What We’re Reading: November 19, 2009 Edition - November 18, 2009
We start off this week with some news items: the Committee on Lesbian and Gay History has put out a press release for the 2010 AHA Annual Meeting and Georgetown University has a new masters in global history. Then, we look at the future of print: Syracuse University is keeping its “little used” books, Tom Peters at Library Journal weighs in, and some history students switch to the Kindle. We also link to a number of interviews this week. Hear from Richard Moe, individuals from the Depression and WWII, and editors Mark Philip Bradley and Marilyn Young. Three articles tackle a variety of topics: academic writing, the history of the internet, and the end of the ‘00s. And finally, take a look at Lincoln through dance, view lesser known photos from the JFK investigation, and see remembrances of Veteran’s Day around the world with the Boston Globe’s Big Picture blog.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Arnita Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: November 12, 2009 Edition - November 11, 2009
In the news this week, new restrictions and fees for researchers entering the U.S. raises concerns, Marilyn B. Young’s Decolonization lecture is now online, historian Robert N. Proctor continues to deal with Big Tobacco, ICHS gears up for Amsterdam 2010, and Newsweek takes a look at the last decade. On the topic of African American history we bring you two articles: one on Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center and the other on BlackPast.org. Then we turn to the archives, looking to forgotten treasures and a turn to the digital. And finally, we round this post of with some fun: performer Lin-Manuel Miranda raps about Alexander Hamilton, a “historic gastronomist” recreates meals from the past, and the University of Chicago lets visitors “make [their] own academic sentence.”
Article By: Miriam Hauss Cunningham, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Arnita Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: November 5, 2009 Edition - November 04, 2009
November is National Native American Heritage Month and in this What We’re Reading we bring you three sites with information on events, activities, lesson plans, and resources on various topics pertaining to Native Americans. From the National Coalition for History read up on all the budget updates, new commissions, and nomination progress happening in Washington. Two articles focus on assessments and suggestions: the first on PhD programs, and the second on natural-history museums. Finally, learn more about photographer Roy DeCarava, look back at Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation: A Personal View, consider hiking the Ridgeway National Trail.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: October 29, 2009 Edition - October 28, 2009
We start off this week with news and advocacy. Take a look at all the items in the National Humanities Alliance’s October Policy Digest as well as their push for NEH funding, review COSSA’s Washington Update, and in non-Washington related news, check out a map from 1675 up for auction in the UK. Today, October 29th, is the anniversary of the “Black Tuesday” stock market crash, and we bring you three articles from NPR remembering the event. Have an iPhone? Check out a few apps for historians. And finally, with Halloween taking place this weekend we couldn’t resist brining you a couple of Halloween-related links.
Article By: Miriam Hauss Cunningham, Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, and Jessica Pritchard
What We’re Reading: October 22, 2009 Edition - October 21, 2009
In the news this week, AHA President Laurel Thatcher Ulrich has won a prestigious award, the Gates Foundation has donated a significant amount to the African American History and Culture Museum, and a Russian historian has been detained for violating “privacy laws” in his research. We also link to two articles on the history of healthcare. One comes from the History Guys and another from James Mohr, history professor at the University of Oregon. Then, peruse images that have been faked, drawn, or added to Flickr. There are also a number of other articles on a variety of topics, including: Google Books, open access, the value of a college education, a new Lincoln exhibit, and the National Book Awards. Finally, we round this post out with a little fun: creepy songs from the Library of Congress archives.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: October 15, 2009 Edition - October 14, 2009
Three articles start off What We’re Reading this week. First, the Chronicle examines history of science professor Robert N. Proctor’s fight to keep his unpublished manuscript private. Then, Wired critiques Google’s Usenet Archive, and Google responds. And finally, the Wall Street Journal takes a look at Norman Rockwell’s paintings of the “four essential freedoms.” From the blogosphere, Laura Wimberley at ACRLog looks at budget cuts in higher ed while the GeneologyBlog worries about Indiana’s State Archives. Meanwhile, from the opinion columns, we bring you thoughts on Walmart and the Wilderness Battlefield, as well as one take on Tarentino’s Inglourious Basterds. Finally, this post rounds out with ten history podcasts you might want to check out.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: October 8, 2009 Edition - October 07, 2009
In the news this week, AHA member Douglas Greenberg receives a top honor from Phi Beta Kappa, David Ferriero is questioned at his confirmation hearing to become Archivist of the United States, and history professor Merrill D. Peterson passes away at age 88. We also link to a study of Google Scholar by Library Journal, and take a look at The Historical Society blog. Then read two articles on archiving papers (those of Supreme Court Justices and historians). Finally, watch videos and lectures on the new Anne Frank YouTube channel and the Forum Network.
Article By: Arnita A. Jones, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: October 1, 2009 Edition - September 30, 2009
New this week, some Iowa history classrooms are embracing primary resources over textbooks, a British man and his metal detector unearth seventh-century treasures, the Gilder Lehrman Institute releases an issue of History Now on the American Revolution, the National Security Archive joins Facebook, and Google Books features every issue of LIFE ever published. Then, we bring you two articles on NARA: one on NARA’s proposal (and request for public comments) to issue researcher ID cards, and the other on NARA documents on Footnote.com. Finally, for fun, check out a database of historic bridges, a “virtual postcard tour of Algiers,” and a look at some National Park posters.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: September 24, 2009 Edition - September 23, 2009
In this week’s What We’re Reading we bring you an assortment of news and reviews. In the news, Cologne is rebuilding its city archives after the devastating collapse earlier this year. Then, read about a new web site that allows users to “access information about projects funded by NEH since 1980,” the ATF transferring an Alexander Hamilton document to the National Archives, and readers being sought for the U.S. Department of Education’s International Programs. In reviews, James McPherson takes a look at a number of Abraham Lincoln biographies, Donald Worster critiques Ken Burns’ new documentary on the National Park Service, and the Humanities E-Book site receives some positive comments.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: September 17, 2009 Edition - September 16, 2009
We start off this week with news of a series of micro-webcasts on “The Future of Primary Sources” from the Center for Research Libraries. Then, in honor of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage this month, we link to two articles: “Why a Fourth Grader Knows More About Henry Hudson Than You Do” and “Titles Fit for a 400th Anniversary.” We also bring you a mini-roundup of September 11th related articles from last week. Check out the Make History site, a Washington Post article about a new generation’s look at 9/11, and the Boston Globe’s Big Picture site tribute. Finally, for fun, take a look at infographics from the 1930s, some letters of note, and Al Franken’s impressive map drawing skills.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant and Arnita A. Jones
What We’re Reading: September 10, 2009 Edition - September 09, 2009
In the news this week, Harvard University opened DASH, “a central, open access repository for the scholarly output of faculty and the broader research community at Harvard.”Meanwhile, the Library of Congress announced it will acquire the Jack F. Kemp collection. Those in the classroom may want to check out two links included this week: resources for Constitution Day and an archive of information on the American presidents. We also link to an article on the history of homeownership in the U.S., and why renting isn’t such a bad idea. And check out a section of Wired’s web site called “This Day in Tech.” Finally, we bring you two links to photography resources. First, NARA asks what they should post next to their Flickr account, and second, blogger Jason Kottke points to the Library of Congress’s online exhibit of Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii’s work.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: September 3, 2009 Edition - September 02, 2009
The Google Books discussion (the pros and cons, the settlement) rages on, and this week we bring you two new articles on the matter. Then, the recent death of Senator Ted Kennedy has brought a lot of media attention, and a renewed look at the history of the Kennedy family. And finally, we link to the relaunch of the BBC History Magazine, a new take on Martha Ballard’s diary, 20 interesting maps, an archives on the web contest, and finally a president tracker.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: August 27, 2009 Edition - August 26, 2009
In the news this week, Senator Ted Kennedy has lost his fight against cancer, local officials will allow Walmart to build next to the Wilderness Battlefield, and a new historic preservation program is available at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Then we link to articles on historians and online identity theft, and best practices dealing with “orphan works.” We’ve collected a variety of book-related links this week, including, a review of Noralee Frankel’s Stripping Gypsy, Humanities E-book celebrating its 10th anniversary, History Today seeking your book reviews, news of sales of books on military history remaining steady, and the Wells Fargo staff’s history book picks. And finally, for fun, check out the history behind the FBI flags, learn about presidential vacations, and take a peek at decades old back-to-school photos.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: August 20, 2009 Edition - August 19, 2009
We start off this week with the news that the National History Center is now accepting applications for the 2010 Decolonization seminar. Then, check out an article on Paul Jennings, a slave in James Madison’s White House who wrote a memoir on his experiences there. From the blogs, NARA has joined the blogosphere and is already generating discussions, while the Library of Congress recently used its blog to report on new discoveries in its archives. Finally, speaking of archives, check out Google’s newspaper archives, which recently quadrupled in size. And take a look at Kate T.’s Archives 2.0 wiki, a new source for lists of online archives and more.
