Historians in the News

Historian Fritz Stern warns we are facing a dangerous period of social anxiety

“The current political situation is so serious, so destructive, so dysfunctional, that one must deeply worry."

Money for Chattanooga History Museum runs out before any exhibits are built

After raising more than $10 million over the past 10 years, the Chattanooga History Center apparently is out of money before it ever opened in the building at 2 W. Aquarium Way it has occupied since 2006.

Is This the End of the GOP as We Know It?

Historian Rick Perlstein on the rise of Trump, the fall of Reagan, and the fate of contemporary conservatism.

Paul Krugman gives credence to Robert J. Gordon's pessimism about American economic growth

by Paul Krugman

"Is he right? My answer is a definite maybe. But whether or not you end up agreeing with Gordon’s thesis, this is a book well worth reading."--Paul Krugman

How A Leading Egyptian Historian Found Himself In The Middle Of A Revolution

Khaled Fahmy shares his memories of Egypt's uprising, five years after Tahrir.

Yale professor redesigns syllabus after campus protests

African American Studies professor Matthew Jacobson says the chants of the students offered a perfect structure for his class on “Politics and Culture of the American ‘Color Line.’ "

The Washington Post flags a website that gives users a new way to think about the past

It involves taking a big “horizontal” slice to look at who was alive around the world in a certain year.

This Mormon pseudo-historian is why the Oregon militants are so confused about the Constitution

Constitutional scholars generally hold W. Cleon Skousen’s theories in churlish regard.

Prominent Medieval Scholar’s Blog on ‘Feminist Fog’ Sparks an Uproar

Allen Frantzen: "Anytime you challenge any aspect of feminism … you’re going to hear that you hate women."

NYT History Book Reviews: Who Got Noticed this Week?

by Erik Moshe

This week ... Lady Byron, a history of the horse, Lear, and the battle of Ardennes. 

Reagan Historian Craig Shirley Thinks Trump, or Cruz Could Beat Hillary

Shirley said that he thinks Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) could likely reassemble the old so-called Reagan coalition to beat Hillary, while adding that Trump’s “developing” conservatism, which he termed “Trumpism” could likely also beat her and perhaps even more handily.

University of Alabama history professor Forrest McDonald remembered as 'giant' in his field

McDonald, a distinguished university research professor emeritus of history, died Tuesday at Hospice of West Alabama. He was 89.

Davos: Historians dream of fourth industrial revolutions

They’re talking about AI, robotics, IoT, self driving cars, 3D printing, quantum computing and whether such things really will equate to a new industrial era.

Arizona State criticized for paying accused plagiarist Matthew Whitaker over $200 K

by Laurie Roberts

"If Whitaker was a serial plagiarizer, ASU should have just said so and fired him."

FBI investigates Kent State professor over possible ties to ISIS

An FBI spokeswoman confirmed that associate professor Julio “Assad” Pino is being investigated. Pino denied connections to the radical Muslim organization.

I still believe in Obama's America, says Ian Reifowitz

Eight years and two weeks ago, something happened that changed my life and, more importantly, the course of our country’s history.

Historians for Britain warn against pro-EU scare tactics

In a letter to the Telegraph, 14 academics and authors including Andrew Roberts say Nato, not the EU, has guaranteed peace in Europe.

Matthew Whitaker has left Arizona State following allegations of plagiarism

by Rick Shenkman

His departure brings to a close years of controversy.

Peter Eisenstadt notes that most of the people who voted against the AHA resolution critical of Israel were liberals

by Peter Eisenstadt

Even liberal Jews who oppose Netanyahu opposed the resolution.

Yet Again: The American Historical Association Rejects a Resolution Denouncing Israel

by Jeffrey Herf

Part of the reason for the defeat lay in the hubris of the backers fostered by decades of easy victories at the UN or in academic associations that had already been taken over by the radical left.