Articles written by Morton Mcinvale

What is Helium

About me - Morton Mcinvale

Once upon a time, a New York literary critic commented that my writing reminded her of Faulkner. She went on to say, "If I had taken a couple of stiff drinks like I do for Faulkner, maybe I would have liked your writing better."

As a teacher and a historian,

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Arts & Humanities > European History Was the Treaty of Versailles fair?: 1 of 12

Whether viewed in the light of history, in the passion of 1919, or in the retribution of Nazi Germany a generation later, the Treaty of Versailles was not simply unfair - it would prove to be one of the most cataclysmic "mistakes" in diplomatic history. To even label it a "peace" treaty is stretching the bounds of credibili... More..
Sciences > Archaeology Is Indiana Jones bad for archaeology?: 1 of 4
As avid an Indiana Jones fan as they come (I still wear his brown fedora- courtesy of Disney world -, and listen to the John Williams theme song whenever my cell phone rings), nevertheless, I must reluctantly admit: Indiana Jones is bad for archaeology. As a historian, I have worked closely with a number of archaeologists a... More..
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History The legacy of Andrew Johnson: 1 of 4
The legacy of Andrew Johnson haunts American politics and society today because it is a legacy - perhaps a reflection - of America far more so than it is of the tailor from Tennessee who became the 17thPresident of the United States. It is a legacy both of the inability or unwillingness of America to grapple w... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Loving an alcoholic: 12 of 34
He's dead now. Papa. This will be my first Father's Day without a father. Once, once upon a time, I had wished - had even gone to the closet to use the 16-gauge shotgun to ensure - that I had no father. Because he was an alcoholic. Because when he drank I witnessed the fires of Hell burn in his eyes. And no matter h... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy Thoughts on teachers: 16 of 45
Teaching is a special mission, a calling. . .an art. Like any art, teaching involves passion and sacrifice. Anyone who thinks it is simply a job - beware! Unfortunately, the school system itself leads the band in the beat to make teaching just that: a job. And if I had treated it as "just a job," . . .perhaps I would sti... More..
Arts & Humanities > International Writers & Literature The carnage of war in All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque: 1 of 1
The carnage of the First World War lurks in the shadows of statistics, of worn sepia photographs, of grainy old film whose Kaisers and Tsars and generals and nurses jerk clumsily across the screen in Chaplinesque semi-comedy. But nothing short of the nightmares haunting the sleep of those who survived The Great War can depic... More..
Education > Education (Other) How standardized tests impact how teachers teach: 5 of 9
No one outside the field of public education can truly grasp what a monster standardized testing has become. . .The standardized test - Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) in my case - is the machine driving public education today. Oh. Superintendents won't admit it. Principals deny it. Te... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy Why professors should teach rather than simply lecture: 2 of 3
Lecturing is presenting or repeating knowledge. Teaching is making that knowledge important, individual, and relative to real life. Teaching turns knowledge to wisdom. Far easier said than done. Nor do all students want wisdom. They prefer Sergeant Friday's "just the facts, ma'am" - a q... More..
Arts & Humanities > European History Why did Tsar Nicholas II fall in 1917: 3 of 3
Why Did Tsar Nicholas II Fall in 1917? It might be fair to ask why Nicholas II did not fall before 1917. Nicholas II not only had history against him - his grandfather Alexander II had been assassinated, his great-great uncle Paul had been murdered, and the blood of coups and coup attempts flowed through Russia's past like ... More..