There is little in the public domain about this élite international high-IQ society, MENSA, which boasts a membership tested to have an IQ among the highest two per cent of the population. This book was written by an insider who, as a member of MENSA, contributed extensively to this high-IQ society over a span of almost thirty years. MENSA was originally conceived of as a third pillar intended to complement the Royal Society and the British Academy. When it was founded in Oxford during 1946 its original goal was to gather six hundred of the most intelligent people in Britain, as scientifically measured through an IQ test, who the government and its agencies could contact for advice on matters of government. It had two purposes: first, to conduct research in psychology and social science and, secondly, to provide contact between intelligent people everywhere in the world. The intention was for MENSA to conduct three strands of research: - To test intelligence tests, and identify correlations with intelligence. - Mensans as the subjects of research. - The Mensan as an instrument of research, i.e. where they themselves chose areas of interest to research and write reports on them. This book reveals some of the research conducted on or by Mensans over the intervening seventy years. Under its first president, Sir Cyril Burt, MENSA systematically conducted research on thousands of its members from 1946 until the death of the esteemed British psychologist in 1971. Burt’s research was challenged after his death, but it is debatable whether his detractors were fully aware of his MENSA research. MENSA was conducting big data research long before it became fashionable during the 21st century with the advent of powerful computers, and much of this research was made available to government departments at the time.

Navan Fort in Ireland is an archaeological site of national and international importance. During 1998 a portion of the ditch surrounding Navan Fort in Ireland was excavated by archaeologists from Queen's University Belfast. In 2001 the author was tasked with analysing the ditch wood and artefacts recovered during this excavation. By extension, this also of necessity included analysis of the previous excavations at this site, and in particular the 40-metre structure there. This analysis extended to consideration of possible Roman influences, and, of arguably far more importance, the implications for our Irish heritage. Much of the research published here was conducted towards a dissertation for an MA in Archaeology (2001) at Queen’s University Belfast. A decision was taken to publish it now due to some important observations concerning possible Roman influences at this archaeological site. Also due to publication by this author of Early Byzantine Ireland: a survey of the archaeological evidence (2021), which reveals further evidence of Roman or Byzantine artefacts recovered in Ireland. There is also some evidence that the topography of Navan Fort as described in the ‘Ulster Cycle’ bears an uncanny resemblance to Rome during the Republic.

Nazareth Quest is a tense thriller set in Israel. Nazareth Quest arguably combines the best of the CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) franchise together with archaeology. Book review of Nazareth Quest in Mensa Magazine: Irish Mensan Bernard Mulholland is well known for his academic publications. An archaeologist and historian with a PhD from Queen’s University in Belfast, his thesis was published as The Early Byzantine Christian Church – and his other works include The Man from Mensa, a look at Mensa’s history and research projects. Now, in a complete change of direction, Bernard has published his first novel. Nazareth Quest is a dramatic thriller set in the historic lands of Israel. Invited to join a team of archaeologists in Nazareth, to survey the archaeology beneath the Sisters of Nazareth Convent, Brendan Mallon leaps at the opportunity. Crusaders, both Templars and Hospitallers, have been intimately associated with the history of Christian churches in Nazareth for more than a millennia, and now these archaeologists find themselves tasked with uncovering secrets of these ancient orders. What first drew these Crusaders to Nazareth, and could the archaeologists reveal the hidden truth behind many of the mysteries that have transcended time? Forced to battle, first with soldiers of Christ and then for their very existence against a demon overlord with ties to the British monarchy, the archaeologists each have to dig deep to discover the route to their own salvation. And, more than that, to then decide whether to join a quest to recover holy relics associated with the Last Supper. Editor (2022), ‘Bernard’s on a Nazareth Quest’, Books, Mensa Magazine, November, p. 12.

This is the first volume-in English or Spanish-to analyze the work of the principal women poets of Modern Spain. In it, John Wilcox draws on recent feminist critical theory and shows how Spanish poetry by women is not just a modern phenomenon but an ignored tradition whose roots reach back to the very beginnings of poetry of the Iberian Peninsula.

Cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of North Carolina.