David J. Snyder
@fractalpast9.bsky.social
Historian, writer, editor. Author of "American Power in the Netherlands" (Bloomsbury, 2026). I blog about US empire, history, and culture at fractalpast.com. Working on a biography of Pittsburgh's Daisy Lampkin.
For editing inquiries: www.fractalpast.com.
For editing inquiries: www.fractalpast.com.
Pinned
David J. Snyder
@fractalpast9.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Hello Bluesky! I am David J. Snyder, PhD--historian, writer, and non-fiction #editor. My current book, "American Power in the Netherlands: Modernization and the Politics of Clientelism, 1945-1959" will be published by Bloomsbury next year. I am also writing books on higher education and a memoir.
The history of the Nobel Peace Prize is often thrilling, sometimes sordid, and always (these days) controversial. See former director Geir Lundestad's insider account for all the real dope: global.oup.com/academic/pro...
December 10, 2025 at 6:36 AM
The history of the Nobel Peace Prize is often thrilling, sometimes sordid, and always (these days) controversial. See former director Geir Lundestad's insider account for all the real dope: global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by David J. Snyder
Congress, too, is Constitutional civilian control of the military. Every senior officer is required before confirmation to commit they will tell Congress of any concerns about Administration policies or actions.
Admiral pushed out by Hegseth meets privately with lawmakers
Adm. Alvin Holsey, who oversees military operations in Latin America, has voiced concern about the Trump administration’s activities there.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Congress, too, is Constitutional civilian control of the military. Every senior officer is required before confirmation to commit they will tell Congress of any concerns about Administration policies or actions.
Reposted by David J. Snyder
The Take Care Clause was a byproduct of the lessons learned from the Glorious Revolution that the executive should not be able to dispense with the law promulgated by the legislature. It was not a constitutional provision to empower the executive branch— but to constrain it!
December 8, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The Take Care Clause was a byproduct of the lessons learned from the Glorious Revolution that the executive should not be able to dispense with the law promulgated by the legislature. It was not a constitutional provision to empower the executive branch— but to constrain it!
One of the things I really enjoy about working with Savas Beatie is the opportunity to learn about lesser-known battles and encounters. We've all heard about Gettysburg and Antietam, but key battles were fought in the west as well, often with brutal intensity:
www.savasbeatie.com/force-of-a-c...
www.savasbeatie.com/force-of-a-c...
December 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
One of the things I really enjoy about working with Savas Beatie is the opportunity to learn about lesser-known battles and encounters. We've all heard about Gettysburg and Antietam, but key battles were fought in the west as well, often with brutal intensity:
www.savasbeatie.com/force-of-a-c...
www.savasbeatie.com/force-of-a-c...
For anyone doubting the political, diplomatic, and strategic imperatives of that "voluntary assistance of other countries" for the USA, scholars have examined it at length in multiple contexts. Here's one such example, selected at random: www.bloomsbury.com/us/american-...
December 8, 2025 at 9:05 PM
For anyone doubting the political, diplomatic, and strategic imperatives of that "voluntary assistance of other countries" for the USA, scholars have examined it at length in multiple contexts. Here's one such example, selected at random: www.bloomsbury.com/us/american-...
We once knew showmanship. We once were a proper country.
December 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
We once knew showmanship. We once were a proper country.
U.S. support for European integration was a principal pillar of US foreign policy, in both Democratic and Republican administrations, for decades. Since this may be a history about which many Americans are unaware, I wrote a little summary here: www.fractalpast.com/blog/a-capsu...
December 8, 2025 at 7:21 PM
U.S. support for European integration was a principal pillar of US foreign policy, in both Democratic and Republican administrations, for decades. Since this may be a history about which many Americans are unaware, I wrote a little summary here: www.fractalpast.com/blog/a-capsu...
One of my favorite projects: During US Grant's siege of Vicksburg, his son Fred came to visit, and was given the run of the battlefield. The lad was lightly wounded and almost taken prisoner. Fred produced a delightful memoir, which is now available. Illustrated:
www.savasbeatie.com/copy-of-fred...
www.savasbeatie.com/copy-of-fred...
December 8, 2025 at 6:37 PM
One of my favorite projects: During US Grant's siege of Vicksburg, his son Fred came to visit, and was given the run of the battlefield. The lad was lightly wounded and almost taken prisoner. Fred produced a delightful memoir, which is now available. Illustrated:
www.savasbeatie.com/copy-of-fred...
www.savasbeatie.com/copy-of-fred...
One of the innovative projects we've done is this account of the early days of Second Bull Run. Two authors present half of the story each, one from the Union side, one the Confederate. Readers experience "the fog of war" just like the participants did.
www.savasbeatie.com/opening-mana...
www.savasbeatie.com/opening-mana...
