Dr. Jessica Lepler
@jlepler.bsky.social
Historian at UNH. Teaches early America, capitalism, & animals. 1st Book (2013): "The Many Panics of 1837." 2nd Book (August 2025): "Canal Dreamers" https://uncpress.org/book/9781469690551/canal-dreamers/
Pinned
Ep 75! I talked with @jlepler.bsky.social about her new book, CANAL DREAMERS, from (@uncpress.bsky.social). I loved hearing how she first started researching this book alongside her dissertation, and how she has supported other academics writing second books! draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...
It was such a joy to talk with Kate about history writing, teaching, publishing, and so much more. As a long-time listener and first-time talker, it was a dream come true! Thank you @draftingthepast.bsky.social! 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
Thank you @katecarp.bsky.social for the fabulous @draftingthepast.bsky.social swag! I totally approve of your color choice! It coordinates well with my ocean blue office. I had so much fun talking about history writing on your show and look forward to sipping my coffee along with future episodes. 🗃️
November 21, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Thank you @katecarp.bsky.social for the fabulous @draftingthepast.bsky.social swag! I totally approve of your color choice! It coordinates well with my ocean blue office. I had so much fun talking about history writing on your show and look forward to sipping my coffee along with future episodes. 🗃️
I have been assigning episodes of @bfworld.bsky.social for years. I can't believe I get to be part of the podcast! Thank you @lizcovart.bsky.social! 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
I’m working on a new episode with Jessica Lepler. She wrote a fascinating book called Canal Dreamers. It’s about the quest of early Americans to build a interoceanic canal across present-day Nicaragua.
* This is an affiliate link. If you purchase you support local bookstores & @bfworld.bsky.social
* This is an affiliate link. If you purchase you support local bookstores & @bfworld.bsky.social
Canal Dreamers: The Epic Quest to Connect the Atlantic and Pacific in the Age of Revolutions
The Epic Quest to Connect the Atlantic and Pacific in the Age of Revolutions
bookshop.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I have been assigning episodes of @bfworld.bsky.social for years. I can't believe I get to be part of the podcast! Thank you @lizcovart.bsky.social! 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Lepler
I’m working on a new episode with Jessica Lepler. She wrote a fascinating book called Canal Dreamers. It’s about the quest of early Americans to build a interoceanic canal across present-day Nicaragua.
* This is an affiliate link. If you purchase you support local bookstores & @bfworld.bsky.social
* This is an affiliate link. If you purchase you support local bookstores & @bfworld.bsky.social
Canal Dreamers: The Epic Quest to Connect the Atlantic and Pacific in the Age of Revolutions
The Epic Quest to Connect the Atlantic and Pacific in the Age of Revolutions
bookshop.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I’m working on a new episode with Jessica Lepler. She wrote a fascinating book called Canal Dreamers. It’s about the quest of early Americans to build a interoceanic canal across present-day Nicaragua.
* This is an affiliate link. If you purchase you support local bookstores & @bfworld.bsky.social
* This is an affiliate link. If you purchase you support local bookstores & @bfworld.bsky.social
I have never seen this image before, but it is striking! #historyofanimals
In this amazing assemblage, hunters barbarously slaughter wildlife until, in center, wildlife turns on them and metes out well-deserved, gruesome justice. Painted in 1647 by Paulus Potter, whose day is today.
November 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I have never seen this image before, but it is striking! #historyofanimals
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Lepler
Really enjoyed this episode! The excerpt also made me wonder… is @jlepler.bsky.social a Lemony Snicket fan? 🤔
November 19, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Really enjoyed this episode! The excerpt also made me wonder… is @jlepler.bsky.social a Lemony Snicket fan? 🤔
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Lepler
Spent part of my morning listening to one of my favorites talk about her writing process. Loved every minute! Listen to @jlepler.bsky.social and then go out and buy Canal Dreamers!
draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...
draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...
Episode 75: Jessica Lepler Knows That Criticism Is Praise – Drafting the Past
draftingthepast.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Spent part of my morning listening to one of my favorites talk about her writing process. Loved every minute! Listen to @jlepler.bsky.social and then go out and buy Canal Dreamers!
draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...
draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...
It was such a joy to talk with Kate about history writing, teaching, publishing, and so much more. As a long-time listener and first-time talker, it was a dream come true! Thank you @draftingthepast.bsky.social! 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
Ep 75! I talked with @jlepler.bsky.social about her new book, CANAL DREAMERS, from (@uncpress.bsky.social). I loved hearing how she first started researching this book alongside her dissertation, and how she has supported other academics writing second books! draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...
