Let me initiate my posting here at HNN with a short word of thanks to Ralph and the rest of the Cliopatrians for inviting me to take part in this fine and scholarly blog. It is indeed an honor and a pleasure, and I look forward to what the process may bring.

While much of my historical career to date has reflected a fairly “traditional” approach to scholarship (study – research – think – teach – write – publish), I have also been deeply impressed by how new forums, such as H-Net (“the conference that never ends”) and such on-line journal/resource centers as World History Connected can enhance scholarly exchange and growth. The Center for History and New Media and the History News Network provide academics with a valuable means with which to engage one another and the wider public – and do so in increasingly critical “Internet time.” Again, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to contribute to this venture. My own contributions may be infrequent over the next few weeks, as my wife and I are expecting a child in the near-term, but I will see what I can manage nonetheless.