Article By: David Darlington, Miriam Hauss Cunningham, Elisabeth Grant, and Vernon Horn
What We’re Reading: August 6, 2009 Edition - August 05, 2009
New this week, the National Humanities Alliance has sent out their “Monthly Policy Digest” with updates from Washington (legislation, nominations, and more). Also, the Public Interest Declassification Board takes another look at federal records policies. From the museums, learn about the National Archives’ 75th anniversary (and all the related events they have lined up), or check out the National Museum of American History’s post about preserving personal archives. The National History Education Clearinghouse has posted new videos on TAH grants, while Flickr continues to be a place of discovery. Finally, just for fun, hear about John Quincy Adams’ new twitter feed, read about shark attacks in 1916, and discover a forgotten chimney and learn why some historians want to protect it.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: July 30, 2009 Edition - July 29, 2009
This week we point to an article from the BBC on Russia and its “commission to counter the falsification of history.” The AHA wrote to President Dmitrii Medvedev recently to express concern about this development. Other articles we link to this week include: a look at some lesser known National Parks, biking the Iron Curtain Trail, and restoring historic murals. Then, just for fun, we take a musical jaunt into some “Horrible [British] Histories.”
Article By: Miriam Hauss Cunningham, Elisabeth Grant, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: July 23, 2009 Edition - July 22, 2009
In recent news, Obama picks Jon Jarvis for the National Park Service, $116 million goes toward improving the teaching of American history, Governor Tim Kaine supports the Wilderness Battlefield fight, and starting July 27 the public can review the Social Studies-History Standards. We also note two events: a constitutional history graduate course and the Thomas Paine exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery. Then, read about some new digital history projects: podcasts from the Gilder Lehrman Institute, digitized records from the Freedmen’s Bureau, and NARA on Flickr. And finally, a review by Peter Green, a report on Historical Thinking in Higher Education, first ladies’ homes, John Brown and Harper’s Ferry, and celebrating the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11.
Article By: David Darlington, Noralee L. Frankel, Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: July 16, 2009 Edition - July 15, 2009
This week’s What We’re Reading explores President Obama’s recent meetings with historians, conservation training on the road, a look at a 200 year old murder mystery, and lesson plans on EDSITEments calendar. Also, check out a collection of Soviet posters and cartoons and on demand classic movies.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: July 9, 2009 Edition - July 08, 2009
Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War, died this week at the age of 93. In this edition of What We’re Reading we link to an article from the Washington Post and to recordings of his exchanges with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Other news-worthy links this week include the release of FBI interviews with Saddam Hussein and the appointment of a military history position. We then point to two upcoming events: a conference on diplomacy in a world of Facebook and the annual National Book Festival. We list a series of interesting articles this week, covering topics of oral history and IRBs, scholarly publishing, and American history. Finally, two digitized finds: the Codex Sinaiticus and a postcard from 1905.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Arnita A. Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: July 2, 2009 Edition - July 01, 2009
We start off this week with links to two reviews. The first looks at the play “Arcadia,” while the second analyzes the book The Tragedy of American Diplomacy. Then, we point to a series of articles on FDR in a recent issue of TIME magazine. A number of links this week address history online: take a new look at e-mail lists, read an update on Zotero, learn about iTunes U, get advice on creating digital content, and see photos of Africa from 1860-1960. In recognition of the July 4th holiday this weekend, we bring you two related links. And finally, we wrap up with articles on a new era of historians, Monticello, and Michael Jackson.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Jessica Pritchard, Pillarisetti Sudhir, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: June 25, 2009 Edition - June 24, 2009
In the news this week, the AHA has sent a letter of concern to Russian Federation president Dmitrii Medvedev, historian Gerhard Weinberg wins an award from the Pritzker Military Library, and the Library of Congress adds its one-millionth page to its Chronicling American project. We also link to an article on the future of university presses, selling dollars to make dollars, and a new collection of four Frederick Douglass speeches. Finally, we link to two bits of fun: more photos in the “Looking Into the Past” series and wise recommendations from the Book Seer.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Arnita A. Jones, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: June 18, 2009 Edition - June 17, 2009
A recent article in the New York Times on “traditional history courses” has created a bit of a stir in the blogosphere. We start off this post by linking to the article and some responses. Then, check out Michele Lamont’s view of the field of history, read about a new college for history only, and listen to a layman’s approach to historic preservation. And finally, see historic newspapers on the Library of Congress Flickr page, read a critique of Google Books, learn seven lesser-known Civil War stories, revisit a two-century-old mystery, and learn about the life of Gypsy Rose Lee.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: June 11, 2009 Edition - June 10, 2009
After protest, investigation, and a report, the State Department’s Office of the Historian has a new chief. See a collection of articles on the current situation and how it all began. Then, read about the NHPRC recommending $5.9 million in grants for documentary editing and archives, the dismissal of the case against Zotero, the death of Ernest May, and the history of crayon packaging.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, and Vernon Horn
What We’re Reading: June 4, 2009 Edition - June 03, 2009
In the current economy there has been a lot of attention on the housing bubble bursting, and in the first article we link to this week two authors from the Chronicle ask, “Will Higher Education be the Next Bubble to Burst?” Also looking at the future and universities, Phil Pochoda considers what’s in store for university presses. We also link to two Civil War related pieces: thoughts on the centennial commemoration with an eye toward the Civil War sesquicentennial, and a look at women who fought in the Civil War. Then, read about visual gems in Google Books, the Google Books settlement, cycling the Underground Railroad, Donna Reed’s saved fan mail, space monkeys, the end of the Reading Archives blog, and a history of GM CEOs. Finally, just for fun, check out PhDComics.com, for series of comics where a humanities character faces budget cuts.
