Author: Benjamin J. Swenson

Based in South Korea since 2008, Benjamin J. Swenson is a professor at Hoseo University in Asan. He holds a PhD from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, where his dissertation addressed nineteenth-century Euro-American military history. His hobbies include Viking sagas and chess.
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Mythology, Mead, and Mirth: Thor’s Drinking Bout with Loki in Jötunheim

According to the Edda, Thor and his companions came upon the massive castle one day with “a great hall” and entered it. Once inside, Loki “looked slowly on them, and smiled scornfully” before telling the travelers it was “‘late to ask tidings of a long way’” but that if they could perform some skillful feats, they would be allowed to stay the night

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Grant vs. Napoleon III: Reflections on Mexico’s Emperor, the British, and North American Civil War

Although a retrospective Grant offered his views on international aspects of the American Civil War, one figure appearing to elicit passion and vindictiveness not apparent to Young was the former president’s dislike of Napoleon III (1808-1873).

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El Empecinado of Spain: The Undaunted Guerrilla Who Eluded Napoleon

The most prominent guerrilla chieftain to emerge in central Spain during the War of Independence against Napoleon (1808-1814) was Juan Martín Díez, better known as El Empecinado

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Levée en masse: Napoleon’s Senate and Power to Raise Armies

Following the bloodless Coup of 18 Brumaire (November 9, 1799) and the overthrow of the Directory, General Napoleon consolidated his grip on France through a series of political maneuvers neutering checks and balances upon his authority.

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Escape from Perote: The “Hellhole” where Texans were Imprisoned   

One prisoner intent on escaping Perote was Thomas Jefferson Green. Green was one of a couple hundred Texans who became prisoners after a failed effort in late 1842 to assault the Rio Grande town of Ciudad Mier.

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