Things Noted Here and There
In"Political Histories Old and New," Hiram Hover probes the current practice of American political history by comparing and contrasting the work of Steven Hahn and Sean Wilentz.
Our friends at Global Voices have launched a letter-writing and petition campaign for the release of their coordinator for China, Hao Wu. He was arrested on 22 February and has been held in confinement – without charges -- since then. This violates China's Code of Criminal Procedure. There was some hope that he would be released before President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States, but that did not happen, so his supporters are increasingly anxious. Please join Global Voices in the appeal.
David Glenn,"Scholarly Definitions Are Fighting Words in Gun-Law Theorist's Defamation Suit," CHE, 20 April, clarifies the issues in John Lott's law suit against Steven Levitt. Thanks to Henry Farrell at Crooked Timber for the tip.
Martin Van Creveld,"Knowing Why Not to Bomb Iran Is Half the Battle," Forward, 21 April, argues like a historian – you know, from history. [Thanks to Eric Alterman for the tip.] Timothy Garton Ash,"The Tragedy that Followed Hillary Clinton's Bombing of Iran in 2009," Guardian, 20 April, foresees widespread devastation in the future. And, finally, HNN's own Michelle Malkin-lite is taking a beating on her own comment boards.