December 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
One of the innovative projects we've done is this account of the early days of Second Bull Run. Two authors present half of the story each, one from the Union side, one the Confederate. Readers experience "the fog of war" just like the participants did.
www.savasbeatie.com/opening-mana...
www.savasbeatie.com/opening-mana...
Trump trying to retroactively legitimize his birtherism of 2011:
Can someone explain to me how this will actually work, if birthright citizenship goes away? Hospitals will issue birth certificates with the US as the birth country but those birth certificates will not be proof of citizenship?
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
Supreme Court to decide if Trump can limit the constitutional right to citizenship at birth
The Trump administration is seeking to roll back the historical understanding that birthright citizenship extends to almost anyone born in the United States.
www.nbcnews.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Trump trying to retroactively legitimize his birtherism of 2011:
As one would expect, the S/B catalog offers no end of deeply researched battle accounts. This is one of the best: granular, palpable, with a clear eye on both the strategic horizon as well as the human cost. Rightly buries the myth of Confederate tactical genius: www.savasbeatie.com/crisis-at-an...
December 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
As one would expect, the S/B catalog offers no end of deeply researched battle accounts. This is one of the best: granular, palpable, with a clear eye on both the strategic horizon as well as the human cost. Rightly buries the myth of Confederate tactical genius: www.savasbeatie.com/crisis-at-an...
Reposted by David J. Snyder
We dsperately need maturity in leadership.
Everyone at the top are broken little boys playing at being (what they've been taught is an ideal of) men.
Everyone at the top are broken little boys playing at being (what they've been taught is an ideal of) men.
December 6, 2025 at 3:29 PM
We dsperately need maturity in leadership.
Everyone at the top are broken little boys playing at being (what they've been taught is an ideal of) men.
Everyone at the top are broken little boys playing at being (what they've been taught is an ideal of) men.
Reposted by David J. Snyder
The Trump administration's claim that the 14th Amendment was never intended to grant citizenship "to the children of temporary visitors or illegal aliens" is very misleading given that there were few federal restrictions on immigration when the amendment was proposed through to its ratification.
December 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The Trump administration's claim that the 14th Amendment was never intended to grant citizenship "to the children of temporary visitors or illegal aliens" is very misleading given that there were few federal restrictions on immigration when the amendment was proposed through to its ratification.
One of my first projects for Savas Beatie was "We Shall Conquer or Die." Derrick Lindow tells the story of "Stovepipe" Johnson and the legendary exploits of his Kentucky irregulars. Come for the incredible military tales, stay for the complex regional politics!
www.savasbeatie.com/www.savasbea...
www.savasbeatie.com/www.savasbea...
December 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
One of my first projects for Savas Beatie was "We Shall Conquer or Die." Derrick Lindow tells the story of "Stovepipe" Johnson and the legendary exploits of his Kentucky irregulars. Come for the incredible military tales, stay for the complex regional politics!
www.savasbeatie.com/www.savasbea...
www.savasbeatie.com/www.savasbea...
In this brief excerpt from my forthcoming book, I open the story of American power in the Netherlands by showing how Dutch officials, representing occupied Holland, first entreated that power, in the form of the Netherlands Information Bureau:
www.fractalpast.com/blog/dutch-p...
www.fractalpast.com/blog/dutch-p...
Dutch Power in the U.S.
Some years before American economic and cultural power began to penetrate the Netherlands, Dutch officials sought greater influence within the United States with a dedicated wartime public diplomacy.....
www.fractalpast.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
In this brief excerpt from my forthcoming book, I open the story of American power in the Netherlands by showing how Dutch officials, representing occupied Holland, first entreated that power, in the form of the Netherlands Information Bureau:
www.fractalpast.com/blog/dutch-p...
www.fractalpast.com/blog/dutch-p...
One of the many pleasures of Alex Rossino's impressive book is its deeply researched, forensic investigation into one of the great mysteries of the Civil War: who, ultimately, was responsible for misplacing Lee's Special Orders 191? The answer will surprise you!
www.savasbeatie.com/calamity-at-...
www.savasbeatie.com/calamity-at-...
December 4, 2025 at 11:39 AM
One of the many pleasures of Alex Rossino's impressive book is its deeply researched, forensic investigation into one of the great mysteries of the Civil War: who, ultimately, was responsible for misplacing Lee's Special Orders 191? The answer will surprise you!
www.savasbeatie.com/calamity-at-...
www.savasbeatie.com/calamity-at-...
Rick Hatcher's "Thunder in the Harbor" offers not only a probing retelling of the attack that started the Civil War, but a detailed account of the fort itself, from its construction to its rearmament during WWII, up until its present national park status:
www.savasbeatie.com/thunder-in-t...
www.savasbeatie.com/thunder-in-t...
