Here’s a quick preview of the newest issue of The American Historian:
The August 2016 issue of the American Historian features three compelling pieces on “Writing History for a Popular Audience.” Geraldo L. Cadava offers helpful advice to historians seeking to write op-eds, while Brandon Proia gives an insider’s look on how to write a history book that appeals to a broad audience. Finally, we have a roundtable featuring three participants, Danielle McGuire, Andrew Miller, and T. J. Stiles, who give a variety of perspectives on how to best write a book geared towards a popular audience and how to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of trade presses.
The issue also includes a piece by Chris Myers Asch on giving students the opportunity to serve as editors for one’s perspective book chapters. Christopher W. Wilson discusses the state of historical films and their pedagogical usefulness while also summarizing the recent History Film Forum launched by the Smithsonian and the NEH. Johnny Smith gives an historical overview of the creation of the term “student-athlete” and questions the myth of amateurism in college athletics. Finally, Susan J. Matt details the history of emotions in U.S. history, giving a broad look at the history of the field and where it is headed. We also have an essay from OAH president Nancy F. Cott on the contentious confirmation process of new Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, various news items from the OAH including an update on the OAH’s collaboration with the National Parks service, and interesting historical facts and tidbits in our Ante and Post sections.
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