I Think, Therefore I Am A Thinking Blogger

Yesterday I learned that this blog was selected for a “Thinking Blogger Award” by J.L. Bell of Boston 1775.  The award started with Ilker Yoldas who designed the icon; he then handed it out to five bloggers whose work he believed provoked serious thinking  Those five bloggers in turn selected five more blogs and so on.  Bell’s short citation reads as follows:

Civil War Memory by Kevin M. Levin goes deep into our Civil War, not just the one fought in the U.S. of A. from 1861 to 1865 but also the one fought in our culture for the ensuing century and a half.

Well, that was a nice surprise.  Now it’s time to select my five bloggers.  While some of the other bloggers are setting up elaborate ground rules for consideration my only consideration is that the blog in question be thought provoking.  So, without further delay…

1. While the number of Civil War blogs continues to grow at a steady pace only a few actually make me think.  One of them is Brian Dirck’s A Lincoln Blog.  Abraham Lincoln is easily the most interesting individual from the Civil War and it’s nice to be able to get a daily dose of the “Railsplitter” from one of the most respected scholars in the field.

2. Brett Holman’s Air Minded focuses on British history between 1908 and 1941 and while that may seem like a fairly narrow focus he somehow manages to comment on much broader issues related to war, society, and technology.  The upshot is that I end up learning a great deal about a period in history that I know little about.

3. While I rarely agree with Hugo Schwyzer his blog is essential reading for anyone interested in thinking seriously about gender studies/feminism and religion.  His posts have helped a great deal this year as I work my way through my first semester teaching women’s history.

4. The blog called Spinning Clio is a must stop for those looking to explore the space where politics and history intersect.  No doubt there has been plenty to comment on over the past few years in that regard.  You can be guaranteed that the posts are well crafted and while they do betray a bias on the part of the blogger the views are always fair and tightly argued.  I love the “Reviewing the Reviewer” series; check out the latest installment critiquing a Woody Holton review.

5. My final choice is Hiram Hover who blogs about history, politics, and the academy.  My only problem is that Hiram doesn’t blog enough.  That said, he strikes me as someone who is crystal clear on where blogging fits into his intellectual life.  At one point not too long ago Hiram announced that he was going to reveal his real identity; unfortunately that hasn’t happened yet.  His posts betray a sharp wit and his commentary on Free Speech and the AHA always manages to attract the attention of Ralph Luker.  Hiram Hover is smart, witty, and fun so check it out.

And there you have it.  Congratulations to the winners!

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