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A favorite pasttime for a lot of US politicians is to see how far it can bend...

I'm very excited about this one as well - it's helping to provide a solid foundation to my TBR pile.

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He also now hosts the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War with Seth Paridon. They have some excellent podcasts, in my view.

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RN ship losses @rnshiplosses.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In this period of American history, I thought it would be particularly worthwhile to brush up on this topic. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday

Book the US Constitution a comprehensive and annotated guide for the modern reader

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23 Sept 1779 // The Battle of Flamborough Head, off the Yorkshire coast: two Royal Navy ships, HMS Serapis (44 guns) and HMS Countess of Scarborough (22 guns) were captured when a squadron of four American warships under John Paul Jones attacked the convoy from the Baltic which they were escorting .

Richard Paton, 'The Action Between the Frigates Bonhomme Richard (Capt John Paul Jones) And HMS Serapis, During The Battle Of Flamborough Head, 1779. The Alliance fires on the combatants' (1780). Wikimedia Commons. A painting showing a battle between sailing warships. Two ships are locked in combat in the centre foreground while a third ship on the right fires into the stern of the nearest ship. More ships engaged in combat can be seen on the left, and the coast is visible in the background. Everything is taking place under a turbulent sky, and there are pieces of debris floating in the foreground.

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Bart⚓️ @bartgonnissen.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

1/x Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama is taken hostage in a lifeboat, and US Navy SEALs end it after five days. The snipers dealt with the guys in the lifeboat. The Belgians dealt with the guy at the top of the whole trade. A thread.

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026

Sen. Susan Collins helped steer millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek, whose CEO illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign. The FBI sought to launch a probe and was eyeing Collins and other lawmakers. Then Trump gutted the unit in charge. THREAD 🧵

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I appreciate Hess books - including hos books on the battles around Atlanta.

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The story behind the name Peachtree Creek is a little crazy - Hess includes it in the book. The theory is it did not originally refer to a peach tree, but instead a pitch tree that morphed into Peachtree.

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Like Chamberlain, Stuart, and Jackson. As an added bonus for me, Hill has ties to parts of NC close to where I grew up - Lincolnton, Davidson College. I'm enjoying the book - Hartley is a good researcher and very good writer. #PhotoFriday #Histbookchat

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I enjoy good biography, but I especially appreciate when biographers take on challenging subjects (e.g., Martin - Benedict Arnold; Hess - Braxton Bragg). I don't think D. H. Hill rises to that level, but he was often contentious and doesn't fall into that group of appreciated ACW figures...

Chris Hartley book D H Hill a military life

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Sign the peace Accord or try to defend against the Accord.

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Mark Zuckerman @markzuckerman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Riley Cornelio will open for the Nationals today. Jake Irvin had previously been listed as the starter.

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A little late for #PhotoFriday - I made it to the East Tennessee History Museum and picked up a couple of books from the museum bookstore. #Histbookchat

Book the Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation and Senator Kenneth McKellar

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Interesting item for me in Chris Hartley's bio of D H Hill - I hadn't known about Hood's early ACW cavalry service or D. H. Hill's impact on his early career trajectory. #Histbookchat

Story of D H Hill lobbying for Hood to command Confederate cavalry at Williamsburg

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

It was interesting to me for 2 reasons: * It is part of the larger WW2/SWW start date debate * The discussion of the politics of memory behind the change

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I listened to an interesting podcast interview with Emily Matson about her new book discussing the recent PRC decision to adjust their analysis of the official start date of WW2/SWW from 1937 to 1931. #Histbookchat newbooksnetwork.com/chinas-date-...

newbooksnetwork.com

Emily Matson, "China’s Date Debate: How Manchurian Scholars Rewrote World War II" (U Michigan Press, 2026) - New Books Network

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I have James Scott's Empire of Ashes on deck after I finish Rain of Ruin.

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Endorsed by Thomas J. Jackson and A. P. Stewart!

Endorsements by Thomas Jackson and A P Stewart

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I'm enjoying Chris Hartley's new bio on D. H. Hill. I'm thankful he included some examples from Hill's infamous algebra textbook. #Histbookchat

Math word problems describing Yankee fraud

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Trent Hone @honer.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Getting into the page proofs!

A printout of the forthcoming book, “Seizing the Offensive: Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King and the Naval Strategy that Won World War II” by Trent Hone, published by the Naval Institute Press.

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I have been long overdue to read a book by Richard Overy, so starting with this one. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I really appreciated the opportunity to learn more about this incident. It's interesting that Scott has such a personal connection.

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I think we see more spite houses. The Kelo case is interesting because the US Supreme Court upheld the right for government to use eminent domain for ultimately private development, but the outcry after the case signalled strong opposition to its use for that purpose.

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Nice to have a history book that also aligns with your work - I'm enjoying gaining insight and background into the famous Kelo case. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Jim Bowden told the story that Sabo was not a fan of Schotzie because Marge Schott would give Schotzie free run of the field before games, and Schotzie's favorite duty place was near 3rd base.

Omar Wasow @owasow.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

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Largest export market for Maine, Michigan and Ohio: Canada.

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Brian @halma.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

It's interesting to read about the cottage industry of books that followed trying to shape perception of American slavery.