The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Morphology and History

The Oswald Spengler Project β€’ 339 implied HN points β€’ 26 Feb 24
🚌 Education History Philosophy
  1. History presents unique challenges as it lacks a universal framework like the natural sciences.
  2. Schopenhauer argues that historical events are too diverse to fit into generic categories or types, making a true science of history difficult.
  3. One approach could be to focus on studying specific types of historical phenomena rather than trying to encompass all of history.

Feverish enthusiasm, no pleasing some people, and being Batman

The Pillar β€’ 786 implied HN points β€’ 01 Sep 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Religion Society History
  1. The editor took a vacation and had to deal with being sick, but found a silver lining in being away from work and off his phone.
  2. Pope Francis is making a significant trip to Mongolia and there's an interesting article about Catholicism in the country.
  3. There is an impactful story about sexual assault charges being dropped against Theodore McCarrick due to mental incompetence.

Europa Regina

Cosmographia β€’ 579 implied HN points β€’ 05 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology History Paintings
  1. Europe is said to be named after Europa, a Phoenician Princess from Greek mythology who was seduced by Zeus in the form of a bull.
  2. Europa bore Zeus three sons who played significant roles in mythology, such as Minos, King of Crete, Rhadamanthus, and Sarpedon who fought in the Trojan War.
  3. The story of Europa and Zeus showcases a classic mythological tale of love, seduction, and divine descent, contributing to the rich tapestry of Greek mythology.
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Street Smart Support

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Nature Literature History Community Arts
  1. Supporting the newsletter helps keep it going and allows the writer to share interesting topics about nature and history.
  2. Sharing previous newsletters with friends can spark fun conversations and encourage outdoor adventures together.
  3. There are different subscription options available for those who want to support the newsletter further and receive regular updates.

Unmarked Graveyard: Hart Island Stories

well, actually β€’ 452 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Art Stories Community
  1. Hart Island in New York City is America's largest public cemetery with over a million buried there, including various individuals with unique stories.
  2. The island lacks headstones or plaques, and many individuals buried there remain anonymous with explanations for their burial hard to find.
  3. Hart Island is now open to the public with tours available, and efforts are underway to document the island's history and identify those buried there.

A hunger striker's medal, a Danish love token, and Hello Kitty

Dearest β€’ 766 implied HN points β€’ 21 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History Jewelry Auctions Collectibles Design
  1. A hunger striker's medal awarded to a suffragette for her efforts in the campaign for women's right to vote
  2. A Danish love token called a hovedvandsæg given by men to their beloveds in the 18th and 19th centuries
  3. Hello Kitty jewelry collection created by Mikimoto and Sanrio, featuring pieces like a pearl necklace with a Hello Kitty face design

The Travel Lunatic: A Floating Village, a Bad Embassy, and My Literally Being Eaten Alive!

Brent and Michael are Going Places β€’ 766 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Destinations Culture Local Life History Impact
  1. The author shares adventures and insights from traveling in Cambodia, including visiting a floating village and dealing with embassy challenges.
  2. A story about a floating village showcases the impact of tourism on local communities and the importance of education in changing lives.
  3. The author recounts a powerful book recommendation highlighting the brutal Khmer Rouge period in Cambodia.

Who is Aja?

Expanding Dan β€’ 628 implied HN points β€’ 16 Nov 23
🎢 Music History
  1. Aja is the enigmatic namesake of Steely Dan's 1977 album.
  2. New information has surfaced about Aja, shedding light on the woman who inspired the album's title.
  3. A reader shared personal insights, including connections to Donald Fagen and the inspiration behind the album.

The Explicit Baseball Card Edition

Why is this interesting? β€’ 301 implied HN points β€’ 13 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Collectibles History Entertainment
  1. Billy Ripken's baseball card from 1989 is famous for its hilarious and playful mistake. It features something unexpected that caught fans' attention.
  2. Baseball cards were a big deal for many kids, with the thrill of finding rare ones like the Michael Jordan card.
  3. Different brands of baseball cards had their own unique styles, with Fleer being seen as less premium compared to brands like Upper Deck.

Why do London's Victorian Roads Feel a Bit... Off?