Article By: David Darlington, Debbie Ann Doyle, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: May 28, 2009 Edition - May 27, 2009
In case you missed it, we have an overview from the New York Times on the National Archives’ loss of Clinton administration data, along with a response from NARA. Then, read an article on the challenges of digital scholarship, hear a podcast on how the Civil War affected ideas of death and mourning, learn the origins of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and check out some WWI and WWII food-related posters. Finally, remember Memorial Day (which was observed earlier this week) through the Boston Globe’s Big Picture blog.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: May 21, 2009 Edition - May 20, 2009
In the news this week, Lincoln historian and lifetime member of the AHA David Herbert Donald passed away at the age of 88. In other news, the Second Latin American Economic History Congress will be held in 2010 in Mexico City. On the topic of education, we link to articles on a new book from the University of Chicago (Becoming Historians), a different take on how to rank colleges, and arguments for the importance of the humanities. Then, read about the digitization of historical treasures, historic vessels in San Francisco, mapping sounds, and fifty years of style. Then, just for fun, peruse antique typewriters, see a snapshot of 2009, and if you’ve been rejected recently, find out what good company you keep.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Miriam Hauss, Arnita A. Jones, and Jessica Pritchard
What We’re Reading: May 14, 2009 Edition - May 13, 2009
We’re not even halfway through 2009, but it’s already budget request time (FY 2010) for the Obama administration. See what the president has requested for NEH, then visit the National Coalition for History’s web site for complete coverage of which institutions may see budget increases. Speaking of funds, according to Inside Higher Ed, lack of them is causing some faculty to postpone retirement. In other news, Louisiana State University Press is in trouble, JSTOR has posted 5,900 new pamphlets, and the Monroe County Historical Museum seeks to highlight one of their resident’s participation in the Civil War. Finally, read a response to a NYT article on history and torture, check out an excerpt of a new book on Alger Hiss, and review the recent history of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Article By: Arnita A. Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: May 7, 2009 Edition - May 06, 2009
To start off this week, we revisit two topics we’ve previously addressed on the blog: Google Books and the Wilderness Battlefield’s fight with Wal-mart. Then, read the latest National Humanities Alliance newsletter, join a discussion at H-Disability, and hear a conversation between James McPherson and Craig Symonds. We bring you three posts focused on photos or video: a new site on Florence Kahn, a collection of dissection photographs, and images of from Japan in the 1860s to the 1930s. Finally, we conclude with some May-themed posts: “MayDay,” a garden-themed roundup, and a history of Mother’s Day.
By: Debbie Ann Doyle, Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: April 30, 2009 Edition - April 29, 2009
Can it really be the last day of April already? As this month rounds up, we round up too, with links to recent rankings and winners, current events, and articles on a variety of topics. Read the U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of history programs, hear how President Obama measures up in his first 100 days, and see who ArchivesNext is calling the Best Archives on the Web. Then, check out how the stimulus bill will help the National Park Service, learn of recently unearthed Ben Franklin letters, reflect back with the ACLS, and see NPR’s take on the history of the flu. Finally, sift through a hodge podge of links covering topics like oral history policies, wine, the Titanic, and more.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: April 23, 2009 Edition - April 22, 2009
In the news, the U.N. launched the World Digital Library, started four years ago by Librarian of Congress James Billington, online on Tuesday. Speaking of the Library of Congress, it’s extending the hours and dates of its Lincoln exhibit, due to popular demand. In other news, William and Mary students discover forgotten, and educationally valuable, documents in Richmond. We also link to a recap of Sam Wineburg’s controversial OAH speech, the making of a film series on WWII, New Deal classroom resources, and a fight for a Revolutionary War site. Finally we wrap up with some Earth Day links (just a day late).
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Pillarisetti Sudhir
What We’re Reading: April 16, 2009 Edition - April 15, 2009
To start off this week’s What We’re Reading we note the historians that have won 2009 Guggenheim Fellowships. Then, we point to a video of Supreme Court Justice David Souter speaking on “The Humanities in a Civil Society” and news of the architectural team chosen to design the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Read articles on the past and future of the economy, how to use Wikipedia as a teaching tool, and ways to “establish learning outcomes for undergraduate majors in history.” Finally, check out museum channels on YouTube, book binding digitization, and, just for fun, the history of White House pets.
Contributors: Noralee Frankel, Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, and Pillarisetti Sudhir
What We’re Reading: April 9, 2009 Edition - April 08, 2009
On AHA Today we’re always looking for to bring you more digital resources. We start off this a video of a lecture given by David Levering Lewis, news of the Library of Congress’s new YouTube channel, an article on the possibility of future presidential libraries being digital, and a link to a new collection of digitized Food and Drug Administration documents. Then, see our selection of image related links, including LIFE magazine photos from the day Martin Luther King Jr. died, a four part series on a Civil War photograph mystery, and a look at the work of photographer Eddie Adams. Finally, read a Washington update from COSSA, learn about renovating a house to reflect its historic roots, explore the evolution of a skyscraper, and learn of the death of historian Sidney Fine.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, and Jessica Pritchard
What We’re Reading: April 2, 2009 Edition - April 01, 2009
What We’re Reading this week is organized into three categories. First up is digitization, with articles on the digitization of scholarly journals, public domain books, and Spanish-language songs, as well as a list of digital archives online. This is followed by a small collection of online video resources. In the news category learn about recently presented grants and awards, a newly released newsletter, discoveries from the 1800s, and just for fun a roundup of some April Fools’ Day shenanigans. Finally, we wrap up with a couple of links to more remembrances of John Hope Franklin.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: March 26, 2009 Edition - March 25, 2009
In case you missed it, learn of AHA members who were recently awarded fellowships from the Gilder Lehrman Institute. Then, check out the 2009 list of most endangered battlefields, learn of another press abandoning print, hear Eric Foner’s talk on “Who Owns History?”, and ask yourself, “are you a luddite?” We also link to Internet Archive news, videos for the study of American history, and a discussion from the Journal of American History. Finally, read about two mysteries (Lincoln’s watch and Geronimo’s skull), and more.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend.
What We’re Reading: March 19, 2009 Edition - March 18, 2009
In the news this week, National History Center Founding Director Wm. Roger Louis has won a distinguished teaching award. Then, two articles explore how internships and other experiences outside the academe can supplement one’s graduate education. Explore some interesting online resources through the Digital Archives of the National Library of Scotland, at The Memory Palace podcast blog, and at an upcoming exhibit on FDR. Finally, we continue our look at “History in Hard Times” with concerns about the Iraq National Library and Archive and an update on the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Article By: David Darlington, Debbie Ann Doyle, Elisabeth Grant, Arnita A. Jones, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: March 12, 2009 Edition - March 11, 2009
We start off this week’s post with some recent news: the collapse of the Cologne archives, Drew Gilpin Faust’s recent award, and museum events in D.C. Then, learn what it takes to be a part of the Flickr Commons, view an interactive map of Brooklyn, find out about history’s youth, or take an online tutorial. For fun, visit an illustrated look at Lincoln’s life, celebrate Barbie’s 50th birthday, and check out a unique photography experiment. Finally, we continue our look at “History in Hard Times,” with a number of articles on the job market. Read all this and more in this week’s What We’re Reading.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Arnita Jones, Jessica Pritchard, Pillarisetti Sudhir, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: March 5, 2009 Edition - March 04, 2009
This week we start off with the revelation that the CIA has destroyed 92 interrogation tapes, verifying a fear the AHA expressed in 2008. Then, Tony Grafton takes a look at graduate school past and future, a history professor is interviewed in the Freakonomics blog, the LOC unravels the origins of the automobile, and a new audio tour explores historic D.C. Finally, we link to a number of articles for a section we’ve titled “History in Hard Times.”
