The Americanologist Book Review: Unexpected Finds and Murphy's Law

The Americanologist Book Review: Unexpected Finds and Murphy's Law

Rex Childers
Book Review, Lamont's War, Civil War, 82ndOVI

One of the unique human traits we share is the need to assign meaning to our lives. Among the many ways this occurs are the attachments we place on not only relationships with people, but to ideas, places, experiences, and objects that can transport us across time. As a public historian, I consider the preservation of archival material and artifacts a crucial duty in not only preserving the memory and history of the nation, but also a sacred bridge that helps us to make and interpret meanings by connecting us to deep reservoirs of knowledge and community.

Honor all the Charlies, Shame on the Milleys

Honor all the Charlies, Shame on the Milleys

Rex Childers
GWOT, American Power

Within a very short time, Charlie became an important part of the regular gatherings, and it was clear to anyone that spoke with him, that, although he had suffered greatly, he was proud of his time and service in the storied 82nd, America’s rapid contingency deployment division. Beyond his military experience, he had a wide-ranging mind, and could be described as a “Type A” personality and engaged on the full range of topics that flew across the table. Charlie could “give as good as he got,” when it came to the expected heckling among male friends, including one curmudgeon’s observation to Charlie that “At first we couldn’t get you to talk, now we can’t get you to shut up!” Even with one eye and a mask covering his face, Charlie’s face lit up in laughter, and he replied, “well, that shit’s on you, bro.”

The Americanologist November Book Review: Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America, by Garry Wills, Simon & Schuster: NY, 1992.

The Americanologist November Book Review: Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America, by Garry Wills, Simon & Schuster: NY, 1992.

Rex Childers
Book Review, 82ndOVI

Lincoln merged the classic requirements of Greek oration, the Divine Providence of Transcendentalists, and the strategic method of a trial lawyer to lay out his own version of Immanuel Kant’s “Categorical Imperative” for the United States of the future. Hidden in a five-minute speech were the phrases that swept away 80 years of constitutional avoidance of the sin of slavery, repeated statutory compromises which muddled and delayed the conflict until only massive destruction would begin the atonement – requiring the total abolition of slavery as a condition for peace.

While Lincoln praises the men of Gettysburg, the XI and XII Corps rescues the union at Chattanooga

While Lincoln praises the men of Gettysburg, the XI and XII Corps rescues the union at Chattanooga

Rex Childers
82ndOVI, Civil War, Lamont's War, Book Review

Just four days after Lincoln spoke on November 19, 1863, of the “brave men, living and dead, who struggled here” - including Hooker’s men from the east, now in Chattanooga - the Union moved against Orchard Knob, a steep hill overlooking the eastern side of Chattanooga, where a small force of rebels with an artillery battery were entrenched forward of Missionary Ridge. 14,000 federals attacked the hill in parade formation, and the 600 defenders were overwhelmed in minutes.

Cool Hand Luke: The "Natural American Hero" versus the state

Cool Hand Luke: The "Natural American Hero" versus the state

Rex Childers
Americulture, Movie Review

As we have experienced over the course of the last 20 months or so during this declared pandemic, heavy-handed challenges to the natural human right to speech and association are not reserved for the criminally inclined. Justified under the guise of a protective health regime in response to a novel Coronavirus unleashed from beyond the shores of America, we have all been placed into a proverbial work camp barracks. Instead of the “night in the box” or an extra set of leg irons for escape attempts, our technocratic “road bosses” determine when, where, and how we can work to support our families, worship our gods, and commune with our families and friends.

The Americanologist September Artist of the Month: Rhiannon Giddens

The Americanologist September Artist of the Month: Rhiannon Giddens

Rex Childers
Americulture, Music

Beyond her role as a musician, Rhiannon Giddens is a curator of lost music and voices, and one of her moving recordings is her cover of Joan Baez’s “Birmingham Sunday.” The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church by members of the KKK on Sunday, September 15, 1963 took the lives of Addie Mae Collins, 14; Carole McNair, 11; Carolyn Robertson, 14; and Cynthia Wesley, 14, and seriously injured 14 others.

Seeing the Elephant at McDowell, Virginia on May 8, 1862

Seeing the Elephant at McDowell, Virginia on May 8, 1862

Rex Childers
Lamont's War, 82ndOVI, Civil War

One of the results of “Seeing the Elephant” for men on both sides was the moral dilemma of taking a human life, a particular philosophical and emotional problem studied by modern military psychologists, ethicists, and historians. This was an up-close and personal battle, including rifle volleys and bayonet charges, even as both sides were learning the impact of new rifle technology and the challenge of leading small communities of volunteer farmers, storekeepers, and laborers in modern industrial war. Keeping men together on an uphill, overhand climb of 200 feet at a time with an enemy shooting down at you is enough of a challenge. Even more sobering, pulling a trigger or thrusting a bayonet into the flesh of another human being was a new experience for both sides.

Jailing John Henry- Reconstruction, Unequal Justice, and Mythmaking: A review of Scott Nelson's "Steel Drivin' Man"

Jailing John Henry- Reconstruction, Unequal Justice, and Mythmaking: A review of Scott Nelson's "Steel Drivin' Man"

Rex Childers
Culture, Politics, Book Review

In Scott Reynolds Nelson’s Steel Drivin’ Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend, the problematic period known as “Reconstruction” in the gap between 1865 and 1876 in American history is treated to an examination that is both personal and mythic in its telling. The reason I selected the work is that the story Nelson crafts is very relevant to us today – when the terms “systemic racism” and “social justice” fill the headlines surrounding a larger number of issues in our society, it might be helpful to use the past as a reference to test these claims. If we want to understand America today, a glimpse into the record of history and its efforts, successes or failures in making social change possible is the natural place to start.