by Buddy Levy In Part I published previously on The History Reader, author Buddy Levy introduces readers to Lincoln Ellsworth and shares how he and famed explorer Roald Amundsen first met. Now, Buddy Levy concludes his focus on Ellsworth, sharing Ellsworth’s...
Guns, Chainsaws and Swords: The Rivals of the Humble Axe
by Rachel McCarthy James Whack Job author Rachel McCarthy James takes a look at how guns, chainsaws, and swords outshined the humble axe as weapons throughout history. The axe is a humble object; its power lies in its commonality, its everydayness. Throughout its long...
Lincoln’s First Responder
by Tom Clavin Earlier this week—April 14th—was the 160th anniversary of our Sixteenth President’s assassination. Author Tom Clavin highlights the immediate moments after the gunshot. And don’t forget to preorder his upcoming book, Running Deep, now! John Wilkes Booth...
Whatâs in the March Issue of the Journal of American History?
The March issue of the Journal of American History is now available online and in print. Included are articles by 2024 Louis Pelzer Award winner Jordan Villegas-Verrone, Devin Kennedy, 2024 David Thelen Award Winner Alexandre Guilherme da Cruz Alves Junior, and...
Featured Excerpt: The Rebel Romanov
by Helen Rappaport From the New York Times bestselling author of The Romanov Sisters comes the story of a courageous young Imperial Grand Duchess who scandalized Europe in search of freedom. Read on for a featured excerpt from The Rebel Romanov. Princess Juliane of...
Saturday and Sunday Highlights at OAH 2025
On the final full day of the conference, Chicagoâs clouds blocked the sun, but that did not dampen the mood at the Sheraton Grand as attendees gathered for the final full day of conference activities. The Exhibit Hall hosted a Saturday morning âPerk Up,â...
Friday Highlights at OAH 2025
On Friday of the OAH conference, attendees came back together for ongoing discussions and panels. We enjoyed the continued sunshine Chicago has to offer as the Exhibit Hall opened for a morning mixer breakfast before the dayâs sessions began. Attendees also had...
Featured Excerpt: Project Mind Control
In Project Mind Control, John Lisle reveals inside story of the CIA’s secret mind control project, MKULTRA. Read on for a featured excerpt. Prologue On September 25, 1980, Rosanna Del Guidice arrived thirty minutes early to an office building in downtown Boston....
Thursday Highlights at OAH 2025
The 2025 Annual Meeting for the Organization of American Historians opened Thursday in Chicago as more than 1,500 historians and educators gathered at the Sheraton Grand, our host for this yearâs conference. The sun was shining on the Chicago Riverâvisible from...
The Tragic Fire and Sinking of the General Lyon Steamer
by Tom Clavin The Rock Island Argus newspaper clipping, April 7, 1865. March 31st is the 160th anniversary of one of the most shocking events of the Civil War: the fire and sinking of the Union transport ship, the General Lyon. Today, few people know about this tragic...
Riveting Historical Reads: April 2025
Looking for your next history read? Check out our favorite new history books publishing in April 2025. Fear No Pharaoh A dramatic history of how American Jews reckoned with slavery—and fought the Civil War. Kreitner illuminates the shifting dynamics of Jewish life in...
Featured Excerpt: The Ride
by Kostya Kennedy Timed for the 250th anniversary of one of America’s most famous founding events, New York Times bestselling author Kostya Kennedy’s new book, The Ride, reveals fresh research into Paul Revere’s legendary ride. Read on for a featured excerpt. I ECHOES...
Julie of Saxe-Coburg’s Sister-in-Law: Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
by Helen Rappaport New York Times bestselling author Helen Rappaport shares the unhappy, dynastic marriage of Louise (Luise) of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg to Ernst I, then Duke of Saxe-Coburg. The story of Julie of Saxe-Coburg’s ruthless exploitation as an innocent bride,...
Featured Excerpt: Naples 1944
by Keith Lowe Award-winning author Keith Lowe’s newest critical deep-dive into the history of Naples during WWII. In bookstores everywhere now! The Landings As night fell on 8 September 1943, a vast armada of more than 600 Allied ships headed towards Salerno Bay. On...
Featured Excerpt: Propaganda Girls
by Lisa Rogak In Propaganda Girls, bestselling author Lisa Rogak reveals the incredible untold story of four women who spun the web of deception that helped win World War II and changed the course of history. Read on for an introductory book excerpt. Introduction ...
The Siren Song of False History
by Keith Lowe Keith Lowe writes about how the myth of Parthenope, entwined with historical misconceptions about Naples, shows how fiction interweaves with history. Don’t forget to get his latest book Naples 1944, in bookstores everywhere! Illustration of Parthenope...
Featured Excerpt: Looking at Women Looking at War
by Victoria Amelina When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Victoria Amelina was busy writing a novel, taking part in the country’s literary scene, and parenting her son. Now she became someone new: a war crimes researcher and the chronicler of extraordinary...
The 1770 Massacre in Boston
by Tom Clavin Coinciding with the 255th anniversary of the Boston Massacre on March 5, 2025, author Tom Clavin looks back on the event, which took place as a direct response to the tariffs placed on all goods exported to the 13 colonies from Britain thanks to the 1768...