Dr. Sean Munger
@seanmunger.com
Historian, YouTuber, teacher, author, citizen of the world.
Angry YouTube commenter: "What the hell do you know about the Persian Gulf War? You weren't even ALIVE when it happened!"
I was in college in 1991.
Does that mean I look 20 years younger than I am? *bats eyelashes*
I was in college in 1991.
Does that mean I look 20 years younger than I am? *bats eyelashes*
Forget insults, what’s the most unhinged *compliment* you’ve ever received?
January 2, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Angry YouTube commenter: "What the hell do you know about the Persian Gulf War? You weren't even ALIVE when it happened!"
I was in college in 1991.
Does that mean I look 20 years younger than I am? *bats eyelashes*
I was in college in 1991.
Does that mean I look 20 years younger than I am? *bats eyelashes*
A merciful end to 2025! I know none of you read my blog, but if you're interested in what I do there, here is a compilation of what I think are the best articles I wrote this year.
www.gardenofmemory.net/years-end-th...
www.gardenofmemory.net/years-end-th...
Year’s end: The best of the Garden in 2025.
Goodbye to 2025. Here are what I think are the best articles I wrote this year.
www.gardenofmemory.net
January 1, 2026 at 7:16 AM
A merciful end to 2025! I know none of you read my blog, but if you're interested in what I do there, here is a compilation of what I think are the best articles I wrote this year.
www.gardenofmemory.net/years-end-th...
www.gardenofmemory.net/years-end-th...
It's New Year's Eve and I don't have to go, and in fact refuse to go, anywhere.
January 1, 2026 at 2:10 AM
It's New Year's Eve and I don't have to go, and in fact refuse to go, anywhere.
Evidently the lack of Trump and Epstein related content on my YouTube channel—on which I do predominantly 19th & 20th century, nautical, and even some medieval and ancient history—makes me highly suspicious. Just what my channel needs, more Trump!
January 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Evidently the lack of Trump and Epstein related content on my YouTube channel—on which I do predominantly 19th & 20th century, nautical, and even some medieval and ancient history—makes me highly suspicious. Just what my channel needs, more Trump!
Holiday break is almost over and I’m coming out of it with nearly 20K words written on a new novel. I’m going back to crime fiction, evidently.
December 31, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Holiday break is almost over and I’m coming out of it with nearly 20K words written on a new novel. I’m going back to crime fiction, evidently.
Reposted by Dr. Sean Munger
YES! I have been banging this drum constantly for years now, mostly at my prior institution. Premodernity is marginalized even in history departments, which should absolutely know better.
Humanities programs have ceded scholarship of the premodern to bad actors on the right. This is a serious problem, not only because it represents a loss of current and future knowledge, but also because it enables white supremacists and Christian nationalists to twist history to their own ends.
Three, it is a big problem for the humanities that the only programs that appear to be robustly hiring medievalists and classicists are places like the Hamilton Center and its sister programs that are sprouting up at campuses across the country.
December 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM
YES! I have been banging this drum constantly for years now, mostly at my prior institution. Premodernity is marginalized even in history departments, which should absolutely know better.
True and interesting, but I’m personally more touched by the old school Choose Your Own Adventure references. This one nods to “The Mystery of Chimney Rock,” which was long one of my favorites.
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 30, 2025 at 4:05 PM
True and interesting, but I’m personally more touched by the old school Choose Your Own Adventure references. This one nods to “The Mystery of Chimney Rock,” which was long one of my favorites.
"Where the hell have you been?"
"Where do you think? Flyin' around on my ass!"
Some ruminations on "The Poseidon Adventure," at least some people's favorite New Year's movie, and its associated kitsch.
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-poseidon...
"Where do you think? Flyin' around on my ass!"
Some ruminations on "The Poseidon Adventure," at least some people's favorite New Year's movie, and its associated kitsch.
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-poseidon...
The Poseidon phenomenon: Thoughts on a New Year’s Eve disaster that never was.
Had the events of the 1972 film occurred in real life, the Poseidon would be the most famous cursed ship in history.
www.gardenofmemory.net
December 29, 2025 at 12:11 AM
"Where the hell have you been?"
"Where do you think? Flyin' around on my ass!"
Some ruminations on "The Poseidon Adventure," at least some people's favorite New Year's movie, and its associated kitsch.
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-poseidon...
"Where do you think? Flyin' around on my ass!"
