The West Wing is my favorite TV show. As a professional historian focusing on presidential elections and American political history, I admire Aaron Sorkinâs patriotic and idealistic writing about government. Itâs easy to be cynical about politicians, but Sorkin created … Continue reading
The Man by Irving Wallace: A Visionary Novel of Its Time The first âadult bookâ I ever read was The Man by Irving Wallace. Itâs a sprawling 788-page novel, written in 1964, about the first African-American President of the United States. … Continue reading
I just finished reading Infinite Tuesday, Michael Nesmithâs autobiography. For no particular reason, a song he wrote, âSome of Shelleyâs Blues,â was stuck in my head. This led me to read his autobiographyâIâm so glad I did. Although heâs best … Continue reading
While the Marx Brothers’ zany antics continue to tickle funny bones across generations, the least-known brother, Zeppo, holds a surprising claim to fame â one that has likely touched your life in ways you never imagined. Forget greasepaint, slapstick, and … Continue reading
Presbyterian minister Fred Rogers, one of the most beloved Americans of the 20th century, hosted the PBS TV series “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” for 33 years, modeling kindness, compassion, and love for children nationwide. On May 9, 1969, during a troubling … Continue reading