John Fea
@johnfea1.bsky.social
Historian at Messiah University and Lumen Center (Madison, WI). Author of 6 books. Blogger and podcaster at The Way of Improvement Leads Home. #LGM #Bruuuuuce!
Your odds and ends are here: Click. Read. Learn. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/18/s...
Sunday night odds and ends
A few things online that caught my attention this week The last intellectual could be found lying on a bench at UCLA, reading Absent Minds: Intellectuals in Britain What the Democratic Party could …
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 18, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Your odds and ends are here: Click. Read. Learn. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/18/s...
What if Fox News covered the Boston Massacre? thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/17/w...
What if Fox News covered the Boston Massacre?
This is very funny:
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 17, 2026 at 7:32 PM
What if Fox News covered the Boston Massacre? thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/17/w...
In today's roundup (January 17, 2026), we have: "The Most Evil Man in Evangelicalism"; differing evangelical views on Minneapolis; would a "Christian nation" steal Greenland?; evangelical remembering MLK; & more: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/17/e...
Evangelical roundup for January 17, 2026
What is happening today at the intersection of Evangelicalism and politics? Seth Gruber, a conservative evangelical pro-life advocate, writes about five of his fellow evangelicals: Tim Keller, Fran…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 17, 2026 at 7:31 PM
In today's roundup (January 17, 2026), we have: "The Most Evil Man in Evangelicalism"; differing evangelical views on Minneapolis; would a "Christian nation" steal Greenland?; evangelical remembering MLK; & more: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/17/e...
Trending this week at The Way of Improvement Leads Home: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/m...
Most popular posts of the last week
Here are the most popular posts of the last week at The Way of Improvement Leads Home: Evangelicals respond to the U.S. attack on Venezuela Sunday night odds and ends Evangelical roundup for Januar…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 16, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Trending this week at The Way of Improvement Leads Home: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/m...
Sean Feucht: "I am convinced the internet and social medial has stripped away all human decency. List (sic), fear and anger is now what moves people." I
Oh, the irony! I have filed this in the "you can't make this stuff up" folder. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/e...
Oh, the irony! I have filed this in the "you can't make this stuff up" folder. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/e...
Evangelical roundup for January 16, 2026
What is happening today at the intersection of Evangelicalism and politics: The Christian Post also noticed Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins tweet about Trump’s “coarseness.…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 16, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Sean Feucht: "I am convinced the internet and social medial has stripped away all human decency. List (sic), fear and anger is now what moves people." I
Oh, the irony! I have filed this in the "you can't make this stuff up" folder. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/e...
Oh, the irony! I have filed this in the "you can't make this stuff up" folder. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/e...
In 2003, evangelicals tried—however selectively—to justify war in moral terms. In 2026, many skipped straight to celebration. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/t...
The “Dumb-roe Doctrine”
Over at his Substack, Princeton historian David Bell compares George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq with Donald Trump’s invasion of Venezuela. A taste: While the Bush administration’s invas…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 16, 2026 at 9:11 PM
In 2003, evangelicals tried—however selectively—to justify war in moral terms. In 2026, many skipped straight to celebration. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/t...
Just finished interviewing Douglas “Jake” Jacobsen and Rhonda Hustedt Jacobsen about their new book *Christianity and Intellectual Inquiry: Thinking as Pilgrimage*. Episode 133 of The Way of Improvement Podcast drops soon!
January 16, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Just finished interviewing Douglas “Jake” Jacobsen and Rhonda Hustedt Jacobsen about their new book *Christianity and Intellectual Inquiry: Thinking as Pilgrimage*. Episode 133 of The Way of Improvement Podcast drops soon!
A leadership change at the National Constitution Center: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/j...
Jeffrey Rosen steps down as President and CEO of The National Constitution Center
Some of you may remember Jeffrey Rosen from our interview with him on Episode 130 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home podcast. Here is the press release: Philadelphia, PA — The National Const…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 16, 2026 at 4:06 PM
A leadership change at the National Constitution Center: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/j...
“History is under assault right now…Pushing the pre-eminent organization of historians to take an overtly political stance only serves to divide the organization and also to jeopardize its reputation as a place for nonpartisan historical inquiry.” thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/t...
The American Historical Association executive council once again rejects a vote on Gaza “scholasticide.”
This is the second year in a row that the AHA’s executive council has rejected the vote of the AHA members who came to the annual meeting. Some readers may recall that we blogged about this l…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 16, 2026 at 2:58 PM
“History is under assault right now…Pushing the pre-eminent organization of historians to take an overtly political stance only serves to divide the organization and also to jeopardize its reputation as a place for nonpartisan historical inquiry.” thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/t...