Londonist: Time Machine β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 10 May 24
🎭️ Culture History Architecture Society Heritage Events
  1. Victorian roads in London can feel 'off' because they were built with little regard for existing neighborhoods, often displacing poor residents to create straight through-routes.
  2. 19th-century streets in London were named after monarchs and were designed to flatten slums, resulting in the eradication of historic street plans and poorer communities.
  3. The Victorian approach to road-building in London prioritized efficiency and traffic flow, leading to the destruction of organic streetscapes that had developed over centuries.

It's Uncomfortable to Discuss How the NBA Saved Itself in the Mid Aughts

House of Strauss β€’ 41 implied HN points β€’ 23 Dec 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Media Culture History Viewership
  1. The NBA faced a tough time in the mid-2000s but managed to recover from a drop in viewer interest. Recognizing how they turned things around can help address current issues in the league.
  2. There is a lot of negativity around the NBA today, especially from retired players and media pundits. Their comments can discourage casual fans from watching games.
  3. Discussing the NBA's previous comeback story feels uncomfortable to some people. It's important to reflect on past successes to find solutions for today's challenges.

What I've been reading

Kvetch β€’ 48 implied HN points β€’ 08 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Literature History Social Issues Philosophy Education
  1. Human evolution is influenced by various genetic factors, and recent research shows that specific traits, like blue eyes and dry earwax, evolved due to strong selection methods in different populations.
  2. The book _Common Ground_ explores the lives of three Boston families and illustrates the complexities of race and class in America, especially during school desegregation efforts in the 1970s.
  3. In _Churchill, Hitler, and the Unnecessary War_, the author argues that Britain played a key role in causing World War I and II by making choices that escalated conflicts, raising questions about the impact of those decisions on history.

Southern Bridge and Fort Sumter

Jeff Giesea β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 21 May 24
🎭️ Culture Literature History Art Identity Nature
  1. Nighttime walks can evoke a mix of real-life experiences and imaginative thoughts. It's a great time to reflect on history while enjoying the beauty around you.
  2. The connection between past events, like the Civil War, and present political feelings can be profound. It often leads to questions about our current society and history.
  3. Interactions with people during walks can vary, but kindness often shines through. Engaging with others can add a positive touch to the experience.

Five... Pieces of London's Hitchcockian History

Londonist: Time Machine β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 19 May 24
🏝 Travel History Landmarks Culture
  1. London has various locations related to Hitchcock's life and work, such as Leytonstone where he was born and Hackney where he started his career in the film industry.
  2. Visiting Leytonstone allows for a Hitchcock-themed experience, with places like the Hitchcock Hotel and mosaics at Leytonstone tube station paying homage to the director.
  3. Islington Studios in Hackney is where Hitchcock began as an assistant director and later directed his first thriller, showcasing his early career in the film industry.

ONE SLIDE: Working on the Summary Review Materials for Econ 135: History of Economic Growth: The Post-1870 MEG-Economy

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality β€’ 61 implied HN points β€’ 25 Nov 24
🚌 Education Economics Academic Growth History Teaching
  1. Most economic activity in history happened after 1870. This shows how rapidly the economy can grow in a short time.
  2. Students should have a simple, useful summary of post-1870 economic growth. This will help them during exams and in their future understanding.
  3. The summary should include both political-economic and technical aspects. It's important to see how these areas work together in shaping the economy.

DNA goes to the Dogs

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 519 implied HN points β€’ 14 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Animal studies History Genetics Ethnography Cultural Practices
  1. Woolly dogs were kept by the Coast Salish people for their fur, which was used to make warm blankets. Unfortunately, these dogs went extinct in the late 1800s, leaving only one pelt known today.
  2. Recent research used genetic studies and the historical context of Mutton, a woolly dog, to learn about its unique traits and the care it received from Indigenous people. This shows how important these dogs were to their culture.
  3. The extinction of woolly dogs is connected to historical racism and policies that targeted Indigenous practices. Understanding this context is just as important as studying the genetics of the dogs.

2024 Kvetching & Books

Kvetch β€’ 33 implied HN points β€’ 22 Dec 24
πŸ“š Literature Books Reading History Fiction Non-fiction
  1. The author had plans to work on some big writing projects this year but ended up not completing them. Life events like having a new baby and starting a new fund took up a lot of time.
  2. Despite not finishing their main projects, the author still wrote a good number of pieces and saw their readership double. Their most popular piece encouraged some readers to have more kids.
  3. Looking ahead, the author has new ideas for writing and is taking it week by week, while hoping to explore topics related to history and demographics.

