The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

READING: Harriett Martineau Observes the Court of President Andrew Jackson in Washington DC in the Early 1830s

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 238 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Harriet Martineau's observations give a unique view of early 19th-century America, focusing on the gap between ideals and reality in politics.
  2. She highlights the diversity and complexity of Washington, D.C. society while also noting the tensions surrounding power and privilege.
  3. Martineau's critical perspective reveals both admiration for American democracy and concerns about exclusions and contradictions within it.

The Arm Story Part 2 : Archimedes to Advanced RISC Machines

The Chip Letter • 2839 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🕹 Technology History
  1. Acorn built a fast microcomputer called ARM but struggled to sell it, leading to Apple acquiring the technology and creating a separate company - ARM.
  2. The Acorn team focused on keeping manufacturing costs low for ARM, making it affordable and power-efficient compared to other designs at the time.
  3. The Archimedes, powered by ARM chips, received positive reviews for its speed and performance, offering a cost-effective alternative to other computers available.

RKUL: Time Well Spent, 07/14/2025

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 183 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Your time is limited, and it's easy to waste it on your phone and the internet. Instead, consider using that time to read good books and learn something valuable.
  2. Reading offers you a chance to experience decades of knowledge and insights from various subjects. Books like 'From Dawn to Decadence' enrich your understanding of culture and creativity.
  3. Intellectual discussions can sometimes focus too much on power dynamics rather than the beauty and creativity of human thought. It's important to balance critiques with appreciation for the genius of human culture.

THE BROOKLYN BOHEMIA OF '80S AND '90S

The Nelson George Mixtape • 373 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Fort Greene and Clinton Hill in the '80s and '90s were hubs of African-American and Latin creative talent.
  2. The Brooklyn Boheme era included artists from various fields like music, literature, and film.
  3. Spike Lee's party in Fort Greene Park inspired Nelson George to work on a book about that vibrant and ambitious time.
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A Pilgrimage to Ravenna

Cathedral Effect • 373 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The city of Ravenna is known for its church mosaics and has a rich historical significance.
  2. Ravenna was a crucial city in Western Europe during the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian.
  3. The art in Ravenna's churches reflects a different portrayal of Christ compared to Western medieval art.

Lessons That Can't Be Learned

Origins of Our Time • 373 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Historiography can be more than just a hazing ritual for graduate students, it's about the overall relationship between evidence and argument in historical research.
  2. Neoliberalism and conservatism have overlapping values and affiliations, challenging the idea of a rigid separation between the two ideologies.
  3. The book overlooks significant cultural and social issues like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights while focusing on economic and political aspects, revealing a limited perspective.

212. Books to Read and Gift (2023)

Hardcore Software • 297 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
📚 Literature History
  1. The post highlights a list of books recommended for reading and gifting in 2023.
  2. The books cover various topics including history, economics, technology, and social issues.
  3. The author provides personal opinions and insights on each book, making it a curated collection.

Reality: A Lesson on Love from John Muir

Meaning || Matter • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. John Muir believed that to truly love nature, you have to understand it deeply. It's not just about enjoying beautiful views, but learning about the details and the science behind them.
  2. Muir's connection to Yosemite went beyond a short visit; it was a lifelong love. He spent years studying and exploring, showing that genuine love for something requires commitment and care.
  3. Sharing your passion for nature with others can inspire them to appreciate it too. Muir used his writing to invite more people to see and love the natural world around them.

La Banana

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jun 24
🏝 Travel History
  1. In Zanzibar, locals often earn very low wages, with salaries around $100 a month for hotel workers. Some, like Helga, are trying to improve this by paying her employees more, but the business environment can be tough.
  2. There are many interesting discussions about history and culture in Zanzibar. One local shared a view that questions common historical narratives about slavery and British influence, which makes you think about what we really know.
  3. Zanzibar has a vibrant social scene where locals are athletic and active. The beaches are great for playing sports with the locals, and you can learn a lot from their energy and skills.

Anna Gát: What to Read This Weekend #48

interintellect • 216 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Universities are no longer investing in equipping students to face humanity's challenges.
  2. There is a tension between the secular and enchanted in societal thinking.
  3. Understanding and navigating the complexities of cancer treatment can be hopeful with a positive prognosis.