Some ruminations on "The Poseidon Adventure," at least some people's favorite New Year's movie, and its associated kitsch.
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-poseidon...
Merry Jewish LGBTQ Black Jesus Pagan Byzantine Chinese African Christmas!
www.gardenofmemory.net/have-a-wonde...
www.gardenofmemory.net/have-a-wonde...
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Best wishes to you and yours on this holiday!
www.gardenofmemory.net
December 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Merry Jewish LGBTQ Black Jesus Pagan Byzantine Chinese African Christmas!
www.gardenofmemory.net/have-a-wonde...
www.gardenofmemory.net/have-a-wonde...
YouTube commenter: “I don’t think you understand crypto enough to criticize it.”
Translation: I don’t see the point of libertarian play money, therefore I’m not allowed to talk about how stupid an idea it is.
Translation: I don’t see the point of libertarian play money, therefore I’m not allowed to talk about how stupid an idea it is.
December 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
YouTube commenter: “I don’t think you understand crypto enough to criticize it.”
Translation: I don’t see the point of libertarian play money, therefore I’m not allowed to talk about how stupid an idea it is.
Translation: I don’t see the point of libertarian play money, therefore I’m not allowed to talk about how stupid an idea it is.
Some Christmas thoughts from history.
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-truce-of...
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-truce-of...
The Truce of 1914: A thought of hope for Christmas.
The famous World War I Christmas Eve truce still has lessons for us today on how to imagine a better world.
www.gardenofmemory.net
December 24, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Some Christmas thoughts from history.
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-truce-of...
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-truce-of...
Is it just me, or does it kinda seem like trolling and sealioning are about all the pro-AI folks know how to do?
December 23, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Is it just me, or does it kinda seem like trolling and sealioning are about all the pro-AI folks know how to do?
Reposted by Dr. Sean Munger
Here's the thing about 'AI': if it was an honest, genuinely useful technology, there would be no need for companies like Microsoft or Adobe to force it on us without our consent. That proves that take-up isn't happening naturally, at least not in line with the hype.
December 18, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Here's the thing about 'AI': if it was an honest, genuinely useful technology, there would be no need for companies like Microsoft or Adobe to force it on us without our consent. That proves that take-up isn't happening naturally, at least not in line with the hype.
This is the thumbnail for my latest deep dive history video. No one has seen it yet, just finished it! The big video will be coming Friday I hope. Probably not going to make me a lot of friends among the techbros, but I think the points I make need to be said.
December 18, 2025 at 3:56 AM
This is the thumbnail for my latest deep dive history video. No one has seen it yet, just finished it! The big video will be coming Friday I hope. Probably not going to make me a lot of friends among the techbros, but I think the points I make need to be said.
Movie you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (either War or Trek), LOTR, or Marvel.
a woman with a scarf around her head looks out of a window
Alt: Emma Thompson bids farewell to Anthony Hopkins in "Remains of the Day."
media.tenor.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Movie you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (either War or Trek), LOTR, or Marvel.
Latest article. This is a little-known repercussion of the Pearl Harbor attack, but a fascinating and haunting one: all the people who left Hawaii following it who never returned.
www.gardenofmemory.net/expulsion-fr...
www.gardenofmemory.net/expulsion-fr...
Expulsion from paradise: The civilian evacuees from Hawaii after Pearl Harbor.
Thirty thousand people fled Hawaii in the wake of Pearl Harbor. Many never returned.
www.gardenofmemory.net
December 8, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Latest article. This is a little-known repercussion of the Pearl Harbor attack, but a fascinating and haunting one: all the people who left Hawaii following it who never returned.
www.gardenofmemory.net/expulsion-fr...
www.gardenofmemory.net/expulsion-fr...
Latest article, an entry in my "interiors" series. This is the Commodore Club aboard the Queen Mary 2. What does it have to do with Star Trek? No, there's not a bartender named Guinan, but there is a resemblance...
www.gardenofmemory.net/interiors-th...
www.gardenofmemory.net/interiors-th...
Interiors: The “Commodore Club” aboard the ocean liner Queen Mary 2.
What does an Art Deco bar aboard a modern ocean liner have to do with Star Trek? Possibly a lot.
www.gardenofmemory.net
December 6, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Latest article, an entry in my "interiors" series. This is the Commodore Club aboard the Queen Mary 2. What does it have to do with Star Trek? No, there's not a bartender named Guinan, but there is a resemblance...
www.gardenofmemory.net/interiors-th...
www.gardenofmemory.net/interiors-th...
