John of Plano Carpini

 I continue uploading chapters from my second book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East," on Academia. The latest contribution is John of Plano Carpini. https://www.academia.edu/92996408/John_of_Plano_Carpini_docx

The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The Franciscan monk returned, having endured painful hardships, to tell a fascinating story about the Mongols' habits and mores. He also provided food for thought for the imminent threat of a military assault against Western Europe and advocated for European mutual security. Tags: John of Plano Carpini, Pope Innocent, Great Khan Guyuk.

My work on the third project, "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation," is in full swing. I have recently finished updating the drafts of the two initial chapters, The Galley vs. the Round Ship and The Early Light Galleys. 

The outline of Chapter 1 remained more or less the same, comprising six parts: The Galley (Landlubber, Name and appearance, Low freeboard, Propulsion, Choppy seas, Hugging the coast, Wintering, and Provisioning);  The Round Ship (Propulsion,  Lack of wind, Sailing styles,  Storms, The Myth of the “closed sea”); Comparison and contrast (Definition, LBR, Seaworthiness, Mode of sailing, Arsenals and private shipyards); The Technological Breakthrough; The Diet; Reappraisal).

LBR stands for length-to-beam ratio, a standard measurement. 

Chapter 2's blueprint includes LBR dimensions, Functions of galleys, Sailing season,  Nocturnal voyage, Operational range, Speed and watering of the crews, Coastal shipping and beaching, Shipworm and Life Expectancy, Visibility, Seaworthiness, Byzantine innovations, Latin achievements, Medieval Triremes & Centerline Rudder, Horse transports, Purpose-built galleys.

I may introduce minor alterations, but the plan will stay put. I want to upload these papers, but first of all, I have to complete the second project. The approximate time is winter-spring 2023. 

I have started collecting data for Chapter 3, The Later Light Galleys, which will embrace Vettor Fausto's quinquereme and several other topics. 

https://www.geschichtsforum.de/thema/die-quinquereme-von-vettor-fausto-die-groesste-galeere-aller-zeiten.24504/ 

Last but not least, I have prepared the first part of the lecture on Alexander's Wall, a medieval legend with multiple twists. I will deliver it by zoom as soon as I get in touch with the Historical and Philosophical Circle coordinators. 

Barefooted Envoys

 I uploaded a new chapter of my book, "The Enchanting Encounters with the East." This paper is the first part of Unit VI, The Witness in the Den. It focuses on the Catholic missions to the Far East launched during the 13th and 14th centuries. These enterprises took advantage of the new world order initiated by the Mongols. View https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael

The article is available for Discussions during the nearest three weeks. You may address your remarks to my email address mikebis@yandex.com later. 

The paper has received a welcoming response from Avital Heyman, an art historian and an expert in medieval visual culture. 

I have made considerable progress with the draft paper on light galleys, covering Byzantine innovations, Latin achievements, Medieval Triremes & Centerline Rudder, Horse transports, and Purpose-built galleys. The last topic left is Displacement & Maintenance. If I don't find interesting data, I will drop it altogether. 

I am still translating materials for my Russian lecture of Unit IV of the same book, Mapping Marvels & Monsters: In the Shadow of the Iron Gate. The talk outlines multiple twists of the medieval legend of Alexander the Great and the Iron Gate and compares them against historical data. There is so much to say that I might divide the subject into two parts. 

My latest reading program included Lilia Campana's "Technical Experimentation in Ship Design during the Last Decades of the Serenissima." The author shows that the experiments with the galley design in Venice continued even through the 18th century. This evidence might be a significant contribution to my project.

Light Galleys (4)

 I have made good progress on Chapter 2. covering many issues, such as speed and watering of the crews, coastal shipping and beaching, shipworm and life expectancy, visibility, and seaworthiness. 

I am currently checking the section dealing with Byzantine innovations: full deck, dromons, and galea. Though I filtered the data from my previous search, I resolved to look for more info. The chapter  comprises 13 pages (about 5 K words) and will probably be much longer. I would like to add a section of transport galleys carrying supplies and horses. 

I have requested and received John E. Dotson's article, "Safety Regulations for galleys in mid-fourteenth century Genoa: Some thoughts on medieval risk management." The report was unavailable in my search engine, and I asked the author to send me a copy. John is the emeritus professor at Southern Illinois University. He agreed to answer my questions, and for the first time, I have a correspondent who studies the same field and can give me some guidance. I wanted to know his opinion on the life expectancy of light galleys and their cruising range. The professor admitted that the issues were slippery but gave me some hints. He also sent me two additional  articles which somehow cover the subject. 

Besides writing a chapter, I am preparing a zoom lecture for the Institute of Integration. Based on Unit IV of my book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East," this presentation reflects the medieval myth of the confrontation between Alexander the Great and the clans of the chaos of Gog-Magog. There is abundant data, and I may divide the discourse into two parts. 