In today's roundup (January 16, 2026), we have: Tony Perkins on Trump's "coarseness"; Bonnie Kristian on Stephen Miller; Mark Noll on America's 250th; immigration; World Vision doing the Lord's work; responses to Russell Moore's Rom. 13 column; and more: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/e...
Evangelical roundup for January 16, 2026
What is happening today at the intersection of Evangelicalism and politics: The Christian Post also noticed Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins tweet about Trump’s “coarseness.…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 16, 2026 at 2:10 PM
In today's roundup (January 16, 2026), we have: Tony Perkins on Trump's "coarseness"; Bonnie Kristian on Stephen Miller; Mark Noll on America's 250th; immigration; World Vision doing the Lord's work; responses to Russell Moore's Rom. 13 column; and more: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/e...
"In a country with a functional political system and a sane public sphere, the dangerous nonsense indulged in with respect to Venezuela and Greenland would, by itself, already have led to Trump’s removal from office. Unfortunately, we don’t live in one." thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/t...
The “Dumb-roe Doctrine”
Over at his Substack, Princeton historian David Bell compares George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq with Donald Trump’s invasion of Venezuela. A taste: While the Bush administration’s invas…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 16, 2026 at 2:06 PM
"In a country with a functional political system and a sane public sphere, the dangerous nonsense indulged in with respect to Venezuela and Greenland would, by itself, already have led to Trump’s removal from office. Unfortunately, we don’t live in one." thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/16/t...
“Americans are thinking about [Karl] Marx to a degree not matched since the 1960s, or perhaps even the 1930s.” Episode 131 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home podcast is here. Join us for a discussion of Hartman’s new book, *Karl Marx in America*. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/e...
Episode 131: “Karl Marx in America”
Our guest in this episode, historian Andrew Hartman, writes, “Americans are thinking about [Karl] Marx to a degree not matched since the 1960s, or perhaps even the 1930s.” Join us for a…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 15, 2026 at 2:53 PM
“Americans are thinking about [Karl] Marx to a degree not matched since the 1960s, or perhaps even the 1930s.” Episode 131 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home podcast is here. Join us for a discussion of Hartman’s new book, *Karl Marx in America*. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/e...
"Up to now, insurgent socialists have had the advantage of contrasting their theoretical programs with actually existing liberalism. But with Mamdani taking office, voters will be able to judge the merits of actually existing socialism too." thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/15/b...
Both liberals and democratic socialists “should be committed to the dignity of all people”
I will start this post with the final paragraph of a post I published yesterday on Mamdani. For some historical context, I encourage you to listen to Episode 131 of The Way of Improvement Leads Hom…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 15, 2026 at 2:52 PM
"Up to now, insurgent socialists have had the advantage of contrasting their theoretical programs with actually existing liberalism. But with Mamdani taking office, voters will be able to judge the merits of actually existing socialism too." thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/15/b...
"Mexican-origin people have historically been the victims of police abuse and violence, but also that they did not simply accept this abuse but rather developed smart, conscientious strategies to deal with police oppression." thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/15/t...
The Author’s Corner with Brian D. Behnken
Brian D. Behnken is Professor of History at Iowa State University. This interview is based on his new book, Brown and Blue: Mexican Americans, Law Enforcement, and Civil Rights in the Southwest, 19…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 15, 2026 at 2:49 PM
"Mexican-origin people have historically been the victims of police abuse and violence, but also that they did not simply accept this abuse but rather developed smart, conscientious strategies to deal with police oppression." thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/15/t...
In today's roundup (January 15, 2026), we have: Romans 13; an evangelical senator wonders if men can get pregnant; the Hyde Amendment; praying for America; Metaxas on a roll; and more: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/15/e...
Evangelical roundup for January 15, 2026
What is happening today at the intersection of Evangelicalism and politics? Evangelical Christians love quoting Romans 13. But do they do it correctly? Here is Russell Moore at Christianity Today: …
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 15, 2026 at 2:48 PM
In today's roundup (January 15, 2026), we have: Romans 13; an evangelical senator wonders if men can get pregnant; the Hyde Amendment; praying for America; Metaxas on a roll; and more: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/15/e...
Reposted by John Fea
This was a fantastic conversation.
Episode 131 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home Podcast is here! We talk with historian Andrew Hartman about his latest book, *Karl Marx in America*. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/e...
Episode 131: “Karl Marx in America”
Our guest in this episode, historian Andrew Hartman, writes, “Americans are thinking about [Karl] Marx to a degree not matched since the 1960s, or perhaps even the 1930s.” Join us for a…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 14, 2026 at 9:51 PM
This was a fantastic conversation.
