Sorry, George

The Smithsonian published an article about the biggest myths of the American Revolution, such as the belief that George Washington was a brilliant military tactition:

In fact, Washington’s missteps revealed failings as a strategist. No one understood his limitations better than Washington himself who, on the eve of the New York campaign in 1776, confessed to Congress his “want of experience to move on a large scale” and his “limited and contracted knowledge . . . in Military Matters.”

George was hobbled by the inability to make speedy decisions. For history buffs, there’s lots to read here.

• STEADY HAND: Although I suppose it’s more a matter of a steady mind. Here’s a story – with a couple of photos – about someone who gave himself an appendectomy. It was a desperate situation, in Antarctica:

The polar winter was already descending, bringing months of darkness, snowstorms, and extreme frosts. The sea had frozen over. The ship had sailed and would not be back for a year. Contact with the outside world was no longer possible. Through the long winter the 12 residents of Novolazarevskaya would have only themselves to rely on…

• THE MOON ON EARTH: A series of photographs by Vincent Fournier chronicles astronaut training on Earth. Great photos included:

Fournier’s work focuses on the interiors of Chinese, Russian and US space agencies – and also includes some remarkable images of astronauts training grounds that, appropriately, look completely out of this world.

• WONDERFUL TECHNOLOGY: It can cost a quarter million bucks a month to maintain a golf course in the dry Arab Emirates, according to The National newspaper in Dubai, but some innovations are cutting costs. Look at the photo here. All that green grass looks so incongruous.