1. I've fallen sick this week and ended up staying home yesterday. 2. Before that, however, I was telling my US history students about the Rebel Yell. They weren't quite getting it, so I tried to demonstrate (poorly, since I'm not Southern). I then had to admonish them, "Guys, don't do the Rebel Yell in … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: More Civil War, More Snow White, and ‘Wall Street’
The Civil War
Friday Flotsam: Mostly Civil War, Some Anime and Music
1. In my judgment, when it comes to great men of American history, there is George Washington, there is Robert E. Lee, and there is everyone else. 2. My history class has finally gotten up to the Civil War (the second one), so I've been reading up on it to patch up my knowledge of … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly Civil War, Some Anime and Music
Saturday Flotsam: Teaching History, Kansas Context, and a Paradox
1. My history book for sixth grade starts off its survey of the men of the Middle Ages with an account of the Norse gods, paralleling previous entries in the same series which started with the Greek gods to set the stage for famous Greeks and so on. The trouble is that, from what I've … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Teaching History, Kansas Context, and a Paradox
A Telling Exchange
The following conversation occurred in Washington in early 1861 between fellow West Point alumni Irvin McDowell and William T. Sherman, both seeking commands in the newly-forming Union Army: McDowell: "Hello, Sherman, what [rank] did you ask for?"Sherman: "A colonelcy."McDowell: "What? You should have asked for a brigadier general's rank. You're just as fit for it … Continue reading A Telling Exchange
Friday Flotsam: Lincoln, Civil War, and More Manga
1. This week for my US History class I learned why most people only quote the first paragraph or so of Lincoln's 'house divided' speech; because after that it kind of devolves into a paranoid rant of how the Democrats want to impose slavery upon all the states, including speculation that Stephen Douglass etc. were … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Lincoln, Civil War, and More Manga
A Touch of Grim Historical Irony
Everyone knows that Francis Scott Key wrote our beloved national anthem The Star Spangled Banner while observing the bombardment of Fort McHenry from the deck of a British ship while a guest of his Majesty's. Turns out there is a little-known, unhappy sequel to the story. Key's grandson, Frank Key Howard, became a newspaper editor … Continue reading A Touch of Grim Historical Irony
Book Recommendation: Robert E. Lee on Leadership
Most recently I read through Robert E. Lee on Leadership, by H.W. Crocker III. Overall, I found it to be quite excellent: a fascinating and very useful insight into one of the preeminent figures of American history. Mr. Crocker’s focus is less to tell a complete biography of Lee (though we get a decent overview … Continue reading Book Recommendation: Robert E. Lee on Leadership
Serpent's Den 