Mamdani and the way beyond wokeness:
thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/m...
thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/m...
Mamdani and the way beyond wokeness
Here is Shadi Hamid at The Washington Post: From 2014 to about 2023, and peaking in 2020, Democrats fell under the sway of “woke” ideas that prioritized divisive cultural issues such as transgender…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 14, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Mamdani and the way beyond wokeness:
thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/m...
thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/m...
From the very beginning, The Way of Improvement Leads Home has been about highlighting others’ work. It's been about boosting good stories and educating lifelong learners. Learn more here: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/12/m...
Fellow travelers: thank you and happy New Year!
I’ve always understood The Way of Improvement Leads as an extension of my work as a history educator and professor. I wanted the blog to reflect my life as a teacher and someone privileged to…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 14, 2026 at 4:32 PM
From the very beginning, The Way of Improvement Leads Home has been about highlighting others’ work. It's been about boosting good stories and educating lifelong learners. Learn more here: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/12/m...
Author's Corner with Mark Hlavacik, *Willing Warriors: A New History of the Education Culture Wars*: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/13/t... @tamu.bsky.social @uchicagopress.bsky.social
The Author’s Corner with Mark Hlavacik
Mark Hlavacik is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism at Texas A&M University. This interview is based on his new book, Willing Warriors: A New History of the E…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 14, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Author's Corner with Mark Hlavacik, *Willing Warriors: A New History of the Education Culture Wars*: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/13/t... @tamu.bsky.social @uchicagopress.bsky.social
In today's roundup (January 14, 2026), we have Christianity vs. Groyperism; more Iran commentary; Jake Meador on National Conservatism; a claim that the Founding Fathers were "far-right Christian nationalists"; and more: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/e...
Evangelical roundup for January 14, 2026
What is happening today at the intersection of Evangelicalism and politics? Over at the Juicy Ecumenism blog, Mark Tooley distinguishes between Groyperism and Christianity. A taste: Groyperism ofte…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 14, 2026 at 4:25 PM
In today's roundup (January 14, 2026), we have Christianity vs. Groyperism; more Iran commentary; Jake Meador on National Conservatism; a claim that the Founding Fathers were "far-right Christian nationalists"; and more: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/e...
Episode 131 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home Podcast is here! We talk with historian Andrew Hartman about his latest book, *Karl Marx in America*. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/e...
Episode 131: “Karl Marx in America”
Our guest in this episode, historian Andrew Hartman, writes, “Americans are thinking about [Karl] Marx to a degree not matched since the 1960s, or perhaps even the 1930s.” Join us for a…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 14, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Episode 131 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home Podcast is here! We talk with historian Andrew Hartman about his latest book, *Karl Marx in America*. thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/e...
"...ethnic Mexicans, living and working within the segregated contours of Orange County’s citrus landscape, built the social and political movement that ended their systemic segregation..."
thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/t...
thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/t...
The Author’s Corner with David-James Gonzales
David-James Gonzales is Assistant Professor of History at Brigham Young University. This interview is based on his new book, Breaking Down the Walls of Segregation: Mexican American Grassroots Poli…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 14, 2026 at 4:17 PM
"...ethnic Mexicans, living and working within the segregated contours of Orange County’s citrus landscape, built the social and political movement that ended their systemic segregation..."
thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/t...
thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/14/t...
Reposted by John Fea
I enjoyed answering the questions @johnfea1.bsky.social asked for his The Way of Improvement blog:
thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/10/21/t...
thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/10/21/t...
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
January 13, 2026 at 7:28 PM
I enjoyed answering the questions @johnfea1.bsky.social asked for his The Way of Improvement blog:
thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/10/21/t...
thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/10/21/t...
"There was once an American who voted for both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In this year of the nation’s 250th anniversary, you should know his name." thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/13/h...
He voted for George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
Here is historian Matthew Pinsker at The Washington Post: There was once an American who voted for both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In this year of the nation’s 250th anniversary, you sh…
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 13, 2026 at 1:49 PM
"There was once an American who voted for both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In this year of the nation’s 250th anniversary, you should know his name." thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/13/h...
Author's Corner with Joshua B. Freeman, *Garden Apartments: The History of a Low-Rent Utopia*: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/12/t... @uchicagopress.bsky.social @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social
The Author’s Corner with Joshua B. Freeman
Joshua B. Freeman is Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus at Queens College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York. This interview is based on his new book, Garden Apartments: …
thewayofimprovement.blog
January 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Author's Corner with Joshua B. Freeman, *Garden Apartments: The History of a Low-Rent Utopia*: thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/12/t... @uchicagopress.bsky.social @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social