"Empty bolt holes and shadows are all that remains on the brick walls where explanatory panels were displayed . . . One woman cried silently at their absence. . . . A hand-lettered sign said 'Slavery was real.'" . . . It's all connected. bit.ly/4q21GI9

Alex Pretti’s last words were “are you ok?” said the woman next to him who ICE also pepper sprayed in the face.

AHA member @marthahodes.bsky.social wrote a book about a formative experience in her life—in 1970, at 12 years old she was held hostage for a week inside an airplane in the Jordan desert. Read her Member Spotlight to learn how she used her historical research training for this project. 🗃️

Thank you, American Historical Association! @historians.org www.historians.org/perspectives...

A wonderful evening in conversation with Ben Yagoda, discussing Ben’s latest book, *Alias O. Henry: A Novel* at Pete’s Tavern, O. Henry’s famous New York City haunt. Congratulations, Ben, on this masterful work of historical fiction!

Right after college, in the early 1980s, I served with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), working with Southeast Asian refugees--Vietnamese, Cambodian, Lao, Hmong, Minh: Yes, the ignorance of history called out here. Exactly this. 👇👇

My parents, both principal Martha Graham dancers, would have been pleased. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/a...

New York area friends, I'm looking forward to this conversation, this Thursday, December 4. Join us if you can! www.gc.cuny.edu/events/megan...

As a veteran of city rallies, I found No Kings Day in the trending-blue Philly suburbs fascinating: hundreds of protestors lining the Baltimore Pike (peacefully avoiding interactions with mingling MAGAs), while cars honked in solidarity (with MAGA middle fingers mixed in). A beautiful afternoon.

More thoughtful and intense than "happy hour"! Thank you, Yale Club of New York, for last night's event about *My Hijacking.*

Incredible new bookstore in Swarthmore, Pa.! Thrilled to be there at the ribbon-cutting!

Wonderful evening last night at Rotary Arts, in conversation with brilliant poet Nat Anderson, Swarthmore College, talking about *My Hijacking.* Great audience!

My mother's obit in the New York Times captures her long, productive life.

Linda Hodes, 1931 - 2025. She was the oldest living Martha Graham dancer.

A wonderful evening at The Quadrangle in Haverford, PA . . . even though a lightning strike and phenomenal storm meant no lights or tech! No matter. The audience was so engaged, with beautiful, caring questions. Thank you. (pic taken before the lights went out)

History-relevant messages at Philadelphia's No Kings protest today.

Let's all take a moment to read the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. It's only one sentence.

Bowdoin College 45th reunion: I was not there, but my book was--and Bowdoin friends make an appearance in the memoir. Thank you, Bowdoin, for the shout-out.

*My Hijacking* recently displayed at Authors' Celebration, NYU Center for the Humanities. Thank you! [Photo credit: ©Braddock Jr.: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau]

On this 160th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, I quote from his magisterial Gettysburg Address, 1863: "that this nation . . . shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

" . . . that this nation. . . shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth": Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, 1863, and today in New York City (and all over the country).

Go see this incredible one-man show, based on the book by historian Marcus Rediker, @marcusrediker.bsky.social, playing in New York NOW and heading to Philadelphia in May. It is so timely. You will be deeply moved.

So deeply looking forward to reading this book about race, color, enslavement, freedom, and, most of all, family, by the ever-brilliant Martha Jones, @marthasjones.bsky.social. *The Color of Trouble: An American Family Memoir*

Thank you, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David Levering Lewis for naming *My Hijacking* as one of the books “on your night stand” in this Sunday’s New York Times Book Review. I can’t wait to read Lewis’s new book, *The Stained Glass Window.* www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/b...

Great conversation, great book--a great event!

Great event!

Thank you, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David Levering Lewis for naming *My Hijacking* as one of the books “on your night stand” in this Sunday’s New York Times Book Review. I can’t wait to read Lewis’s new book, *The Stained Glass Window.* www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/b...

They don't want to teach history so they can repeat it.

for fans of historical true crime - the case that started it all - see you Saturday @profbrucedorsey.bsky.social @oxfordunipress.bsky.social #bksky

There is still time to register for this event, which takes place on Saturday at the Charles River Museum. Join us in honoring @profbrucedorsey.bsky.social on his wonderful book, *Murder in a Mill Town.* <https://www.masshist.org/events/peter-j-gomes-memorial-book-prize-ceremony-2024>

"It is ... for us, the living" to "be dedicated to the great task remaining before us" that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Wow. Thank you very kindly, Honor Sachs @drhonor.bsky.social.

Book launch!

Boston area folks: On Feb, 22, join me for a conversation with @manionjen.bsky.social about "Murder in a Mill Town." I'm honored to receive the Peter J. Gomes Memorial Book Prize. #Boston #Massachusetts #Skyhistorians

Boston, Feb. 22!

January 19, 2025: Things do get worse. Tomorrow will be worse. January 20, 2025: Besides that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? January 21, 2025: Horrible, thanks for asking.

January 20, 2025: Besides that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

January 19, 2025: Things do get worse. Tomorrow will be worse.

Two wonderful sessions at #AHA25. Honored.

Thank you for selecting *Sea Captain’s Wife*!

*Murder in a Mill Town*: A great book, and surprisingly relevant to our own historical moment, as in #MeToo!

Full-page ad in this week’s New Yorker! Happy to have an essay in this beautiful volume.

Great book event last night at the Swarthmore Discussion Group, Swarthmore, Pa., talking about *My Hijacking* with an interested and empathetic audience. Thank you!

PBS just reposted this "Brief but Spectacular" segment of my father (1924-2023). I love you, Dad. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSX_...

Wow.

Thank you, @michaelleroyoberg.bsky.social. I'm still so fond of Eunice and her unusual story.

ATTENTION again dear followers: Some of you are also following me on a fake account: @marthahodess.bsky.social--note extra “s” in last name, with same picture as my real account. I’ve reported it. Please UNFOLLOW and BLOCK that account, but keep following me here: @marthahodes.bsky.social. Thanks!

Together let’s inspire history-writers…thank you, [email protected]

ATTENTION dear followers: Some of you are also following me on a fake account: @marthahodess.bsky.social--note extra “s” in my last name, with the same picture as my real account. I’ve reported it. Please UNFOLLOW and BLOCK that account, but keep following me here: @marthahodes.bsky.social. Thanks!