If you’re off to the American Historical Association meeting in Washington, D.C. or the Modern Language Association meeting in New York City this week – godspeed. May you experience no travel disruptions and may you not freeze to death waiting for hotel shuttles or Lyft rides. To help with the not freezing . . .
I didn’t know how much I hated the term “independent scholar” until people began to use it to describe me. I left academia four years ago to try to make it as a full-time writer; when anyone asks me what I do, I say, “I am a writer.” Academics, however, still seem . . .
Given that the two major academic conferences are convening this week in Denver (American Historical Association) and Philadelphia (Modern Language Association), I present my annual fashion post: this year, a list of recommended looks for that accessory almost all academics sport: glasses. Sure, there are probably academics out there with perfect vision. . . .
This past weekend, historians of all stripes converged on New York City for the American Historical Association annual meeting. As predicted, the hotel lobbies and concourses were packed with women and men wearing blue and gray suits, sweaters and slacks (ugh, that word! slacks), and dark coats and sensible shoes. Sadly, no . . .
Every year between Christmas and New Year’s, many young historians (and some older ones) undergo a ritual of sorts. It begins with The Fretting and The Staring At One’s Closet. It quickly turns to The Frantic Hurling of Hangers, with clothing still attached. This is often followed by The Rush to The . . .