Simon Grimm > Recent Status Updates

This book is a lot better than I expected. Lots of detail of how Prussia developed its army. Eg., Frederick’s father (Frederick William I) forced local lords to send their sons (Junkers) to Berlin for training as officers. 40 of them became generals under Frederick the Great.

Also, that same father was a horrible human being. Extremely violent both toward his son and many others.

Great up until now. Once again, biographies are one of the best methods to learn about history in a non-abstract, visceral way. Just finished the part about the Civil War. Now starting to read about Reconstruction!

Also, Grant is the ultimate late-bloomer.

Amazing book. The amount of progress made by sleep-deprived chain-smoking men is daunting.