Crossing the western half of the United States by car or airplane is an awe-inspiring experience. From the Great Plains of the Dakotas to the sharp peaks of the Rockies, it's not hard to imagine the America of long ago: the sheer brutality of the vast wilderness mixed with the reverence of its majestic beauty. … Continue reading More Than a Face on a Coin
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Authors Are People, Too
If you've ever walked the halls of Hogwarts with Harry, floated down the Mississippi River with Huck, or braved the stares of Puritan America with Hester--all without leaving the comfort of your house--then you understand the sheer magic of books. What you might not understand, however, is the amount of blood, sweat, and tears that … Continue reading Authors Are People, Too
Call Me George
The Essex was a lucky ship, or so the old-timers used to say. Although old and small, her previous whaling voyages had been disproportionately successful (and--more importantly--profitable), especially the last one, in which George Pollard Jr. and Owen Chase had done so well, they had earned their promotions to captain and first mate, respectively. So … Continue reading Call Me George
We Need to Taco ‘Bout Something…
"I wish I was full of tacos instead of emotions." "Ways to my heart: buy me tacos, make me tacos, be tacos." "You cannot make everyone happy; you are not a taco." Americans love tacos. In fact, experts estimate Americans consume 4.5 billion tacos every year, with at least half the population eating Taco Bell … Continue reading We Need to Taco ‘Bout Something…
The Sugar Daddy vs. The Squealing Pig
In the 1940s, Robert "Bobby" Riggs was at the height of his game, and that game was tennis. As a 21 year-old amateur, he won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, finished as runner-up in the French Open, and was ranked No. 1 in the world. After pausing his career in 1941 to serve in the … Continue reading The Sugar Daddy vs. The Squealing Pig
The Forgotten Assassination
When and where was JFK assassinated? Chances are you can spout off the city (Dallas) and date (November 22, 1963) without blinking an eye. How about Lincoln? Ford's Theater, April 15, 1865. Alright then. How about William McKinley? .... .... Who? William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, was fatally wounded by an … Continue reading The Forgotten Assassination
The Brown Plague
Since the late nineteenth century, the western plains had been a haven for those with respiratory ailments. At time when the complex workings of the lungs were not-yet understood, many with breathing issues were often advised that it wasn't a problem with their organs; it was a problem with the air. The solution, therefore, was … Continue reading The Brown Plague
One Photograph, Two Worlds
Dorothea Lange was operating a successful portrait studio in San Francisco, photographing some of the city's most elite, when she walked past a breadline near her office. Moved by the faces of the unemployed and homeless, she began snapping pictures, soon moving from the city streets to the migrant camps popping up in the nearby … Continue reading One Photograph, Two Worlds
So Long, It’s Been Good to Know Yuh…
April 14, 1935. A cold front moving down from Canada clashed with a warm front moving up over the Dakotas. In a matter of hours, the temperature dropped thirty degrees and the wind whipped into a frenzy, throwing up dust and debris from a land aching for rain. The cloud grew into a storm hundred … Continue reading So Long, It’s Been Good to Know Yuh…
Notre Dame: Past, Present, and Uncertain Future
On Monday, one of Paris's most beloved landmarks, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, caught fire. The exact cause and magnitude of the damage is unknown as of this writing, but it appears to be extensive. As a lover of history, my visit to Paris about 10 years ago remains vivid, and I was heartbroken to … Continue reading Notre Dame: Past, Present, and Uncertain Future
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