 

  

  

Light Galleys (3)

 I have made a plan of the current chapter with a working title, Light Galleys, to ease the development. It includes 16 or 17 topics and each of them needs an extra brief research. I have already covered a few items: 

LBR dimensions [length-to-beam ratio of the hull]

Functions of galleys

Sailing season

Nocturnal voyage

Operational range

Speed and watering of the crews 

   The scope of the narrative becomes enormous. I wrote 6 pages and covered about a third of the thematic list. However, now I work with confidence, realizing that I know the storyline and guess how I can narrate it. This is the key to the creative activity. 

I am ready to correct some misconceptions, even expressed by the leading scholars and primary sources. For example, medieval warships couldn't ram their rivals or galleys could  confront large round ships. I don't pledge to be original for the sake of originality. In many cases I agree with the leading experts after I get to know the facts. 

I recently read E.S. Gurkan's contribution, "Deception, Dissimilation, and Misinterpretation of the Information" in the 16th century Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans were the masters of fake news. West European courts had to hold spy nets to reveal the military intentions of the Turks. The destination of naval voyages were sometimes hidden even from admirals of the fleet. 

DECEPTION, DISSIMULATIONAND MANIPULATION OF INFORMATIONIN 16TH-CENTURY OTTOMAN EMPIRE

E

MRAH

S

AFA

G

ÜRKAN

DECEPTION, DISSIMULATIONAND MANIPULATION OF INFORMATIONIN 16TH-CENTURY OTTOMAN EMPIRE

E

MRAH

S

AFA

G

ÜRKAN

DECEPTION, DISSIMULATIONAND MANIPULATION OF INFORMATIONIN 16TH-CENTURY OTTOMAN EMPIRE

E

MRAH

S

AFA

G

ÜRKAN

The Underdog and the Power Strife on the Steppes

The paper completes Prester John's saga. The echo of the power strife on the steppes reaches West European intellectuals, who remake it in the contest between the overwhelming Christian overlord and a budding pagan rival. The underdog wins this geopolitical game to become the ruler of Asia while his adversary demises. I also added the Bottom Line and the Notes to the whole unit. 

The article is available at  https://www.academia.edu/89214577/The_Underdog_and_the_Power_Strife_on_the_Steppes 

and is open for discussion, in which you are welcome to participate. Interestingly, that after uploading this work on the Academia site, I gained a fan, The International Institute for the Study of the Nomadic Civilizations of UNESCO. 

I presented my interpretation of Prester John's saga in Unit V of my book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East," published in 2022 by Authorhouse and in eight papers on my Academia site.  

I intend to continue uploading the rest of the chapters of my second book: Unit VI, with four episodes. Only then can I estimate my current potential as a writer. I plan to get close to 10 K views. Until then, I hope to present the opening parts of my third project about shipping in the medieval and renaissance Mediterranean.

Light galleys (2)

 I  assessed the material and transformed all Bits & Pieces into one file. I labeled all the scraps and wrote a list of labels to make them functional. 

Despite many distractions, I continued developing the storyline about the light galleys. I started sowing my Bits and Pieces together to make long sheets. Indeed, there are so many topics that they will cover the whole chapter or even two chapters. The main themes, as I see them now, are:

•  the galley layout, 
• the function of the fleets, 
• naval bases, 
• the geopolitics of blue-water powers.   

My latest reading on the subject is Matthew King, The Norman Kingdom of Africa and the Medieval Mediterranean. (THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, 2018). This dissertation has enriched my  understanding of the geopolitical vision of the kingdom of Sicily, especially Roger II, who expanded his territory to include south Italy and Ifriqiya, a coastal strip in North Africa. He aimed to control east-west traffic in the central Mediterranean, i.e., the strait of Messina and the Sicilian Channel, by making Sicilian ports obligatory stopovers for shipping. 

I have attracted many readers to my latest contributions to the Academia site though my aim, to reach 10 K views, is still not at a corner. I plan to attain this goal throughout next year. 

https://www.academia.edu/84142155/The_Fifth_Crusade_or_Waiting_for_the_Train_that_Would_never_Come

https://www.academia.edu/85954261/The_Scourge_of_God

Other papers are available https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael

Light Galleys (1)

 The following is an update of my work on a new chapter. 

Due to all sorts of distractions, I continue assessing the data on light galleys. The good news is that I will finish the evaluation soon. I skip the material concerning other matters and concentrate all my findings in a single file for further consideration. I also decided to make an exclusive vocabulary in this chapter to facilitate possible corrections. 

I still have reservations about the scope of the material. Most of the things I collect cite the same facts in a new manner. I will decide later which version is preferable or will make a mix. I may save some of these repetitions for the concluding section of my paper. I will also reduce citations. Sometimes, I can paraphrase the idea since the original one is not so bright (at least, in English translation). In other cases, I will look for an original citation instead of citing secondary sources. 

At this stage, I also check the value of some facts. For example, several medieval authors mention binding galleys with cables as a guarantee of a strict battle formation. It seems unbelievable since in confined spaces, where most naval battles occurred, this measure would lead to a lack of maneuverability, with some oared ships running aground and others colliding. The galley flexibility was one of its main advantages, and fleet commanders must have realized it. 

