Monday, February 6, 2012

Paul Boller, Jr., the Anecdotal Historian

      I have enjoyed both Dr. Boller's Presidential Anecdotes and to a lesser degree, Congressional Anecdotes.  I do not know what it is about Congressional histories. I think that I am disappointed about the lack of "good stuff" that I know exists but is in abstentia in many of the works produced about our national Congress. Bourbon soaked poker games between Truman and Rayburn, the machinations of Joe Cannon, Speaker Reed's reign, etc.  Dr. Boller did a good job but I was extremely disappointed in the history of the House of Representatives that Dr. Remini, now House historian, produced and published with the Smithsonian.  So disappointed that I gifted it.  Back to Dr. Boller, his Presidential Anecdotes has been instrumental in "dressing up" my lectures in my American history survey course.  If you have not read it, it is worth your time.
     The other great thing about Dr. Boller is that he was a professor at TCU.  Though he retired long before my time there as an undergraduate, I really appreciate the work of this accomplished historian.

The photo was taken from on on-line pic by the TCU Daily Skiff about a 2011 episode of "History Detectives".

1 comment:

  1. I share your regard for Professor Boller. We have corresponded over the years - mainly about Calvin Coolidge. I've always hoped I'd be able to perform my solo history on Calvin Coolidge "More Than Two Words" but my travels have never brought me near him. Let me recommend his 1992 autobiography - Memoirs of an Obscure Professor.

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