The Rogue Historian

I never really thought finance, inventions, and entrepreneurial activity were all that sexy...until I read this book.   

Some have called him Twitter's historian...so I spoke with Kevin Kruse about what that means, the usefulness of social media, and the historian's responsibilities to the public. 

I was very pleased to speak with Dr. Victoria Bynum...who wrote the book The Free State of Jones , which inspired the Matthew McConaughey film of the same name. But the story, as you will see, goes a lot deeper than what the movie covers. We talk about the history and memory of Jones county, and of course, the film. 

I read this book straight through with increased interest at every turn of the page…and I don’t want to spoil the intricacies of the ending. Let’s just say that Gayle used the “I was just kidding” defense and well…he was not among those on the gallows when justice was finally served...so go figure. 

This is a remarkable collection, as we have one physician writing to another...and sharing vivd details about Civil War medicine in the process. 

These days Independence Day can ruffle some feathers...and so can the Northwest Ordinance. But all is not doom and gloom, get a load of NYC!! 

Those of you with an interest in the Battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg, if you must...) will love the hell out of this fictionalized account of Lee's 1862 invasion of Maryland. 

There are turning points and there are turning points. But really folks, when it comes to the Civil War...Antietam has to be at least in the top three.

I believe you will come away from this talk, as I did, with an understanding that despite our differences, we can absolutely sit down and have an honest conversation about the past. Like Robert Lee says…perhaps we should think less about passion and more about compassion…that’s at least a place to start...

I disagree with some of the best books ever. 

Today we discussed Pamela's book Heroines of Mercy Street: The Real Nurses of the Civil War . This is the book tie-in to the popular PBS series Mercy Street , which follows the stories of Civil War nurses, doctors, and civilians in Alexandria, Virginia. 

Well...Andrew Jackson has had better weeks, which leads me to consider a bigger topic: what is it that historians actually do? 

I had a few analytical issues with this one...but I thought the military history was on point and well written. 

There are a number of remarkable things about this collection of edited Civil War letters, not the least of which is the gender negotiation between a prisoner of war and his wife behind the lines. Check this out - especially if you enjoy reading things that make you think about complexity. 

I have a great chat with Matt Loughrey, the creator of My Colorful Past, about the intersection of technology and historical documents. 

If NPR is paying attention...sometimes it's a good idea to ask a historian before you publish. 

Get to know the Confederate Cause from the perspective of a young invalid from Georgia during the Civil War. 

Keri Leigh and I hash out some of her ideas recently featured in the Smithsonian article: "Why We Need a New Civil War Documentary" and also Punk Rock music. Because why not. 

Kevin Levin throws down a challenge...and uses evidence and everything! Look out Neo-Confederates :) 

David McCullough takes a pretty big hit on the Twitter this week. Ouch. 

The American Civil War Museum opens with a bang in Richmond, a historian speaks at length on Reconstruction, and using the passive voice might mean you’re a racist. 

Why does the Battle of Gettysburg loom so large in the American historical consciousness? Find out why it does (and a bunch of other stuff too) as I welcome Matt Callery of the Addressing Gettysburg Podcast to the show! 

This week in History Twitter...Robert E. Lee takes a beating and a historian calls for a new Civil War documentary! 

Alex and I have a great discussion about his books: Six Days in September and The Guns of September ...all concerning the 1862 Maryland Campaign during the Civil War...and listen closely :) Some other cool stuff comes up too...

Digging deeper this week into conspiracies, murders, the assassination, and of course - public history. Kate Taylor joins us this week to hash through some good stuff.