James Raymond

To a large degree, Raymond has come to bury the notion of there having been a "revolution in military" affairs in post-1453 Europe, arguing that the apparent backwardness of the Henrician military establishment is more a question of resources and being adaptive to local conditions in the British Isles. Henry and his military hierarchy was well aware that change was in the air in regards to the conduct of arms, and tried to catch the wave, instead of being drowned by it. The example of the battle of Flodden, where the Scots' largely "New Model" army was defeated by an English force still using a late-medieval foundation won a smashing victory, is evidence that the English knew their business. Besides considering the test of battle, Raymond also spends a good bit of time on finances, logistics, and how knowledge was being transmitted amongst the relevant people.

Apart from that, since this monograph is coming up on being twenty-years old, I then asked myself if there was something of a more recent study. It turns out that Helion has published a two-volume work by Jonathan Davies, called "The Tudor Arte of Warre," which seems to use Raymond's monograph as a jumping off point, suggesting that his arguments are still valid.… (more)

I generally am NOT a re-reader. Too many books; too little time. However, every once in awhile I come across a book that delights me the first time around and I know I need to read it all over again. This was one of those books.

In a first reading Dr. Raymond entertains with an imaginative presentation of diverse mythological stories, events, dreams, and observations of pain and death. It's not a long book. It's easy to read and understand. I was convinced that a second, slower reading would bring to light thoughts I may have missed the first time. At first some parts seemed loosely connected and rambling. I now believe that created the appeal of a lifetime of searching and invites the reader to think about their own life questions that have no answers.

Perhaps the title would have been more appropriately called "The Soul of a Physician" since this is a very personal view of the science and humanity of medicine at the end of an illustrative career in internal and emergency medicine. Raymond grapples with the meaning of life and death as he casts a wide net to encompass what he has experienced in healthcare, life, nature, as well as his discussions and reflections on extensive philosophical reading. It's a thoughtful attempt to encourage a balance of science and nature in how we view medical care and death.… (more)