Ben Railton
@americanstudier.bsky.social
Prof of Amer Lit & Studies. Dad to 2 amazing young men. Married. We the People: http://tinyurl.com/yyhxjktb; Of Thee I Sing: http://tinyurl.com/y6hsozjx. #ScholarSunday guru. https://blackwhiteandread.com he/him
Pinned
The Celestials’ Last Game | Ben Railton
Baseball, Bigotry, and the Battle for America
americanstudier.podbean.com
For new followers, here's my latest project, a podcast on sports histories, exclusion & inclusion, & the worst & best of America--& my single favorite moment from American history.
americanstudier.podbean.com
americanstudier.podbean.com
I'll probably say it again tomorrow, but:
I am eternally thankful for Biscuits. She is currently snoring loudly & adorably, as she does. We got the best damn cat.
blackwhiteandread.com/biscuits/
I am eternally thankful for Biscuits. She is currently snoring loudly & adorably, as she does. We got the best damn cat.
blackwhiteandread.com/biscuits/
Biscuits – Black and White and Read All Over
blackwhiteandread.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I'll probably say it again tomorrow, but:
I am eternally thankful for Biscuits. She is currently snoring loudly & adorably, as she does. We got the best damn cat.
blackwhiteandread.com/biscuits/
I am eternally thankful for Biscuits. She is currently snoring loudly & adorably, as she does. We got the best damn cat.
blackwhiteandread.com/biscuits/
Here on #StrangerThings Release Day, I wanted to share one of my favorite blog Guest Posts, from my good friend Jeff Renye, using his expertise in all things Weird Tales as a lens for analyzing the show.
americanstudier.blogspot.com/2017/10/octo...
americanstudier.blogspot.com/2017/10/octo...
October 28-29, 2017: Jeff Renye on Stranger Things: The New Weird Made Old?
[I’ve written about my colleague and friend Jeff Renye a few times in this space, but haven’t had the chance to share a Guest Post of ...
americanstudier.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Here on #StrangerThings Release Day, I wanted to share one of my favorite blog Guest Posts, from my good friend Jeff Renye, using his expertise in all things Weird Tales as a lens for analyzing the show.
americanstudier.blogspot.com/2017/10/octo...
americanstudier.blogspot.com/2017/10/octo...
Reposted by Ben Railton
Third & finally, please check out Vaughn's phenomenal new book, which makes a perfect holiday read, a great present for all the cinephiles & history buffs & people interested in fighting creeping fascism in your life! @hcrichardson.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/gvau...
bsky.app/profile/gvau...
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
November 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Third & finally, please check out Vaughn's phenomenal new book, which makes a perfect holiday read, a great present for all the cinephiles & history buffs & people interested in fighting creeping fascism in your life! @hcrichardson.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/gvau...
bsky.app/profile/gvau...
Reposted by Ben Railton
This is an excellent article on the possible motivations for Trump pressuring Hollywood into making a film he wants.
My new book talks about the consequences of a similar kind of political pressure campaign on Hollywood during the McCarthy era, analyzing cultural impacts through a genre study.
My new book talks about the consequences of a similar kind of political pressure campaign on Hollywood during the McCarthy era, analyzing cultural impacts through a genre study.
November 26, 2025 at 2:42 PM
This is an excellent article on the possible motivations for Trump pressuring Hollywood into making a film he wants.
My new book talks about the consequences of a similar kind of political pressure campaign on Hollywood during the McCarthy era, analyzing cultural impacts through a genre study.
My new book talks about the consequences of a similar kind of political pressure campaign on Hollywood during the McCarthy era, analyzing cultural impacts through a genre study.
Three requests while you rest & rejuvenate & feast & football this week:
First, I don't have quite as much ability to look for public scholarship from the week for the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, so please share anything you see--or anything of yours--if you get a chance, thanks! 🗃️
First, I don't have quite as much ability to look for public scholarship from the week for the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, so please share anything you see--or anything of yours--if you get a chance, thanks! 🗃️
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Three requests while you rest & rejuvenate & feast & football this week:
First, I don't have quite as much ability to look for public scholarship from the week for the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, so please share anything you see--or anything of yours--if you get a chance, thanks! 🗃️
First, I don't have quite as much ability to look for public scholarship from the week for the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, so please share anything you see--or anything of yours--if you get a chance, thanks! 🗃️
Happy Sojourner Truth Day & Sarah Grimke Day! Ain't that America?
memorydaycalendar.blogspot.com/p/november-n...
memorydaycalendar.blogspot.com/p/november-n...
November Nominees
November 1: Parker David Robbins , the North Carolinian and US Colored Troops Civil War veteran who went on to an inspiring career as a po...
memorydaycalendar.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Happy Sojourner Truth Day & Sarah Grimke Day! Ain't that America?
memorydaycalendar.blogspot.com/p/november-n...
memorydaycalendar.blogspot.com/p/november-n...
