G. Patrick O'Brien
@gpatrickobrien.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of History at the University of Tampa. Sharing my own thoughts on loyalism, loyalist refugees in Nova Scotia, teaching, and college basketball.
ut.academia.edu/GPatrickOBrien
ut.academia.edu/GPatrickOBrien
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
🎙️ On the Rhode Island Report podcast, Roger Williams University history Professor Charlotte Carrington-Farmer talks about her new book on Rhode Island founder Roger Williams, and a new exhibit highlighting the life of his wife, Mary Williams.
A more complex picture of Rhode Island’s first couple, Roger and Mary Williams - The Boston Globe
Roger Williams University history Professor Charlotte Carrington-Farmer talks about her new book about Roger Williams and a new exhibit about his wife, Mary Williams.
trib.al
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
🎙️ On the Rhode Island Report podcast, Roger Williams University history Professor Charlotte Carrington-Farmer talks about her new book on Rhode Island founder Roger Williams, and a new exhibit highlighting the life of his wife, Mary Williams.
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
Stan Rogers became one of the most beloved Canadian musicians of the late-20th century.
His songs told the story of Canada, its culture, its people and its history.
Rogers was taken far too soon but his legacy endures.
This is his story.
📸 Stanrogers.net
🧵 1/12
His songs told the story of Canada, its culture, its people and its history.
Rogers was taken far too soon but his legacy endures.
This is his story.
📸 Stanrogers.net
🧵 1/12
November 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Stan Rogers became one of the most beloved Canadian musicians of the late-20th century.
His songs told the story of Canada, its culture, its people and its history.
Rogers was taken far too soon but his legacy endures.
This is his story.
📸 Stanrogers.net
🧵 1/12
His songs told the story of Canada, its culture, its people and its history.
Rogers was taken far too soon but his legacy endures.
This is his story.
📸 Stanrogers.net
🧵 1/12
Excepting, of course, that they wanted it (and every other college they’ll take over) to fail.
www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinio...
www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinio...
3 years later, the 'new' New College is a total failure | Opinion
The recent, damning Florida DOGE report proves that President Richard Corcoran and his crew have failed at New College of Florida.
www.heraldtribune.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Excepting, of course, that they wanted it (and every other college they’ll take over) to fail.
www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinio...
www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
On this day in 1749, the Siege of Grand Pré began in Nova Scotia. The Wabanaki Confederacy and Acadians laid siege to Fort Vieux Logis until Dec. 4. Two sentries were killed at the start. Those captured in the siege were prisoners for two years until ransomed.
November 27, 2025 at 12:01 PM
On this day in 1749, the Siege of Grand Pré began in Nova Scotia. The Wabanaki Confederacy and Acadians laid siege to Fort Vieux Logis until Dec. 4. Two sentries were killed at the start. Those captured in the siege were prisoners for two years until ransomed.
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
I’ve got a lot of questions about this piece, but chief among them: what exactly about the “other hardcore technical disciplines” makes them “hardcore?”
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
It’s time to stop worshipping the liberal arts | Letters
Letters: While such institutions have intrinsic value, that doesn’t mean they are entitled to be socially favoured or economically exceptional for ever, says Jianyang Geng
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I’ve got a lot of questions about this piece, but chief among them: what exactly about the “other hardcore technical disciplines” makes them “hardcore?”
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
Heading home for Thanksgiving to fight with your uncle about what the founders wanted?
Check out "The Founders Didn't Want A Gerontocracy," the latest episode of Revolutions in Retrospect featuring @lynnprobbins.bsky.social's chat with @brannon.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uscw...
Check out "The Founders Didn't Want A Gerontocracy," the latest episode of Revolutions in Retrospect featuring @lynnprobbins.bsky.social's chat with @brannon.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uscw...
The Founders Didn’t Want A Gerontocracy with Rebecca Brannon I Revolutions in Retrospect
YouTube video by Primary Source Media
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Heading home for Thanksgiving to fight with your uncle about what the founders wanted?
Check out "The Founders Didn't Want A Gerontocracy," the latest episode of Revolutions in Retrospect featuring @lynnprobbins.bsky.social's chat with @brannon.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uscw...
Check out "The Founders Didn't Want A Gerontocracy," the latest episode of Revolutions in Retrospect featuring @lynnprobbins.bsky.social's chat with @brannon.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uscw...