Article by: Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: February 26, 2009 Edition - February 25, 2009
Continuing the New York Times/Nixon tapes/AHR saga (mentioned here and here in past What We’re Readings) Clark Hoyt, “the reader’s representative” at the New York Times, weighs in. Then, the National Coalition for History reports on 2009 funding for a number of government agencies, programs, and institutions of interest to the history community. Read also about green ideas from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, links for use in the classroom, Lincoln articles in an online journal, advice for potential graduate students, and the history of the smiley face.
What We’re Reading: February 19, 2009 Edition - February 18, 2009
We start off this week’s What We’re Reading by playing a little catch up and linking to articles on President’s Day, the Lincoln Bicentennial, and Darwin’s birthday. Then, the New York Times takes a look at an “emerging job trend”—being a digital archivist. Need a little inspiration? Check out the Humanity Initiative’s collection of commencement speeches dating back to 1936. And finally, we finish up with education (99 free online books humanities students should read) and edu-tainment (Oregon Trail for the iPhone).
What We’re Reading: February 12, 2009 Edition - February 11, 2009
In last week’s What We’re Reading, we linked to a New York Times story about an article under consideration for publication in the American Historical Review. This week we link to a follow-up in the NYT about how the article was rejected, and to AHR editor Robert Schneider’s response to the whole leaked article situation. Then, read about two policy statements that deal with oral history and Institutional Review Boards (IRB). Lincoln gets two mentions in this week’s post when we link to an interview with James McPherson and to new photos on the Library of Congress Flickr page. In the theme of digital history we have three links: a new archive of medieval manuscripts, Lisa Spiro’s take on the digital humanities in 2008, and an online museum scavenger hunt. Finally, you may scream for it, but what do you really know about the history of ice cream?
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: February 5, 2009 Edition - February 04, 2009
We’ve collected links on a variety of topics for this week’s What We’re Reading, and begin with one historian’s suggestion for President Obama: a new Federal Writer’s Project. Then, an article being considered for the American Historical Review shows up in the New York Times? We also note the progress being made in the creation of the National Museum of African American History, a report on the preservation crisis at Auschwitz, and the fear of losing our online memories. Finally, read about one professor’s words of caution for potential PhDs, historians’ picks for the best presidential biographies, and new video on the Poplar Grove project.
Article By: David Darlington, Debbie Ann Doyle, Elisabeth Grant, Miriam Hauss, Vernon Horn, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: January 29, 2009 Edition - January 28, 2009
Last week’s “What We’re Reading” compiled an number of articles and posts on the inauguration of President Barack Obama, and he’s wasted no time since taking the oath of office (twice). Read about his revoking of Executive Order 13233, new transparency policies, and take another look at his inauguration address. Then, we link to quite a range of digital history related items, including a recent conference at the Smithsonian, more on Google Books, engaging students in new ways, and web sites covering a number of historical topics. Finally, catch up with some past AHA staff and contributors.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: January 22, 2009 Edition - January 21, 2009
Tuesday marked the inauguration of our 44th President, and in this What We’re Reading we’ve rounded up quite a selection of inauguration-related links. Check out the Lincoln inaugural bible, a number of interactive features, newspaper front pages from around the world, and much more. Or, if you’ve read enough inauguration coverage, scroll down to the other articles we note, including 12 historic preservation destinations, some thoughts on cyber infrastructure, new additions to the Flickr Commons, a new online radio show, and upcoming Lincoln bicentennial events.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Arnita A. Jones, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: December 25, 2008 Edition - December 24, 2008
Are you warm and toasty on this December 25th? George Washington sure wasn’t when crossing a half-frozen Delaware River today over 200 years ago. What else happened on this day in history? We link to the Library of Congress’ American Memory site for more. Then, in the news, archiving Bush administration e-mails may be delayed, due to technical and legal issues. We’re also reading about using Lincoln-Obama comparisons, Google Books for research, two Boston Tea Party tea chests on display, what writer-historians should check out at the annual meeting, a recent history hoax in the name of education, and finally, a report on maintaining digital resources.
Article By: Kelly Elmore, David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: December 18, 2008 Edition - December 17, 2008
As the holidays draw ever nearer we link to two festive posts: holiday events at National Trust Historic Sites and a look back to an eventful Christmas Eve at the White House in 1929. Then we move on to a number of digital history related items: The Journal of American History has a new podcast, the Library of Congress has released a report on their Flickr Pilot, Google is now digitizing magazines, Walt Whitman has his own digital archive, and HNN is looking for interns. In other news, the Justice Department has donated documents to the United States Holocaust Museum, the Washington Post names the top ten history books for the past year, and West Point starts a new Center for Oral History. Finally, we link to Life photographs from 1958, a new Economist report, the top newspapers for reporting on higher education, and some thoughts on doing transnational/global history.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Pillarisetti Sudhir, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: December 11, 2008 Edition - December 10, 2008
The big news this week is the resignation of Allen Weinstein from his position as Archivist of the United States. The deputy archivist will step up until President-elect Obama nominates a replacement in January. Speaking of the president-elect, we point to an MSNBC article featuring historians discussing the historic nature of the recent election. Then read articles on ranking journals, the fight against plagiarism, conference advice, and a fun look at “original meanings of the world’s place names.”
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: December 4, 2008 Edition - December 03, 2008
In this edition of What We’re Reading, two historians have been named recipients of the 2008 Kluge Prize, and will split the $1 million award. In other news, JSTOR announces that new content has been added to Aluka collections. From the blogosphere, read about how not to apply to grad school, and take a peek into some “delightful ephemera” from the Washington State Library. Finally, we point to two articles from the New York Times, covering the varied topics of the housing bubble and the American Revolution, and World War I deserters.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Robert B. Townsend, and Lee White
What We’re Reading: November 27, 2008 Edition - November 26, 2008
This Thanksgiving edition of What We’re Reading starts off with a number of useful links to Turkey Day related pages and posts. Take a look back to Thanksgiving in the 1700s with the Library of Congress, find out what was served at the first Thanksgiving with the help of a historian at the National History Education Clearinghouse site, and see all of the features the History Channel has to offer for this holiday. Then, in non-Thanksgiving news, read about the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, learn the background of President-elect Obama’s economic adviser choice Christian Romer, find out “What’s So Special About a Team of Rivals?”, and finally, hear about a forum set up to examine misunderstandings in history.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, and Lee White
What We’re Reading: November 20, 2008 - November 19, 2008
In the news this week, Bruce Cole departs the NEH for his new role at the American Revolution Center, and Louis Hyman, Harvard alum and AHA member, receives a fellowship through the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Then, read an article on the affect of blogs on public intellectuals. We’ve also linked to a number of digital and non-digital projects: the Rehnquist papers at the Hoover Institution, LIFE photos through Google, five centuries of board games, a range of resources on the Hammer Museum web site, Virginia Tech’s new digital archive, an interactive map of historic D.C. tours, and Google’s Rome site. Finally, read about a historian’s answer to Lincoln’s premonition of his death, Studs Terkel’s impact on the history field, and an opportunity to impact Social Studies-History standards.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Noralee Frankel, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: November 13, 2008 Edition - November 12, 2008
This past week we’ve taken a look at articles and resources related to Barack Obama’s historic presidential win; see the Newseum’s newspaper archive, a collection of election maps, and a look back at religion and campaigning. Then, read about librarians’ efforts to build a better search engine, PhDinHistory’s take on a number of recent professional issues, a summer institute from the NHC, lost photos from Hiroshima, financial teaching materials, and the latest Omeka release.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, and Robert Townsend
What We’re Reading: November 6, 2008 Edition - November 05, 2008
While the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth isn’t until next year, we link to the Library of Congress and Smithsonian, which are already talking about related exhibits and events. Also, we point to the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission’s web site and the wealth of Lincoln information available there. Then, submit your nominations for the 2008 Cliopatria Awards, check out two election related articles, read up on the Zotero lawsuit, find out why “John Smith” is leaving academia, and hear about incorporating rare books into undergraduate classes. Finally, see three articles on history on the internet.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: October 30, 2008 Edition - October 29, 2008
A number of news items start us off in this edition of What We’re Reading. First up, the National History Center and the Teagle Foundation have released a new report on “The Role of the History Major in Liberal Education.” Then the Office for Human Research Protections appoints a new head, the Park services opens the Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site, and OHA launches a new web site. We also link to articles on “How Muslims Made Europe,” a profile of an assistant professor, wikipedia and “truth,” and a new mapping project. Rounding out this post we note articles related to two (unrelated) themes: presidential campaigns and Halloween.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Jessica Pritchard, Pillarisetti Sudhir, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: October 23, 2008 Edition - October 22, 2008
This week we’ve been drawn yet again to a number of articles related to digital history. See two articles on how digital libraries challenge physical libraries, check out jobs in the digital humanities, browse over 250 “killer digital libraries,” and learn about a new project to create virtual Colonial Williamsburg sites. Then, peek into the writing process of Ian Kershaw, read Mary Dudziak’s take on W., and check out the newest addition to The Commons (a project of the flickr photo sharing site).
