When the Black Death reached its climax and swept through Europe, it left no area of society untouched: effects were everywhere including cities, rural areas, every social structure, and religious and non-religious areas. Nothing was protected from the deadly disease that bombed the Middle Ages.

There isn’t a Clive Cussler novel I don’t like. Each one gets me sucked in and refuses to let me go until the book is completely read. What makes the action packed novel even better is the way Cussler incorporates history into each of his books. He didn’t disappoint me in Black Wind.

Many eyes throughout history have zoomed in on the conflict between the English king, Henry II, and the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Most observers are unaware of this conflict was the reflection of what was happening in mainland Europe between the Church and the State.

Since the close of the first World War, five major components have made up the spine and the heart of Middle Eastern politics. They include religion, European imperialism, oil, desire for Islamic purity, and the nature and power of the jihad.

Looking closely at the Cluniac reform and the ideas that St. Augustine promoted, it seems that the reform by the Cluny order was neither a reflection nor a contradiction of St. Augustine.

When one thinks of torture, images of the rack and other dungeon torture pieces of equipment come to mind. Those instruments were used, but plain old beatings have out lasted all modes of torture down through the years.

While Middle Eastern papers are not as vocal about the abuse of the Egyptian women during and after the revolution, they are not completely ignoring the problem either.

The great Roman Empire was large and intricate. As Christianity grew, church officials taking over the administration of areas of the Empire helped to cripple the awe-inspiring civilization and took Christianity from a matter of the soul to that of running nations.

Many torture methods make you cringe. Others can make you sick. Then there are those that almost make you laugh and wish they were used today. Almost…. The Brank is one such device.

Both American and Middle Eastern papers reported the surge of women’s involvement in the Egyptian revolution.