Why History?: How History Opened a World of Reading

In March, Bygone Babes’ inaugural month, contributors examined early influences on why they decided to pursue history as a field of expertise and career, in the “Why History?” series

Recently, I found an old box of books, stored for years in my parent’s attic. Rummaging through the box of my childhood keepsakes and notebooks, I found my collection of Dear America books. Dear America is a series of young adult historical fiction books written from the perspective of teenage girls. Each novel, written in the form of a diary, follows a different girl at various moments of American history. Serving as witnesses to historical events, these girls share their thoughts and feelings about what is happening around them. This series was my first experience with history and the historical fiction genre and hold a special place in my heart. The Dear America series helped me overcome challenges with reading and guided my consciousness as young reader and later as a historian.

Why History?: A Minivan In Pursuit of American History

In March, The C.O.H.O.R.T.’s inaugural month, contributors examine early influences on why they decided to pursue history as a field of expertise and career, in the “Why History?” series.

Most kids are raised going on family vacation road trips. We have all seen National Lampoon’s Vacation, reminiscent of being squished in a car for days in pursuit of the ultimate theme park family experience. Instead, I was loaded in a minivan with my two sisters, my aunt and uncle, and my dad in pursuit of American history. One of the earliest memories I have of these family vacations is standing in an open field at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana, reading a plaque about battle movements by Custer’s 7th Cavalry and the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes.  

Why History?: The Art of Writing Historical Nonfiction (and Fiction) Stories

In March, The C.O.H.O.R.T.’s inaugural month, contributors examine early influences on why they decided to pursue history as a field of expertise and career, in the “Why History?” series.

Unlike many historians, I did not always aspire to be a historian. Instead, I immersed myself in theater, music and writing.

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