[yankhater]

Yes, Chernow's book was good. He's an example of a good non Ph.D. historian.

I felt him a little too hard on TJ. 'Tis my only complaint. I review history books for my museum so I read 3 a week, mostly on my time not theirs.

To you and other posters, I'd continue by saying that many of the professors are overrated. I think I could write a good book in a year or two w/o a Ph.D. but its easier to get published with the university system.

I do promise all of you on FR that one day when I write books people will want to READ them not use them as doorstops.

I have a suspicion that when I get to the ivory tower folks that they will cringe when I plan to do a dissertation NOT on gender or racial studies.

Again that's why I love museum work. I get to work with real people and talk to real people about my love for history and not be shut up in a corner in some college castle hiding from the so called "unwashed masses". Every day I talk to the public I am encouraged by the many conservative museum visitors that are SELF TAUGHT and are patriotic and knowledgeable about our nation's past.

YH

[RexBeach]

Harry Truman was one of those self-taught history students.

I think he used to say "the only thing new in the world is the history you DON'T know." Mr. Truman loved history.

Well, wherever you work, it seems they are lucky to have you! Good for you!