Literally seconds ago, two packages arrived at my desk, one of which contained a new numismatic volu

Longacre

Literally seconds ago, one of the underassistants to my assistant secretary handed me two packages. I recognized one as an Amazon box, and the other was a non-descript plain brown box. As I looked closer, I saw that one of the boxes was from Whitman Publishing, and I knew a new numismatic volume was contained inside.

I asked the underassistant to sit down and open the boxes for me so I could view the contents. The box from Whitman contained the new Professional Edition of the Redbook. I am delighted to say that the book looks really nice at first glance. It is spiral bound which allows the book to remain flat on the reading surface, and avoids the need for one of my assistants to hold the book open for me. I intend to take a closer look at the book and provide a review for the boards. Flipping through the pages quickly, this books looks to be a keeper, and I feel a frothy frenzy in the making as I look at it more closely.

The other book that I received is entitled "The Boxer Rebellion", which has nothing to do with numismatics. The reason why I ordered this book was because last week I was enjoying a fine dinner of abalone fish and other sundry fish that I could not identify in Xiamen, China, and somehow the topic came up of how Americans and other Western powers looted China of treasures in the early 1900's. I was appalled at this (and quickly blamed the Germans ), and vowed to my guests that I would learn more about this historical tragedy. As such, I will read about the Boxer Rebellion to see what all of the fuss is about (but only after perusing the Redbook).

More information to follow...

lordmarcovan

I've often found myself wondering a little more about what the Boxer Rebellion was all about. I often erroneously put it in the 1920s, but it was more like 1900, wasn't it? I'll have to do a little reading on it myself (though in my case it'll be on Wikipedia).

STONE

I think you'll like the Boxer Rebellion...I know I did! (Then again I am biased to this sort of stuff)

And, do you actually ask your assistants to hold books open for you, or are you just pulling our legs?

airplanenut

Isn't everything from the past "literally seconds ago?" Some events are just more seconds than others...

RWB

A nice dose of east Asian history will be a real eye-opener for you. Very different from what little is mentioned in most US history books.

tbarreca

Longacre, I have known since I first started participating here that were are members of the same church (Socratic Methodism). Until I read this most recent post, however, I had not inferred that your day job must be something like Secretary of Commerce. Only the government (or maybe your family, wife and kids) has layers of Deputies, Assistants to the Assistant, etc.

By the way, in my interactions with the Chinese, which have been significant over the past few years, I have found it opportune to cite a piece of personal history, to wit, that my Dad ran all the anti-aircraft batteries on a Flying Tigers airfield in WWII. It turns out that every Chinese person I have encountered has at least heard of the Flying Tigers, even the folks in their 20s, and any association however remote with same will result in great amounts of forgiveness for other historical incidents like the Boxer Rebellion.

Longacre

<< <i>A nice dose of east Asian history will be a real eye-opener for you. Very different from what little is mentioned in most US history books. >>




That is what my Chinese colleagues said as well. I had heard about the Boxer Rebellion but really did not know what it was about (my Chinese friends did not refer to it by that name, though. They called it something else). When I said that it could not be the Americans that did such things and I never heard about this, they all said, "of course not, you have been reading US history books."

RWB

The likely called it "Yihetuan" meaning “those of the righteous and heavenly harmonious fists.”

Longacre

<< <i>The likely called it "Yihequan" meaning “those of the righteous and heavenly harmonious fists.” >>



That might be it but I cannot remember. Two other bizarre things happen whenever I got to China: (1) almost everyone comments that I am left handed, and (2) almost everyone asks me what my religion is.

MikeInFL

Longacre, Abalone is not a fish, it is marine snail. Looking forward to the more detailed review...Mike

kahokia

And, do you actually ask your assistants to hold books open for you, or are you just pulling our legs?
Text

Do you think Longacre would pull our legs when he has assistance who are fully capable of performing that task?

saintguru

Did any white powder waft about when you opened it?

RWB

Tell them you are actually right-handed, but it looks backward because you crossed the international date line. (Most Chinese children are forced to be right-handed.)

When asked for your religion tell them your are a deacon in the “Hershey Bar” faith. Do not tell them you're are a practitioner of the “Shining Path” or that you are a “Lawyer.” Either will get you followed by state security.

yellowkid

The "Boxer Rebellion" is a good book. For a "light" look at China/Western relations try Clavell's "Tai-Pan," a novel set in 1840ish Hong Kong after one of the Opium Wars. Steve McQueens greatest role is in "The Sand Pebbles" American gunboat on the Yangtze River in the late 1920's/early 30's, a film I believe to be among the greatest to come out of Hollywood. Is this OT????

tbarreca

Science and Civilisation in China, by Joseph Needham, is also a great book.

AnonimoGaddiano

Flashman and the Dragon by George MacDonald Fraser.

cheezhed

I'm getting whipped into a frothy frenzy waiting for Longacre to return to the mansion and retiring to the Reading Room with his smoking jacket and easing into his overstuffed chair to get a more thorough review of his new tomes.

DUIGUY

<< <i>I asked the underassistant to sit down and open the boxes for me >>



I sure hope your kidding,,

cladking

Literally seconds ago the Great Pyramid was built.

About 1.514 x 10 ^ 10 seconds ago.


Man fears time and time fears the pyramids.

cinman14

<< <i>I asked the underassistant to sit down and open the boxes for me so I could view the contents. It is spiral bound which allows the book to remain flat on the reading surface, and avoids the need for one of my assistants to hold the book open for me. . >>

clw54

What is an underassistant to an assistant secretary? Is this for real?

rgCoinGuy

<< <i>What is an underassistant to an assistant secretary? Is this for real? >>



I am pretty sure this was invented literally under clinton.

KentuckyJ

<< <i>Isn't everything from the past "literally seconds ago?" Some events are just more seconds than others... >>



Yes. Precisely. This has to be my favorite part of this thread.

BTW, Mr. Longacre, I've seen tweets reporting you are now looking for a new coin forum where your questions will receive the dignity and respect they deserve. Is this true? What happened? I'm sorry to have to admit I am out of the loop on this momentous change in direction for you.

cladking

<< <i>

<< <i>Isn't everything from the past "literally seconds ago?" Some events are just more seconds than others... >>



Yes. Precisely. This has to be my favorite part of this thread.

BTW, Mr. Longacre, I've seen tweets reporting you are now looking for a new coin forum where your questions will receive the dignity and respect they deserve. Is this true? What happened? I'm sorry to have to admit I am out of the loop on this momentous change in direction for you. >>




We've trashed only one or two of his threads.

I'd druther have mine trashed than ignored.

A few of us are even watching for the follow-up post if we haven't blown it already.

cladking

<< <i>Literally seconds ago, two packages arrived at my desk, one of which contained a new numismatic volume... >>



See, I got this theory here. I think Longacre was trying so hard to avoid a question
that he used too many words?

...And we all know how painful that can be once we get started.

1Mike1

<< <i>Tell them you are actually right-handed, but it looks backward because you crossed the international date line. (Most Chinese children are forced to be right-handed.)

When asked for your religion tell them your are a deacon in the “Hershey Bar” faith. Do not tell them you're are a practitioner of the “Shining Path” or that you are a “Lawyer.” Either will get you followed by state security. >>



Strange - I remember my grandfather telling me about being left handed and was slapped several times (obviously as a small child) at school and forced to be right handed. He attended school in Pennsylvania.