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
If you're going to be near Valley Forge on 2 December, come join us for a panel discussion about Ken Burns's "American Revolution."
vista.today/2025/11/ken-...
vista.today/2025/11/ken-...
Explore Ken Burns’s 'The American Revolution' at a Special Valley Forge Park Alliance Event
Join the Valley Forge Park Alliance on Dec. 2 for an expert panel exploring Ken Burns’s "The American Revolution" at Oaks Center Cinema.
vista.today
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 PM
If you're going to be near Valley Forge on 2 December, come join us for a panel discussion about Ken Burns's "American Revolution."
vista.today/2025/11/ken-...
vista.today/2025/11/ken-...
I bet the AI “travel genius” advises taking Hammonds Plains Road at 3pm on a Friday.
Discover Halifax through an AI travel genius? No thanks. It’s people who make a visit memorable
Morning File by @suzannerent.bsky.social
Morning File by @suzannerent.bsky.social
Discover Halifax through an AI travel genius? No thanks. It's people who make a visit memorable - Halifax Examiner
AI takes the humanity out of travel.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
November 25, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I bet the AI “travel genius” advises taking Hammonds Plains Road at 3pm on a Friday.
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
"Shared geography has provided the unity that brings together in one program multiple disciplines, each one providing its own unique lens for viewing this region yet doing so in a sort of lingua Atlantica that (nearly) everyone can understand."
On the blog, Prince Edward Island historian Ed MacDonald shares some thoughts on the Atlantic Canada Studies Conference: acadiensis.wordpress...
November 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
"Shared geography has provided the unity that brings together in one program multiple disciplines, each one providing its own unique lens for viewing this region yet doing so in a sort of lingua Atlantica that (nearly) everyone can understand."
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
Nov. 23, 1775: The American privateers who last week raided Charlottetown, St. John's Island (Prince Edward Island) take more British prisoners off Cape Canso. They seize a ship, the Lively, and take prisoner its captain, the governor's priest, Theophilus Desbrisay, and a council member.
November 23, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Nov. 23, 1775: The American privateers who last week raided Charlottetown, St. John's Island (Prince Edward Island) take more British prisoners off Cape Canso. They seize a ship, the Lively, and take prisoner its captain, the governor's priest, Theophilus Desbrisay, and a council member.
I’m not surprised.
November 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I’m not surprised.
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
This is my favorite part of the series so far. Centering Black guides as form of power in Revolutionary South while traveling through the swampland was a great touch. #HATM
November 21, 2025 at 2:08 AM
This is my favorite part of the series so far. Centering Black guides as form of power in Revolutionary South while traveling through the swampland was a great touch. #HATM
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
This episode has a lot more movement than Episode 3. The filmmakers' strategy to use the army's moment as a framework for telling the main and side stories is effective here. #HATM
November 21, 2025 at 1:45 AM
This episode has a lot more movement than Episode 3. The filmmakers' strategy to use the army's moment as a framework for telling the main and side stories is effective here. #HATM
After the conversation with Ken Burns, the University of Tampa did a quick interview with their resident historian of the Revolution for social media, which he doesn’t have. He hopes it turns out alright, and that people didn’t mind hearing a little bit more about the loyalists! 🇬🇧
November 21, 2025 at 1:52 AM
After the conversation with Ken Burns, the University of Tampa did a quick interview with their resident historian of the Revolution for social media, which he doesn’t have. He hopes it turns out alright, and that people didn’t mind hearing a little bit more about the loyalists! 🇬🇧
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
Ken Burns’ documentary did mention Washington’s decision to inoculate the troops, but it missed a tremendous opportunity to talk about how inoculation, and public health generally, was being discussed as both a duty of government and a right of the people. It wasn’t just a smart tactical move.
George Washington’s surgeon general Dr. John Morgan wrote in his 1776 “Recommendation of Inoculation” that denying inoculation was a “violation of the natural rights of mankind” and every government has a duty to “provide for the safety of its members by rendering [it] as universal as possible.”
Access to vaccines is not a privilege — it is a human right.
In @statnews.com today, Stefan Peterson and I write about using a human rights-based approach to deal with vaccine denialism and the return of measles, whooping cough and diphtheria
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/c...