November 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
It was such a joy to talk with Kate about history writing, teaching, publishing, and so much more. As a long-time listener and first-time talker, it was a dream come true! Thank you @draftingthepast.bsky.social! 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
Tonight’s aurora borealis in New Hampshire. Arctic temps are accompanying it. Brrrr
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Tonight’s aurora borealis in New Hampshire. Arctic temps are accompanying it. Brrrr
Last night, I was awarded a College Teaching Excellence Award from UNH. I count it amongst the highest honors of my career, and am so grateful for the more than 1,000 UNH students who have made teaching a joy for me for my 17 years here.
November 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Last night, I was awarded a College Teaching Excellence Award from UNH. I count it amongst the highest honors of my career, and am so grateful for the more than 1,000 UNH students who have made teaching a joy for me for my 17 years here.
So grateful for this generous review of Canal Dreamers, which situates my “eloquent” and “expansive history” in recent context. 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
The quest to link oceans has driven Central America to distraction. Read our latest review: Canal Dreamers @lepler @UNC_Press #Nicaragua #CentralAmerica #infrastructure #PanamaCanal #imperialism latamrob.substack.com/p/blurred-vi...
Blurred visions
The quest to link oceans has driven Central America to distraction. Review: Canal Dreamers, Jessica M Lepler, by Gavin O'Toole
latamrob.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:51 PM
So grateful for this generous review of Canal Dreamers, which situates my “eloquent” and “expansive history” in recent context. 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Lepler
Terrific review of @jlepler.bsky.social's "eloquent history of Nicaragua’s canal proposals during the 1820s."
The quest to link oceans has driven Central America to distraction. Read our latest review: Canal Dreamers @lepler @UNC_Press #Nicaragua #CentralAmerica #infrastructure #PanamaCanal #imperialism latamrob.substack.com/p/blurred-vi...
Blurred visions
The quest to link oceans has driven Central America to distraction. Review: Canal Dreamers, Jessica M Lepler, by Gavin O'Toole
latamrob.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Terrific review of @jlepler.bsky.social's "eloquent history of Nicaragua’s canal proposals during the 1820s."
It's not every day an author enjoys a phenomenal book review from a leading historian who also happens to be a descendant of one of the subjects of her book. Thank you for taking us on this walk with you @benjaminepark.bsky.social! 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
www.facebook.com/share/p/19oo...
@uncpress.bsky.social
www.facebook.com/share/p/19oo...
November 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
It's not every day an author enjoys a phenomenal book review from a leading historian who also happens to be a descendant of one of the subjects of her book. Thank you for taking us on this walk with you @benjaminepark.bsky.social! 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
www.facebook.com/share/p/19oo...
@uncpress.bsky.social
www.facebook.com/share/p/19oo...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Lepler
We need a critique of AI in academic publishing. Following my decision not to sign an AI addendum to my contract with Cambridge University Press, I wrote this short essay which is now out in the Dublin Review of Books.
👇
drb.ie/move-over-fo...
👇
drb.ie/move-over-fo...
Move over for AI - DRB
Katja Bruisch writes: I recently completed a scholarly monograph – an environmental, economic and energy history of peat in imperial and Soviet Russia. After years of thinking and writing, I approache...
drb.ie
October 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
We need a critique of AI in academic publishing. Following my decision not to sign an AI addendum to my contract with Cambridge University Press, I wrote this short essay which is now out in the Dublin Review of Books.
👇
drb.ie/move-over-fo...
👇
drb.ie/move-over-fo...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Lepler
I feel absolutely heartbroken over the demolition of the East Wing. This wasn’t even a full year ago 💔
October 22, 2025 at 11:09 PM
I feel absolutely heartbroken over the demolition of the East Wing. This wasn’t even a full year ago 💔
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Lepler
ok who did this? ☹️
October 22, 2025 at 9:52 PM
ok who did this? ☹️
I was delighted to be invited by @johnfea1.bsky.social to answer some questions about "Canal Dreamers." The blog post went live today: thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/10/21/t...
It's great timing because the book is currently on sale on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Canal-Dreame...
🗃️ @uncpress.bsky.social
It's great timing because the book is currently on sale on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Canal-Dreame...
