What got you started on the history track? I’ve followed you for a while on the bird and enjoy your Nashville (Franklin) takes as I too grew up in the area (H’ville). Was it the Civil War history in the area for you or something entirely different?
Great question. I'm afraid I've been on it so long I can't really remember the starting point, but early on I was really drawn in by the civil rights movement. That, more than anything Civil War, made the South come alive for me.
And yeah, I can't believe how far off the rails Tennessee has gone in the last decade.
My 19 yr old is a freshman at William & Mary, currently planning on a double major, Computer Science and History (he’s big into American history). Recently said he may just minor in history so he can graduate early and start his CompSci masters. He wants to work for a video game developer, but man, he really loves history and I could see him being in that field, but the comp sci degree would pay the bills more I’d think, lol. Any advice you could pass along?
It's easy for me to say in my position, but I think students worry a bit too much about matching a major to a career. I always recommend following your passion, and that engagement will attract employers.
For what it's worth, a member of our advisory committee is a Silicon Valley tech guy and he said he loves to hire History majors over STEM majors. He said he can teach anyone the tech angle, but History majors know how to research, write, argue and make a case in plain English, and those skills are huge.
I’m a 2nd year PhD in History. Do you have any tips on archive trips? Tips for planning the trips? I’ll be going to NARA for sure and a few others next summer.
Do as much advance work as you can. Start by emailing the archivist, explaining your project and when you’d like to visit - making sure they’re open and the collections are accessible. Many archivists, who know their collections better than anyone, will offer advice on holdings you didn’t even know about.
Also think about how you’ll take notes. I try to maximize my time there, so I take photos with my phone (TurboScan app is great, makes PDFs you can email) but others have their own styles. Go with what’s best for you.
NARA can be daunting, so be sure to ask them for help but also talk with advisers friends etc who’ve visited that site.
I thoroughly enjoyed your book, Myth America. Any plans for a sequel?
Thanks, Cheryl!
No plans at our end, but I’ve heard from others about similar collections they’re assembling?
What...is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
African or European?
What?!...I don’t knaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
Hello sir, thank you for everything that you do. That is all. I’ll think of a clever question for your next AMA.
OK, I'll hold you to that.
What got you started on the history track? I’ve followed you for a while on the bird and enjoy your Nashville (Franklin) takes as I too grew up in the area (H’ville). Was it the Civil War history in the area for you or something entirely different?
God our state is a mess.
Great question. I'm afraid I've been on it so long I can't really remember the starting point, but early on I was really drawn in by the civil rights movement. That, more than anything Civil War, made the South come alive for me.
And yeah, I can't believe how far off the rails Tennessee has gone in the last decade.
My 19 yr old is a freshman at William & Mary, currently planning on a double major, Computer Science and History (he’s big into American history). Recently said he may just minor in history so he can graduate early and start his CompSci masters. He wants to work for a video game developer, but man, he really loves history and I could see him being in that field, but the comp sci degree would pay the bills more I’d think, lol. Any advice you could pass along?
It's easy for me to say in my position, but I think students worry a bit too much about matching a major to a career. I always recommend following your passion, and that engagement will attract employers.
For what it's worth, a member of our advisory committee is a Silicon Valley tech guy and he said he loves to hire History majors over STEM majors. He said he can teach anyone the tech angle, but History majors know how to research, write, argue and make a case in plain English, and those skills are huge.
I’m a 2nd year PhD in History. Do you have any tips on archive trips? Tips for planning the trips? I’ll be going to NARA for sure and a few others next summer.
Yes!
Do as much advance work as you can. Start by emailing the archivist, explaining your project and when you’d like to visit - making sure they’re open and the collections are accessible. Many archivists, who know their collections better than anyone, will offer advice on holdings you didn’t even know about.
Also think about how you’ll take notes. I try to maximize my time there, so I take photos with my phone (TurboScan app is great, makes PDFs you can email) but others have their own styles. Go with what’s best for you.
NARA can be daunting, so be sure to ask them for help but also talk with advisers friends etc who’ve visited that site.
Thank you! I’m looking forward to the trip. Thanks for the advice!
Also, be prepared to have long stretches of boredom punctuated by huge discoveries. (I play poker and it’s a lot like that I think)
Lol, great analogy.
What do you think are some relatively under-explored subjects/phenomena/people in 20th-century U.S. history?
Great question!
I think we need more histories of rural America and state-level political histories, both wildly overlooked
I want to see a history of the AARP as retirees are a huge political force but their activism goes unchronicled
Seriously though. Thank you for writing this letter. I am really enjoying reading it.
What do you think about the pact that certain blue states are taking to vote their electoral votes the way the popular vote goes nationally?
Thanks!
It’ll take some work but it seems like the surest way to get around the electoral college