John Marchetti

Book #9. Fantastic look at the political history from the fall of Nixon through W. It explains a lot about where we are today - the current GOP is not an aberration but rather the result of over 40+ years actively moving in this direction. Highly recommend.

Yeah, it’s a decent book - but Manhunt is sooo much better

Book 8. Just two more to go with the series. They’re good introductions to the Civil War - but if you’re interested in the Assassination I’d recommend Manhunt instead.

Book #7. 1st volume of Atkinson’s trilogy on the Revolution. Fantastic read. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the military history of the war.

Book #6. Taking a quick break from history. Great read, much better than Lost Symbol. Highly recommend for just a fun read. Kind of want to read the Divine Comedy now…

Book#5. Insightful work on the origins and execution of Verdun. A mix of intellectual history and military history, this is probably the best work available on why the Germans fought the Battle of Verdun. Highly recommend for anyone with a deep interest in the campaign. @robertfoley.bsky.social

Yeah, hasn’t everyone’s parents bought an entire neighborhood for their retirement?

Stupid and out of touch is a dangerous combination.

Book #4 Would definitely suggest to avoid this one. Although well written, the scholarship just isn’t there any any of these “myths” have already been discussed - better - by others.

Book #3. Great read. I saw the movie years ago, didn’t realize in the novel the story is told through the Chief’s perspective. Highly recommend.

Book #2. One of the most readable of the Oxfords, it covers the Glorious Revolution and ascension of William and Mary and though the death of George I. It examines the cultural, military, political, economic and social history of the period. Highly recommend if you’re interested in the period.

Book #1 for 2026. Only three more of these to go and I’ll have made it through the series. Despite being around 40 years old these are still a good introduction to the Civil War for general readers. Great maps and illustrations.

Book #31. Although almost 50 years ago, it’s still a good introduction to the end of the Western Roman Empire. Excellent read for nonspecialists. Includes a quick summary on why the Eastern Roman Empire lasted so much longer.

Book #30. Probably the best one volume account of the Battle of Gettysburg I’ve read. Starting from the aftermath of Chancellorsville to the return of both armies to Virginia. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the battle.

Book #29. Great one volume read of the Campaign. The book covers not only the fighting along the Mississippi but campaigns in Arkansas and Louisiana that could have affected the result of the siege. Highly readable- recommend to anyone who is interested in Grant’s victory. @univnebpress.bsky.social

Battle of Crampton's Gap The almost decisive battle of the Antietam Campaign

Since most outlets for popular history have dried up over the last couple of years, I’m trying out this platform to see how it works.

Thanks to @sju.bsky.social Matthew Muehlbauer and Kevin Hymel for their edits and suggestions.

vocal.media/history/batt...

Book #28. This is an in depth look at the artillery experience of the Army of the Potomac. Reinforces the importance of artillery to the defense and its limited effectiveness supporting attacks. The book is a bit dated and id only recommend for specialists.

We live in a post irony age…

Book #28. McPherson examines Lincoln as commander in chief throughout the war. Well written and engaging, worth reading to understand the challenges Lincoln faced. Highly recommend.

Display about Black soldiers in World War II removed from US military cemetery | CNN Politics Decades ago, as some of the bloodiest fighting in World War II ramped up in Europe, 19-year-old 1st Lt. Jeffersons Wiggins, along with hundreds of other Black soldiers in, were tasked with burying the...

www.cnn.com/2025/11/13/p...

Book #27 - another great selection of short stories from Stephen King. Highly recommend.

Book #25. Good overview of the life of Emory Upton. Includes a look at Upton’s service in the Civil War through his post war service and his efforts to reform the US Army.

Book #24. Thought Maier’s book was better but even at over 100 years old, still a good study of the Declaration.

Book #23. Ferling looks at the role three of the founders played in the Revolution: Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. Jefferson comes off the worst of the three - after helping to write the Declaration, Jefferson performs poorly as governor of VA. Nice to see Adams role highlighted. Good read.

Book #22. Interesting comparison of military leadership. The book highlights Alexander the Great, Wellington, Grant and Hitler. It’s a little dated now, but a good read and puts into focus the changing dynamics of military leadership.

Book #21. Even though the series is dated, it is still a great introduction to the material. This volume covers the siege of Petersburg through the winter of 1864-5. Great illustrations and maps.

#20 for 2025. The second of three books on Byzantium. It’s a good read, covering through the disaster at Manzikert in 1071. For a general audience, there’s no footnotes and a short bibliography. It’s a good introduction to the Eastern Roman Empire.

Book #19. 1914 is a great introduction to the campaigns of the BEF in the opening days of WWI. Consisting mainly of first hand accounts of soldiers and civilians, it doesn’t bog down in heavy military actions or jargon. It’s a fantastic read, and highly recommend to general readers.

Book #18. Detailed look at the reigns of Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth I. The Oxford Histories and great - but highly detailed. Wouldn’t recommend for a general reader but if you have a strong interest in the period, it’s worth the read.

Book #17 for the year. A little horror to start the summer off. Great read, Moreno is a fantastic writer. If you love supernatural horror, you’ll enjoy this read.

This seems bad. Really bad.