Another topic I concentrate on is  using ports as supply stations and shelters. Galleys depended on ports because of their limited operational ranges. The East Roman Empire held sway on large parts of the Mediterranean as long as it had naval bases on the islands and coastlines. The rise of the Arab fleets led to the seizure of the major islands, which they used as refueling stations in raiding the European shores. Then, the Crusaders captured the Levantine littoral, depriving the Fatimid navy of the freedom of action and exposing Egyptian waterfront to harassments.

Similar tactics define the engagement of the fleets during Genoese-Venetian wars, Ottoman-Venetian wars, and the struggle to control North African outposts between Spain and the Porte. 

Light Galleys

 I began to estimate the collected material on light galleys, the ultimate warships of the medieval Mediterranean.

In truth, many articles I picked concern other subjects, and I will retain them for the future. There are a lot of corrections and additional notes; some of them refer to Chapter 1. The previous chapter studies the main differences between galleys and round ships. While reading each file, I write "bits and pieces," even on familiar topics. That allows me to reconsider some paragraphs and add valuable data. I watch the growth of additional branches of the main issue and sometimes research them to realize if I can propose new developments to my storyline.  

I am a little worried about the scope of my project. Chapter 1, designed as an introduction, grew very large, whereas Chapter 2 appears to be enormous. I wonder what I will do with this monster to make it readable. I can relentlessly cut the material, though I will lose essential facts. 

I hope that I will convey the essence of my research. 

As for the latest contributions, I have understood Latin shipwrights' role in improving the twelfth-century galley design. They added an outrigger, a rowers' frame superimposed on the deck. It enabled them to place two rowers on the same bench. These paddlers practiced stand-and-sit strokes, which improved the craft's speed. The new arrangement released much space in the hull for stowing armament, victuals, water, and spare parts. 

I have to share with you a sample of my recent reading. Jeff Emanuel contributed to the book on the Phoenician and Punic Mediterranean. 

https://www.academia.edu/40197955/Seafaring_and_Shipwreck_Archaeology_pp_423_433_in_the_Oxford_Handbook_of_the_Phoenician_and_Punic_Mediterranean_2019

The chapter connects Phoenician seafaring with the Canaanite maritime traditions. The Canaanites apparently introduced pegged mortice and tenon joints in their shell-first construction. Another innovation was the loose-footed sail and brailed rig, which enabled the sailors to modify the sail configuration according to weather vagaries. 

Appeared in Print

 My second book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East," has appeared in print and was published by AuthorHouse UK. I feel elevated and relieved. I hope I have improved the content through careful editorship, and my readers will enjoy traveling across the pages.

My book is set in the European Middle Ages, and its main characters are Latin scholars who had imagined the lands and people of the Far East long before they set off to visit them. 

There are four main topics that I focused on while writing. The first one is geography: how come that geography being of trivial importance for Latin academics, had gained traction and invited travel? 

The second one is history. Who were the horrible Tartars who had nearly conquered western Europe in 1241-1242, where did they spring up, and what would they do next? 

The third one is mythology. I picked up two medieval legends: Alexander Barrier and Prester John. I researched the development of these tall tales and showed how they were incorporated into history, for good or bad. 

The fourth one is ethnography. European travelers visited Mongolia, India, and China. What did they learn about the Far East, with its fascinating sights and sounds? What did they carry on from this beautiful encounter?

The circle of the readers of this blog has broadened and hit 6 K viewers. I can't think of a better gift for you all than sending you to my site, https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael, where you can find most chapters of my second book. I will continue uploading other chapters except for conclusions. 

In my third project, I have reached the stage where I can arrange my notes for the first part of Chapter 2, The Slender Giants of the Wine-Dark Sea. In this part, I deal with light galleys. I continue researching adjacent topics, such as horse transport galleys and the warships' life expectancy. I must also study the other seven files I have collected about battle galleys. 

I have read a fascinating book recently: J. Marteilhe, Galley Slave. (Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing, 2010). These are memoirs of a former galley slave, a French Huguenot, who was sent to French galleys for his ill-favored attempt to escape from his homeland, where his religion was not tolerated. He served many years on galleys of Dunkirk and those of Marseille. What struck me was that such injustice and ignorance were widespread in France even at the beginning of the 18th century. 

The Mysterious Letter

I have just started a discussion on my latest paper 

https://www.academia.edu/82514995/The_Mysterious_Letter

This chapter from my book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East," continues the exploration of the popular character (Prester John) and his impact on multiple fans worldwide. I invite you to take part in the debates. 

In the abstract, I wrote: "The mysterious letter penned by the elusive potentate, Prester John, became the talk of several European royal courts. The writer invited heads of state to visit his fascinating country abounding with marvels and wonders. The audience was divided between enchantment and skepticism, leaving nobody lukewarm". 

