From the editor's desk: Is it OK to use a quotation as a chapter-opening epigraph, and also later in the chapter? Mmmm, maybe not: www.fractalpast.com/blog/from-th... #editing #writing

1/4 I'm AWOL from #HATM tonight, but I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to introduce folks to western PA's great African American suffragist, Ms. Daisy Lampkin. Lampkin became president of the local Lucy Stone League in 1912, then parlayed that notoriety into significant . . .

Phenomenologically, reading is very weird: you sit by yourself staring at black squiggles on a white background, which causes violent hallucinations — one of the most peculiar of those hallucinations being the feeling that, despite the fact that you are very much by yourself, you are not alone.

It is surely not the most damning evidence of our fall from republican virtue over the last century, but do take a moment to compare the Times Square-tinsel, red light district display of this joker's medals against the two most distinguished military leaders of the twentieth century:

Popsie likes to suck on her MilkBones for a little while. I don't know why.

It's a strange world we live in, where things often don't seem real unless they've been represented or replicated in the virtual world. Mom died well before the internet became a fact of our lives. You can Google "Gail Margery Lee," and you get no hits. Her invisibility . . .

It's never not a good time to celebrate literary excellence. Several of the books on which I have worked over the past few years and the awards they have won: www.fractalpast.com/blog/from-th... #bookawards

The fabled Cooper House on the campus of the University of Wyoming, in Laramie, WY. Home for many years of the American Studies program, of which I am a proud graduate. Read part 2 of my academic journey here: www.fractalpast.com/blog/my-acad... #AmericanStudies #UniversityofWyoming

Available for pre-order for a limited time – first batch expected to ship by May 15th! ⚾️👕 available only at: rotowear.com/products/bas...

Not the last word on the subject, but given the historic endorsement of white supremacy by the Supreme Court this week, I re-up this capsule history of American racism, with visualization. Nothing new to most readers, but may be of use with a recalcitrant uncle: www.fractalpast.com/blog/not-dei...

I have always been proud of my boy. As he completes his freshman year of high school, I find myself growing into genuine respect and admiration for him.

This will be the cover of a book someday, and I can't wait to see it.

This is the first day in months without baseball: no JV practice, no JV game, not even a Cubs game on the radio. I am untethered . . .

Virtually within my lifetime:

Today on the blog I'm sharing some personal history, the first in a series of reflections on my own academic and scholarly journey: www.fractalpast.com/blog/my-acad...

Feeling proud to see my beloved hometown get some well-deserved recognition. I thought folks might enjoy this little rumination on the connections between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Daisy Lampkin: www.fractalpast.com/blog/the-pit...

It's been over a year since the Trump administration began its attempt to bring the National Museum of African American History and Culture under its control. I still believe NMAAHC is one of the greatest museums in the country and deserves a defense-to-the-death: www.fractalpast.com/blog/april-2...

You've heard it before, but perhaps never really thought very much about it: Just why SHOULD writers avoid use of the passive voice? It's never not a good time to review the fundamentals at my editing desk: www.fractalpast.com/blog/from-th...

I believe and hope Rauchway is right. In my view a refocus on public goods would do much to heal the fractures in the Democratic party, attract independent and swing voters, and best of all, be restorative to the nation. It will take decades to dig out of the hole we're in, . . .

If ZM is referencing the New Deal--and he clearly is--then workers' protections, public goods, and a robust regulatory state seem to comprise the "clear vision" around which Dems might rally: www.fractalpast.com/blog

Not the first time the Biennale has faced American opposition. My edited volume on US public diplomacy in the 1970s contains a fascinating account of a similar moment. Self-inflicted and unnecessary, these attacks always tarnish American interests: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781784993313/

The New Deal, public goods, and the benefits of civic infrastructure: www.fractalpast.com/blog/public-... #publicgoods #NewDeal

@dougglanville.bsky.social Thought you might be interested in this post from a few days ago:

Anne Frank kept photos and postcards affixed to her wall in the Secret Annex. Portraits figured prominently. She displayed photos of the Dutch and English royal families, and other models and celebrities. One wonders how she imagined those lives intersecting with her own, there in cramped hiding.

🧵Today is the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in major league baseball, 1947. One of the great joys in my Daisy Lampkin project is the discovery of fascinating linkages she maintained throughout black America, some direct and many indirect. . . .

Captain America's shield does seem to have magical capabilities, doesn't it. In this blog post I explain why Cap's shield is so resonant with American audiences, who recognize it is a particular artifact of their cultural attitudes and behaviors: www.fractalpast.com/blog/captain...

NASA effin' rocks!

Today on the blog I reflect on expertise, and the slow accumulation of pre-existing knowledge that serves as the foundation for something new: www.fractalpast.com/blog/picking...

All of us have our blind spots: What era or subject in US history do you wish you knew more about? Here's a question: What era or subject in US history do you wish OTHER people knew more about??? Head on over to the blog for a brief description of the initial modules I'll be offering:

It’s amazing: in the last 72 hours Trump has managed to ape both Adolf Hitler AND Neville Chamberlain.

Part II of the introduction to my work in progress on Daisy Lampkin: www.fractalpast.com/blog/introdu...

Yeah, baby. My hometown. Could not be prouder.

I invite readers to my blog for a new post introducing the life of the inestimable Daisy Lampkin, subject of my current work. Part I today, Part II tomorrow: www.fractalpast.com/blog/introdu...

Just ONE more follower until the life-affirming, paradigm-shifting threshold of 1000! COULD it be you? MIGHT it be you? (Assuming none of the current pornbots melt away, of course . . .)

Do you know who this handsome chap is? We'll be taking a closer look at William Walker, the famous filibuster, and more like him, in my upcoming module on early US diplomatic history. For now, read about the filibusters in this brief blog post: www.fractalpast.com/blog #UShistory

Facts spoken by an ex-trumper...

Go Cocks!

Yeah, that is neither the mission nor the "notion" of NATO.

New blog post up where I reminiscence about the many History courses I have taken. What were your favorites and why? www.fractalpast.com/blog/oh-the-... #history

I treated Dutch participation in NATO at some length in my book. Today, on the venerable institution's 77th birthday, and with the organization clearly under increasing attack from one of its primary architects, I shared some thoughts on my blog: www.fractalpast.com/blog #NATO

Do you agree with Baldwin, that we carry history within ourselves? If Baldwin is right, that history is always present in everything that we do and everything that we think, what would it mean to be unaware of this history, to not know what happened in the past exerting such tremendous force today?

It was some years ago, but I've met Coach Staley, twice. She is an absolute delight, and extremely thoughtful and forthcoming in conversation. If you haven't seen it, check out her Hall of Fame induction speech on YouTube. It's a classic.

That South Carolina-UConn game was 🔥🔥🔥. I still say Staley is the GOAT, all class. She's a warrior.

I remain profoundly enraged at this administration's dismantling of our military excellence. I served under many female officers from whom I proudly took orders. Here's just one story of combat heroism that Sec. Hegseth would be wise to familiarize himself with: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DGZ...

Announcing a new venture: FractalPast history. We live in an age of AI slop, aggressive propaganda, and stultifying algorithms. People hunger for something to anchor us in unsettled times. And there is no better way to face the present than to understand the past: www.fractalpast.com/blog/announc...

"Man is that force which ultimately cancels all tyrants and gods." --Albert Camus

Godspeed Artemis II. (Not me welling up in tears . . .)