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".

Parks and Recreation

I just finished season three on Netflix.  Hilarious!!!  I will not watch this one on network tv.  I will not conform my schedule to programs and on Netflix the episodes average a bit over twenty minutes...not like television.  Thinking about checking out The League or Archer.  I am looking for the funny.

Historian Rock Star of the Week - Harlow Giles Unger

  Mr. Unger is no stranger to readers of revolutionary era biographies.  I have recently read his biography of James Monroe, The Last Founding Father, James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness.  The research was superb and the writing was even better.  I would put his readability close to that of Joseph Ellis, who is the biggest rock superstar of current living historians.  Mr. Unger just does not have that star power yet.  Both Unger and Fleming are on the cusp of the all-time hall of famer list in my library of scholarly works.  I plan toreadUngerbioof Patrick Henry, Lion of Liberty, in the near future.  I look forward to the next bio to flow from Mr. Unger's pen.

Photo is taken from Mr. Unger's website, harlowgilesunger.com 

Political View - Republican Primary

Jon Huntsman is the most qualified of the Republican field to me.  Executive experience as governor of Utah, great record of service as governor, ambassador to China, what really is there not to like?  Oh yeah, he is a moderate which dooms him in the ultra-right Republican primary that pushed candidates so far to the right of the American public they have to sprint to moderate positions after the primaries to have half of a chance.  Come on!!!  Huntsman is the only one I would consider!  Romney does not seem principled at this point.

Dr. Brian Linn - Rock Star, this week!

   If you want well researched and written volumes on the Philippine War, you can not do better. Dr. Linn is currently teaching at Texas A&M University.  He is the Ralph R. Thomas Professor of Liberal Arts and is a well respected military historian.  In addition to being a visiting professor at the Army War College , recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship, Woodrow Wilson Fellowship,he has received two book prizes from the Society for Military History. Thanks for your great research and work!  I look forward to reading Guardians of Empire, even though the UNC Press misspelled your name on front cover.  Do not worry, I have already written to them.

The photo was taken from the Texas A&M Dept. of History website.

Weekly Rock Star - Richard Beeman

Dr. Beeman recently published Plain, Honest Men (Random House, 2009) which was rightfully awarded the George Washington Book Prize..  Dr. Beeman is the John Welsh Centennial Professor of History and long-time faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a respected authority on the American Revolution Era and is currently working on a prequel to this last work which will concentrate on Continental Congress between 1774-1776. Keep up the great work, Dr. Beeman! I am looking forward to more of your insight on the founding of our great experiment in democracy!


The photo of Dr. Beeman was taken from the UPenn faculty site.

Historians as Rock Stars

Since there is so much political news, new books to read, important issues and challenges in my classroom this year all limited by time, health and energy.... I decided the best way to get in the habit of weekly contributing to my blog is to name a "Historian as Rock Star" every week.  I do think of our most prolific and valuable historians as rock stars.  I will start with a historian that I have met and personally thanked for his great work.  I have e-mailed him to thank him as well.  Unfortunately, I did not have the two precious volumes of his work that I own.   The "rock star" of the week is Dr. Fred Anderson, Professor of History at the University of Colorado at Boulder.  His work on the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) is an invaluable contribution to early North American history.  He has won the Parkman Prize and is just a nice fellow.  He is Harvard trained and wears a bow tie.  Great work, Dr. Anderson!  Thank you!  

Photo from UC, Boulder, Research Admin website