Meanwhile, I devoted much time to developing my current topic: the evolution of war galleys in the medieval and renaissance Mediterranean. I think I have found a reference point, the Byzantine fleet, especially its ebb and flow between the sixth and the eleventh centuries.   

The rise of the Italian fleets hangs on an extraordinary discovery: placing the two rowers side by side on one bank of oars instead of positioning them in two tiers is more practical. Some researchers do not distinguish between the two meanings: in Byzantine dromons, all oarsmen sat on two levels, whereas in Italian galleys, each pair occupied the same bench. Both watercraft are called biremes, but the difference allowed the latter to have the edge over their rivals and paved the way for all other fleets, Christian or Muslim, to follow. 

Another interesting note concerns the visibility of sailors at sea. Byzantine experts advise putting reconnaissance ships in front of the fleet, at three and six miles. At such a distance, sailors could communicate by signaling with flags. This gap is more important than overall visibility from the masthead, i.e. about 12 miles. The issue was how to convey this info to other vessels in the shortest possible time. 

I chose three books that I need to reread before making headway. The first is JOHN H. PRYOR & ELIZABETH M. JEFFREYS, THE AGE OF THE DROMON. In a book for specialists, I skipped many pages but there is a pleroma of useful notes and citations. The second is Angus Konstam, Peter Dennis, and Peter Bull, Byzantine Warship vs Arab Warship. This is a popular book with useful conclusions concerning the interaction between hostile fleets. The last one is Charles D. Stanton, Medieval Maritime Warfare. A resourceful book with many insights that I can apply to different events and situations. I hope that when I finish reading these books, I will have a better view of the subject.

 

The Slender Giants of the Wine-Dark Sea

 

A model of a sixteenth-century Maltese galley

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galley 

This is the title of the second chapter of my new manuscript. To put it simply, it is about war galleys in the Mediterranean. I have entered the stage of assessing and developing data. It will take a long time, and I will probably write several blog entries concerning this topic. Why does it take so long?

The chapter will have at least four divisions: light galleys, the monster galley, the intricacies of naval warfare, and the shipborne artillery. For each section, I need to read the collected data, decide on its relevance, and write what I call "scraps," i.e., a memorable phrase, sentence, or a paragraph attached to that piece of info. I also need to check the details. For example, one source says that Ottoman shipwrights produced inferior galleys because they used "green" timber (unseasoned wood). An extraordinary claim that may need an additional quest. What was wrong with the Ottoman shipyards? 

Another issue is about the practice of tying the galleys with cables or iron chains to form a battle line. War galleys were trained to be arrayed in battle formations. Bonding the vessels together would hinder any maneuvers, which spelled disaster during a naval battle. Some of them might run aground or be unable to prevent a boarding attack. I even read a paper saying that it is fake news written by landlubbers, mostly sometime after the events. However, when galleys fought in a static position (in narrow confines), blocking the enemy's advance was more critical than maneuvering. I need to review the cases when these tactics took effect.  

I also reject the claim that medieval and renaissance war fleets could control the sea, neither the entire Mediterranean nor any of its water bodies, i.e., the Adriatic or the Aegean. An observer from the crow's nest elevated at several meters could watch a few miles ahead, and even scout ships could provide reconnaissance within 20 nautical miles. Many water expanses were infested with pirates. On the other hand, they didn't need to control the sea. Narrow straits can be monitored with the navy, and the war fleet provided with good intelligence could predict the enemy's movement along conventional sea lanes. Let's remember that galleys would not sail direct voyages but had to stay close to the shoreline. 

I have collected a mountain of info and sometimes need to navigate between too specific data that might not interest my reader and very superficial, widely known data. 

Meanwhile, I will continue reading books devoted to  Mediterranean shipping and naval warfare to grasp various approaches to the theme. 

Galley Proof Revisited (1)

The galley proof reviewing is over.   Arduous work, I must tell, that squeezes the brain almost to the boiling point. There are some last-minute changes that I want to include. I also reviewed 44 illustrations and changed those not in the public domain. I got several permissions, but it was not easy. Not everybody replied to my letters; sometimes, the correspondents wanted money for their consent. 

Meanwhile, I uploaded another chapter, The Shadow Crusader: Otto of Freising.

 https://www.academia.edu/79701738/The_Shadow_Crusader_Otto_of_Freising

The advent of Prester John in official history, with a German chronicler Otto von Freising acting as the ruler's "godfather." The chapter describes the contradicting nature of the literary character.

My audience has grown to 7 K readers, and when I complete uploading the remaining chapters from my second book, it may reach 8 K. These good tidings prompted me to continue my quest for a literary agent. I need a mediator who can connect me to a traditional publisher since I hate the idea of paying for the publication of my books. Whether I succeed or not, this effort exposes my work to more people and aids in building a powerful platform. 

Meanwhile, I reverted to collecting material for my third book. I pick up tips about medieval and renaissance warships, i.e., light galleys. I decided to reconsider the issue of binding galleys with ropes or cables as a conventional tactic of the navy. It seems a dangerous practice since vessels are prone to running aground or dashing upon each other and breaking oars. Commanders might use it as a defensive means in a narrow space. I must check who wrote about this stratagem: the participants or chroniclers with no marine background. 

