Of Musk, Mars and Dr. StrangeloveI wonder how people at NASA feel about being at the mercy of Elon Musk. Are they nostalgic about the good old days when Hitler’s rocket…Oct 30Oct 30
Looking for an American King? Try Another Brit.“If a B-listed actor from Hollywood can win the Cold War, imagine what a spare prince from England could do. Given his family history, he…Jul 16Jul 16
“Children, Drunks and the United States of America Have a Guardian Angel”That’s what German chancellor Otto von Bismarck once said. He had a lifelong sweet spot for the US and thought that the country was blessed…Jul 11Jul 11
Roasting Minnesota—Lakes, Lutherans and Little PigsYes, Minnesotans are nice, particularly to other Minnesotans. So, if you move here, you better turn into one of them. It’s not easy though…Feb 8Feb 8
Why Deutschland SleptIs anyone besides me watching all the reruns of The Rockford Files these days? With those funny messages coming out of Jim’s answering…Oct 16, 2023Oct 16, 2023
Still Not Dead: The Reichskonkordat Turns 90 TodayThe year 2023 is full of big anniversaries on both sides of the Atlantic — some get toasted, some get skipped. There are centennials like…Jul 20, 2023Jul 20, 2023
From Prussia With Love: The Palace That Got To Live TwiceThere are some odd places in Germany’s Deep South that are strangely attractive to American tourists. For one, there is the Eagle’s Nest…Jun 30, 2023Jun 30, 2023
A reasonable doubt about jury trialsAmericans disagree endlessly about some provisions of their Constitution. The debate over the Second Amendment “right to bear arms”…Feb 25, 2023Feb 25, 2023
Alma Mater or Big Brother? The Brave New World of Higher EdHermann Weyl left Germany in 1933 to join his friend and colleague Albert Einstein at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Princeton…Feb 14, 2023Feb 14, 2023
Princes, Plots and Privilege — The Discreet Charm of German NobilityHave you ever considered touring castles in Germany? You’d be surprised to learn that there are 25,000 of them. They are leftovers from a…Jan 25, 2023Jan 25, 2023