Friday Notes

I recall thinking that the appointment of James Billington as the Librarian of Congress in 1987 secured the future study of European history at the Library. Well, hold that thought. As early as May, the LOC's European Reading Room may be closed to make room for exhibits for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. For more information, discussion, and a plan of action, see: Claire Potter's"The Wacky World of History," Tenured Radical, 27 March, and Save the European Reading Room at the LC.

Susan Bordo,"Anne Boleyn: Victim or Vixen?" CHE, 11 April, (subscriber only) argues that Boleyn was a more complex character than she is currently portrayed.

Eric Alterman,"Out of Print: The Death and Life of American Newspapers," New Yorker, 31 March, reflects on the history of newspapers in America and their immanent death in"an Internet-based news culture." Hat tip.

Benjamin Schwarz,"Black Saturday," Atlantic, April, reviews Peter Stansky's The First Day of the Blitz: September 7, 1940. Hat tip.

Jeremy Goldkom,"Youtube propaganda war," Danwei, 25 March, suggests that, in the struggle over Tibet, we may be witnessing"the world's first international user generated propaganda war." The brief article includes links to the most important partisan clips. Thanks to Alan Baumler for the tip.

Finally, Cliopatria's History Blogroll continues to expand. Most recently, we've added a dozen additional university press blogs, where featured authors often reflect upon their most recent work.