A book I know @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s loyal readers & listeners would really love! 🗃️
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
November 26, 2025 at 12:22 AM
A book I know @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s loyal readers & listeners would really love! 🗃️
Reposted by Ben Railton
A vital holiday read for everyone interested in how our cultural & political forces intersect, for worse but also for the better we're fighting for. @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
November 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A vital holiday read for everyone interested in how our cultural & political forces intersect, for worse but also for the better we're fighting for. @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
Reposted by Ben Railton
If you think this Open Access media literacy book on Hollywood's history of federal pressure campaigns (via Christmas!) would be of interest to your followers, please share!
@kevinmkruse.bsky.social @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social @lillywachowski.bsky.social @esqueer.net @herberthistory.bsky.social
@kevinmkruse.bsky.social @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social @lillywachowski.bsky.social @esqueer.net @herberthistory.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
If you think this Open Access media literacy book on Hollywood's history of federal pressure campaigns (via Christmas!) would be of interest to your followers, please share!
@kevinmkruse.bsky.social @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social @lillywachowski.bsky.social @esqueer.net @herberthistory.bsky.social
@kevinmkruse.bsky.social @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social @lillywachowski.bsky.social @esqueer.net @herberthistory.bsky.social
A vital holiday read for everyone interested in how our cultural & political forces intersect, for worse but also for the better we're fighting for. @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
November 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A vital holiday read for everyone interested in how our cultural & political forces intersect, for worse but also for the better we're fighting for. @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
Reposted by Ben Railton
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Railton
Haven't received as many contributions as usual for this year's lists--could be many things, but one aspect is surely that our ability to get this in front of people is much diminished. If you know folks whose stuff should be on here, please suggest it! contingentmagazine.org/yearly-pub-l...
Publications by Non-Tenure-Track Historians
Since we began publishing in 2019, Contingent has published end-of-year lists of books and articles by non-tenure-track historians released in the past calendar year. To submit something for inclusion...
contingentmagazine.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Haven't received as many contributions as usual for this year's lists--could be many things, but one aspect is surely that our ability to get this in front of people is much diminished. If you know folks whose stuff should be on here, please suggest it! contingentmagazine.org/yearly-pub-l...
Thanksgiving is a rightly fraught holiday for us AmericanStudiers, but I also have a ton I’m thankful for. So this year I wanted to combine those perspectives by blogging about indigenous voices, past & present, for whose contributions to our collective conversations I’m profoundly appreciative! 🗃️ +
November 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Thanksgiving is a rightly fraught holiday for us AmericanStudiers, but I also have a ton I’m thankful for. So this year I wanted to combine those perspectives by blogging about indigenous voices, past & present, for whose contributions to our collective conversations I’m profoundly appreciative! 🗃️ +
Reposted by Ben Railton
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Once more before Sunday ends, here's today's #ScholarSunday thread. Please share widely to get all this great public scholarship out there, & thanks! @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Once more before Sunday ends, here's today's #ScholarSunday thread. Please share widely to get all this great public scholarship out there, & thanks! @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
Reposted by Ben Railton
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
Here’s today’s #ScholarSunday thread for the brunch crowd. Please share all this great public scholarship widely! 🗃️ @feministkelly.bsky.social
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Here’s today’s #ScholarSunday thread for the brunch crowd. Please share all this great public scholarship widely! 🗃️ @feministkelly.bsky.social
@rimaanabtawi.bsky.social, would you be able to share the thread as well, to get all this great work to your followers? Thanks!
bsky.app/profile/amer...
bsky.app/profile/amer...
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:10 PM
@rimaanabtawi.bsky.social, would you be able to share the thread as well, to get all this great work to your followers? Thanks!
bsky.app/profile/amer...
bsky.app/profile/amer...
@fisherdanar.bsky.social, would you be able to share that post featuring the thread, to help get all this great work to your followers? Thanks!
bsky.app/profile/amer...
bsky.app/profile/amer...
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:12 PM
@fisherdanar.bsky.social, would you be able to share that post featuring the thread, to help get all this great work to your followers? Thanks!
bsky.app/profile/amer...
bsky.app/profile/amer...
@sarahebond.bsky.social, would you be able to share the overall thread to get all this great work to all your followers? Thanks!
bsky.app/profile/amer...
bsky.app/profile/amer...
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
@sarahebond.bsky.social, would you be able to share the overall thread to get all this great work to all your followers? Thanks!
bsky.app/profile/amer...
bsky.app/profile/amer...
@profgabriele.com, would you be able to share the overall thread to get it all this great work to your followers? Thanks!
bsky.app/profile/amer...
bsky.app/profile/amer...
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
@profgabriele.com, would you be able to share the overall thread to get it all this great work to your followers? Thanks!
bsky.app/profile/amer...
bsky.app/profile/amer...
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now
It's just a spring clean for the May queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on
It's just a spring clean for the May queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on
There is no pain
You are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
You are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
November 23, 2025 at 2:02 AM
If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now
It's just a spring clean for the May queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on
It's just a spring clean for the May queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on