"Decisions at Franklin transcends a study of battle into a study of human agency." Read H-Net's thoughtful review of "Decisions at Franklin" at the link below, then pick up a copy for yourself wherever books are sold. https://t.co/4lWIdcoCSd

"The American military remains among our most respected institutions, and yet it is increasingly separate from the broader public in ways that would have been foreign to Americans of the 18th and even 19th centuries." --@AndrewSBledsoe | TheNext250 https://t.co/bnuNIdqFz2

Batteries on the field at Chickamauga 162 today. Great to see full horse teams in action. And very instructive from a historian’s perspective. @ChickamaugaNPS

We are saddened by the passing of Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo 13 and a four-time spaceflight veteran. Lovell's life and work inspired millions. His courage under pressure helped forge our path to the Moon and beyond—a journey that continues today. https://t.co/AjT8qmxsZI

In the latest episode of our podcast "Civil War Curious," historian Eric Michael Burke answers questions about Civil War soldiers and the weapons they used. Sponsored by our friends at @Battlefields. Listen here: https://t.co/bIfne4HQMA

It’s that time of year again.

Had the distinct honor of co-leading a day-long Pickett’s Charge seminar and battlefield traipse with my friend ⁦@AndrewFLang⁩ through ⁦@CWI_GC⁩ at Gettysburg. In the footsteps of Garnett’s Brigade, focusing on the 18th Virginia, 20th Mass., and the Vermont Brigade.

Really lovely tribute to the scholarly legacy and immense importance of Pete Carmichael by the esteemed Gary Gallagher at this year’s ⁦@CWI_GC⁩ Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. Tough to accept Pete’s absence here, it still doesn’t feel real.

Every time US Army base renaming hits the news, debate over Robert E. Lee’s military abilities comes up again. A reminder: though you may find Lee’s support of the Confederacy abhorrent, that does not also mean he was a poor general. He was, in fact, a very good one.

70s maxxing

Battle of Chickamauga 2025 Seminar in the Woods with historians Jim Ogden and Dave Powell.

Have you ever met a hotel cat? This weekend I got to know Annabel Lee (named for the Poe heroine), feline-in-residence at the Linden Row Inn in Richmond, Virginia.

Pleased to give a talk on the evolution of Civil War military thought at the American Civil War Museum annual symposium. Tredegar is an impressive venue.

Random but important PSA (only because I've had this conversation with three different well-meaning parents in the last couple of weeks): PLEASE DO NOT READ THE NARNIA BOOKS IN THE "CHRONOLOGICAL" ORDER THEY'RE PACKAGED IN THESE DAYS.

This was a fun thing. Ranger Luke and the folks at Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park had a three hour miniature war gaming session in the visitor’s center. Big thanks to the staff there. It was a great way to bring folks in to the history and the hobby.

I went by the Chickamauga battlefield this week, as I do so often. Kids (age 8-12, adults nearby) were climbing on cannons. I used to find this annoying or (gasp) irreverent. Now think it’s the future of history. I was that kid and to see that rowdy enthusiasm now is beautiful.

One of my lifetime go-to books, along with The Lord of the Rings books and the Narnia books. My equivalent of written word comfort food.

It's true that our system could always theoretically become even more intense, along the lines of South Korea -- but so far the cultures that go much deeper into digital meritocracy appear more miserabilist and anti-natalist without being appreciably more growth-oriented.

On Marc Bloch’s Historian’s Craft, a profound reflection on what my ilk does (and doesn’t).

Not seeing much today about Pearl Harbor. “A date which will live in infamy,” 83 years ago today.

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