Article By: Elisabeth Grant and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: October 16, 2008 Edition - October 15, 2008
The ups and downs of the current economy are all over the news these days, so we start off this What We’re Reading by looking back at financial times of yesteryear. Then, check out an impressive personal library, learn what the Britannica blog says Americans look for in a president, and find out where historians fit in the climate crisis. Finally, we point to a recently discovered “Stonewall” Jackson memoir, a project on the future of scholarly journals, a debate on British history, and an article on the cheapest eats possible in New York City.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, Jessica Pritchard, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: October 9, 2008 Edition - October 08, 2008
We start off this week’s post with news from Washington that isn’t economy or campaign related. Read up on a number of news items from the National Coalition for History (including NARA news, the donation of FDR papers, and more), and learn the best way to keep up-to-date on the Vice President Cheney records case. Then, take a look at Tom Scheinfeldt’s stance on digital history and employment in academia, learn what happened this week in history from the Britannica blog, mourn the lack of a digitized version of the Intellectual History Newsletter, and compare past presidential candidates (by unconventional comparison measures).
Article By: Elisabeth Grant and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: October 2, 2008 Edition - October 01, 2008
In honor of the annual meeting, still a few months away, we start this What We’re Reading off with a look at Google’s new transit map project and an article from the New York Times on how New Yorkers can still help tourists find their way. Then, learn what it takes to start a museum, check out the history of African Americans in Congress, discover how the Internet turns historical errors into facts, read about conservatives funding history programs, plan a trip to Union Station to celebrate its centennial, and hear about a new lawsuit against Zotero. Finally, see two WWII related articles: a new exhibition of postal memorabilia that document the Holocaust and a look into the deterioration of Hitler’s health.
Article By: Debbie Ann Doyle, Elisabeth Grant, Jessica Pritchard, Robert B. Townsend, and Sharon K. Tune
What We’re Reading: September 25, 2008 Edition - September 24, 2008
So much to read online, so little time. We’ve organized this week’s abundance of articles and Internet finds by breaking them up into three categories: Images, Digital History and Online Tools, and More. See images from the National Maritime Museum and from areas torn apart by Hurricane Ike. Learn about the plan to put Holocaust video testimonies online, the Smithsonian’s efforts to digitize its collection, visualization engines, a new German historical encyclopedia wiki, and a tool to find bookstores wherever you go. And finally, read about this weekend’s Museum Day, the restoration of Montpelier, a “cultural initiative” from the UAE, a look at networked history, and newly discovered Winston Churchill transcripts.
Article By: David Darlington, Elisabeth Grant, Vernon Horn, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: September 18, 2008 Edition - September 17, 2008
This week we start off with a number of alerts by the National Coalition for History. First, the NCH examines the recent release of the Rosenberg grand jury transcripts, and next points to two opportunities to nominate (for a preservation award and for the most endangered Civil War battlefield list). Then, read Inside Higher Ed’s report on a new form of adjunct abuse, Siva Vaidhyanathan’s critique of the so-called “digital generation,” information on a forum on preserving the news, Constitution Day resources, and finally humor in the rejection letter.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant, Arnita Jones, and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: September 11, 2008 Edition - September 10, 2008
Today marks seven years since the September 11th terrorist attacks. So in this edition of “What We’re Reading” we link to an article on the new memorial for 9/11 victims at the Pentagon, which is opening to the public today. We also point to the National Historic Trust for Historic Preservation’s review of the PBS film on the aftermath of 9/11, “Objects and Memory.” In other topics, we include an article about the lawsuit (of which the AHA is a part of) to preserve vice president Cheney’s papers, a look at the Mississippi Freedom Riders then and now, and a “fledgling historian’s” use of Google Maps to track Marco Polo.
Article by: Elisabeth Grant and Robert B. Townsend
What We’re Reading: September 4, 2008 - September 03, 2008
This week’s post contains links to articles, interactive web features, and news from a museum and a historic home. Read about political scientists’ claims that those in the social sciences get more grants, and consider Lisa Spiro’s question of Wikipedia’s academic merits. On the digital history front, “Making the History of 1989” has officially launched; an interactive map shows Washington, D.C. in 1791; and a podcast chronicles the history of baseball. Finally, the Library of Congress embraces the Book of Secrets and James Madison’s home improvement is complete.
What We’re Reading: August 28, 2008 Edition - August 27, 2008
As the next presidential election draws ever nearer, we turn to the history of politics in America. Visit an exhibit on Democrats in Denver in 1908, read summaries of past Democratic and Republican conventions, and check out a map on voting and population data over time. Then we switch to National Parks and preservation. Hear about a battlefield threatened by Wal-Mart, learn about National Parks in the classroom, and read up on repair plans for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Finally we link to the National Archives’ special document displays, the future digitization of the Dead Sea scrolls, and an upcoming conference in memory of Charles Tilly.
What We’re Reading: August 21, 2008 Edition - August 20, 2008
This edition of What We’re Reading should have a code name and secret password. We start off with news of the recent release of Office of Strategic Services files and the revelation of identities of some agents. Then, we turn to NPR, with a story on Fort Hunt Park in Virginia’s secret role in WWII. We turn next to history blogs to hear about bad experiences with the Academic Job Wiki and good experiences with bad history films. Want to partner with the Government Printing Office? They’re looking to digitize a number of historical materials. Finally, read about a $3 million boxing archive, an extensive online photo collection, the Women’s History Museum’s search for a home, NASA’s chief historian, and the five secrets to publishing success.
What We’re Reading: August 14, 2008 Edition - August 13, 2008
This week’s What We’re Reading includes links from one end of the graduate school spectrum to the other. Read the latest installment in Claire Potter’s series on the hiring process, or start from the beginning with Student Hacks’ timetable for entering graduate school. Then, the ACRLog asks, “Where do you draw the line on plagiarism?” And we round this post off with a report from the Library of Congress on recently discovered treasures, and a number of Hillary Clinton’s campaign memos from The Atlantic.
