I recently completed a review of A.J. Langguth's Driven West: Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears to the Civil War for Presidential Studies Quarterly. In brief, historians will not find anything new in the book, while general readers should beware of several factual and interpretive errors. You can read another review by Adam Pratt … Continue reading Brief Book Review of A.J. Langguth’s Driven West: Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears to the Civil War
Should Public Funding for History Be Cut?
Governor Bill Haslam has issued his amendment to the 2011-12 budget. Sadly, the proposed budget cuts to TSLA that I've discussed on several occasions remain intact. The mantra from Secretary Tre Hargett's office has remained consistent. As Speaker Beth Harwell wrote in an e-mail response to my concerns, "I have spoken with Secretary Hargett's office, and have been reassured the … Continue reading Should Public Funding for History Be Cut?
More on Historians and Online Sources
The recent H-SHEAR exchange about online sources, which I blogged about previously, has prompted other related discussions. On H-CivWar, a review of Edward Sebesta and James Loewen's The Confederate and Neo-Confederate Reader prompted Peter Knupfer, H-Net guru extraordinaire, to question the lack of online resources in document readers. His post elicited a response from Sebesta … Continue reading More on Historians and Online Sources
Book Recommendation: Sam Haynes, Unfinished Revolution: The Early American Republic in a British World
I picked up Sam Haynes' new book, Unfinished Revolution: The Early American Republic in a British World, at last fall's Southern. His short biography of James K. Polk is a great introduction to Young Hickory, one that I've used previously in upper-division courses. Unfinished Revolution examines Americans' relationship with Great Britain during the antebellum period. Not surprisingly, … Continue reading Book Recommendation: Sam Haynes, Unfinished Revolution: The Early American Republic in a British World
Should Historians Utilize Online Sources?
On the H-SHEAR discussion network earlier this week, Dan Feller called out historians who cite non-standard sources. He gave three examples from two books and one journal article that focused on the Jacksonian era. The two books cite non-institutional websites as their source for several of Andrew Jackson's presidential messages instead of the standard sources: James … Continue reading Should Historians Utilize Online Sources?
Conspiracy Theories and Fiction
I'm hoping some of my readers can help me out. I am teaching a course on conspiracy theories in United States history next spring, and I'm looking for suggestions for an assignment. I am going to require students to read a novel centered on a conspiracy theory. Examples include conspiracy theories involving end times theology, the New World … Continue reading Conspiracy Theories and Fiction
Teasing My Research
No, not the kindergarten brand of teasing. I'm excited about presenting some of my Jackson research at this summer's SHEAR and this fall's Southern. At this year's SHEAR, which meets in Philadelphia, I'll be presenting a paper entitled, "Masculinity and Familial Relations in the Early Republic South: A Study of Andrew Jackson’s Advice to His … Continue reading Teasing My Research
The Civil War Sesquicentennial
There are plenty of bloggers discussing the Civil War sesquicentennial, and I'm sure the number will increase over the next four years. Except for occasional forays, I choose to stay away from the topic here. I would be remiss, however, if I did not offer some thoughts on my own interest in the period. My childhood experiences … Continue reading The Civil War Sesquicentennial
Don’t Forget TSLA!
At the risk of repeating myself, I want to remind you to contact Tennessee politicians regarding the proposed TSLA budget cuts. You can find their contact info here. I'm hearing through back-channel contacts that these cuts are not necessarily a done deal. I'm not quite sure what that means, since personnel who are being forcibly … Continue reading Don’t Forget TSLA!
The Hermitage’s Podcast Series: An Interview with Andrew Jackson VI
The March podcast from The Hermitage is an interview with Andrew Jackson VI. From meeting him on a couple of occasions, my impression of Judge Jackson is that he is a very friendly man who doesn't sugarcoat Jackson's faults. He also has a good sense of humor.
Jacksonian America: Society, Personality, and Politics 