LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Dark Side of Thomas Jefferson's Moon - *Master of the Mountain*

The current issue of Smithsonian Magazine features an article by Henry Wiencek offering new insights into the life of Thomas Jefferson. Wiencek, a former Fellow at Washington College’s C.V. Starr Center for the American Experience, offers a thematic overview of his research in the Smithsonian article “The Little Known Dark Side of Thomas Jefferson.” His new book, Master of the Mountain, has stunned historians with well researched material dealing with Thomas Jefferson and his slaves.

The full Smithsonian article is here.

Full disclosure: we know Henry Wiencek, and have read Master of the Mountain, as well Henry's other books.

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