Volume X, Number 5 - September/October 2004
4 TOLKIEN’S MYTHOS
Stephen Goodson
What exactly was Tolkien getting at with his Lord
of the Rings trilogy? What was his basic political and moral stance that led
him to construct such a fantasy world? This essay provides some hints. . . .
8 THE FIGHT AGAINST USURY
Juri Lina
Until the dawn of the modern era, nearly every
government and religious figure condemned usury. It was almost universally
considered a crime and a form of extortion. However, in contemporary times, it
is considered as a matter of course. How did this come about? . . .
16 SECRETS OF THE PANAMA CANAL
John Tiffany
Although U.S. history generally recalls the legend
of tough-talking Theodore Roosevelt and his role in the construction of the
Panama Canal—his famous “speak softly and carry a big stick” diplomacy being a
hallmark of the historical record—far less known is the international financial
intrigue surrounding the construction of the canal and the role of a powerful
New York-based banking family, the House of Selig man, in the behind-the-scenes
maneuvering. . . .
18 THE MYSTERIOUS NAZCA LINES
John Tiffany
In southern Peru, nearly 800 miles of lines and
zigzags were carved into the landscape. These are of ancient origin, but few
have any idea of what they might represent. Only speculation exists. John Tiffany
attempts to make sense of this mystery. . . .
26 DOSTOYEVSKI UNDERGROUND
Dr. M. Raphael
Johnson, Ph.D.
Notes from Underground is one of the least
appreciated of Dostoyevsky’s massive corpus. It is a work part fiction and part
philosophy. There are many interpretations of this work, and TBR’s editor
provides his own reading of this masterpiece. . . .
30 INTEGRATION & URBAN PLANNING
Thomas J. Herron
Previously to the failed experiment of
“integration,” America was a federation of ethnic groups, each largely living
their own lives. However, their strong commitment to separatism put them
outside of the coming New World Order. They needed to be de stroyed.
Integration was the key. A book review. . . .
33 THE WRATH OF GOD
St.
Cyprian of Carthage
While still a pagan, the enthusiastic future saint
courted discussions with converts to Christianity. He sought to vanquish, but
was himself vanquished by, the new religion. Cyprian is noted for writing his
“Testimony Against the Jews.” Parts of that testimony are reproduced here. . .
.
40 CHURCH & STATE: FRIEND OR FOE?
Geoff
Muirden
The institutionalization of the liberties that
have come to mark the Anglo-American tradition was the result of a long and
torturous development. The Puritan religious tradition was one of the
ingredients of this development, and its role has been debated hotly. Were the
Puritans radically misunderstood? . . .
54 THE RISE & FALL OF AMERICA
Paul
Bennett
According to the author, America was conceived as
a Christian republic. Today, that republic has become a pagan oligarchy
rivaling that of decadent, late Rome. How did we get here? . . .
64 RYAN VERSUS COUGHLIN
Thomas
J. Herron
At the dawn of World War II, the debate was
heating up concerning the moral correctness of intervention on the side of the
Allies. In American Catholic circles, this debate was distilled to the conflict
between the “New Dealer” and interventionist Fr. John Ryan and the famed
America First, Catholic orator Fr. Charles Coughlin. Their debates are as
timely now as when they were uttered in the late 1930s.
75 FIVE INVASIONS OF FRANCE
Michael
Walsh
Often historians do not think of it in this way,
but the path of the Second World War led to France being invaded no fewer than
five times. From the German assault of 1940 to the return of a vengeful Charles
de Gaulle, France was one of the great victims of the war.
77 WHO CREATED OLD GLORY?
Margo
Turner & John Tiffany
TBR is delighted to publish this historical essay
from former Spotlight writer Margo Turner. Her argument is simple: the design
of the American flag, the second design that was eventually adopted, was not
created by Betsy Ross but an obscure Baltimore widow named Mary Pickersgill.
Here is her story. . . .