I also thought about transitioning from multi-tiered ancient vessels to multi-oared but one-level medieval galleys. Vettor Fausto could not apply old technology which had long gone out of use before his time, i.e., the second quarter of the sixteenth century. He could only borrow outdated terms to transfer them to his revolutionary technology. 

I also read articles about Ancient Mesopotamia. I wonder how urbanization began. What made people settle close to each other, and how close? I want to understand the difference between the early cities, like Tell Brak in LC 2-3 [LC stands for the Late Chalcolithic], and Neolithic mega-sites (Jericho, Catal Hoyuk, and the rest). The latter seems to be isolated sites without class differentiation and labor division. 

Galley Proof Revisited

 My publishing coordinator asked me to arrange another round of galley proof. That gives me a chance to place last-minute corrections. Rereading the text provides a fresh outlook and reveals issues that might not be clear to the general public. My luck is that I use the editor program Grammarly which exposes any unclear sentence, phrase, or even a rare word that might confuse the reader. 

Meanwhile, I will continue to upload new chapters from the second book on my academia site:

 https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael

Some readers view the chapters from my first book, "The Dawn and Sunset." I think I can upload these chapters, too, though it has to wait till the following year. Each Discussion session lasts three weeks, and I don't need to hurry up. I believe that I can reach the ceiling of 10 K readers, though it might take a year or more. 

Editing the text is a headache, and I give myself time to complete my self-education. I continue reading "Trade, Piracy, and Naval Warfare in the Central Mediterranean," a dissertation about the history of Malta. I am particularly interested in the maritime endeavors of the Order of St. John and their galleys. I might use this material for my chapter about war galleys. 

I also decided to review the topic of my first book: the early cities in the Ancient Near East. I understand that there was more than one way to establish a town in the ancient world. It might be a ritual center, a trade outpost, or a manufacturing site. The success in one capacity did not exclude other ventures. 

There are additional issues that I wish to clarify. Was the full-scale irrigation connected to the rise of the early cities, especially in southern Mesopotamia? How come such cities also appeared in northern Mesopotamia, in areas with ample rainfall? Did the advent of writing usher in a historical period? What do the bureaucratic exercises of first scribes really show us?  How is the size of the city connected to its political and economic significance?

Some of these questions can take years to answer. Do not stop asking them. 

The Galley Proof is Over

 After a month's work, I wrote over 120 pages of remarks on the galley proof. I am not sure that my editor will be delighted, but I am happy. The changes I have made became possible due to Grammarly, a particular editorship program, which continues to stun me with its remarkable qualities. I especially like entangled issues when the program suggests splitting the text into more palatable sentences or avoiding the monotony of three successive simple sentences. It does not show how, making the task challenging and exciting. 

I am currently collecting data for my new project, with the working title "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation: Seafaring in the Medieval and the Renaissance Mediterranean." 

 I pick up facts and figures about war galleys, their types, and the armament. I found a fascinating book about the Byzantine navy, "The Age of the Dromon," penned by J.H. Pryor and E.M. Jeffreys. This warship was the stepping stone in developing the West European galleys. By comparing the two models, we can understand the changes in construction and performance. 

I have altered my bio on the Academia site. Now, it runs the following: 

 I am an amateur historian and independent researcher. I am keen on ancient, medieval, and early modern histories. I have authored two books, "Dawn and Sunset: A Tale of the Oldest Cities in the Near East" and "The Enchanting Encounter with the East: Breaking the Ice between the Latin West and the Far East." The former introduces a reader to the complex society built by the Sumerians and the Akkadians. In contrast, the latter tracks the expanding horizons of West European scholars in their quest for the Far East. I am currently engaged in a project studying the development of medieval and renaissance shipping in the Mediterranean.

I also decided to continue my quest for a traditional publisher. I will appeal to new agents with a redesigned query, which says:

I found your name on the list of literary agents accepting submissions in nonfiction history. I want you to represent my book, “The Enchanting Encounter with the East: Breaking the Ice between the Latin West and the Far East.” Though Authorhouse UK, a self-published agency, has already accepted this work, I would like you to find a traditional publisher.   

 “The Enchanting Encounter” follows the thorny path of European knowledge about the Far East during the end of the Middle Ages. It conveys the insatiable curiosity and enchantment that engulfed western literati as they were approaching the Orient--the land of silks and spices, facts and fiction, legends and lies. The manuscript shows how a sober global outlook replaced Eurocentric medieval fantasies.

My paper comprises almost 95,000 words and fits into the genre of non-fiction history. It will attract young adults and adult readers interested in cross-cultural relations, taking them on a guided tour of the medieval world. I hope to reach an audience including laypeople (such as college-educated history buffs and high school children) and professionals (students, teachers, and researchers). The title must also attract libraries, educational institutions, and museums. The book is a perfect gift for a friend curious about the Middle Ages and braced for learning new things.

