Author: Christopher Warner

From Shakespearean tales of royal shenanigans to Stephen King’s modern-day masterpieces, the fertile minds of great writers have provided endless works of delicious fiction. But even the Bard on his best day would struggle to compete with the bottomless pit of bizarre, real-life stories. As part of an ongoing series, Top Tenz presents our latest…

Although the exact etymology is a bit murky, the word vandalism is indelibly associated with an East Germanic tribe best known for the sacking of Rome in 455 AD. The unflattering connotation is also a matter of debate among scholars. The Vandals, not unlike the Celts and other nomadic people in Europe, failed to chronicle…

From the early days of silent nickelodeons, Hollywood loves stories ripped from the headlines. Tinseltown is also fond of CGI-driven drivel about exploding robots or franchise sequels ad nauseam — but occasionally they get it right. From Amadeus to Zulu, movies based on actual events or real people have produced some of the greatest films…

The debate regarding incarceration typically argues whether lawbreakers should be punished or rehabilitated. In America, home of the highest prison populations in the world, the criminal justice system is heavily tilted towards revenge — making most lock-ups a living Hell.  Imprisonment in other parts of the world, however, can be a much different experience. Although…

The job of being President of the United States is often called ‘the most powerful office in the world’ — and also one of the most stressful. As a result, the position usually attracts big personalities with even bigger quirks and kinks, providing no shortage of amazing anecdotes.  Below is a mere sampling of the…

The Romans created one of the greatest empires of all time, combining military might with an extensive range of technological advances, customs, and laws that are still in use today.  They connected east and west cultures, built roads, spanned bridges, and even constructed sporting arenas that featured gladiatorial combat and sea battles. Emperor Augustus alone…

Although the exact etymology is a bit murky, the word vandalism is indelibly associated with an East Germanic tribe best known for the sacking of Rome in 455 AD. The unflattering connotation is also a matter of debate among scholars. The Vandals, not unlike the Celts and other nomadic people in Europe, failed to chronicle…

It’s called the ultimate sacrifice — soldiers who put on a uniform and die fighting for their country. Like anyone else serving in the military, famous athletes aren’t immune to the inherent dangers of combat.  From World War I to present-day conflicts, here’s a list of those who went to war and never came home. …

Since its origins in WWI, aerial combat has emerged as an indispensable element of modern warfare. Wooden, fabric-covered flying machines would eventually give way to hardened, stealthy warbirds equipped with advanced computer-driven avionics, supersonic speeds, and fire and fuhgettaboutit munitions.  As the 21st-century ushers in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, nations will depend heavily on…

Looking for adventure? Go to sea and discover exotic lands — unlimited riches are awaiting in the new world! Such declarations provided the allure for sailors during the Age of Discovery (also known as the Age of Exploration), an era from the early 15th century lasting through the 17th century in which European ships set…

The Gurkhas have served the British Crown continuously for over two hundred years. The elite Nepalese unit is world-renowned for their courage and discipline, heeding to their motto, “It is better to die than to live like a coward.” The name “Gurkha” derives from the city-state of Gorkha in western Nepal. Today, the Brigade of…

A keen interest in Viking culture and Norse mythology remains firmly planted in today’s pop culture with blockbuster movies such as Thor and the hit TV show, Vikings. A ridiculously good-looking cast, lots of violence and sexual themes might also explain the rabid interest. However, several recent findings have yielded not only a treasure trove…

Roman history is typically overshadowed by the lives of its famous generals and notorious emperors. However, the rank and file legionnaires, particularly those of the later Republic and Principate, are widely revered as some of the greatest soldiers ever to engage in warfare.  In many ways, military service hasn’t changed much through the ages: harsh…

They meet behind closed doors but are not a secret society. Gatherings take place around an altar but it is not a church. So, to quote Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, “who the hell are those guys?”  The answer to this riddle is found inside the whispered halls of Freemasonry, an…

By the late second century BC, several empires and dynasties jostled for control of the Mediterranean. The crowded region featured the well-established Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians, but an emerging new power would soon reign supreme over its rivals. Based on the coast of North Africa in present-day Tunisia, Carthage grew to become the most dynamic…

For anyone who’s ever traipsed through a renaissance festival while chomping on a turkey leg and quaffing over-priced ale, Celtic culture is typically associated with Scotland, Wales and Ireland. However, the Celts originated primarily from central Europe before eventually rampaging their way into other regions during the Iron and Medieval Ages. Although Celtic people are…

Their stories of courage and sacrifice fill library shelves and sometimes are even immortalized on the silver screen. But for some war heroes, prestigious medals and citations are often tarnished in the face of discrimination, injustice and false accusations.  Conversely, many warriors have been ignored altogether for their heroics on the battlefield and left to…

Combat journalism is nearly as old as war itself. The famous ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, set a high standard with his detailed accounts of the Greco-Persian wars, underscoring the importance of recording conflicts that would shape history. However, it often comes at a steep price. Truthful reporting uncovers muddled propaganda, informing society and conveying urgently…

Not long after the Wright Brothers’ historic first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, airplanes became weaponized to achieve a vast array of objectives. Speed, range, firepower, and agility are just some of the contributory factors to determine which aircraft are most praiseworthy. But what is the greatest warbird of all time? It’s a tough…

It’s often been said, “Heavy is the head who wears the crown.” Although paraphrasing Shakespeare isn’t terribly difficult, the act of ruling is — as well as wrought with plenty of drama, peril, and sometimes even violent death — just ask The Bard. Nonetheless, throughout the course of history, some leaders have managed to defy…

There’s a scene in the film The Princess Bride in which Vizzini tells Westley, “You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders – the most famous of which is ‘never get involved in a land war in Asia!’” Sage advice indeed. Unfortunately, U.S. politicians and generals took a different approach in the Vietnam…

It’s often been said that songs are largely driven by emotion rather than meaning or complexity of the music. This certainly would explain why a scant three chords and a groovy haircut goes a long way and can help to sell a ton of records. Conversely, sometimes the lyrics can evoke equally powerful feelings —…

Since the dawn of man (and woman), humankind has gazed longingly at the flickering stars high above in search of meaning, guidance, and inspiration. A gradual progression in science and technology has taught us much about our faraway skies — namely, that it’s cold, dark, and tantalizingly mysterious up there. It’s also scarier than Hell.…

In August 1969, the followers of Charles Manson committed some of the most horrific murders in American history. The series of crimes, collectively known as the Tate-LaBianca Murders, provided a wide-ranging aura of intrigue that involved psychedelic drugs, sex orgies, ritualistic killings, celebrities — and all centered around a diminutive, failed musician named “Charlie.” The…