Published Articles

Thursday, June 6, 2013

The magnificent "Masters of Rome" series of historic fiction by novelist Colleen McCullough continues down the annals of the Roman Republic with the notable careers of Gaius Marius, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, Aemeilius Scaurus, Metellus Numidicus, Metellus Pius, and Marcus Livius Drusus. This second tome at 894 pages also contains magnificent maps, improved glossary, and sketch portraits of many of the main characters.

Keyword(s): Colleen McCullough, history, Marius, novelistic license, Roman Republic, Sulla


Tuesday, June 4, 2013

This is a wonderful introduction to the "Masters of Rome" series of historic novels by famed author Colleen McCullough. The first tome in this series, The First Man in Rome, at 896 pages, including magnificent maps, glossary, even sketch portraits of many of the main characters, is incredibly well-researched. Crisp writing, eloquent prose, exhilarating reading, spellbinding plots and intrigue — are all parts and parcel of this literary, unfolding, historic drama.

Keyword(s): Colleen McCullough, history, Marius, novelistic license, Roman Republic, Sulla


Saturday, June 1, 2013

Abstract — Knowledge of neuroscience flourished during and in the wake of the era of frontal lobotomy, as a byproduct of psychosurgery in the late 1930s and 1940s, revealing fascinating neural pathways and neurophysiologic mechanisms of the limbic system for the formulation of emotions, memory, and human behavior. The creation of the Klüver‑Bucy syndrome in monkeys opened new horizons in the pursuit of knowledge in human behavior and neuropathology.

Keyword(s): aggression, cingulotomy, DBS, deep brain stimulation, functional neurosurgery, limbic system, medical history, mental illness, psychosurgery, violence


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The disintegration of the USSR is inextricably entwined and intimately related to the life and times, failures and accomplishments, paradoxes and contradictions of the courageous Russian who is the subject of this book — a man with tenacious clarity of purpose and the steely determination to carry on through and accomplish his goal at any price.

Keyword(s): CIA, communism, counterintelligence, espionage, FBI, France, history, KGB, Soviets, spies, USSR


Friday, April 5, 2013

Abstract — Psychosurgery was developed early in human prehistory (trephination) as a need perhaps to alter aberrant behavior and treat mental illness. The “American Crowbar Case" provided an impetus to study the brain and human behavior. The frontal lobe syndrome was avidly studied. Frontal lobotomy was developed in the 1930s for the treatment of mental illness and to solve the pressing problem of overcrowding in mental institutions in an era when no other forms of effective treatment were available. Lobotomy popularized by Dr.

Keyword(s): aggression, Frontal lobes, functional neurosurgery, hospitalization, institutionalization, lobotomy, medical history, mental illness, psychosurgery, trepanation, trephination, violence


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

B. F. Skinner (1909-1990) was a prominent professor of psychology at Harvard (1958-1974) and a founder of Operant and Behavioral Psychology.

Keyword(s): behavior, behavior modification, classical conditioning, culture, freedom, government, operant conditioning, Psychiatry, psychology, tyranny, welfare


Thursday, March 7, 2013

In his book, After Fidel — The Inside Story of Castro's Regime and Cuba's Next Leader, author Brian Latell, a National Intelligence Officer (1990-1994) and the top analyst for Cuba and Latin America for all the U.S intelligence agencies, describes in persuasive detail the personal relationship between Fidel and Raúl Castro. At the time this book was written, Raúl Castro was the anointed successor to the Maximum Leader.

Keyword(s): Castro, communism, Cuba, Cuban Revolution, tyranny


Friday, March 1, 2013

Recently I read the book Tiger Trap (2012) by espionage writer David Wise. It is a scary but at the same time an astounding and critically needed book, as Americans know very little about the espionage activities of China in the United States.

Keyword(s): China, CIA, communism, counterintelligence, cyber attacks, espionage, internet, spies


Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Encyclopedia of Cold War Espionage, Spies, and Secret Operations by Richard C. S. Trahair was published by Greenwood Press, (Westport, Connecticut) in 2004. It is 473 pages. It Encyclopedia of Cold War Espionageconsists of nearly 300 A to Z entries of both spies and secret operations as the main text in 350 pages. There are the usual introductions, as well as a useful Chronology (1917-2003), Glossary, and Index, contained in pages 351 to 473.

Keyword(s): CIA, Cold War, communism, counterintelligence, espionage, intelligence operations, KGB, Soviets, spies, US, USSR


Wednesday, February 13, 2013

January 18, 2013

Research Europe Reporter: Hi Dr. Faria, I am a reporter for Research Europe, and I cover US research and science policy news. I am hoping to speak with you today because I am writing an article about the fact that President Obama has issued a memorandum directing the CDC and other scientific agencies to research the causes and prevention of gun violence, loosening the current restrictions on federal funding in that field.

Keyword(s): CDC, gun control, gun research, guns, NCIPC, violence