Tag Archives: Canadian history

Burning Convictions – Getting Fiery about Canadian Politics

A week from now, we might have a new country. Well, okay, not a new country, but certainly one with a different outlook for the future. The federal election is set for October 19th and for weeks the pollsters have … Continue reading

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The Orangeman in Winter: Ogle Gowan, Masculine Frailties, and the Rise of the Orange Order

After many, many months of silence, I’m posting again.  The time since March has been slightly mad with conferences and research on the new book.  The next half-dozen or so posts will be versions of these papers that I gave … Continue reading

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The Weight of Books

I just moved to a new apartment in a new city.  As many, if not all, of you will know, moving homes involves a lot of planning… and a lot of boxes.  In my case, it also involved that careful … Continue reading

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Empire is a Man’s Business: Unionist Loyalties, Imperial Masculinities and Ulster’s Campaign Against Home Rule

This is a somewhat edited (and also less formal) version of a paper I gave this past weekend at St Michael’s College, University of Toronto.  The one-day symposium, hosted by the Celtic Studies Institute, was to mark the 100th anniversary … Continue reading

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Sentences of Death: Infamous Executions and the Power of Romantic Nationalism

If an execution is done well, it is – barring a “traitor’s death” — supposed to be painless.  If one’s heart and intestines are not being ripped from the body post-genital mutilation but prior to decapitation, then the bullet, axe, … Continue reading

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Is Heroism Dumb?

One hundred-and-ninety-nine years ago last month, a very smart, self-taught, stunningly gorgeous, and strategically savvy man had a very bad idea. There are a few given rules in warfare that should be followed to the letter.  Most of them are … Continue reading

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