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Caro’s Johnson
I have reviewed Robert Caro’s new book on Lyndon Johnson for the Washington Independent Review of Books. Link to the review is here: http://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/the-passage-of-power-the-years-of-lyndon-johnson/ I realize that my criticisms of Caro’s footnotes may seem petty. Ultimately, though, footnotes are what distinguish history from historical fiction, and Caro sometimes does not seem sufficiently concerned about that…
Read MoreFebruary 29, 1860
I have missed, by a day, posting about Seward’s great speech of February 29, 1860, on February 29, 2012. By early 1860, Seward was the presumptive Republican nominee. If there had been Intrade odds in those days, Seward would have been trading at 80% with all other Republican candidates, including Lincoln, adding up to the…
Read MoreSanford
I spent two pleasant days this week at the Sanford Museum in Sanford, Florida, doing research in the papers of Henry Shelton Sanford. Sanford was originally from Connecticut, but after the Civil War bought extensive land in Florida, founding his own town and growing oranges. During and just after the Civil War, Sanford served as…
Read MoreWelcome to my blog
My blog, at least for the time being, will focus on Jay, Seward and my research and writing. Since my Jay book appeared, six years ago now, I have spoken about him many times, at schools, libraries, historical societies and bookstores. One reason I enjoy these events is that it is a chance to focus…
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