What We’re Reading: August 7, 2008 - August 06, 2008
In the news this week, the Higher Education Act reauthorization bill (H.R. 4137) made it through Congress with contributions from both sides of the political spectrum. Also, the death of Nobel Prize winning author and historian Alexander Solzhenitsyn has sparked many remembrances, we point to a few. The Library of Congress has posted a webcast of Dane Kennedy’s lecture at the recent Decolonization seminar put on by the National History Center. The LOC also grabbed our attention with a webcast on “How the States Got Their Shapes” and National Book Festival podcasts available through iTunes. Also, follow links to Brett Bobley’s look at the digital humanities, news of the reopening of the National Museum of American History, the Britannica Blog’s week in preview, a collection of satirical WWI maps, and a showcase of Olympic torches over time.
What We’re Reading: July 31, 2008 Edition - July 30, 2008
It’s only July, but the blogosphere’s already buzzing about job hunting. Sterling Fluharty talks about pushed up interview dates while Claire Potter has started a series of posts aimed at search committee chairs. We then link to a number of articles for after you’ve got the job, covering advice for teaching nonmajors, looking at how the internet affects how students learn history, and considering the re-occurring debate on for whom historians should write books. Then, hear about the challenges libraries face in preserving digital content, learn about the digitization of the Codex Sinaiticus, and find out why it’s so hard to get info about the National Archives from the National Archives. Finally, we link to 100 facts about Lincoln’s cottage, digital postcards and pamphlets from Emory University, and political conventions that changed history.
What We’re Reading: July 24, 2008 Edition - July 23, 2008
What exactly is “digital history”? We start off this post with a link to a vocabulary lesson at the Digital History Hacks blog. Then following this theme, the ACRLog looks at helping students with the “digital abundance” online, Nicholas Carr questions how the internet is changing the way we think, and The Economist notes a report that looks at the effects of more journals online. Also see the ALA’s “copyright slide-rule,” visit a heated discussion on retiring from academia, get up to date on a new bill aimed at the Smithsonian, take a look at integration in the military, and finally, discover the histories of ten ghost towns.
What We’re Reading: July 17, 2008 Edition - July 16, 2008
This week we’ve read about interactive digital history, looked at the job market from the public historian’s point of view, and learned how to get a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In this post we also link to news of the first steps in the creation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, to two recent reports (one on copyright, the other on preserving battlefields), and the problem with New York’s “birthdate.” We’d also like to thank Ralph Luker at Cliopatria for including AHA Today in his list of 80 history blogs to note.
What We’re Reading: July 10, 2008 Edition - July 09, 2008
We start off this week’s “What We’re Reading” with a couple of articles discussing Anthony Grafton and Robert B. Townsend’s “Historians’ Rocky Job Market” article, recently published in the Chronicle. Then peruse vacation destinations from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, learn about a request for proposals from the National Assessment Governing Board, and discover George Washington’s childhood home for yourself in an article from the Washington Post. Also included this week is news of renovations at the Gettysburg Cyclorama, the history of campaigning for president, a blog on strange maps, and evaluations of the AHA.
What We’re Reading: July 3, 2008 Edition - July 02, 2008
One hundred years ago yesterday Thurgood Marshall was born, so we start off this week’s “What We’re Reading,” with a post about this centennial from the Legal History Blog. Then, don’t forget that nominations for the John W. Kluge Prize will be accepted until July 15. We also link to a recently discovered speech by Gandhi, the latest History Carnival at Progressive Historians, a debate on Iraqi Baath Party documents, and the blog China Beat, which has recently produced a number of posts on Jonathan Spence. Three links are particularly newsworthy (a decolonization lecture, the release of Rosenberg trial records, and the recently appointed PIASA president), while we also point to number of excellent resources (copyright renewal records, Second Amendment Research Center, and a list of past female presidential candidates).
What We’re Reading: June 26, 2008 Edition - June 25, 2008
Perhaps June should be “Digital History Awareness Month.” Last week’s “What We’re Reading” was heavy on digital history articles, and this week is no different. We start off with Cathy Davidson responding to Mills Kelly’s discussion of digital scholarship and tenure, followed by Jeremy Young’s troubling question about Web 2.0, and end up with a look at digitization efforts at the Boston Public Library. This post also includes news of new special collections acquisitions, a survey of women’s history, struggles with the Freedom of Information Act, treasures in the attic, a new Gutenberg-e title, and this year’s winner of the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award.
What We’re Reading: June 19, 2008 Edition - June 18, 2008
Digital history is a hot topic in the profession right now, and a reoccurring character on AHA Today, so we start off this week’s “What We’re Reading” with two posts by Mills Kelly on “Making Digital Scholarship Count.” Keeping with the digital theme, we link to a post about the “unofficial wiki” for the Society of American Archivists’ 2008 annual meeting. Then, learn about the NCH’s support of the “Electronic Message Preservation Act,” hear advice on attending international conferences, look back at presidential campaign commercials, and read about a professor’s preservation award.
What We’re Reading: June 5, 2008 Edition - June 04, 2008
With the Democratic presidential nomination finally settled (sort of), it seems especially timely to start off this week’s “What We’re Reading” with a link to the most recent History Carnival, written in the format of a presidential debate. Next, two news items from George Mason’s Center for History and New Media: the launch of a new site and the completion of a weekend multimedia conference. On the topic of libraries and the digitization of books we link to two articles, the first from Dan Cohen and the second from Robert Darnton. Other topics covered this week include popular history, style in Wikipedia, the history of photo tampering, and new projects and awards.
What We’re Reading: May 29, 2008 Edition - May 28, 2008
This week’s “What We’re Reading” starts off with the news that Microsoft is shutting down its Live Search Books and Live Search Academic projects, after digitizing over 750,000 books. And speaking of the digital age, David Pogue writes about copyright issues and e-Publishing in an article for the New York Times. On the online resources front we link to EDSITEment’s new feature on “The Presidents,” where they pair up with PBS to examine recent presidencies. Then, read about the new DiRT wiki, get advice for your job interview at the AHA annual meeting, learn about the “crowdsourcing” of history, and read a summary of the recent Jefferson Lecture featuring John Updike.
What We’re Reading: May 22, 2008 Edition - May 21, 2008
As we round out the last weeks in May we note that this month many celebrated Asian Pacific Heritage, and we link to a Library of Congress page of resources for that. Speaking of commemoration, sometimes it comes with challenges. For instance, we’ve been reading articles about the ongoing design debate over the Martin Luther King memorial.. From the National Coalition for History we’ve learned about recent grants and awards, while we look to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its most recent list of the Most Endangered Historic Places. Then read about obscure online databases, Western adventure, what a history major can do, digitization in Timbuktu, and a new D.C. museum. Or, just for fun, revisit political election logos from 1960 to the present.
What We’re Reading: May 15, 2008 Edition - May 14, 2008
We start off this week’s “What We’re Reading,” with three newsworthy items: NARA’s recent “Founders Online” report, the appointment of a new director at the Institute for the Study of Europe, and recent bills in Congress on “orphan works.” Next we link to two book reviews, one in which Robert McHenry examines the term “whig history,” and another where Anne Applebaum showcases how mighty (and scathing) the pen can be. Then, we turn to the digital realm, linking to a PowerPoint presentation on “Web 2.0 for Archivists,” and then to a survey on the quality of digital texts. Finally, watch an interview with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s president Richard Moe, and check out Australian historian Ian Tyrrell’s new blog.
