In the early days of World War II, the Duke of Windsor (the former King Edward VIII), paid visits to French troops to help boost their morale. His flaccid grasp of the […]
Which is More Formidable?
To Critique or Not to Critique?
Voltaire wrote of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “It is a vulgar and barbarous drama, which would not be tolerated by the vilest populace of France, or Italy…. One would imagine this piece to be […]
Funny… I Don’t Remember Being Absentminded
Jean de La Fontaine was a 17th century French author who wrote simple animal stories that contained elements of satire and social criticism. He was famous for his absentmindedness. He once called […]
Long Live the …. Whoops… Too Late
King Louis XIX succeeded to the throne of France upon the abdication of his father, Charles X. Twenty minutes later he abdicated in favor of Henry V.
The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower
Victor Lustig was one of the most successful con men of all time.
Commonplace Fun Facts 