New article. Today is the 7th anniversary of the death of George H.W. Bush. He has a lot to answer for, particularly his failure of leadership on global warming.
www.gardenofmemory.net/a-thousand-p...
www.gardenofmemory.net/a-thousand-p...
A thousand points of denial: The global warming legacy of George H.W. Bush.
Despite his successes, Bush's most important and enduring legacy is one of failure: the failure to lead on the issue of climate change.
www.gardenofmemory.net
December 1, 2025 at 12:03 AM
New article. Today is the 7th anniversary of the death of George H.W. Bush. He has a lot to answer for, particularly his failure of leadership on global warming.
www.gardenofmemory.net/a-thousand-p...
www.gardenofmemory.net/a-thousand-p...
My latest article. "Cabaret" is a film more than 50 years old, but it couldn't be more topical--or more ominous--in today's political environment. My thoughts:
www.gardenofmemory.net/willkommen-a...
www.gardenofmemory.net/willkommen-a...
Willkommen, again: “Cabaret” and its renewed relevance.
This film, made in the 1970s about the 1930s, is arguably more relevant to conditions in 2025 than it ever was.
www.gardenofmemory.net
November 23, 2025 at 11:39 PM
My latest article. "Cabaret" is a film more than 50 years old, but it couldn't be more topical--or more ominous--in today's political environment. My thoughts:
www.gardenofmemory.net/willkommen-a...
www.gardenofmemory.net/willkommen-a...
Today is the 62nd anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. His killer acted alone. There was no conspiracy. But the event has been so distorted by lies that it's basically been poisoned. Here were my thoughts on it 2 years ago, still apropos today.
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-jfk-assa...
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-jfk-assa...
The JFK Assassination at 60, and the poisoning of history.
Holding out for facts rather than conspiracy fantasy is an increasingly lonely vocation, but it's part of my job.
www.gardenofmemory.net
November 22, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Today is the 62nd anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. His killer acted alone. There was no conspiracy. But the event has been so distorted by lies that it's basically been poisoned. Here were my thoughts on it 2 years ago, still apropos today.
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-jfk-assa...
www.gardenofmemory.net/the-jfk-assa...
I sold one of these overnight, a coming-of-age drama set in the '80s.
Not that it matters, but this novel took 29 years to write.
www.amazon.com/Jakes-88-Sea...
Not that it matters, but this novel took 29 years to write.
www.amazon.com/Jakes-88-Sea...
Jake's 88
It's 1988. Jake Doyle is a teenager growing up in the U.S. Midwest, his days centering around smoking, heavy metal tapes and skipping high school classes. When he develops a crush on his best friend’s...
www.amazon.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I sold one of these overnight, a coming-of-age drama set in the '80s.
Not that it matters, but this novel took 29 years to write.
www.amazon.com/Jakes-88-Sea...
Not that it matters, but this novel took 29 years to write.
www.amazon.com/Jakes-88-Sea...
Today I saw one of my 7th graders reading the exact Choose Your Own Adventure book that was my favorite 40 years ago.
November 20, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Today I saw one of my 7th graders reading the exact Choose Your Own Adventure book that was my favorite 40 years ago.
I heard far more than I ever wished to hear about Bill Clinton's penis back in 1998. Do we *really* have to do this again?
November 15, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I heard far more than I ever wished to hear about Bill Clinton's penis back in 1998. Do we *really* have to do this again?
I'm really annoyed at seeing yellow arrows in YouTube thumbnails. No more yellow arrows, damn it!
November 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I'm really annoyed at seeing yellow arrows in YouTube thumbnails. No more yellow arrows, damn it!
I have no comment on the substantive issue of whether to revive Bond, but I note the very direct reference to the finale of the 1985-86 "dream season" on Dallas which had an immense impact on popular culture and is now a shorthand in narratology. All he had to say was "Bobby Ewing in the shower."
A reminder that Ian Fleming killed James Bond twice in the books with both deaths intending to be permanent. Horowitz should remember he retconned the poison shoe and Bond wandering amnesiac into the Kremlin. #JamesBond #AnthonyHorowitz #Bond
November 11, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I have no comment on the substantive issue of whether to revive Bond, but I note the very direct reference to the finale of the 1985-86 "dream season" on Dallas which had an immense impact on popular culture and is now a shorthand in narratology. All he had to say was "Bobby Ewing in the shower."