Political nicknames in the Gilded Age demonstrated a kind of artfulness absent from the playground taunts favored by you know who. No one earned more nicknames -- good and bad -- than James G. Blaine. #booksky #thepartisansbook #blaine #gildedage #UShistory #history

The lessons of "Boss Lincoln" A new biography of Lincoln emphasizes the skillful and principled partisanship that saved the Union.

For anyone interested in our 16th president and wondering about the value of partisanship in American politics, "Boss Lincoln" is a must read. #booksky #thepartisansbook #lincoln

Robert G. Ingersoll's "plumed knight" speech is one of my favorite rhetorical moments in "The Partisans." #booksky #ThePartisansbook #Blaine #GildedAge #Maine

Robert Mitchell Author Signing Join us for an in-store event, Robert Mitchell Author Signing, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Book news! I'll be signing copies of "The Partisans" at the Manassas Barnes & Noble beginning at noon on March 14 #booksky #ThePartisansbook #manassas stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/978006...

When Frederick Douglass reminded Republicans of their unfinished work The great anti-slavery activist and orator's address to the Republican convention of 1876 resonates today.

Remembering when Frederick Douglass spoke truth to power during the Republican convention of 1876 #Blackhistory #history #FrederickDouglass #GildedAge #ThePartisansbook

James G. Blaine was an accomplished writer as well as an astute politician. Why I love his "Twenty Years of Congress." #booksky #thepartisansbook #Blaine #GildedAge #History youtube.com/shorts/7K2jD...https://youtube.com/shorts/7K2jDdZBSHI?feature=share

James G. Blaine was an accomplished writer as well as an astute politician. Why I love his "Twenty Years of Congress." #booksky #thepartisansbook #Blaine #GildedAge #History youtube.com/shorts/7K2jD...

“Wherever concealment is desirable, avoidance is advisable” In the aftermath of his Andersonville speech, James G. Blaine suffered a blow to his reputation from which he never recovered. The second of two parts A cartoon from Puck published May 21, 1884, sh…

A politician who coins a catchy phrase to describe personal ethics better be able to live up to it. James G. Blaine found that out the hard way. #ushistory #ameticanhistory #jamesgblaine #maine #thepartisansbook

Conkling and civil service reform An outspoken foe of slavery while he served in the House, Roscoe Conkling became preoccupied with patronage and the use of power while in the Senate. Roscoe Conkling (left) manages the smooth-runni…

How Roscoe Conkling became consumed by the battle to protect his patronage empire #roscoeconkling #thepartisansbook wp.me/p8wv0A-OR

From Puck, Jan. 16, 1884. The more things change ... #thepartisansbook #Congress #ushistory #Gildedage

“A mission unperformed:” The Republican retreat from Reconstruction Republicans gravitated toward a firm approach to Reconstruction in response to Andrew Johnson’s provocative embrace of former Confederates and indifference to chaos in the South. When the pol…

Why Reconstruction failed: my theory of the case #thepartisansbook #americanhistory #reconstruction #jamesgblaine #roscoeconkling

Vidal’s “1876” Gore Vidal’s cynical and ultimately unappealing Gilded Age novel. Before beginning work on my upcoming book on James G. Blaine and Roscoe Conkling, I bought a used copy of David Jordan’…

I read Gore Vidal's 1876 so you don't have to #books #thepartisansbook #maine #upstatenewyork #jamesgblaine #roscoeconkling

“Fifty Years a Journalist” Chicago newspaper editor Melville Stone witnessed the rivalry between James G. Blaine and Roscoe Conkling — and much more. On the wall of my study hangs a framed copy of The Chicago Daily New…

#thepartisansbook #americanhistory

A 19th-century take on tariffs and politics. Puck, Jan. 9, 1884. #americanhistory #thepartisansbook #tariffs

Roscoe Conkling and James G. Blaine dream presidential dreams as Ulysses S. Grant looks on. From the cover of Puck, Sept. 3, 1879 #thepartisansbook #maine #upstatenewyork #illinois

The power of enemies and the dangers of “friends” James G. Blaine and Roscoe Conkling benefited from the enemies they made. Their allies? Not so much. Enemies were often more useful for James G. Blaine and Roscoe Conkling than friends. The rivalry…

James G. Blaine and Roscoe Conkling benefited from the enemies they made. Their friends were another matter. #americanhistory #maine #upstatenewyork #thepartisansbook wp.me/p8wv0A-Iy