A collection of some of the things I found interesting this week.
American History & Academy
The Missouri Regional Seminar on Early American History has a call for papers for 2016/2017. I absolutely loved these meetings–they are always well attended, have good food, smart commentary, and excellent camaraderie–and I’ll honestly miss it while I’m in Texas.
The Celia Project went live. Martha Jones spoke at Mizzou a few months ago, so I’ve been looking forward to this. It should be a great resource not only for those interested in race, sex, and law in America’s past, but also for potential pedagogical tools in the classroom.
Flora Fraser Wins the 2016 George Washington Prize for her book, The Washingtons: George and Martha, “Join’d by Friendship, Crown’d by Love” (Knopf).
The Journal of American History is looking for a Visiting Assistant Professor/Assistant Editor. Looks like a great gig.
Seth Perry did an incisive review of Origins of American Religious Nationalism, a book I also reviewed in W&MQ, and he makes broader points about “rushing” to make a point.
American Culture/Politics
Gawker has Pulitzer-worthy reporting on Trump’s hair weave.
Mormon History
Matt Bowman did a fabulous interview with Stephen Taysom about his biography-in-progress of Joseph F. Smith. Steve is one of the great thinkers in Mormon history, not to mention a superb writer. The book should be great.
I also did an interview with Thomas Simpson about his forthcoming book on American universities and the making of modern Mormonism.
Mormon Interests
Paul Huntsman comes close to finalizing his purchase of the Salt Lake Tribune. This is a great move that will solidify the Trib’s existence and maintain its independence. (For an example, see their continuing coverage of the BYU rape scandal.)
I already highlighted it here, but make sure to read Kristine Haglund on the BYU rape issue.
The best podcast in the Mormon world, Blair Hodges’s Maxwell Institute Podcast, interviewed genius Marilynne Robinson.
Michael Austin is my favorite Mormon commentator, whether he writes in a serious or humorous vein.
Professor Park's Blog 