“The Enchanting Encounter” teaches my readers to be independent and objective, to enhance critical thinking and curiosity that will assist them in various everyday situations. It also promotes individual empowerment and self-worth. My thought-provoking story presents things from several points of view without passing hasty judgments and casts an innovative look at medieval history. It is an excellent place to start re-education, launching a rational and mutually respectful debate.

Thorough investigative research set the scene for “The Enchanting Encounter.” I upload the articles, which are open for discussions by experts and the general public, on my website.

https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael

My audience is about 7000 readers from all over the world. I help promote other writers’ papers on the Academia site, a broad outlet for academic research.

I keep in touch with my readers by writing a blog http://mikebis.blogspot.com/ which has drawn about 6,000 viewers around the globe. I also contact multiple followers on Twitter and Facebook.

   I am an amateur historian captivated by ancient, medieval and early modern civilizations. I have engaged in Internet research for over 18 years and specialize in writing nonfiction history. Having grown up in Moscow, Russia, I live in Israel. I am a retired English high school teacher.

I have authored two books: "Dawn and Sunset: A Tale of the Oldest Cities in the Near East" and "The Enchanting Encounter with the East: Breaking the Ice between the Latin West and the Far East." The former introduces a reader to the complex society built by the Sumerians and the Akkadians. In contrast, the latter tracks the expanding horizons of West European scholars in their quest for the Far East. I am currently engaged in a project studying the development of medieval and renaissance shipping in the Mediterranean.

I am a well-informed autodidact who does his best to keep abreast of modern science and believes that any standpoint needs continuous critical revision. I have participated in sundry FutureLearn historical online courses given by prominent international universities to learn how to present my content to diverse audiences.

Best wishes,

Michael Baizerman 

The Galley Proof of My Second Book

 Since the end of March, I have been making progress with my galley proof for "The Enchanting Encounter with the East." 

Before making corrections, I checked each unit using my new editorial program. I redesigned many paragraphs, and the list of amendments has topped 70 pages after finishing four units out of six. I imagine my editor will be discontented. 

Next week, I will re-edit Unit V, which is the story of Prester John, and if all goes well, I will complete my task by the end of April. 

Listeners liked my lecture  "The Saga about Humankind: the View on the Habitable World during the European Middle Ages and the Renaissance." Some of them asked where they could read the book. I directed them to my Academia page, where they read 18 chapters of my second book (out of 29). The rest I will upload throughout this year. I will continue to collaborate with the Institute of Integration concerning future lectures. 

https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael

The head of the seminar asked me about the time when the Muslims declared Jerusalem a holy city for Islam. I promised to check. It is a fascinating question for a historian. In the lecture, I explained that the Christians had enhanced the role of Jerusalem since the Age of the Crusades when the Eternal City began to appear on mappae mundi, medieval universal theological maps reserved for illustration and instruction. 

One of my followers offered to be a beta reader. This is my dream to find a partner with whom I can discuss upcoming topics. In the first stage, I sent him a list of contents of my second book. He promised to look through all the chapters and give his opinion. The writer does not exist in a spiritual vacuum. He needs diverse channels to contact his readers. I hope we will work out beneficial cooperation. 

My Second Book

 I have just received the galley proof of my book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East." Yes, I can call it now a book rather than a manuscript. 

Checking the galleys is a long and tedious process, but it also has fascinating sides. First of all, my publishing team of Authorhouse UK has done a fantastic job improving the text. I appreciate hearing my voice slightly different and retaining all its significant points.  Secondly, I am using the editorial program of Grammarly, a mandatory lifeline thrown to writers, to raise my standards and to revise the work of the publishing gang. The bottom line: my text has become much more readable and eloquent. 

While working with Grammarly, I like those moments when the program advises to rewrite the sentence, giving only general recommendations. I have to try various versions and, if I succeed, I feel so tired and happy as if I have run long distances! 

My book will have references to illustrations instead of artwork. It will take a lot of time to write letters to the owners of the pictures asking for permission to reproduce them. I expected the assistance of the publishing house, but they do not deal with these matters. It is not an easy job. You need to do research on each illustration. Sometimes, it is not clear who the owner is. Most of my forty-something pictures are borrowed from Wikipedia. Not every owner replies. Some of them are poised to charge a writer for giving their permission. 

I am not sure whether to supply the Index and A List of Books. I forgot to make it and am in two minds whether I can add it to the book. 

A week ago, I talked with the chairman of the Institute of Integration about my third lecture on zoom. It will be called "The Saga about Humankind: the View on the Habitable World during the European Middle Ages and the Renaissance."  The presentation will be based on three chapters of my book. You can view them on my site: https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael

https://www.academia.edu/40051105/The_Trefoil_of_the_World

https://www.academia.edu/45063380/Jerusalem_on_European_Mind_Maps

https://www.academia.edu/40346434/The_Enigma_of_the_Antipodes

The idea is to trace the development of the Mappae Mundi, clarify the role of Jerusalem on these maps, and expose the concept of the Antipodes, an imaginary fourth continent. 

