Harper Lee, Misogynist
After all the fuss about the release of Harper Lee’s second/first novel, Go Set A Watchman, I broke down and read it. My wife, after all, had purchased the book, so…
Read MoreThe Enduring Lure of Richard Nixon
Coming up to the 41st anniversary of Richard Nixon’s resignation from the Presidency (August 9), we find that he’s still part of our national culture, like a barnacle that simply…
Read MoreNazi Fatigue
I need a break from Nazis, Nazism, SS officers, concentration camps, swastikas, and the crazy guy with the toothbrush mustache. Yeah, this guy. They’re all powerful symbols, with…
Read MoreMadison on TV: August 1814
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the slick trailer just posted for a new TV documentary on Madison’s flight from Washington in August 1814, one jump ahead of British troops victorious…
Read MoreWhat's so bad about saying you were wrong?
I recently became fed up with the media reports about the presidential candidates and their “flip-flopping” on various issues. For the rest of us, changing our mind is often described…
Read MoreDanger: Constitutional Convention Ahead?
I’ve got a piece today in the Baltimore Sun, warning of the dangers of a second constitutional convention, which a shocking number of state legislatures are proposing willy-nilly. They need to stop…
Read MoreBooks and (Semi) Mass Media
Having published my book on James Madison last month (Madison’s Gift), I share one trait with most authors of a recently-released book: A wistful desire that great chunks of the…
Read MoreTruthiness Triumphant!
At page 117 of my novel about the John Wilkes Booth Conspiracy, The Lincoln Deception, a character laments that the Union and Confederate armies failed to join together at the end of…
Read MoreNew "Hamilton" Show in NYC: HipHop Hooray!
Nah, I don’t listen to hiphop. Not ever. But Lin-Manuel Miranda is building a beautiful bridge between that music and old farts like me with his new “Hamilton” musical, which…
Read MoreThe Emerging Indian Colossus
A 10-day visit to India this month kindled thoughts about a part of the world I have known only through novels and Merchant/Ivory movies. The ambitions and dreams of the…
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