Author Archives: Allen Mesch

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About Allen Mesch

Allen is an author, educator, and historian. He has written nine books: The Analyst; Teacher of Civil War Generals; Your Affectionate Father, Charles F. Smith; Charles A. Marvin - "One Year. Six Months, and Eleven Days", Preparing for Disunion, Ebenezer Allen - Statesman, Entrepreneur, and Spy, The Forgotten Texas Statesman, The Third Rebellion, and The Traitor. He taught classes on the American Civil War at Collin College. He has visited more than 130 Civil War sites and given presentations at Civil War Roundtables.

Will Rogers on Democrats and Republicans

Posted on July 12, 2024 by Allen Mesch

I thought we could use a robust dose of Will Rogers’s humor on political parties with the current political situation and especially the disarray in the Democratic Party over President Biden’s mental health. Will Rogers’s Quotes on Politics Will Rogers … Continue reading →

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America’s Religious Foundations

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Allen Mesch

John Leland Alan W. Steelman’s editorial “Make America Christian Again?” in the Sunday, July 7, 2024 edition of the Dallas Morning News prompted me to learn more about an American Baptist minister named John Leland. John Leland (May 14, 1754 … Continue reading →

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The Faces on Mount Rushmore

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Allen Mesch

On the eve of July 4, 2024, I wanted to share why the following four men were chosen to represent America on a mountainside in South Dakota. Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor behind the project, selected these four presidents because, from … Continue reading →

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David Grann – Truthseeker

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Allen Mesch

On April 2, 2024, my wife and I attended a presentation by David Grann at Southern Methodist University. Mr. Grann discussed two of his books: The Killers of the Flower Moon and The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and … Continue reading →

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Lime Kiln Lighthouse

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Allen Mesch

In the fourth post about our Road Scholar trip, Best of the Pacific Northwest – Exploring Three of Washington’s San Juan Islands, I report about our visit to the Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island. Lime Kiln Lighthouse is … Continue reading →

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RoozenGaarde Tulip Gardens

Posted on May 21, 2024 by Allen Mesch

This is the third installment of our adventures on the Road Scholar trip, Best of the Pacific Northwest – Exploring Three of Washington’s San Juan Islands. Today’s post deals with our visit to the RoozenGaarde Tulip Gardens as part of … Continue reading →

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Crow Valley School Museum

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Allen Mesch

In the second post about our Road Scholar trip, Best of the Pacific Northwest – Exploring Three of Washington’s San Juan Islands, I report about our visit to the Crow Valley School Museum on Orcas Island. Crow Valley School Museum … Continue reading →

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What I Like and Don’t Like About Texas

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Allen Mesch

Living in the Lone Star State has its pluses and minuses just like everywhere else. I got thinking about what I like and don’t like about Texas. I’ve lived here for over fifty years so I think I am allowed … Continue reading →

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Lopez Community Land Trust

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Allen Mesch

During our recent Road Scholar trip, Best of the Pacific Northwest – Exploring Three of Washington’s San Juan Islands, my wife and I had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty, history, and ideas of San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and … Continue reading →

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Best Movies About the Civil War

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Allen Mesch

Mr. Thomas West of Yardbarker has picked his “20 Best Movies of the Civil War.” Here’s his list: Here’s mine

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