What We’re Reading: May 8, 2008 Edition - May 07, 2008
This past week we’ve been reading a lot of news, and share it with you now in this week’s What We’re Reading. The news of historian Charles Tilly’s death last Monday has been reported around the blogosphere (and therefore you may have already heard), but we link to a remembrance by Claire B. Potter. Also find links to a joint statement on Iraqi records from two organizations, support for a Senate bill from the American Library Association (ALA), reports that the Smithsonian will maintain control of the Arts and Industries Building, and a symposium honoring Gerhard Weinberg by the German Historical Institute (GHI). Other less newsy topics in this post include a Q & A with David Kyvig, Lisa Spiro’s survey of digital materials, a look how academia views biographies, trial proceedings of Old Bailey, and books by and on Michel de Certeau. Finally, we turn once more to Jonathan Rees’s use of YouTube in class, and how he’s looking for your input on what you use.
What We’re Reading: May 1, 2008 Edition - April 30, 2008
On this May Day edition of “What We’re Reading,” we start off with a link to Zachary Schrag’s article on IRBs, which examines “how talking became human subjects research.” Then, we turn to kids these days: how they’re being taught history and how they’re affected by growing up in a digital world. Also included are articles about secret wartime refugees, content versus design in history web sites, an excellent work of nonfiction (that unfortunately turns out to be based on fiction), and a move to open Brazilian archives. Finally, we link to a review essay in the New Yorker on the Greek historian, Herodotus.
What We’re Reading: April 24, 2008 Edition - April 23, 2008
Whether it’s the recent report about the future of the AHA or reoccurring issues at the Job Register, you can be sure there will be reactions and opinions on the blogosphere about it. We start off this week’s “What We’re Reading,” by linking to Jeremy Young at Progressive Historians and Sterling Fluharty at PhdinHistory for their takes (and requests for opinions) on the AHA. Also in this post we cover this year’s college grads and their job prospects, professional histories and history by professionals, teaching with YouTube, and grants for improved student learning. We finish up with links to an interview with Daniel Walker Howe, images from Hitler’s private gallery, a look at social networking and scholarship, and a “pirate problem”.
What We’re Reading: April 17, 2008 Edition - April 16, 2008
The Guggenheim Fellowships for 2008 were announced earlier this month, and among the awardees were a number of AHA members. We begin this week’s “What We’re Reading” by recognizing them. Then, we look at the value of history for the public, another interpretation of Google Books, the NARA web capturing debate, and an interview with Thomas Bender on his new book. Finally, our last two selections examine blogging: at the conference and as a habit.
What We’re Reading: April 10, 2008 Edition - April 09, 2008
Among the recently announced 2008 Pulitzer Prize winners are two historians. We start off this post by recognizing them and linking to their award winning works. In other news, the Library of Congress posted a press release last week about the relocation of their European Reading Room, in response to a flurry of protests from academics. From the Chronicle’s Footnoted blog comes an article on the issue of anonymity in the academic blogosphere. And we round out this post with a number of web/tech features, including a Making History podcast, a look back on past technology with Manan Ahmed, a series on digital humanities projects at ClioWeb, Boston Library on Flickr, and new digitized newspapers at the LOC’s Chronicling America site.
What We’re Reading: April 3, 2008 Edition - April 02, 2008
As always, historians have covered a range of topics in the blogosphere in the past week. We link to historians discussing general education requirements, the OAH convention, and even April Fools Day. Also, many historians are up in arms over the possible closing or relocation of the Library of Congress’s European Reading Room. On the lighter side, have you been watching John Adams on HBO? Separate fact from fiction with an article from Jeremy Stern. Finally, read about the University of Florida’s digitization project, state education reform tables, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.’s personal library, and more.
What We’re Reading: March 27, 2008 Edition - March 26, 2008
“Stop fidgeting” is just one piece of advice in Linda Kerber’s recent Chronicle Careers article, our first link in this week’s edition of “What We’re Reading.” The article is about giving better conference presentations. We also link to Scott McLemee of Inside Higher Ed, who is perplexed by a recent Harvard University Press publication. And speaking of print, Eric Alterman of the New Yorker writes an obit for American newspapers. At the Association of College and Research Libraries blog, Brett Bonfield looks for histories of the library community’s past, and is disappointed by what he finds. Meanwhile, the Library of Congress looks to the future and its upcoming unveiling of the “Library of Congress Experience.” Other articles cover the release of Hillary Clinton’s First Lady schedules, student to professor e-mails, efforts of the Internet Archive, and the remembrance of Joseph M. Levine.
What We’re Reading: March 20, 2008 - March 19, 2008
To begin this week we point to a number of articles that feature historians talking about the history profession and historians themselves. Then, sit in on a class led by James Sheehan when you watch the podcast of “History of the International System.” This past weekend the Smithsonian announced their new secretary is Georgia Tech’s current president; we link to three sites’ coverage on the news. Also, hear from Stan Katz on liberal education and the history major, read a critique of the new John Adams series on HBO, and check out a webcast of oral histories. And finally, checkout what we’re reading offline, with History News from the AASLH.
What We’re Reading: March 13, 2008 Edition - March 12, 2008
It’s been a busy week of reading on the web, and we’ve gathered quite a range of articles and blog entries. We start off with Stan Katz at the Brainstorm blog looking at why the public should care about history, and how the National History Center and AHA play a part. Then, read a number of perspectives, in the First Monday online journal, about Web 2.0. For fun, we’ve linked to news of a new movie about a college professor, appropriately titled “Tenure.” Other topics include possible state park closings, intellectual history in grad school, a survey from the Getty Institute, birthday wishes for H-Net, large-scale digitization projects, and (believe it or not) more.
What We’re Reading: March 6, 2008 Edition - March 05, 2008
Last week’s “What We’re Reading” included numerous articles on the Gutenberg-e project going open access. This week, we begin with one more perspective on the issue, from Jim Jordan at Columbia University Press. Next, we include articles on two persistent topics covered by AHA Today: Google Books and Wikipedia. Then read about a new newsletter from the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP), an article on historians and the public, an interesting George W. Bush Library design project, and finally, reports of a new collection at the National Gallery of Art.
What We’re Reading: February 28, 2008 Edition - February 27, 2008
The news that the Gutenberg-e project has gone open-access has created quite a buzz, and we start off this week’s post with a Chronicle article on the evolution of the project. Then, the results are in! ArchivesNext has selected the “Best Archives on the Web.” For those interested in copyright issues we offer two articles that examine the challenges of copyright law. And even though the Annual Meeting is over a month behind us, hear about a new professor who takes a look at both sides of the interview table. Also included in this post: the Defense Department reopens a digital library, a new site wants to be the “YouTube” for documents, share info on technology-related museum projects at MuseTech Central, and hear just what American teenagers know about history.
What We’re Reading: February 21, 2008 Edition - February 20, 2008
We start off this week’s post with three articles related to online digitization: a report from the Council on Library and Information Resources, a response to scanning errors from Google Books, and another look at the open-source program Omeka. Also, read about NARA’s extended research room hours, the University of Maryland’s links to slavery, George Washington as a lame duck president, and finally a 1908 campus protest.
What We’re Reading: February 14, 2008 Edition - February 13, 2008
It’s been all about the Archives Wiki this week, with a post on Tuesday and an announcement in the February issue of Perspectives on History, recently placed online. So it seems only fitting to start off this week’s “What We’re Reading” with reactions to the Archives Wiki from around the blogosphere. Following that we’re reading about challenging history, navigating the Library of Congress, catching up with Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, and finally taking a closer look at open access.
