History
The Need for Experts with Wider Vision
Michael Bassett bassettbrashandhide.com Political historian Michael Bassett CNZM is the author of 15 books, was a regular columnist for the Fairfax newspapers and a former Minister in the 1984-1990 governments Whenever some unexpected global affliction hits mankind a set of instant “experts” rear up and give us their
A Family History of Lockdown
On July 23rd, the good ship Brothers’ Pride departed from London bound for New Zealand. On the 26th, it made its last port of call in England and the passengers waved goodbye to England as it left Gravesend. Being a ship of 1,236 tonnes, it departed Gravesend with 371
The History of the Devil in Pictures
Horns. Cloven hooves. Pointy tail. Chiselled abs, goatee, red tights and pitchfork. You all know who it is. A figure as recognisable in popular Western culture as Santa Claus, Jesus or Elvis. The Devil. Previously, I’ve looked at the evolution of historical depictions of Jesus and Mary. But what
The BFD Food Column: Chraime
Every ethnic group has its culinary pride. New Zealand Maori tout their under-dirt cuisine called the ‘Hangi’, the English have toad in the hole, the Scots wave around their Haggis, the Germans put that look on their face with their sauerkraut and the French, apoof! (their cuisine largely exists
In Search of the Lost Heisenberg Cubes
It sounds like something from a Marvel movie: mysterious, lost “Heisenberg cubes” of Nazi-era science. But Heisenberg cubes are very real — they were part of the Nazis’ race to build an atomic weapon. Nearly all were lost in the chaos of the fall of the Third Reich, but scientists
40 Years Ago the Springbok Rugby Tour Divided New Zealand
Eliora Here are two book reviews that are very different from each other, but equally good reminders that 40 years ago a Springbok rugby tour divided New Zealand. The violence that occurred has been at times labelled as eight weeks of “Batons, Brawls, Barbed wire and Boks.” Hold The Line
The BFD Comment of the Week
As part of our drive to keep our comment section the best in New Zealand we showcase each week an example of a top-notch comment that adds value to The BFD. Today’s comment was written by Greg Moore Thank you Greg for taking the time to craft such
The BFD Food Column: Homemade Ice Cream
Once upon a time upon a time, Mums used to make everything. Thinking back, one has clear memories of homemade bread, cakes, jams, preserves, muesli, ice blocks and even delish homemade cooked ice cream. These days one buys it all but rarely feasts on anything other than tasteless empty pleasures.
Afghanistan Is the ‘Graveyard of Empires’. How Did We Ever Forget That?
Louis T. March mercatornet.com Louis T. March has a background in government, business and philanthropy. A former talk show host, author and public speaker, he is a dedicated student of history and genealogy. Louis lives with his family in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Tired of hearing about
Australia Repeats Its Grim History as an Island Prison
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” George Santayana famously wrote. Australians, by and large, are quite ignorant of their history. They have been condemned to repeat it, in the 2020s. After 230 years, Australia has reverted to being an island prison. And, in an echo
Fortress New Zealand: An Ancient, Failed Labour Vision
Michael Bassett bassettbrashandhide.com Political historian Michael Bassett CNZM is the author of 15 books, was a regular columnist for the Fairfax newspapers and a former Minister in the 1984-1990 governments In the 1920s and 30s, some Labour Party leaders hoped to insulate New Zealand from the world so
The BFD Comment of the Week
As part of our drive to keep our comment section the best in New Zealand we showcase each week an example of a top-notch comment that adds value to The BFD. Today’s comment was written by Brian Dingwall. Thank you Brian for taking the time to craft such
The Myth of Invariably Safe Vaccines in History & Government Honesty about Them
Dave Pellowe goodsauce.news The next time someone asks you to compare your sober questions and caution about Wuhan Flu vaccines to the wonderful history of eliminating smallpox, polio, etc., you may point them to this article. It’s blissfully ignorant to shrink-wrap decades of medical advances in infectious
The BFD Food Column: Bougatchia Filled with Spinach and Feta Cheese
This week I am doing one of my favourites that my mother in law used to spoil us with. Malka Yemini may her memory be blessed was a renowned cook with many feathers in her culinary cap, part Yemenite part Sephardi she had a well-stocked and colourful larder. Bougatchia
Maori Myth Is Not Science
Ross Meurant hobsonspledge.nz Ross Meurant, B.A M.P.P. resigned from the police at inspector rank in 1987 to enter Parliament as a National MP. Today he is Honorary Consul for Morocco and trustee and CEO of commercial assets owned by absentee Russian investors. As a former detective