Slave Trade History Without the Lectures
Yaa Gyasi's historical novel Homegoing illuminates the enduring evil of slavery in two societies, gives us memorable human stories, and does it all without sentimentality or lecturing.
You Are What You Wear
Who's the oppressor? The House of Representatives leadership, which decrees women must cover up, or women's fashion, which decrees that women must look sexy and inferior?
What’s a White Liberal to Do? Part 2
Every part of this country has a racist history. But history is not destiny. We can change. White liberals can help lead the way.
What’s a White Liberal to Do?
Some say that white liberals are stumbling blocks in the way for people trying to make our society less racist. Let's look at some history, and some possibilities. Part 1 of 2.
Where History Meets Imagination
Part of the craft of historical fiction is world-building, creating a world that is true to a real time and place. That world has to engage the reader who knows little or nothing about the time, and still pass muster with someone who knows a lot.
Health Care: Serving the Wrong Master
We need to take the gods of commerce out of the practice of medicine. That's part of the case for single-payer health care.
Avoid Embarrassment! Exercise!
We hear it all the time: Exercise will keep you stronger, sexier, happier, and prolong your life. Still can’t get motivated? How does embarrassment sound?
Published! A Novelist’s Amazon Adventure
I’m glad I published my first novel through Amazon, but I’m going to be moving to another publisher soon. Here’s why.
Famine for Profit
Few human experiences are more horrifying than famine. For centuries, we've regarded it as a natural disaster. But the disaster isn't always natural. The Great Hunger in Ireland, the Ukrainian genocide, the Great Leap Forward all had human causes. And even one of the Biblical patriarchs made a profit.
They’re Not ALL Bodice-Rippers
It's not just sex with costumes. Historical fiction explores history on a personal level. It can educate us, make us think--and even create our myths about ourselves and our history.