James Barr
@jamesbarr.bsky.social
I write history. Last book: LORDS OF THE DESERT; before that: A LINE IN THE SAND. Next book: THE ARENA.
More at/contact me via https://www.historythatmatters.org
Signal - jamesbarr.62
Currently reading Jason Burke's The Revolutionists
More at/contact me via https://www.historythatmatters.org
Signal - jamesbarr.62
Currently reading Jason Burke's The Revolutionists
Pinned
Christmas idea: if someone you know enjoyed A Line In The Sand they will like this. Or treat yourself!
All laptop manufacturers
Behold our new wafer-thin 850g laptop which you can balance on a single finger
Charge it with our ancient massive power cord designed late in the last millennium.
Behold our new wafer-thin 850g laptop which you can balance on a single finger
Charge it with our ancient massive power cord designed late in the last millennium.
December 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM
All laptop manufacturers
Behold our new wafer-thin 850g laptop which you can balance on a single finger
Charge it with our ancient massive power cord designed late in the last millennium.
Behold our new wafer-thin 850g laptop which you can balance on a single finger
Charge it with our ancient massive power cord designed late in the last millennium.
Reposted by James Barr
It's a great night for looking at the moon! Saturn is supposedly near the moon, but I'm having trouble finding it.
December 25, 2025 at 7:06 PM
It's a great night for looking at the moon! Saturn is supposedly near the moon, but I'm having trouble finding it.
Very old boundary ditch. Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Very old boundary ditch. Merry Christmas!
Reposted by James Barr
And they say satire's dead. 😂
"Far from the outdated stereotypes, today’s bookmakers are lively community hubs. During the festive season especially, betting shops take on a special atmosphere filled with excitement, companionship and familiar routine that many people look forward to each year."
"Far from the outdated stereotypes, today’s bookmakers are lively community hubs. During the festive season especially, betting shops take on a special atmosphere filled with excitement, companionship and familiar routine that many people look forward to each year."
Betting shops are keeping community spirit alive this Christmas
Walk into a betting shop this Christmas and you will find something Britain is in danger of losing. Laughter, conversation, familiar faces and a re...
www.politicshome.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:27 AM
And they say satire's dead. 😂
"Far from the outdated stereotypes, today’s bookmakers are lively community hubs. During the festive season especially, betting shops take on a special atmosphere filled with excitement, companionship and familiar routine that many people look forward to each year."
"Far from the outdated stereotypes, today’s bookmakers are lively community hubs. During the festive season especially, betting shops take on a special atmosphere filled with excitement, companionship and familiar routine that many people look forward to each year."
Lots of good recommendations here
Books of the Year 2025
Contributors to Engelsberg Ideas highlight the books they’ve enjoyed in 2025.
engelsbergideas.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Lots of good recommendations here
Reposted by James Barr
From Harry Sidebottom’s Those Who Are About To Die on Greece and Rome, reminding me of Macmillan’s comparison of the UK and US
December 22, 2025 at 9:20 PM
From Harry Sidebottom’s Those Who Are About To Die on Greece and Rome, reminding me of Macmillan’s comparison of the UK and US
I see *Microsoft Word* is now sporting a banner telling me I can “save 50 per cent” on its AI by subscribing.
December 23, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I see *Microsoft Word* is now sporting a banner telling me I can “save 50 per cent” on its AI by subscribing.
From Harry Sidebottom’s Those Who Are About To Die on Greece and Rome, reminding me of Macmillan’s comparison of the UK and US
December 22, 2025 at 9:20 PM
From Harry Sidebottom’s Those Who Are About To Die on Greece and Rome, reminding me of Macmillan’s comparison of the UK and US
Reposted by James Barr
Russia violates:
UN Charter
Nuclear NPT
Helsinki Accords
Belovezha Accords
Paris Charter
Budapest Memo
Black Sea Fleet Treaty
Ukr-Ru Friendship Treaty
Treaty on Azov Sea & Kerch Strait
Karkiv pact
Etc
But Russia we will sign a legal document that we won't attack EU...
UN Charter
Nuclear NPT
Helsinki Accords
Belovezha Accords
Paris Charter
Budapest Memo
Black Sea Fleet Treaty
Ukr-Ru Friendship Treaty
Treaty on Azov Sea & Kerch Strait
Karkiv pact
Etc
But Russia we will sign a legal document that we won't attack EU...