Remembering Anson Rabinbach; Petrarch's Library; Shakespeare vs. Kafka

Unpopular Front • 30 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The MAGA movement is splitting into a top-down, Murdoch-style propaganda wing and a chaotic, bottom-up conspiracy wing, and the top-down side is getting more overtly racist to signal 'authenticity,' which could strengthen the other wing.
  2. Nazism worked more as a Gesinnung—a mood or ethos made of rituals, emotions, and vague precepts—than as a single, coherent ideological system.
  3. Everyday, vernacular propaganda and emotional appeals often mattered more for spreading Nazism than elite aesthetics or so-called race science.

2.6 Isaac Newton

Fields & Energy • 199 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🔬 Science History
  1. Isaac Newton built his laws of motion and gravitation on the earlier work of scientists like Galileo and Kepler. This helped him connect how things move on Earth with how planets move in space.
  2. Newton discovered that gravity acts in a certain way: the force gets weaker as you move further away from an object. He showed this through thinking about how an apple falls and how the moon orbits the Earth.
  3. To explain the gravitational pull of larger bodies, Newton used advanced math concepts, making his ideas more accurate. He proved that the gravity of a round object is the same as if all its mass was concentrated in one point at its center.

From the Archives: Sarah Kane and the Death of Theatrical Modernism, by Adam Lehrer

Safety Propaganda • 216 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The theater industry has lost touch with originality and bold vision since Sarah Kane's time.
  2. Sarah Kane's work confronted the brutality of humanity and challenged audiences to reexamine their understanding of violence and love.
  3. Kane's plays retained a classical structure while introducing a radical form of storytelling, emphasizing the beauty in despair.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 216 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Bob Hope was a beloved entertainer known for his quick, irreverent humor
  2. Bob Hope bridged the gap between soldiers and civilians through his comedy during World War II
  3. Despite criticism in later years, Bob Hope's comedy provided comfort to Americans during challenging times

Rejected Cabinet Nominees

Thinking about... • 468 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Some cabinet nominees have been rejected by the Senate in the past, which shows that this is not a common but not unheard of process. It highlights the Senate's role in approving nominees through its 'advice and consent' power.
  2. There have been instances where nominees were found to have serious personal issues or lacked qualifications, leading to their withdrawal or rejection. This raises concerns about the suitability of some of today's nominees.
  3. The history of rejected nominees emphasizes the importance of maintaining standards for cabinet positions. Questions about past employment of undocumented workers should be a part of evaluating nominees, especially given current immigration policies.

Top Links 608 American exceptionalism. An Orwellian turn in Chinese economic commentary & can we save Hawker Centers and Axolotl from progress?

Chartbook • 500 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. American exceptionalism refers to the belief that the United States has a unique role in the world. It's important to think about why this idea persists and what it means.
  2. Chinese economic commentary has taken a turn towards being more controlled and less transparent. This shift can impact how we understand China's economy and its global role.
  3. Hawker centers and the axolotl are examples of cultural and biological entities at risk from modernization. It's crucial to find ways to preserve these unique aspects of our world.

The JFK Assassination “Smoking Gun” That Wasn’t

Public • 196 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of JFK, and there's no solid evidence that the CIA was involved in planning or executing it.
  2. Past government investigations into the JFK assassination were mishandled, leading to public distrust and conspiracy theories because of the secrecy surrounding the investigation.
  3. Recent claims about CIA officer George Joannides show that while he monitored Oswald, there’s no direct evidence linking him or the CIA to JFK's murder.

2.7 Summary and Conclusions

Fields & Energy • 159 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science History
  1. Scientists should consider multiple models to explain natural phenomena and not cling to a single theory. Even if an old idea isn't widely accepted anymore, it could still hold value.
  2. Inductive reasoning, based on observations, and deductive reasoning, based on theories, are both vital in scientific discovery. They work together to help us understand the world better.
  3. Our understanding of science evolves over time, with new ideas replacing or revisiting old ones. It's essential to stay open-minded and not assume today's beliefs are the ultimate truth.

