So I read a lot of history, but I've noticed a lack of general histories of Mussolini's Italy (ala Richard Evan's History of Nazi Germany) especially in English. Most of the books on Fascist Italy tend to focus either entirely on Mussolini or on Italy's relationship with Nazi Germany. Was wondering if anybody could recommend (preferably in English) any works (single or multi-volume) that dealt in detail with the history of Fascist Italy on it's own terms, rather than just as a compare/contrast example with Hitler's Germany or Nazism vs Fascism, etc. I don't mind if it's dense or long or whatever, I just need to fill this gap in my library!

I have been wondering about a spear being thrust into the ground, where it is more or less vertically standing up.. is this symbolic of anything? For some reason I am interpreting it as some kind of declaration of war, or as like a declaration of "this territory is mine" type thing.. is there anything to this?

I suppose I can mention what set me off on wondering about this.. in the movie Troy.. at the start Achilles is about to fight a one-on-one with the opposing army's champion.. and he has harsh words with the King he is in service to, and then thrusts his spear into the ground as he walks off to fight the duel.. now obviously I could just be desiring to read into this more, but it could simply be that he did not want to use the spear and so he just stabbed it into the ground until he came back to pick it up.

So yeah.. is there possibly any historic meaning or reference to spears being thrust into the ground and their meaning?

I'm not super familiar with the history of Mongolia under communism, but it seems a bit counter-productive to eliminate surnames. Since the government was working toward modernizing the country and reforming the society into a communist system, why would they undertake this measure?

Say from around 1066 to 1300.

What was the life like? Assume you are nobility or just explain any perspective.

I have visited a castle few years ago and it was damp, drafty and cold with tapestries on the walls tp keep them warm.

I apologize if this is a basic question and if it has been asked. I'm currently watching WWII in Colour again and it doesn't give a straight answer.

The tale is worth telling just for the theft of the sword of George Washington. Not to mention all of the rest of it. I was in my late twenties before I'd even heard of the man.

As in why do dragons in European and Chinese mythology seem very similar to each other? At least why do they share similar characteristics.

Specifically, would the soldiers have been quartered in urban populations more than rural populations? In what areas might the British army have had greater prevalence?

I'd like something that is hollistic, an introduction to more in-depth reading. Not focused on any one country but rather on the period and Europe in general. Could you please help me? Thanks!

It seems like the US has never been big on military parades, especially in peace time. Is this related to the 3rd Amendment or is something else at play?

I'm sorry I don't have an era or time frame for this. It's been a few years since I was told the story. But basically, if one eye is blind folded, in sudden darkness the shift in light could let their un adjusted eye see much better than the other one.

I have heard that WWI ended two of the largest empires of Europe, the Habsburg and Ottomans. But why exactly did they end? Was it a political decision by the victors to end the Royal lines? Or were there no heirs left? What happened to the reigning King/Sultan - Was he forced to abdicate or did he die?

A friend posted a meme saying 300 years, and a web search turns up a bunch of neo-con fear-mongering and partisan he-said/she-said, mixed with a lot of conflicting information. What's the straight scoop?