Jason Morgan Ward: The Short Distance from Civil War to Civil Rights

This year marks two momentous and inseparable moments in the history of American race relations: the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War and the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides. That most commemorations of the former have neglected to mention the latter reveals a nagging reluctance to connect too directly the Civil War and the modern civil rights movement. But for white southerners in the mid-20th century, the link between Civil War and civil rights was crystal clear. Continue Reading Jason Morgan Ward: The Short Distance from Civil War to Civil Rights

Free Book Friday! Music From the True Vine

Update 4:19 pm: And our winner this week is Maggie Baker! Congratulations, Maggie. I’ll email you for shipping instructions. Matt, thanks for playing (and tweeting about it!). Happy Friday everyone! And even happier because you get a chance to win a free book. It’s our monthly Free Book Friday giveaway, and today’s book is Music From the True Vine: Mike Seeger’s Life… Continue Reading Free Book Friday! Music From the True Vine

“Was Freedom Enough?” Gregory Downs at NY Times Disunion Blog

An excerpt from Gregory Downs’s blog at the NY Times Disunion Series concerning the livelihood of newly emancipated slaves. Continue Reading “Was Freedom Enough?” Gregory Downs at NY Times Disunion Blog

Michael H. Hunt: Republicans on foreign policy: Regional powers and regional problems

Regional issues continue to tie politicians in knots. Michael Hunt responds to the GOP debate on foreign policy, as both an historian and as a citizen. Continue Reading Michael H. Hunt: Republicans on foreign policy: Regional powers and regional problems

J. Samuel Walker: Why ACC Basketball Fans Should Care about the Early History of the Conference

The first two decades of ACC basketball laid the foundations for the success on a national stage that the league has enjoyed ever since. Continue Reading J. Samuel Walker: Why ACC Basketball Fans Should Care about the Early History of the Conference

Watch: Demo of Enhanced Ebook of Give My Poor Heart Ease, by William Ferris

See the features of the enhanced ebook for Give My Poor Heart Ease: Voices of the Mississippi Blues, by William Ferris. Features include embedded video & audio. Continue Reading Watch: Demo of Enhanced Ebook of Give My Poor Heart Ease, by William Ferris

James Edward Miller: Greece and the EU Face Their Walt Kelly Moment

Foreign policy historian James Edward Miller provides background on the current financial and political predicament of Greece and the European Union. Continue Reading James Edward Miller: Greece and the EU Face Their Walt Kelly Moment