Historiography
« Previous EntriesJohn Y. Simon Day and Ulysses S. Grant Lecture
Monday, September 28th, 2009I’m am so happy to pass along this announcement to you!
John Y. Simon Day and Ulysses S. Grant Lecture
Saturday, October 10, 2009, 10 am
at the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in St. Louis, MO
Featured speakers include:
Dr. John F. Marszalek, the editor and executive director of the Ulysses S. Grant Association, and Mississippi State University [...]
Lincoln and His World by Richard Lawrence Miller
Monday, September 22nd, 2008Richard Lawrence Miller’s new book, Lincoln and His World: Prairie Politician, 1834 – 1842, has just been published by Stackpole Books. As many of you already know, this is the second volume of Miller’s planned three-volume Lincoln biography.
He has graciously contributed an exclusive “book talk” to LincolnStudies.com
Miller is a resident of Kansas City, a [...]
Dick Durbin Pays Tribute to John Y. Simon in U.S. Senate
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
United States Senate
July 25, 2008
Mr. President, in 1887, 2 years after the death of Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman wrote in a letter to his old Army Chief of Staff, “Grant’s whole character was a mystery, even to himself.”
Today, more than 120 years later, the world has a far better understanding of Ulysses Grant [...]
Professor John Y. Simon
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008I have sad news to pass along to you. Professor John Y. Simon passed away this morning.
My heart goes out to his wonderful family, his many friends all over the country, and to the hundreds of former students who admired him.
It is a devastating blow.
I can tell you he’s the reason I’m here in Carbondale.
I admired his [...]
The Problem with Statues
Thursday, June 26th, 2008The United States Supreme Court is making headlines today. They have struck down the District of Columbia’s 32-year ban on handguns, claiming it is a clear violation of the Second Amendment to the U. S. Constitution:
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to [...]
One Man’s Rebellion Record Blog is No More
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008I’m sorry to report that Rob Wick has decided to pull the plug on his blog, One Man’s Rebellion Record.
Believe me, not all blogs are created equal, but his blog was one of those that seemed to raise the bar in terms of quality posts. I hope the blog will remain available online; there really [...]
Soldiers in the Same Struggle: Jim Limber and Black Confederates
Monday, June 23rd, 2008A few weeks ago I mentioned that the statue controversy in Richmond was back in the news.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans have unveiled their proposed statue design, featuring Jefferson Davis (pictured above).
Their design is breathtaking.
Compare it to the current statue of Lincoln and his son, Tad:
Notice: Lincoln is sitting, while Davis is standing; Lincoln is [...]
CSPAN Q & A: Thomas DiLorenzo
Thursday, June 12th, 2008I’m not a Thomas DiLorenzo fan, but I thought I’d pass this along to you anyway.
He recently appeared on CSPAN’s Q & A with Brian Lamb.
If you are able to hang with DiLorenzo for the full hour, you will have lasted about 45 minutes longer than I did!
America’s Political Religion
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008So now it would appear as if we have two candidates for president: John McCain and Barack Obama. Notice I hesitate to say anything is settled just yet. Like many of you, I watched Hillary Clinton’s speech last night. I was waiting for her to congratulate her opponent for capturing the nomination, but it never [...]
Lincoln’s Legacy: Sinner or Saint?
Thursday, April 10th, 2008The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky recently took a look at Lincoln’s place in American history. I encourage you to give the article a look.
The piece examines the way historical interpretations change over time; in other words, the article traces the way Lincoln historiography has evolved.
The piece does a fine job of putting the argument over [...]