Thrilled to be included in this special edition of Ohio Valley History on Abraham Lincoln. Had a lot of fun writing about his complicated legacy in Springfield.

I'm an old dog too but as a journal editor I'll also say, if my contributors are using these footnote programs, they must be crap because I'm constantly fixing citations.

What's your favorite movie from each decade of your life? 70s - Monty Python and the Holy Grail 80s - Raiders of the Lost Ark 90s - Goodfellas 00s - There Will Be Blood 10s - Mad Max: Fury Road 20s - Dune

Ok. I'll play along (tho this took way longer than I thought it would):

I'm in this issue giving recommendations for Lincoln books!

Juliette Lewis 100% giving her Christmas Vacation vibe.

Why isn't Rocky ever part of the annual "...... is a Christmas movie!" discourse?

If you're looking for something to listen to this Memorial Day, I somehow missed when this episode of Civil War Curious got posted, but it's me talking about the importance of music to Americans during the Civil War:

I still find it very amusing that the Mandalorian, a warrior who never takes off his helmet in the presence of another living soul, has a mustache. It’s just his little secret!

Timeline. Cleanser.

I left Facebook a long time ago, so these are totally new to me and I'm utterly baffled by them. Is this fanfic or do people actually think these are real?

THREAD: Chewbacca at MLB stadiums Throwing out the first pitch at Fenway

Bumpin that youtu.be/RO6JiFztJdg?...

Looking forward to co-hosting this @lincolnpresfdn.bsky.social discussion tonight on Lincoln and America 250. Click through to join us: www.lincolnpresidential.org/2743/Four-Sc...

We have friends everywhere.

Whoa! Did not expect a place I've actually ordered from to ever show up on this feed!

Veronica knows what's what

Holy crap!

Reminder that I'll be talking to Leonne Hudson tonight about his excellent book on how African Americans mourned Lincoln. Register below to join us: bit.ly/LeonneMHudso...

Exited to share I've resumed my role as Editor of the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association. If you're working on something about Lincoln, please consider submitting it to the address below or drop me a line if you'd like to write a book review. www.press.uillinois.edu/journals/?id...

Sure, I'll play. Most people who visit museums are interested in learning about the subject of the museum.

I feel like we already did this awhile back and I had the same answer but: Most history museums can't actually prove that 90% of the things in their collections are what they say they are, and probably don't know how they got them either.

The Ontario Science Centre. I can't even count how many times a school took me there. Regrettably gone now but totally slapped.

Currently trapped in some sort of purgatory where food delivery services think my house is another house a block away and keep showing up on my back deck, for some reason, with food I never ordered.

I don’t know how many times people have to say this, but if you really are and feel like a writer, you *need* to write. It’s the best part of your job, it’s the part that you find satisfying, it’s why you chose to do what you do. Writers are not trying to escape the writing part!

nobody posted the clip anywhere so i went and dug the whole episode up

On Lincoln's birthday, it's useful to remember he believed the primary goal of the American experiment was to guarantee "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and the best way to achieve that goal was through free and fair elections. It's basically the thesis of the Gettysburg Address. 1/2

Join me tomorrow on Lincoln's birthday for a conversation with one of my favorite historians, Richard Carwardine. We'll be discussing his wonderful new book Righteous Strife: How Warring Religious Nationalists Forged Lincoln's Union. Register free here: bit.ly/RichardCarwa...

post a banger that isn't in English youtu.be/KQRaj1vcnrs?...

Here is an obituary for Civil War historian Gabor Boritt, who passed away a few days ago. A remarkable life. gettysburgconnection.org/obituary-gab...

Very much looking forward to leading a virtual discussion tonight with the Grayslake Heritage Center about George Saunders's excellent Lincoln In the Bardo and how it interacts with Lincoln's ever-evolving popular image: grayslake.librarycalendar.com/event/pages-...

And my personal favorite, Dusty Towne youtu.be/liOtOSR_Pp0?...

This one hits my Canadian heart hard. I grew up with SCTV and she's popped up in things throughout my life. Always 100% committed and hilarious. Truly we've lost a great one

A good time to remind everyone of the Minnesota First. One of the earliest state militias to volunteer to fight in the Civil War—three years after joining the Union! Provided one of the essential turning points at Gettysburg. Took the flag of the Virginia regiment they captured AND STILL HAVE IT.

One of the most surreal experiences the modern world provides is looking upward in a Costco

Ok, Kathleen...

A full parking lot at my local movie theatre is a good omen for 2026.

I'm more happy to turn the page on this crappy year, but I'll go out highlighting 5 great things I discovered during it: - Manchester, Vermont - Humble Pie Kitchen - Disco Elysium - Working freelance on my own schedule - Syndicated SCTV eps on Internet Archive Bring on 2026!

Somehow, I have only just become aware of the existence of a 1980 film called Honeysuckle Rose, in which Dyan Cannon and Amy Irving vie for this affections of Willie Nelson. Yes, you read that right: renowned lothario Willie Nelson. I must find this insane film! Soundtrack slaps, tho.

Make a Bond movie academic The Worldcat is Not Enough

To you and yours, from Thomas.

Will Farrell and John C. Reilly reenact Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s Christmas classic #musicnews

If you don't know about the NORAD SantaTracker, you should. www.noradsanta.org/en/map Merry Christmas Eve.

As always, this is your annual reminder that "Jingle Bells" was written by a gross pro-slavery secessionist while "Up On the Housetop" was written by an abolitionist. The choice is clear. www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020...

100% agree with this take. James just riffs on Christmas over funky beats for an entire album. Perfect

I probably took Rob Reiner for granted. In retrospect, Stand By Me was seminal because it was the first non-genre or kids film that really connected with me. In fact, it inspired me to write my own version about me and my friends, which I think was the first piece of writing I ever completed.