The Turks in Jacob's Tents

I have just uploaded the final chapter of the cycle of articles focused on the legend of the Iron Gates. This collection of papers make up Unit IV, Mapping Marvels and Monsters: In the Shadow of the Iron Gate, of my book "The Enchanting Encounter with the East."  

The following extract tells the story of the Khazars, the tribe confederation of the steppe Turks, as it is exposed by written sources and archaeological finds. You can view it on my Academia page 

https://www.academia.edu/74005169/The_Turks_in_Jacobs_Tents

I have also forwarded this piece to the Discussions. I want to see the comments on the role of the Khazars as a "wall" hampering the expansion of the Arab Caliphate into the Pontic-Caspian steppes and the Byzantine Empire in Crimea. The following story adds to the myth of Gog-Magog that loomed large on Latin Christendom throughout the Late Middle Ages. 

The map of the Khazar Khaganate between 650 and 850

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khazars 

As for my third project about medieval and renaissance shipping in the Mediterranean, I continue collecting data on war galleys. It might be good to elaborate on the coastal fortifications erected by military engineers of the Italian maritime republics and the gunpower of land batteries aimed at approaching hostile ships.  

The Galley versus the Round Ship (2)

 Chapter 1 of my third manuscript, "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation: Seafaring in the Medieval and the Renaissance Mediterranean", is over. At least, its the first draft. I have erased most of the obvious errors with the aid of Grammarly. I am considering hiring its Premium version to become a better writer. 

This chapter compares and contrasts the two medieval and renaissance watercraft types in the Mediterranean considering their functions, navigation, and more. I also added about 60 notes and two illustrations:

 

The first is a fourteenth-century lateen-rigged Byzantine galley, whereas the second is a ninth-century Byzantine ship sporting a settee sail. 

The paper needs time to "dry up". It might endure some further corrections and require a fresh look. Meanwhile, I have started collecting material for the second chapter. It will focus on warships and comprise several parts. For example, the development of gunpowder ordnance on board. 

The Galleys vs. the Round Ship (1)

 The maiden chapter of a new project is nearly over. I will carry out the content editing at a later stage. Yet, I need to review the vocabulary section created for the extract to fish for novel ideas. 

The chapter gives a general idea of medieval shipping in the Mediterranean by depicting two broad types of watercraft. Even at this initial stage, I make use of contemporary travelogues written mostly by landlubbers. Besides galleys and round ships, I will speak about the main developments in the construction of ships and the sailors' diet. 

In the coming week, I am planning to revise an old article, The Ten Tribes and Other Monsters, from Unit IV of my second project, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East". Authorhouse UK is preparing this manuscript for publication. I wrote a few more letters asking for reusing of photos as book illustrations but meanwhile received only three positive replies. I hope that in some other cases the images do not require copyright permission; most of the pictures belong to the Middle Ages and have far exceeded a common requirement: the author's life plus a hundred years. 

From time to time, I make minor encroachments of my Ancient Mesopotamia project, which was covered by my first book, "Dawn and Sunset: A Tale of the Oldest Cities in the Near East". I am seeking a novel approach to this theme. Recently, I tried to figure out the main environmental differences between Upper and Lower Mesopotamia but failed. The paleoclimate is a tough thing to swallow; there are so many uncertainties and the picture appears too patchy to write a story. Most scholars speak about opposing contours, i.e. highlands vs. lowlands, and different trends in agriculture: rain-fed vs. irrigational farming. 

Today, I've had another idea. Maybe, I need to explore the structure of the early cities in Greater Mesopotamia. In my first book, I almost subscribed to Childe's definition of the ancient city; however, I came up with twelve points instead of ten and excluded such items as the area size and population figures. I will flesh out the details some other day. 

I would like to check a few hypotheses. 

1) Early cities had developed from pre-urban towns and villages.

2) Were such settlements as Jericho, Cayonu, and Catalhoyuk cities?

3) Did full-time craftsmen engage in pre-urban towns and villages?

The Enchanting Encounter with the East: the book cover

 The artist sent me his proposal for the book cover. Though I cannot copy it, I will give you the general idea. There are two photos: a man climbing a steep mountain slope and another one walking along a suspension bridge. Both shots are taken in the backdrop of a "wild" environment.  

I continue to write letters to the owners of the images asking for permission to use them as the book illustrations. Until now, I have received three of them: from the British Library for the Psalter Mappa Mundi, from the University of Glasgow Library for an image from Vox Clamantis of John Gower, and from the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America for Henrich Bunting's map of the world as a cloverleaf. 

In several cases, I was unable to find the owner. I still don't quite understand the meaning of these inquiries that I had to write at the insistence of the publishing house. In most cases, the copyright expires after 70 years. All my images have far exceeded this time frame. 

