Category Archives: History of the Western World

The Great War and Modern Memory at 50

Posted on February 15, 2025 by briansandberg

Paul Fussell’s The Great War and Modern Memory, a classic study of British soldiers’ writings about trench warfare on the Western Front during the First World War, is now 50 years old. Dwight Garner, a book critic at The New … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural History, European History, European Studies, French History, Historiography and Social Theory, History of the Western World, History of Violence, Museums and Historical Memory, Public History, Strategy and International Politics, War and Society, War, Culture, and Society | 1 Comment

Would-be King Trump

Posted on January 22, 2025 by briansandberg

President Trump’s inauguration ceremonies in Washington, D.C., have been filled with royal rhetoric and regal symbolism, promoting the new President as a would-be king. The New York Times reports that “At a late-night inaugural ball on Monday, President Trump, flush … Continue reading →

Posted in Court Studies, Cultural History, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern France, Early Modern World, Empires and Imperialism, French History, History of the Western World, Monarchies and Royal States, Noble Culture and History of Elites, Political Culture, Political Theory, Renaissance Art and History, State Development Theory, United States History and Society | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DNA Studies of Pompeii Victims

Posted on November 8, 2024 by briansandberg

New DNA studies have been done the remains of residents of Pompeii who were killed in the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 Common Era (CE). The findings challenge previous interpretations about the identities of many of the victims. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Environmental History, European History, History of the Western World, Italian History, Social History, World History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Silk Road and Eurasian Cities

Posted on October 23, 2024 by briansandberg

A “casual tip” led archaeologist Michael Frachetti to the discovery of “Tugunbulak, an enormous fortified city dating back to a medieval empire. He and his team would spend nearly a decade trying to map out the site, as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural History, Early Modern World, Globalization, History of the Western World, Material Culture, Medieval History, Urban History, World History | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

AHA and History Teaching in the News

Posted on September 20, 2024 by briansandberg

The American History Association and high school history teaching are in the news once again as the so-called “Culture Wars” continue to rage across the nation. History and Social Sciences teachers and their curricula often find themselves in the crosshairs … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Humanities, Education Policy, High School History Teaching, History in the Media, History of the Western World, Humanities Education, Public History, The Past Alive: Teaching History, United States History and Society, World History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Roman Colosseum and Gladiator II

Posted on September 17, 2024 by briansandberg

The Colosseum will soon be on the big screen once again. The feature film Gladiator II is set for release to movie theaters this fall. According to the New York Times, “When ‘Gladiator’ was released in 2000, fans and critics … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Empires and Imperialism, Historical Film, History in the Media, History of Slavery, History of the Western World, History of Violence, Museums and Historical Memory, Security Studies, World History | 1 Comment

The Appian Way and World Heritage Politics

Posted on August 30, 2024 by briansandberg

The Appian Way is often considered the world’s first highway, and now it is officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The New York Times reports: “Known as the “regina viarum,” or the queen of roads, the Appia was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, European History, European Studies, History of the Western World, Italian History, Museums and Historical Memory, World History | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Teaching Western History

Posted on August 30, 2024 by briansandberg

I am teaching HIST 110 History of the Western World I this fall semester at Northern Illinois and am once again revamping the readings. I have decided to go with a new interpretive essay, Josephine Quinn’s How the World Made … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, European History, Historiography and Social Theory, History of the Western World, Idea of Europe, Medieval History, Mediterranean World, Northern Illinois University, The Past Alive: Teaching History, Undergraduate Work in History, World History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pledging Allegiance to a Monarch

Posted on April 30, 2023 by briansandberg

Monarchies are alive and well in the twenty-first century. And, the notion that “constitutional monarchies” have tamed the power of rulers is perhaps misplaced…. The plans for King Charles III’s upcoming coronation ceremonies reveal new assertions of power and authority … Continue reading →

Posted in Court Studies, Empires and Imperialism, European History, European Studies, History of the Western World, Monarchies and Royal States, Noble Culture and History of Elites, Political Culture, Political Theory, Republicanism, Strategy and International Politics, World History | Leave a comment

RSA High School Teaching Grants

Posted on March 29, 2023 by briansandberg

The Renaissance Society of America has issued a call for proposals for its RSA High School Teaching Grants. High school teachers are invited to submit innovative teaching projects in the field of Renaissance Studies for consideration for these grants, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Modern Europe, Early Modern World, European History, Grants and Fellowships, High School History Teaching, History of the Western World, Reformation History, Renaissance Art and History, The Past Alive: Teaching History, World History | Leave a comment