History

"Hegel was right when he said that we learn from history that man can never learn anything from history." — George Bernard Shaw

Foggy Notions
W. Patrick McCray on “Rational Fog” by historian M. Susan Lindee. It addresses how “scientific knowledge and military applications meet, maraud, and maim.”
W. Patrick McCrayNov 9, 2020
The Poet and the Dictionary
The reality of a dictionary never lives up to its promises. It fails language. It also fails poets looking for pure language.
Chelsie MalyszekNov 7, 2020
Getting into Good Medical Trouble
Historian of Medicine Richard Mizelle shows us why John Lewis’s call for getting into “good trouble” needs to be applied to the medical profession.
Richard M. Mizelle Jr.Nov 6, 2020
Mountain Music, Women’s Music, and the Roots of Our Obsession with Roots
A pioneer folklorist found some British origins of Appalachian music, but missed so much else.
Gregory P. DownsNov 5, 2020
You’re Tearing Me Apart: On William L. Barney’s “Rebels in the Making: The Secession Crisis and the Birth of the Confederacy”
Bill Thompson reviews “Rebels in the Making,” the new Civil War history by William L. Barney.
Bill ThompsonNov 4, 2020
- History
- Politics
For a More Perfect Fascism: On Victoria de Grazia’s “The Perfect Fascist”
Aliza Wong reviews "The Perfect Fascist," the new biography by Victoria de Grazia.
Aliza WongNov 3, 2020
The Paesano of Shame: Trump’s Italian American Consiglieres
Christine Grimaldi on the political history of Italian Americans, including those who love Trump.
Christine GrimaldiNov 2, 2020
- History
- Politics
Reclaiming the State in Economics: “Radical Hamilton” and the Means of Statecraft
A new book examines the influence of the first US Treasury Secretary, arguing Hamilton’s “developmental state” is a weapon against free-market ideology.
Justin H. VassalloNov 2, 2020
John Yoo Tortures History and Law to Defend Donald Trump
Stephen Rohde reviews John Yoo's "Defender in Chief: Donald Trump’s Fight for Presidential Power."
Stephen RohdeNov 1, 2020
The Dark History of Eastern California: A Conversation with Kendra Atleework
Kendra Atleework discusses her new memoir, “Miracle Country,” and the beauty of Eastern California.
Alex EspinozaNov 1, 2020
- History
- Memoir & Essay
Financial Bubbles, Crashes, and Reform: What Works?
John C. Coffee Jr. reviews Joel Seligman's recently published book, "Misalignment: The New Financial Order and the Failure of Financial Regulation."
John C. Coffee Jr.Nov 1, 2020
“The Quiet Americans” Reveals the Un-American History of American Espionage
A history of Cold War failures as seen through the tragic careers of four American spies.
Pearse AndersonOct 30, 2020