Tag Archives: WP Longform

Teaching Prep School With a PhD: Is It For You?

[Note:  Several times over the past few years, I’ve been asked by My Old Graduate School (MOGS) to speak to interested students about “prep school” teaching as an alternative to a career in the traditional professoriate (because, of course, those jobs are as scarce … Continue reading

Posted in American History, Current Events, History, Interdisciplinary Work, Research, Retirement, Southern History, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

High School, Now–and Then: Reflections on a 50th Reunion

Unless your formal education terminated with twelfth grade, you probably feel warmer and fuzzier about your college or university than your high school.  I’m one of those fortunate enough to have spent time in “higher education,” but, after college and grad school, I … Continue reading

Posted in American History, Civil Rights Movement, Cold War, Current Events, History, Newark (Del.) High School Class of 1962, Retirement, Teaching | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

20th-Century Blues Men (Blues Stories, 5)

[Note:  This post is the companion piece to “20th-Century Blues Women.”  A slightly different format this time, without an introductory essay (for those interested in one, go here.); instead, I offer biographical sketches of some favorite 20th-century Blues men and a song or two that capture the essence … Continue reading

Posted in "Charley Patton", Alan Lomax, American History, Blind Willie McTell, Chicago Blues, Delta Blues, History, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Piedmont Blues, Research, Robert Johnson, Son House, Southern (Georgia) History, Southern History, The Blues | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Past Personal: Teaching the Vietnam War as History

[Note:  This piece originated as a talk to a group of history teachers; it explains the genesis of the series, already posted here, “Growing Up With Vietnam.” (Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4] * * * * * When I began … Continue reading

Posted in American History, Cold War, Current Events, History, Research, Retirement, Teaching, Vietnam War | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Civil Rights–And Wrongs: Personal Reflections on Dr. King and His Legacy

As my former American History students will tell you, I am a great admirer of the modern civil rights movement in the United States, and, especially, of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the greatest Americans of … Continue reading

Posted in "The Race Beat", American History, Civil Rights Movement, Current Events, Dr. Martin Luther King, History, Southern History, Taylor Branch, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Getting Reacquainted With Georgia Governor Wilson Lumpkin,1831-1835 (In Pursuit of Dead Georgians, 4)

[NOTE:  Almost four decades ago,  while looking for useful contemporary descriptions of Georgia politics in the first decade of the nineteenth century, I stumbled upon former Governor Wilson Lumpkin’s ponderous autobiography, The Removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia (2 vols.).  I … Continue reading

Posted in Cherokee Indians, Georgia History, History, Research, Southern History, Wilson Lumpkin | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment