Interview with Sarah-Louise Miller on Writing about Women in Wartime and Intelligence

This week, The Footnote interviewed Dr. Sarah-Louise Miller, an experienced historian, author and media consultant, specializing in Second World War history. She is currently based at the Faculty of History, University of Oxford, and is a tutor at the Defence Studies Department, King’s College London. She has recently published The Women Behind the Few; The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and British Intelligence During the Second … Continue reading Interview with Sarah-Louise Miller on Writing about Women in Wartime and Intelligence

The Effect of Australian New Wave Cinema on the “Anzac Legend” of WWI

Josh Downes April 25 is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand. This national day is a commemoration in both countries of all those who have served and died in military operations. More specifically, this year marks the 108th anniversary of Australian and New Zealand troops landing on the shores of Gallipoli (in what is now Türkiye) during the First World War. The sacrifice of … Continue reading The Effect of Australian New Wave Cinema on the “Anzac Legend” of WWI

Interview with Dr. John Lisle on his new book, The Dirty Tricks Department

This week, The Footnote interviewed Dr. John Lisle, a historian of Science and the American Intelligence Community from Azle, Texas. He earned a PhD in history from the University of Texas, where he teaches classes on the history of science. His first book, The Dirty Tricks Department: Stanley Lovell, the OSS and the Masterminds of World War II Secret Warfare, sheds light on the scientists … Continue reading Interview with Dr. John Lisle on his new book, The Dirty Tricks Department

What’s on my Cherry Blossom Playlist?

A personal exploration of the music history behind my favorite songs for spring! Sareena Dubey Set to the backdrop of billowing cherry blossom petals and a Tidal Basin burgeoning with people, Masayoshi Takanaka’s song “Beleza Pula” interrupts the peace with the sharply spoken phrase “Beleza Pula, Malandro!” The distinct birdlike sound of the cuica contrasts with the soft background vocals which trail the upbeat melody … Continue reading What’s on my Cherry Blossom Playlist?

Interview with Dr. Rory Cormac on his new book, How to Stage a Coup

This week, The Footnote interviewed renowned author, professor, and Intelligence historian Rory Cormac about his newest book: How To Stage A Coup: And Ten Other Lessons from the World of Secret Statecraft. The book systematically exposes the gray zone in our post-truth era of implausible deniability and ambiguous warfare. Cormac flawlessly integrates discussions of recent events with historic case studies to provide thoughtful insights on … Continue reading Interview with Dr. Rory Cormac on his new book, How to Stage a Coup

Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation: How Generation Influenced the 1968 Revolts in France and Italy

Luke Henderson 1968 was a tumultuous, world-altering year. Major historical events occurred on every inhabited continent as societies struggled to define themselves in light of whirlwind-speed technological and political developments. Younger generations played a major role in the historical events and movements of the time, especially in Western Europe. Historians can use the concept of generation to interpret and understand the causes and ideas of … Continue reading Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation: How Generation Influenced the 1968 Revolts in France and Italy

Footnote Staff Q&A

Get to know your Footnote staff! We asked our staff to answer a few questions about their work, their time with The Footnote, and their future plans.  What is your program/what are you studying?  Krystel von Kumberg (Editor-in-Chief): I am in the MAGIC program studying covert operations in Europe and Russian history.  Josh Downes (Administrative Director): I am a second-year graduate student in the dual … Continue reading Footnote Staff Q&A

In Defense of Political History: Thoughts and Tantrums from a PhD Student

Victoria Saeki-Serna Political history today is in peril. In my years of study, plenty of my professors and peers have professed their prejudice against political history, criticizing its overbearing Hegelianism and its insistence that government individuals and institutions are the only influencers of history. Political historians today are an endangered species, their approach hunted by endless epithets in emerging historical studies. Characterized as elitist and … Continue reading In Defense of Political History: Thoughts and Tantrums from a PhD Student

Capitalism: A Reflection

Dr. Sarah Ellington The politics of capitalism are confusing.  Even for political scientists, “capitalism” does not mean the same thing to all people, all the time.  Interwoven into news stories about modern healthcare in the United States, used as a scapegoat and a saviour for the rise and fall of technologies and innovations, and omnipresent in nearly every political discussion, capitalism is a word thrown … Continue reading Capitalism: A Reflection

Hindsight: Reactions from the American Scientific Community on the Deployment of Nuclear Bombs

Reed Uhlik For many monumental historical events, the passage of time often leads to a more unified interpretation and narrative of a specific event. However, the decision by the United States to drop two nuclear bombs on Japan does not follow this historical pattern. In the aftermath, US public opinion grew increasingly divided, notably within the scientific community.  Some members of this community initially sought … Continue reading Hindsight: Reactions from the American Scientific Community on the Deployment of Nuclear Bombs