Another matter. I have made great progress with a draft of my new project. The first part of chapter 1 is nearly ready. It provides an outline of galleys and medieval shipping in the Mediterranean. I have also prepared bits and pieces for reconsideration concerning other parts. Chapter 1 will comprise five parts and summing up. As usual, it will have a lot of notes and some images. 

I will copy a few extracts in this blog but will not upload the rest on my website https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael

until the beginning of 2023. The content needs to "dry up" for some time to allow me a critical perspective. Another reason is that I need to upload many chapters from my second book before I move forward. 

The Enchanting Encounter with the East: A New Book

 Authorhouse UK, the self-publishing company that printed my first book, "Dawn and Sunset: A Tale of the Oldest Cities in the Near East", has offered to issue my second volume. Heaven knows, I did a lot to avoid this chance.

Meanwhile, I have found no traditional publisher that is enthusiastic about bringing out my composition. Since I had no alternative, I finally agreed. 

I did my best, revising the entire text again. I added several images though I am not sure that they will accompany the text. My literary consultant said that I need to ask permission from the owners of the photos even though most of my artwork is borrowed from  Wikipedia. I wrote several letters but received only one permission, from the British Library concerning the Psalter Mappa Mundi, where Jesus blesses the earth. 

In the following weeks, you will catch a glimpse of my second book.

It is titled, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East: Breaking the Ice between the Latin West and the Far East". I have uploaded more than half of the volume on the Academia site, https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael

Since nobody knows the exact order of the chapters, I will present the content here. The book comprises 29 chapters arrayed in six units. 

Unit I: THE MIRACULOUS REVIVAL OR THE PAINFUL RECOVERY

1: What If the Earth is the Sphere

2: How to Measure the Earth's Circumference

3: How Long Spans the Inhabited World

Bottom Line

Unit II:  The Saga of All My Sons

4. The Trefoil of the World

5. Where is the Heart of the World: The Location of Jerusalem on European Mind Maps

6. In Black and White: Racial Prejudices in the European Middle Ages

7. The Enigma of the Antipodes

Bottom Line 

Unit III: Unveiling the Alien

8. The Squall from the East

9. The Suspension Bridge across the Abyss

10. The Swan Song of the Mongol Thrust

Bottom Line

Unit IV: Mapping Marvels and Monsters: In the Shadow of the Iron Gate

11.     Meet your Enemy

12.     Alexander at the Caspian Gates

13.     Beware of Barbarians

14.     A Kernel of Truth

15.     Alexander Versus Gog-Magog

16.     The Lost and Found Tribes

17.     The Ten Tribes and Other Monsters

18.     The Turks in Jacob’s Tents 

Bottom Line

Unit V: Dreams Amid Debris: In the Shoes of Prester John

Prologue

19.     The Early Encounters: Under the Historic Radar

20.     The Shadow Crusader: Otto of Freising                

21.     The Black Prince: Yelu Dashi

22.     The Mysterious Letter

23.     Waiting for the Train that Would Never Come:  The Fifth Crusade 

24.     The Scourge of God: Chinggis Khan

25.     The Underdog and the Power Strife on the Steppes

Bottom Line

Unit VI: The Witness in the Den

26.     Barefooted Envoys

27.     John of Plano Carpini

28.     William of Rubruck   

29.     John of Montecorvino   

Bottom Line

List of Illustrations

Personal and Geographic Index

Further Reading

The Lost and Found Tribes

 

Image: A Typical Notice

https://www.juliemeek.com.au/lost-and-found/

The next chapter of my second manuscript is titled "The Lost and Found Tribes". It belongs to Unit IV: Mapping Marvels and Monsters: In the Shadow of the Iron Gate, and focuses on the legend of the Ten Lost Tribes. 

 The demise of ancient Israel and the mass deportation of its population set the background of the legend about the Ten Lost Tribes. The Samaritan community has been estranged from Judaism, although many believed that one day the vanished people would rise from the dead. Medieval Jewish philosophy places the refugees in the far-off land beyond reach and makes them a consolidated community governed by the Jewish Law and under the sway of a Jewish prince. This congregation is poised for the coming of the Messiah to lead it to the Promised Land. 

The article is available at the Academia site: https://www.academia.edu/69800164/The_Lost_and_Found_Tribes 

As usual, it is open to Discussions and you are invited to take part. I have recently reviewed the entire manuscript for possible publication. I hope I can be more specific but at this stage of negotiations I prefer to be mute. 

If you are interested in the history of the New Kingdom of Egypt, I can warmly recommend reading https://www.academia.edu/43173055/The_Canaanite_and_Nubian_Wars_of_Merenptah_Some_Historical_Notes_%C3%89gypte_Nilotique_et_M%C3%A9diterran%C3%A9enne_13_2020_p_133_149?email_work_card=title

This article is written by Mohamed Raafat Abbas, an Egyptologist and the director-general of the Scientific Research Department at the Ministry of Antiquities in Egypt. I added many details to my knowledge of this period, especially the difference between the Apiru, the Shasu, and the early Hebrews. 

Next week, I will resume filtering the data for the chapter about galleys and sailing ships from my third project.