Uni Watch Power Rankings for NHL All-Star Game Uniforms

Uni Watch β€’ 373 implied HN points β€’ 01 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Uniforms History
  1. The NHL All-Star Game uniforms have evolved over the years with different formats and designs.
  2. The first NHL All-Star Game took place in 1947 with the defending Stanley Cup champs playing against All-Star squads.
  3. There were three All-Star benefit games in the 1930s to help players' families in need, showcasing unique and meaningful uniforms.

Where Did Our Authorities Go?

The Biblioracle Recommends β€’ 727 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Education Literature Media History Society
  1. The shift from traditional authoritative sources like National Geographic to sources like Wikipedia reflects changing dynamics in information consumption.
  2. Questioning the idea of authority is vital in an era where misinformation and unreliable sources abound.
  3. Embracing curiosity and being open to change can lead to a more interesting way of navigating through a world filled with evolving information.

Tianshan Mountains 倩山

Cosmographia β€’ 718 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History Travel Literature
  1. The post discusses the Tianshan Mountains and presents a guest edition of the Moleskine Notebooks by Alexander's Cartographer.
  2. The content is for paid subscribers only, showing a focus on exclusive material.
  3. Alexander's Cartographer writes about the history of Eurasia, Antiquity, translations of Russian texts, travelogues in Central Asia, and Medieval Chronicles.

Goethe on the Four Stages of Culture

The Oswald Spengler Project β€’ 499 implied HN points β€’ 16 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Literature History
  1. Goethe outlined the four stages of culture: the Poetic, Theological, Philosophical, and Prosaic. Each stage represents a different phase in human development from primitive mysticism to intellectual sterile civilization.
  2. In the Poetic stage, cultures are dream-like, filled with myths, legends, gods, and heroes. The imaginative realms of gods and enchanted objects within this stage are treated with sincerity and form the basis for poetry.
  3. The Theological stage involves humanity trying to rationalize the world through theology. It seeks to create a logical order out of the chaotic cosmologies conceived in the Poetic stage.

Barbie and Killers of the Flower Moon

Castalia β€’ 399 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film Aesthetics Feminism History Criticism
  1. The movie 'Barbie' is all about world-building and creativity. It mixes different genres and offers a fun view on feminism, showing that it's not just about power, but also understanding emotions and relationships.
  2. In contrast, 'Killers of the Flower Moon' focuses on the dark side of American history. It tells a sad story about greed and racism, showcasing how these forces affected the Osage people and their lives.
  3. Both films represent different styles of storytelling. 'Barbie' uses imagination and humor, while 'Killers of the Flower Moon' highlights serious historical themes, inviting viewers to think deeply about America’s past.

"Crowned Masterpieces of Eloquence" Introduction

Anarchonomicon β€’ 707 implied HN points β€’ 15 Apr 23
🚌 Education History Literature Politics Academia
  1. The collection 'Crowned Masterpieces of Eloquence' provides a unique window into early 1900s speeches and reveals the power of oratory in shaping history.
  2. While oratory may be a lost art today, historical speeches have the ability to surprise and enlighten readers with perspectives from different eras.
  3. Trump's distinct persona and communication style, though not a classical orator, stand out in a field of polished, scripted politicians, showing a different approach to public speaking.

Another Gripe

Unpopular Front β€’ 55 implied HN points β€’ 21 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Criticism Media Politics History
  1. Responding to negative reviews can seem petty, but sometimes it's necessary to clear up misunderstandings. It's important to address when someone's critique misses the point of your work.
  2. Understanding the tone and context of writing is crucial for meaningful critiques. Misinterpreting jokes or irony can lead to completely off-base reviews.
  3. Critics should be careful when making claims about an author's political views or arguments. Misreading can reveal more about the critic's biases than the author's actual stance.

Russian Revisionism

Diane Francis β€’ 699 implied HN points β€’ 18 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Disinformation Conflict International relations History
  1. Russia has a long history of spreading misinformation to hide the truth about its actions and policies. This dishonesty is a key part of its government strategy.
  2. Two major false narratives are currently promoted by Russia: one is that it is a great empire deserving of pride, and the other is that Ukraine is not a real country invaded by Russia for noble reasons.
  3. Disinformation tactics include tailoring messages to different groups and undermining Ukraine's efforts, showing how Russia manipulates information to divert blame and distract from its own wrongdoings.