December 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Rick Hatcher's "Thunder in the Harbor" offers not only a probing retelling of the attack that started the Civil War, but a detailed account of the fort itself, from its construction to its rearmament during WWII, up until its present national park status:
www.savasbeatie.com/thunder-in-t...
www.savasbeatie.com/thunder-in-t...
It's occurred to me that I don't showcase my work much on this site, which is an oversight. One of my clients is the publisher Savas Beatie, an independent trade press that publishes excellent military history at affordable prices. So for those of you who still need a gift . . .
December 3, 2025 at 6:32 AM
It's occurred to me that I don't showcase my work much on this site, which is an oversight. One of my clients is the publisher Savas Beatie, an independent trade press that publishes excellent military history at affordable prices. So for those of you who still need a gift . . .
Reposted by David J. Snyder
In addition to the craven war crimes, it’s astounding how all these supposedly manly men—capable of deciding what’s best for all and who lives or dies—are simultaneously never responsible for the power they wield so recklessly.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said “a couple of hours” passed before he was made aware that a military strike he authorized required an additional attack to kill two survivors, further distancing himself from an incident now facing congressional inquiry.
Hegseth, citing ‘fog of war,’ says he learned of survivors hours after strike
The defense secretary’s remarks were the most extensive public accounting yet of his involvement in the military’s lethal attack on alleged drug smugglers on Sept. 2.
wapo.st
December 3, 2025 at 1:17 AM
In addition to the craven war crimes, it’s astounding how all these supposedly manly men—capable of deciding what’s best for all and who lives or dies—are simultaneously never responsible for the power they wield so recklessly.
Reposted by David J. Snyder
It's meaningful to me that @hubcitypress.bsky.social has over 500 individual supporters who donate each year to sustain our work. It's extra meaningful to me that 50% come from outside of Spartanburg. We saw our largest spike in non-SC giving ever after the termination of our NEA grant this year.
December 2, 2025 at 5:50 PM
It's meaningful to me that @hubcitypress.bsky.social has over 500 individual supporters who donate each year to sustain our work. It's extra meaningful to me that 50% come from outside of Spartanburg. We saw our largest spike in non-SC giving ever after the termination of our NEA grant this year.
A little timeline cleanse, here's Popsie, who hasn't quite decided whether she wants to eat her milkbone or just suck on it:
December 1, 2025 at 9:48 PM
A little timeline cleanse, here's Popsie, who hasn't quite decided whether she wants to eat her milkbone or just suck on it:
I often see references online to The Addams Family, which is a source of great pleasure to me since it was my great uncle, David Levy, who took Chas. Addams's cartoons and devised a television show from them. Fans of The Addams Family may be interested to know that my cousin, David's son, Lance,
December 1, 2025 at 4:09 AM
I often see references online to The Addams Family, which is a source of great pleasure to me since it was my great uncle, David Levy, who took Chas. Addams's cartoons and devised a television show from them. Fans of The Addams Family may be interested to know that my cousin, David's son, Lance,
Conservatives can read the Constitution when they choose to.
December 1, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Conservatives can read the Constitution when they choose to.
Necessary clarity from a retired three-star: "Officers are duty-bound to refuse an unlawful order. It is not optional. It is not situational. It is their job."
What Americans Should Understand About the Military Disobeying Illegal Orders open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
What Americans Should Understand About the Military Disobeying Illegal Orders open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
What Americans Should Understand About the Military Disobeying Illegal Orders
And why it matters there are two military oaths.
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Necessary clarity from a retired three-star: "Officers are duty-bound to refuse an unlawful order. It is not optional. It is not situational. It is their job."
What Americans Should Understand About the Military Disobeying Illegal Orders open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
What Americans Should Understand About the Military Disobeying Illegal Orders open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
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A partial list of the groups and organizations in which Daisy Lampkin took a prominent or defined leadership role include:
Bethel AME Church (local)
Aurora Reading Club (local)
Lucy Stone League
Red Cross (local)
Allegheny County Colored Women’s Committee (local) . . .
A partial list of the groups and organizations in which Daisy Lampkin took a prominent or defined leadership role include:
Bethel AME Church (local)
Aurora Reading Club (local)
Lucy Stone League
Red Cross (local)
Allegheny County Colored Women’s Committee (local) . . .
November 22, 2025 at 10:17 PM
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A partial list of the groups and organizations in which Daisy Lampkin took a prominent or defined leadership role include:
Bethel AME Church (local)
Aurora Reading Club (local)
Lucy Stone League
Red Cross (local)
Allegheny County Colored Women’s Committee (local) . . .
A partial list of the groups and organizations in which Daisy Lampkin took a prominent or defined leadership role include:
Bethel AME Church (local)
Aurora Reading Club (local)
Lucy Stone League
Red Cross (local)
Allegheny County Colored Women’s Committee (local) . . .