April 11, 2010

What good are social networks?

Well, if you suddenly realize you know basically zilch about a topic, you can look into your friends list and see if you know an expert who can make a recommendation.

In my case, after all the Civil War Heritage hooha this week, it occurred to me that I've never read anything remotely definitive about Reconstruction. So I looked up Professor David Noon of Lawyers Gun & Money and asked him what the most reputable source was, and he was kind enough to recommend Forever Free, written by a man felt by historians to be the best authority on the subject.

I wouldn't have known where to start without Facebook.

Posted by Linkmeister at April 11, 2010 01:52 PM | TrackBack
Comments

After you've read it, maybe you can fill me in on something. I always hear black/African-American Senators, Governors, Representatives, etc. qualified with the term "since Reconstruction." Was the American political scene brimming over with African-American politicians BEFORE Reconstruction? If not, why not just say "In American history"? Are we trying to justify their absence up to a point by using a euphemism for "since non-whites were finally allowed to participate"?

Posted by: Harold at April 11, 2010 05:33 PM

I think there were a few African-American politicians elected in the South during Reconstruction, but when that came to a close so did any chances for more to be elected until the 1960s. Hence the terminology.

I'll let you know if my surmise is accurate.

Posted by: Linkmeister at April 11, 2010 08:23 PM

Facebook has lots of uses.

Posted by: cassie-b at April 12, 2010 03:56 AM