🗃️ @uncpress.bsky.social
The Author’s Corner with Jessica M. Lepler
Jessica M. Lepler is Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire. This interview is based on her new book, Canal Dreamers: The Epic Quest to Connect the Atlantic and Pacific i…
thewayofimprovement.blog
October 21, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I was delighted to be invited by @johnfea1.bsky.social to answer some questions about "Canal Dreamers." The blog post went live today: thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/10/21/t...
It's great timing because the book is currently on sale on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Canal-Dreame...
🗃️ @uncpress.bsky.social
It's great timing because the book is currently on sale on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Canal-Dreame...
🗃️ @uncpress.bsky.social
The Canvas outage today made me think about that episode of "Arthur" when the internet goes out and, horror of horrors, the kids have to play with analog toys like Polaroid cameras. They end up having a blast. Here's hoping my students picked up the awesome book due next week. #academicsky
October 21, 2025 at 1:34 AM
The Canvas outage today made me think about that episode of "Arthur" when the internet goes out and, horror of horrors, the kids have to play with analog toys like Polaroid cameras. They end up having a blast. Here's hoping my students picked up the awesome book due next week. #academicsky
I know Amazon's "Best Seller's Rank" is a fraught measure, but teenage me, who dreamed of becoming a US historian, would be so tickled to learn that, for a moment, she had authored a number one best-selling book in Nicaraguan history.
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I know Amazon's "Best Seller's Rank" is a fraught measure, but teenage me, who dreamed of becoming a US historian, would be so tickled to learn that, for a moment, she had authored a number one best-selling book in Nicaraguan history.
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
On Friday, I get to share a lecture from my History of Animals course with participants in a Free Library of Philadelphia online program. The topic is "Dinosaurs: Animal History Before Humans (And After)." 🦕🦖It is free to join the webinar. Register here:
libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/eve...
🗃️
libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/eve...
🗃️
Events: Dinosaurs: Animal History Before Humans (and After).
Join us on October 17th for a free Zoom presentation as Jessica Lepler, a historian at the University of New Hampshire, will offer a compelling program that may change the way you view both animals an...
libwww.freelibrary.org
October 15, 2025 at 11:50 PM
On Friday, I get to share a lecture from my History of Animals course with participants in a Free Library of Philadelphia online program. The topic is "Dinosaurs: Animal History Before Humans (And After)." 🦕🦖It is free to join the webinar. Register here:
libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/eve...
🗃️
libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/eve...
🗃️
At 7 PM tonight, I will be talking at Water Street Books in Exeter, NH. So excited to share my research! 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
October 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
At 7 PM tonight, I will be talking at Water Street Books in Exeter, NH. So excited to share my research! 🗃️
@uncpress.bsky.social
@uncpress.bsky.social
I am excited to teach The Memory of '76 by @michaelhattem.bsky.social in my early American grad seminar tomorrow. It will be a new staple for the course because it is concise, eloquent, provocative, and a survey of popular and academic historiography. 🗃️
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
The Memory of ’76
The surprising history of how Americans have fought over the meaning and legacy of the Revolution for nearly two and a half centuries Finalist, George Wash...
yalebooks.yale.edu
October 7, 2025 at 12:58 AM
I am excited to teach The Memory of '76 by @michaelhattem.bsky.social in my early American grad seminar tomorrow. It will be a new staple for the course because it is concise, eloquent, provocative, and a survey of popular and academic historiography. 🗃️
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
Tonight’s full moonrise is breathtaking. What a lovely and slightly haunting end to an 82 degree day in October in New Hampshire. I appreciate the free trip to Florida, but global warming much?
October 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Tonight’s full moonrise is breathtaking. What a lovely and slightly haunting end to an 82 degree day in October in New Hampshire. I appreciate the free trip to Florida, but global warming much?
Following this discussion. I need to update my sense of the field. The transition to coal seems super important these days.
Historians: if you had to pick one accessible text for an undergraduate student starting to explore the early British Industrial Revolution, what would you recommend? TIA
🗃️
🗃️
October 6, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Following this discussion. I need to update my sense of the field. The transition to coal seems super important these days.
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Lepler
With news that Trump wants to be put on a $1 coin, here is the $.05 fractional currency featuring Spencer Clark, Superintendent of the US National Currency Bureau that led to outrage over putting living people on currency. PA Rep Russell Thayer’s 1866 appropriations amendment forbid this practice.
October 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
With news that Trump wants to be put on a $1 coin, here is the $.05 fractional currency featuring Spencer Clark, Superintendent of the US National Currency Bureau that led to outrage over putting living people on currency. PA Rep Russell Thayer’s 1866 appropriations amendment forbid this practice.