John Garrison Marks
@johngmarks.com
Historian and writer. New book about how Americans remember George Washington and slavery forthcoming April 2026 w/ @uncpress.bsky.social. Vice President of Research & Engagement at AASLH. www.johngmarks.com
Just saw this Instagram ad for what I assume are crystal meth pouches? Not just for long haul truckers anymore! 2026 is great.
January 9, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Just saw this Instagram ad for what I assume are crystal meth pouches? Not just for long haul truckers anymore! 2026 is great.
Just three months from today, my book about Americans’ 250 year struggle over slavery’s place in George Washington’s legacy will be out in the world. Some great (and NYT bestselling!) writers have said kind things about it. I hope you’ll consider pre-ordering a copy. bookshop.org/p/books/thy-...
January 7, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Just three months from today, my book about Americans’ 250 year struggle over slavery’s place in George Washington’s legacy will be out in the world. Some great (and NYT bestselling!) writers have said kind things about it. I hope you’ll consider pre-ordering a copy. bookshop.org/p/books/thy-...
Please someone free us from this hell
January 6, 2026 at 2:57 AM
Please someone free us from this hell
I would never have tried this if not for this one great pizza place in Nashville, but as a lover of all things salty these things are so good. Just slap em on crusty toasted bread (even better in a wood-fired pizza crust).
December 31, 2025 at 10:44 PM
I would never have tried this if not for this one great pizza place in Nashville, but as a lover of all things salty these things are so good. Just slap em on crusty toasted bread (even better in a wood-fired pizza crust).
My dog sleeps in my bed during the winter (he’s >20lbs), because we keep the house cold. Today, yet again, he woke me up before 6am scratching me with his little foot pad while sleep running and now he’s snoring in my ear. Super loudly. He’s lucky he’s cute.
December 24, 2025 at 11:11 AM
My dog sleeps in my bed during the winter (he’s >20lbs), because we keep the house cold. Today, yet again, he woke me up before 6am scratching me with his little foot pad while sleep running and now he’s snoring in my ear. Super loudly. He’s lucky he’s cute.
I am literally at the institution pictured below—but across the street in a windowless room—trying to decipher stuff like this. This is the good stuff right here. And I’m lucky, this has at least been microfilmed so I didn’t have to go to Connecticut to read it.
December 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I am literally at the institution pictured below—but across the street in a windowless room—trying to decipher stuff like this. This is the good stuff right here. And I’m lucky, this has at least been microfilmed so I didn’t have to go to Connecticut to read it.
Setting aside the obviously automated nature of the email, this is a great reminder that I don’t use my middle name on things to be pretentious. It’s a useful way of distinguishing myself!
December 19, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Setting aside the obviously automated nature of the email, this is a great reminder that I don’t use my middle name on things to be pretentious. It’s a useful way of distinguishing myself!
When @clintsmithiii.bsky.social agreed to blurb my book, I NEVER imagined he’d call it “exceptional” and certainly not “how history should be done.” Clint’s amazing work is read and respected by every public historian I know. Having kind words from him is a real honor. bookshop.org/p/books/thy-...
December 19, 2025 at 12:38 PM
When @clintsmithiii.bsky.social agreed to blurb my book, I NEVER imagined he’d call it “exceptional” and certainly not “how history should be done.” Clint’s amazing work is read and respected by every public historian I know. Having kind words from him is a real honor. bookshop.org/p/books/thy-...
First book talk done! ✅
December 13, 2025 at 8:29 PM
First book talk done! ✅
Small but very good exhibit, “George Washington: American Paradox.”
December 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Small but very good exhibit, “George Washington: American Paradox.”
Doing a lot of 1-2 day trips this year so got a new bag, and it rocks. I love gear so much.
December 13, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Doing a lot of 1-2 day trips this year so got a new bag, and it rocks. I love gear so much.
I actually built the bookshelf here, but it’s in an unheated former garage space, so I’ve had to migrate away from it for the winter. Kevin yours looks much cozier… and holds a lot more books!
December 12, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I actually built the bookshelf here, but it’s in an unheated former garage space, so I’ve had to migrate away from it for the winter. Kevin yours looks much cozier… and holds a lot more books!
Working on a slide deck for my talk at the NY State Museum Saturday. In case you forgot what the summer of 2020 was like.
December 12, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Working on a slide deck for my talk at the NY State Museum Saturday. In case you forgot what the summer of 2020 was like.
This one might be more personally upsetting than universally so, but I hate it so much.
December 10, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This one might be more personally upsetting than universally so, but I hate it so much.
Just the number in the headline kills me for some reason.
December 4, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Just the number in the headline kills me for some reason.
A top notch mail day!! uncpress.org/978146969352...
December 1, 2025 at 11:25 PM
A top notch mail day!! uncpress.org/978146969352...
My book about how Americans have remembered, forgotten, and manipulated the history of George Washington and slavery over the past 250 years comes out in April. And Titus Kaphar’s art makes it the one of the coolest covers you’ll see next year. uncpress.org/978146969352...
November 26, 2025 at 11:31 PM
My book about how Americans have remembered, forgotten, and manipulated the history of George Washington and slavery over the past 250 years comes out in April. And Titus Kaphar’s art makes it the one of the coolest covers you’ll see next year. uncpress.org/978146969352...
Had to finally get one.
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Had to finally get one.
They busted out the fancy lights for this one.
November 20, 2025 at 11:18 PM
They busted out the fancy lights for this one.
My book officially exists here in the physical universe. Cannot wait to hold one of these advance reader copies. Getting closer!
(Thanks for the 📸 @sonyabonczek.bsky.social!!)
(Thanks for the 📸 @sonyabonczek.bsky.social!!)
November 19, 2025 at 5:59 PM
My book officially exists here in the physical universe. Cannot wait to hold one of these advance reader copies. Getting closer!
(Thanks for the 📸 @sonyabonczek.bsky.social!!)
(Thanks for the 📸 @sonyabonczek.bsky.social!!)
In 1860 Chicagoan abolitionist John Hossack rescued a self-emancipated man from US Marshals, saying he was in the company of "Washington and Franklin," and reminded people that "The great Washington...carried out the spirit of the Constitution" by freeing the people he enslaved in his will.
November 13, 2025 at 2:25 PM
In 1860 Chicagoan abolitionist John Hossack rescued a self-emancipated man from US Marshals, saying he was in the company of "Washington and Franklin," and reminded people that "The great Washington...carried out the spirit of the Constitution" by freeing the people he enslaved in his will.
We’ve got page proofs. Time for one final, close read of this thing and then it’s out of my hands forever.
November 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
We’ve got page proofs. Time for one final, close read of this thing and then it’s out of my hands forever.
Looong day but I made it. Time to just sit and watch.
November 11, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Looong day but I made it. Time to just sit and watch.
When you’re SO tired but have to wait until mommy gets home to go to bed.
November 8, 2025 at 12:49 AM
When you’re SO tired but have to wait until mommy gets home to go to bed.