Review: “The Blood of Heroes” by James Donovan
If you have no interest in history, or have never read or learned about this time period James Donovan’s “” is 
a must read. If you were inspired by the American revolution, you will definitely feel a connection to these transplanted Americans and their cause. With its short chapters and everyday language “” reads easily. It reminded me of a Dan Brown novel which I couldn’t put down and but never wanted to end.
The story is one we all know, but probably do not know much about, and because of that it can be overwhelming to undertake the task of reading about it. Donovan introduces the reader to each character involved in the inspiring history of the Alamo, intimately and appropriately, so much so you never find yourself lost throughout the book. From the courageous rebel leader William Barret Travis, and his “brave little band” to “His Excellancy,” Mexican General Santa Anna and his Army of Operation, Donovan introduces the reader to all the important people and provides ample background history.
“” begins by introducing the main players, Travis, Bowie, Houston, and the successful siege of Bexar by the unassuming Texian army. That in itself was a huge victory overtaking a superior force to first take hold of the Alamo. My favorite part was the introduction of David Crockett and his group of “Tennessee Mounted Volunteers.” Crockett’s history is interesting and sparked my interest in further readings, and that is only a testament to Donovan’s thorough research and presentation.
After some history on Santa Anna, his Mexican counterparts, and a brief Mexican history lesson, the build up toward a show down at the Alamo begins. Santa Anna positioning his troops to maximize the advantage over the vastly outnumbered Texian volunteers holed up in the Alamo.
Despite numerous pleas for aid and reinforcements Travis’s rebel army would be forced to face a force that outnumbered them about 10 to 1. Santa Anna would only hold his siege for so long before he attacked.
Even for the casual reader of non-fiction “” is a must read. You will definitely come out not only knowing more, but wanting more. Donovan gives all of his sources in the back and I suggest you look through them if you are interested in reading more.
James Donovan’s “” goes on sale today and can be purchased at your local book store or online at .
Researchers Discover Mayans Used Tobacco
Researchers Discover Mayans Used Tobacco 
A recent discovery by researchers Dmitri Zagorevski, director of the Proteomics Core in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Jennifer Loughmiller-Newman, a doctoral candidate at the University at Albany, proves the Ancient Mayans used tobacco.
The researchers studied scrapings from a two-and-a-half-inch high and wide container, made around 700 A.D., that was decorated with hieroglyphics depicting the actual contents, calling it “The home of his/her tobacco.”
Read more of the article at Researchers Discover Mayans Used Tobacco – Science News – redOrbit.
Ancient Mayan Women Were Powerful Leaders
New research shows ancient Maya women were powerful leaders
To cell phone-toting, internet-obsessed citizens of the modern world, ancient cultures may seem difficult to relate to. But a new look at Maya art and artifacts shows one of the most advanced ancient societies allowed women much more contemporary power than previously believed.
“I think the popular belief is that they were restricted to the private household,” said Shankari Patel, an anthropology graduate student at the University of California-Riverside.
Read the rest of the story at New research shows ancient Maya women were powerful leaders.
Story by Joanna Carver – Medill; Photo by Shankari Patel
Mayan Sign From the Gods?
Is it a sign from gods … or iPhone glitch?
When Hector Siliezar visited the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza with his wife and kids in 2009, he snapped three iPhone photos of El Castillo, a pyramid that once served as a sacred temple to the Mayan god Kukulkan. A thunderstorm was brewing near the temple, and Siliezar was trying to capture lightning crackling dramatically over the ruins.
Read the full story at Is it a sign from gods … or iPhone glitch? – Technology & science – Science – LiveScience – msnbc.com.
Story by Natalie Wolchover; Photo by Hector Siliezar
World won’t end in 2012, says Mayan expert
As we approach 2012, more and more reports, television shows and movies have popped up telling us that according to the Mayan calendar the world is going to end on December 21 2012. One German expert, Sven Gronemeyer has announced that those predictions are untrue and came from a misinterpretation of the hieroglyphs. These findings are reported on CBC News.
The end is not near.
At least that’s according to a German expert who says his decoding of a Mayan tablet with a reference to a 2012 date denotes a transition to a new era and not a possible end of the world as others have read it.
The interpretation of the hieroglyphs by Sven Gronemeyer of La Trobe University in Australia was presented for the first time Wednesday at the archeological site of Palenque in southern Mexico.
His comments came less than a week after Mexico’s archeology institute acknowledged there was a second reference to the 2012 date in Mayan inscriptions, touching off another round of talk about whether it predicts the end of the world.
Read the rest of the story at World won’t end in 2012, says Mayan expert – CBC News.
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