Historians in the News

Historian Corrects Nikki Haley's George Washington Tweet

Historian and Washington biographer Alexis Coe takes apart Nikki Haley's faulty references to George Washington's role in the founding. 

Russian Court Rejects Jailed Gulag Historian's Appeal Against Long Sentence

Yuri Dmitriev's appeal of a 13-year sentence was denied. He and his supporters contend that the charges were fabricated to punish him for writing about Stalinist atrocities in defiance of Russian nationalism. 

How White Liberals Destroyed the 1970s’ Soul City

by Brentin Mock

The new book "Soul City: Race, Equality, and the Lost Dream of an American Utopia," by Seton Hall Law School professor Thomas Healy, explores the history of how and why Floyd McKissick’s experiment came to be, and its unceremonious end. 

Why Fred Hampton Needs to Be on Your Kids’ American History Syllabus

Writer and poet Scott Woods developed a political consciousness watching a 1971 documentary on the assassination of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. He was prepared to be disappointed by the new "Judas and the Black Messiah" but argues the film tells a story that is more important than ever.

Harvard Law Prof Rejects Historical Consensus on ‘Comfort Women,' Historians Respond

"There has been so much scholarship produced in the 30 years since the first survivor came forward and it’s almost as if Professor Ramseyer's decision is to just ignore all of the debate -- as if he’s the first person to come into this," said Alexis Dudden, an expert on modern Japanese and Korean history.

John C. Calhoun: Protector of Minorities?

by Andrew Delbanco

Robert Elder's biography of Calhoun examines the racist and pro-slavery thought of the legislator and his political afterlife. 

Jewish Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges

The work of European Jewish academics at Historically Black Colleges in the United States is an underrecognized part of both Black and Jewish American history; many prominent African Americans were students of refugee professors. 

Biden and the Fed Leave 1970s Inflation Fears Behind

Biden's economic advisors appear to be treating unemployment, eviction and poverty wages as more serious problems than modest inflation, reversing decades of austerity-driven guidance. 

'Trying To Reckon Honestly': Dartmouth Prof. On The Evolution Of Black History Month

Dartmouth professor Matthew Delmont discusses the growth and development of Black History Month and the need to understand Black history as integral to the whole of American history. 

Red Dead Redemption 2 is Being Used to Teach a University History Course

The popular Red Dead Redemption series of Western-themed video games are the jumping-off point for University of Tennessee historian Tore Olsson's course on the opening years of the 20th century. 

‘George Washington’ Review: Our Founding Politician

David Stewart's new book on George Washington highlights his political skills and careful work at cultivating allies. Far from being an apolitical leader, Washington was a skilled operator whose greatest achievement was avoiding the stigma of politics. 

Backlash Forever (Review Essay)

by Gabriel Winant

Historian Gabriel Winant reviews two recent books about the past and present of reactionary white working class politics and considers whether this tendency can be overcome. 

‘This Acquittal Sends Three Dangerous Messages to Future Presidents’

Politico's roundup of expert opinion on the failure of the Senate to get the supermajority needed to convict Trump includes thoughts from historians Mary Frances Berry, Geoffrey Kabaservice, Keisha N. Blain and Allan J. Lichtman. 

Was Stonehenge a ‘Secondhand’ Monument?

An archaeology paper recently published points to an excavated circle of stones in Wales as the possible original site of Stonehenge. 

As Many Voices as Possible

Laura Ansley reviews Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain's "400 Souls" and reflects on the idea of a community history both in terms of its subjects and its authors. 

Biographies of Women and Emancipation in the Americas

by Vanessa M. Holden

Historian Vanessa Holden reviews a new book edited by Erica L. Ball, Tatiana Seijas and Terri L. Snyder which draws on the stories of women of African descent in the Americas to argue that such women helped bring freedom into being and defined what freedom in the world actually means. 

Politicians Quote Abraham Lincoln a Lot. Historians Say They Don't Always Do His Words Justice

by Olivia B. Waxman

Kate Masur, Eric Foner, Manisha Sinha, Nina Silber and Thavolia Glymph describe the selective and deceptive quotings of Lincoln that have sprung up in this political climate and suggest some futher reading. 

American Democracy Is Only 55 Years Old—And Hanging by a Thread

Atlantic Editor Vann Newkirk examines the recent and imperiled history of American democracy since the Voting Rights Act, including by interviewing Charles Hamilton, co-author of the keystone book "Black Power." 

The Landmark Klan Free-Speech Case Behind Trump’s Impeachment Defense

Though Trump’s impeachment is not a criminal trial, his lawyers in their legal briefs referenced Brandenburg v. Ohio, arguing that Trump didn’t direct his supporters to attack the Capitol.

Collars, Cuffs, and History Collaborations

Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young are the producers of the "Past/Present" podcast. Their new project "Welcome to Your Fantasy" looks at feminism and the sexual revolution through the cultural phenomenon of the Chippendales Dancers. Claire Potter interviews the trio about it.