Tag Archives: books

Ash Hill Publishing

Posted on July 31, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

Ash Hill Publishing publishes many of the books that you will find listed at this blog, including books on religion, history, biography, and genealogy. For example, if you are interested in a different twist and empathetic telling of how and … Continue reading →

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Why the Last Verse in the Gospel of John is so important to Me as a Historian

Posted on June 18, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

What I like about narrative history is the story of a person in the past. I find someone I can identify with, someone whose life intrigues me, a life that I wish to relive, as it were, re-create. I love … Continue reading →

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The Writings of Francesco Petrarca, “Petrarch”

Posted on April 14, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

           Reading the Roman historian Livy’s account of Philip V of Macedon’s ascent of a peak in the Hebrus Mountains inspired in the Italian Francesco Petrarca, Petrarch, the desire to attempt the ascent of a similar summit. Petrarch recorded the adventures … Continue reading →

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Review of the novel Joe, by Larry Brown

Posted on February 12, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

Joe is a book showing the underside of rural life among the poor and ignorant in late 20th century Mississippi. The protagonist Joe is a drunk and aggressive man with few concerns about anyone else besides himself but who has … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Daniel Boone, American Frontiersman, and John Filson, his First Biographer

Posted on February 12, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

John Filson, in his 1784 portrait of “The Adventures of Col. Daniel Boon” appended to The Discovery, Settlement and Present State of Kentucke, declared that “curiosity is natural to the soul of man.” With these words Filson sparked the beginning … Continue reading →

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Christian Missionaries–Books to Read

Posted on January 23, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

I am a historian, and one of my favorite topics to write on is the Christian missionary experience in America.I have just reissued a book about Baptist missionaries in America, particularly in Oklahoma: “Marking the Jesus Road: Bacone College through … Continue reading →

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Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe: An American Character

Posted on January 23, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

Philip Marlowe, as presented in Raymond Chandler’s novels, especially The Big Sleep, The Long Goodbye, and Farewell, My Lovely, presents a distinctly American character.Marlow has a personal moral code. It does not seem to be based on anything—authority, scripture, law—besides … Continue reading →

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Mary P. Jayne, Baptist Missionary, and the Jesus Road

Posted on January 21, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

Mary P. Jayne was long-time Baptist missionary to the American Indians, particularly the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Pawnee. She dedicated her life to directing American Indians, particularly in Oklahoma, along the Jesus Road. Jayne grew up in Iowa in the Baptist … Continue reading →

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Patrick Hurley, Secretary of War under Hoover, and the Jesus Road

Posted on January 21, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

Patrick Hurley was soldier during World War I, Secretary of War during the Hoover administration, a lawyer for the Choctaw people, a diplomat for Franklin Roosevelt during World War II, and a philanthropist. One of the special objects of his … Continue reading →

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Captain John Smith’s New England

Posted on January 14, 2026 by theamericanplutarch

If anyone in American history has the honor of being called the discoverer of New England, it is Captain John Smith. That’s right—John Smith, one of the founders of Jamestown, the savior of the infant colony of the Virginia Company, … Continue reading →

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