In @statnews.com today, Stefan Peterson and I write about using a human rights-based approach to deal with vaccine denialism and the return of measles, whooping cough and diphtheria
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/c...
November 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Ken Burns’ documentary did mention Washington’s decision to inoculate the troops, but it missed a tremendous opportunity to talk about how inoculation, and public health generally, was being discussed as both a duty of government and a right of the people. It wasn’t just a smart tactical move.
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
This framing of Howe and Burgoyne's seperate strategies isn't quite right. The back story here is that some argue that Howe was given an explict order from Germain to join Johnny B, but as Julie Flavell argues in The Howe Dynasty, General Howe was given flexibity to decide how to act #HATM
November 20, 2025 at 1:31 AM
This framing of Howe and Burgoyne's seperate strategies isn't quite right. The back story here is that some argue that Howe was given an explict order from Germain to join Johnny B, but as Julie Flavell argues in The Howe Dynasty, General Howe was given flexibity to decide how to act #HATM
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
We all know these lines. But let us make sure our countrymen know them too. As true today as it was then. #HATM
We all know these lines. But let us make sure our countrymen know them too. As true today as it was then. #HATM
November 19, 2025 at 2:41 AM
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
We all know these lines. But let us make sure our countrymen know them too. As true today as it was then. #HATM
We all know these lines. But let us make sure our countrymen know them too. As true today as it was then. #HATM
Why drop Adams' "remember the ladies" line and her husband's response, without analyzing it or explaining what's going on in that exchange? I'd recommend Holton's book! #HATM
November 19, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Why drop Adams' "remember the ladies" line and her husband's response, without analyzing it or explaining what's going on in that exchange? I'd recommend Holton's book! #HATM
We all have our gripes, but I'm loving these diagrams of the battles and explanations of the battles. Maybe it's just because I'm not into the military history of the Revolution, but I think the series is doing a great job on that front. I imagine it will only get better as the war expands. #HATM
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 AM
We all have our gripes, but I'm loving these diagrams of the battles and explanations of the battles. Maybe it's just because I'm not into the military history of the Revolution, but I think the series is doing a great job on that front. I imagine it will only get better as the war expands. #HATM
Also, the Proclamation of '63 was also about trying to entice colonists NORTH into modern New Brunswick, PEI, and Nova Scotia and SOUTH into the Floridas. The British government spends A LOT of money advertising that land and settling disbanded soldiers on it. #HATM
One of the things that bothered me about Episode 1's discussion of the Proclamation Line of 1763, & now in Episode 3, is it presents the Proclamation Line as in place immediately in 1763. In reality, Native & British diplomats negogiated its segments for years. It wasn't "finished" until 1774. #HATM
November 19, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Also, the Proclamation of '63 was also about trying to entice colonists NORTH into modern New Brunswick, PEI, and Nova Scotia and SOUTH into the Floridas. The British government spends A LOT of money advertising that land and settling disbanded soldiers on it. #HATM
Reposted by G. Patrick O'Brien
If you want to know why the largest, bloodiest battles of the American Revolution happened in India- & how ordinary people and ambitious leaders all over the world took up arms for their own purposes during the Revolution-- this is the book for you! A great read- congrats @rickbell.bsky.social
Friends, I could not be more excited to let you know that my book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World, is out today from Penguin. I’m super proud of it and super grateful to all the scholars whose work informs it. I hope you’ll take a peek and spread the word!
amzn.to/4nHkziG
amzn.to/4nHkziG
The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
The American Revolution and the Fate of the World [Bell, Richard] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
amzn.to
November 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
If you want to know why the largest, bloodiest battles of the American Revolution happened in India- & how ordinary people and ambitious leaders all over the world took up arms for their own purposes during the Revolution-- this is the book for you! A great read- congrats @rickbell.bsky.social
Two episodes in, and I think the series is doing a decent job attempting diverse perspectives. However, there is very little effort to expand the geographic boundaries of the AmRev. A brief foray into Quebec & few glimpses to London. No Canadian Maritimes. No Caribbean. No Spanish borderlands. #HATM
November 18, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Two episodes in, and I think the series is doing a decent job attempting diverse perspectives. However, there is very little effort to expand the geographic boundaries of the AmRev. A brief foray into Quebec & few glimpses to London. No Canadian Maritimes. No Caribbean. No Spanish borderlands. #HATM