusion being upon the varieties of spiritual/chemical/conscious experiences along with the real possibilities for other's to invalidate opponent's limited conflicting conclusions.Overall; an educated; factual; thought-provoking glossary survey of the possibilities for real magic in the accounted experience realised through the witch's ointment along with the gross crimes of thought suppression and prejudiced intolerance.