December 22, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Russia violates:
UN Charter
Nuclear NPT
Helsinki Accords
Belovezha Accords
Paris Charter
Budapest Memo
Black Sea Fleet Treaty
Ukr-Ru Friendship Treaty
Treaty on Azov Sea & Kerch Strait
Karkiv pact
Etc
But Russia we will sign a legal document that we won't attack EU...
UN Charter
Nuclear NPT
Helsinki Accords
Belovezha Accords
Paris Charter
Budapest Memo
Black Sea Fleet Treaty
Ukr-Ru Friendship Treaty
Treaty on Azov Sea & Kerch Strait
Karkiv pact
Etc
But Russia we will sign a legal document that we won't attack EU...
Email from HMRC arrives entitled: “Just in case you still need to make a payment” and I can’t decide if this is serious, humour or bitter sarcasm.
December 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Email from HMRC arrives entitled: “Just in case you still need to make a payment” and I can’t decide if this is serious, humour or bitter sarcasm.
Reposted by James Barr
The most exciting part of historical research is discovering what you weren't looking for, the answer to a question you hadn't asked.
Anyone using AI to do historical research will not have this happen and will not, in fact, be doing real research.
Anyone using AI to do historical research will not have this happen and will not, in fact, be doing real research.
Not a historian but like to research. The AI might summarize what I'm looking for, but it doesn't find what I'm *not* looking for. The book on the shelf next to the one I wanted. The insight in chapter 6 based on the quote I needed from chapter 4.
December 22, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The most exciting part of historical research is discovering what you weren't looking for, the answer to a question you hadn't asked.
Anyone using AI to do historical research will not have this happen and will not, in fact, be doing real research.
Anyone using AI to do historical research will not have this happen and will not, in fact, be doing real research.
Interesting read
The stand-off between the two European leaders ahead of last week's summit to decide on Russia's frozen assets underscores a new dynamic between Europe’s two largest powers: an initiative-driven Germany and a foot-dragging France ft.trib.al/3n5xe45
December 22, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Interesting read
Bargain. They didn’t print that many hardbacks.
onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk
December 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Bargain. They didn’t print that many hardbacks.
Reposted by James Barr
The Mongolian edition of my book
"The Mongol Storm"
is now available!
Translated by Batsukh Galsan
Published by Nepko
"The Mongol Storm"
is now available!
Translated by Batsukh Galsan
Published by Nepko
December 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
The Mongolian edition of my book
"The Mongol Storm"
is now available!
Translated by Batsukh Galsan
Published by Nepko
"The Mongol Storm"
is now available!
Translated by Batsukh Galsan
Published by Nepko
Look at what the auto-fill is suggesting on my email…
December 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Look at what the auto-fill is suggesting on my email…
Reposted by James Barr
Come on, ‘The Mancunian Candidate’ was right there.
Andy Burnham, the man who would be king
The Greater Manchester mayor has made no secret of his Labour leadership ambitions, but faces significant obstacles
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Come on, ‘The Mancunian Candidate’ was right there.
Reposted by James Barr
The famous guitar riff for Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine" originated from a "circus melody" warm-up played by guitarist Slash during a 1986 jam session.
While Slash played the riff in a joking manner, bandmate Izzy Stradlin recognized its potential, and the band built the song around it.
While Slash played the riff in a joking manner, bandmate Izzy Stradlin recognized its potential, and the band built the song around it.
October 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The famous guitar riff for Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine" originated from a "circus melody" warm-up played by guitarist Slash during a 1986 jam session.
While Slash played the riff in a joking manner, bandmate Izzy Stradlin recognized its potential, and the band built the song around it.
While Slash played the riff in a joking manner, bandmate Izzy Stradlin recognized its potential, and the band built the song around it.
Reposted by James Barr
Reposted by James Barr
Like Neville Chamberlain, but without the reassuring piece of paper.
December 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Like Neville Chamberlain, but without the reassuring piece of paper.
One (1) parcel. Seven (7) emails informing me it is going to be delivered/has been delivered.
December 18, 2025 at 12:09 PM
One (1) parcel. Seven (7) emails informing me it is going to be delivered/has been delivered.
Like Neville Chamberlain, but without the reassuring piece of paper.
December 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Like Neville Chamberlain, but without the reassuring piece of paper.
Colour??!! Surely they were all black and white in those days.
December 18, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Colour??!! Surely they were all black and white in those days.