Tidbits of History

This book of 300 columns examines all kinds of historical events, boiled down to a few words. More importantly than just explaining the details of each event, I try to analyze why these events occurred. Of course, my take on any event is just one of many. You will read other sources that disagree with my conclusions. That's great. Read them. I hope you have some fun reading these columns and they encourage you to look deeper into what you are interested in.

This book of 300 columns examines all kinds of historical events, boiled down to a few words. More importantly than just explaining the details of each event, I try to analyze why these events occurred. Of course, my take on any event is just one of many. You will read other sources that disagree with my conclusions. That's great. Read them. I hope you have some fun reading these columns and they encourage you to look deeper into what you are interested in.

In the early 1990s, I had a midlife crisis. I did not want a motorcycle (those things are dangerous) or a new wife (mine was very cute). Instead, I quit my auditing job and returned to school for my history doctorate. I wrote The Patriotic Business of Seeking Office: James K. Polk and the Patronage. It was not a bestseller. I taught college history for almost twenty years before retiring. I still dabble by volunteering to docent at the Roebling Museum in South Jersey. By the way, my wife and editor, Judy, is still very cute.