Albania: Then and Now

Cosmographia • 359 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The post discusses contrasting Edward Lear's paintings of Albania with modern photography, offering insight into the changes over time.
  2. Art has the power to reveal aspects of a country's past and history, providing a unique perspective on cultural evolution.
  3. The post is intended for paid subscribers, indicating exclusive content related to Albania's visual representations.

The River Thames

Cosmographia • 359 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The River Thames is the lifeblood of London, weaving together history, culture, and commerce, shaping London's identity for centuries.
  2. The Thames has been a strategic hub for trade, commerce, and human settlement for thousands of years, witnessing various historical events.
  3. The river has inspired countless artists, poets, and writers, with its ever-changing moods captured in works of art and literature, leaving a lasting impact on cultural cartography.

A Map of Cosmographia

Cosmographia • 159 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Our time on earth is limited, so we should make the most of it by learning and exploring.
  2. The world is full of beauty, from diverse cultures to fascinating stories.
  3. Cosmography aims to unite various disciplines like history, geography, anthropology, and more into one grand endeavor.

Five... Portraits of St. Paul's Cathedral

Londonist: Time Machine • 79 implied HN points • 05 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The post features depictions of St. Paul's Cathedral from different centuries, including maps, essays, paintings, and wartime photography.
  2. One of the depictions is a Copperplate map of London from the 1550s, showing Old St. Paul's Cathedral before the Great Fire of 1666.
  3. Another depiction is a painting by Canaletto from around 1754, showcasing St. Paul's Cathedral in its historical setting.

Boston Calling

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. At the Boston Calling music festival, the crowd made the speaker realize they had to trust in the people around them and let go of control. It felt good to be part of such a big gathering without any panic.
  2. Hozier used his platform to educate the audience about civil rights and the importance of protests throughout history. He reminded everyone that small acts of kindness can really make a difference in the world.
  3. Zane believes that you can promote love and peace simply by living your passion and doing what you love. You don't need to fight against anything; just showing your joy can inspire others.

The Wit's Guide to Coffee

Get Wit Quick • 353 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🍲 Food & Drink History
  1. Caffeine affects spiders differently than humans - like making spiders weave weird webs
  2. Too much coffee can trigger existential angst, as seen in coffee-themed comics and tweets
  3. Coffee is deeply ingrained in capitalist work culture, offering breaks and sometimes causing sleepiness

Tina Turner, The Link Between Legends, 1966: Phil Spector's "River Deep-Mountain High"

Front Row & Backstage • 353 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🎶 Music History
  1. Tina Turner was a legendary artist who inspired other musicians like Phil Spector.
  2. The song 'River Deep-Mountain High' marked a significant collaboration between Tina Turner and Phil Spector, showcasing their talents.
  3. The recording process for 'River Deep-Mountain High' was intense and intricate, leading to a masterpiece in pop music history.

Audio Autopsy 1975: Head East "Never Been Any Reason," A&M Records (+ Petra, John Schlitt)

Front Row & Backstage • 353 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🎶 Music History
  1. Head East's hit song "Never Been Any Reason" caught the attention of A&M Records and lead to a re-release of their album.
  2. Lead singer John Schlitt's musical journey with Head East and Petra showcases a career transformation from rock band to Christian music.
  3. The song features unique Minimoog solos and vocal arrangements that contributed to its classic rock success.

A new day in Green Bay

Go Long with Tyler Dunne • 353 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🎾 Sports History
  1. A historic rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears is deeply rooted and continues through the generations.
  2. The new central figures in this rivalry are Jordan Love and Justin Fields, who face a different kind of game compared to past matchups.
  3. Aaron Rodgers's absence due to injury has shifted the dynamics, potentially leading to a challenging period for the Packers.

Hamilton, Hip Hop, and the Culture of Dueling

Glenn’s Substack • 353 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Dueling was a common practice among the gentry in early America, with social pressure making it almost inevitable to accept challenges or issue them.
  2. Attempts to outlaw dueling in the 19th century were largely unsuccessful, with laws not effectively curbing the practice due to cultural norms and individual reputations at stake.
  3. As the culture changed post-Civil War, dueling declined, with the experience of the war making the ritualized violence seem outdated and less acceptable.