What We’re Reading: February 7, 2008 Edition - February 06, 2008
Stretching the “what we’re reading” idea a bit, this post begins by pointing to the Making History Podcast Blog, where AHA president-elect Laurel Thatcher Ulrich reads from her book Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History. Also noted this week are articles on the Holocaust Museum’s assistance with the International Tracing Service’s archive, a new book on the 9/11 Commission, British teenagers’ misconceptions of who is real and who is not, and a look at text-mining with the Center for History and New Media (CHNM). Finally, find out just why humanists, in Cathy Davidson’s opinion, insist on reading their papers at conferences.
What We’re Reading: January 31, 2008 Edition - January 30, 2008
Last week’s “What We’re Reading” noted the presence of the Library of Congress’s holdings on Flickr. This week, the ArchivesNext blog shows what else can be found at the photo sharing site, and in another post announces their first annual “Archives on the Web awards.” Read on to find articles on plagiarism, overproducing PhDs, and professional issues (including travel woes and peer review). Finally, read one historian’s cautionary tale of Google search results.
What We’re Reading: January 24, 2008 Edition - January 23, 2008
A new project between the Library of Congress and the photo-sharing site Flickr has created quite a buzz online, and therefore begins this week’s “What We’re Reading.” Also noted are two articles from the Washington Post, news from the Chronicle on disputed Iraqi archives, and an “unconference” announcement. And finally, just for fun, read about how Stephen Colbert has badgered the Smithsonian into displaying his portrait.
What We’re Reading: January 17, 2008 Edition - January 16, 2008
It’s a touchy subject and also the focus of the first half of this week’s “What We’re Reading” post: the history job market and the AHA’s role. We point to four articles, and the comments that go with them, to explore a range of views on the subject. Following that is a selection of announcements (including new projects, new award recipients, and new books), links to an excellent series of posts on the digital humanities, and details on how Lincoln’s cottage is going green.
What We’re Reading: December 27, 2007 Edition - December 26, 2007
This week’s “What We’re Reading” starts with a number of questions: Can Google’s new open encyclopedia best Wikipedia? You mean I can’t throw these out? How do I survive the Job Register? Read on for the articles that attempt to answer these questions. Then, peruse an overview of the articles available (from restaurants in D.C. to National Security) in the 2008 Annual Meeting Supplement.
What We’re Reading: December 20, 2007 Edition - December 19, 2007
Among the articles selected for this week’s “What We’re Reading” is an Inside Higher Ed piece on a new project between the Center for History and New Media at George Mason and the Internet Archive. Furthermore, we link to Dan Cohen’s blog where he explains the project in more detail. Also from Inside Higher Ed, comes a look at new efforts at Harvard to cut down the time it takes doctoral candidates to complete their degrees. And keep reading to find articles on publishing the Founding Fathers’ papers, questioning the role of the research assistant, the deaths of two historians, and good news for a former AHA staff member.
What We’re Reading: December 13, 2007 Edition - December 12, 2007
In this edition of “What We’re Reading,” we start off a look at two reports: the 2006 Survey of Earned Doctorates, and a study of social science PhDs five years later. You’ll also find an article on a recent copyright symposium, a legal fight over a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and a new blogger joining the Brainstorm.
What We’re Reading: December 6, 2007 Edition - December 05, 2007
Updates on funding for renovations on the American History Museum, debates from student newspapers on what to post on the web, and the question “Do we still need women’s history,” are topics from just a few of this week’s “What We’re Reading.” Also included is an article that takes a look into where the term “America” came from, and news from the National Coalition for History.
What We’re Reading: November 29, 2007 Edition - November 28, 2007
This week we note two newsworthy articles: protests over a talk by Holocaust denier David Irving, and historians (including two past AHA presidents) endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. From “First Monday” we find professor Richard Cox discussing the effects of new technologies on archives. And finally, what makes a good historical novel? Watch a webcast from the Library of Congress with historical fiction writer David L. Robbins.
What We’re Reading: November 22, 2007 Edition - November 21, 2007
We start off this week with reactions to the National Endowment of the Arts report on the state of Americans’ reading habits. If these trends continue it may be a troubling signal for the country in general and the history profession specifically. Then continue on to other articles we’ve read this week, including a timely article on the history of turkey pardons, a historian’s exciting discovery of new pictures of Lincoln at Gettysburg, new developments at the Center for History and New Media, an oral historian reflecting on his own life, and finally a historian’s endorsement of the “Smallest Publishable Unit.”
What We’re Reading: November 15, 2007 Edition - November 14, 2007
In this week’s “What We’re Reading” you’ll find news from Capitol Hill, including the new “National Veterans History Project Week,” and the National Coalition for History’s coverage of bills, NARA, and more. Also in this issue, historian Patty Limerick looks at the resurgence of Westerns at the movie theater; former Harper’s editor Lewis Lapham starts a new history magazine; and author Christine L. Borgman talks about her book Scholarship in the Digital Age.
What We’re Reading: November 8, 2007 Edition - November 07, 2007
In this week’s “What We’re Reading”: The Library of Congress responds to the report suggesting they were missing 17% of their holdings; Samuel J. Redman’s article “How Museums and Libraries Lose Stuff”; this year’s Cliopatria Awards for the best history blogs; and more.
What We’re Reading: November 1, 2007 Edition - October 31, 2007
In this edition of “What We’re Reading” learn how to recover collections after a fire, discover the best historical resources on the web, and revisit historical surprise attacks. Also, delve into the history of the Manhattan project and peruse the latest titles from the Humanities E-book program.
What We’re Reading: October 25, 2007 Edition - October 24, 2007
Digital is the buzzword in this edition of “What We’re Reading.” Check out articles on digitization projects at the Library of Congress as well as at libraries across the country. Then read about a Harvard Professor’s methods on integrating “digital innovation and scholarship” in his classroom. See also articles on the historical value of photos, Wikpedia’s anonymous editors, IRBs in Iraq, and more memories of Roy Rosenzweig.
What We’re Reading: October 18, 2007 Edition - October 17, 2007
On October 12th AHA Today recognized the life and work of Roy Rosenzweig, who passed away on the evening of October 11th. The news of this loss has spread across the Internet, where numerous blog posts and articles went up soon after Rosenzweig’s death. Within this post are links to a few. You’ll also find some other articles we’re reading, on topics including the Tomb of the Unknowns, a digitization project in Germany, and dirt on Madison.
What We’re Reading: October 11, 2007 Edition - October 10, 2007
In the articles listed below we begin with yet another Wikipedia debate, but this one isn’t about what’s acceptable in student bibliographies. You’ll also find a link to the GAO report on the Smithsonian’s physical plant, which includes some worrying pictures. For political gossip lovers, check out Newsweek’s review of the late Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr’s diaries, which have been compiled into the book Journals: 1952-2000. In addition, there are links to a tale of public historians, suggestions on applying for tenure-track positions, accusations of elitism in history departments, and finally, some tips on how to preserve digital media…
What We’re Reading: October 4, 2007 Edition - October 03, 2007
The articles in this edition of “What We’re Reading” ask a lot of questions: How many amendments does the Constitution have? Who was Chester Arthur? Where have copyright law and its enforcers gone wrong? And that just scrapes the surface. Check out the reading list below and decide for yourself which questions get answered, and which lead to even more questions.
What We’re Reading: September 27, 2007 Edition - September 26, 2007
In this week’s edition of “What We’re Reading” you’ll find articles on new technology that is helping piece together the past, news on another foreign scholar denied entrance to the U.S., and a new “open book” that explores the impact of all things Google.
What We’re Reading - September 19, 2007
Today we’re starting a new weekly feature on AHA Today that will highlight articles and blog posts that may be of interest to historians. Check out the articles below and find out what we’re reading.