The fifth anniversary of this blog caught me by surprise. Other responsibilities keep me from posting as often as I used to, but I hope to get back to a more regular writing schedule this fall. Even though I write less frequently, I appreciate those of you who read when I do find time to … Continue reading 5 Years of Blogging
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Introducing The Papers of Martin Van Buren Project
I am pleased to announce that James Bradley and I are co-editing a new scholarly edition of The Papers of Martin Van Buren (PMVB). This project has been in the works for almost a year, but I think we've moved far enough from the idea stage to the actual project itself that making a formal … Continue reading Introducing The Papers of Martin Van Buren Project
Should Harriet Tubman Replace Andrew Jackson on the $20?
As I've written about previously, the push to remove Andrew Jackson from the $20 continues. The Women on 20s website announced that Harriet Tubman was the choice of those who voted in its poll. The campaign has gained a lot of media attention and has led to the introduction of a bill in the U.S. House … Continue reading Should Harriet Tubman Replace Andrew Jackson on the $20?
Paperback Edition of Andrew Jackson, Southerner Out in September
If you're looking to assign a Jackson biography for next year's courses, LSU Press will be releasing the paperback edition of Andrew Jackson, Southerner on September 28. You can read some of the reviews of it here and here.
248 Years Later, Andrew Jackson Remains Controversial
Today commemorates Andrew Jackson's 248th birthday, and it's safe to say that he remains controversial. Today's Nashville Tennessean editorial page shows the divide. Howard Kittell, CEO of the newly named Andrew Jackson Foundation (previously the Ladies' Hermitage Association), makes the case that the new exhibit at The Hermitage seeks "to present Jackson in a truthful … Continue reading 248 Years Later, Andrew Jackson Remains Controversial
Remembering Monty Pope
When I wrote the dedication to my first book, I thanked six educators who had invested in me, from elementary school through graduate school. All of them were significant in their own way, but Monty Pope was without a doubt the most influential person in setting the course of my career. He mentored me throughout … Continue reading Remembering Monty Pope
Was Andrew Jackson America’s Worst Great President?
Despite what some may think, I'm not a Jackson apologist. But I do think it's important to correct mistaken impressions of Old Hickory perpetuated both inside and outside of academia. Michael Brendan Dougherty's piece in The Week is a good example of the latter. Dougherty takes the standard approach to Jackson's life: a rags-to-riches story ("Jackson grew … Continue reading Was Andrew Jackson America’s Worst Great President?
Remembering Lynching in the U.S.
The New York Times published a piece today on lynchings in the South. The piece focused on a report by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), which examined lynchings in twelve southern states. Much of the report reinforces what historians such as Amy Louise Wood, Fitzhugh Brundage, and others have written about lynching, but a couple … Continue reading Remembering Lynching in the U.S.
Books for Fall 2015
History of the U.S. I Timothy B. Smith, The Mississippi Secession Convention: Delegates and Deliberations in Politics and War, 1861-1865 (Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2014) ISBN 9781628460971 Don Hickey, Glorious Victory: Andrew Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans (Johns Hopkins University, 2015) ISBN 9781421417042 Betty Wood, The Origins of American Slavery: Freedom and Bondage in the English Colonies … Continue reading Books for Fall 2015
Andrew Jackson in Space
My friend and fellow Tennessee historian, Gordon Belt, Tweeted out a link to a new comic book yesterday. The title? Andrew Jackson in Space. A Twitter exchange with the writer, Brian Visaggio, resulted in the following interview. 1. What is your background in the comics world? I’m best known at this point for doing an ongoing science … Continue reading Andrew Jackson in Space
Jacksonian America: Society, Personality, and Politics 