Profile avatar
jlepler.bsky.social
Historian at UNH. Wrote "The Many Panics of 1837." Now finalizing "Canal Dreamers: The Epic Quest to Connect the Atlantic and Pacific in the Age of Revolutions" (forthcoming, UNC Press). I teach early America, capitalism, & animals. Opinions my own.
87 posts 2,394 followers 1,793 following
Regular Contributor
Active Commenter
Posts 20 Comments 30

I thought I had all the privacy settings turned on - but nope! They had ChatGPT and other stuff enabled in the....screen time area. Follow the instructions below!

submitted 5 days ago • 2 comments

A few years ago, this orchid was on death's door. Now it's blooming! Such a lovely Valentine's treat and a hopeful reminder of the power of care and resiliency. May we all find the strength to overcome adversity and push forth new blooms.

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

My third-grader is home on a remote school day and learning about the Oregon Trail. During his first break, we started the game. We made it to "Independence Rock" before class resumed. So far we are down an ox and have had all our clothes stolen. Will we make it? 🗃️ oregontrail.ws/games/the-or...

submitted 15 days ago • 4 comments

🗃️Delighted to share this terrific @susih.bsky.social CFP for our annual meeting! Join us in Detroit to explore themes of “Creativity & Renewal,” due 5/1. Please share far & wide! HUGE thanks to excellent #USIH2025 co-chairs Chloe Hawkey, Paul Murphy, & Greg Sumner 🙌 #USIH s-usih.org/2025/02/s-us...

submitted 23 days ago • 2 comments

I just submitted the copy-edited files of "Canal Dreamers"! Hooray! Phew, after a focused two and a half weeks, I can finally look up from my desk. I assume the world is the same as when the files arrived on January 16, right? No big news. Nothing going on... @uncpress.bsky.social 🗃️

submitted 24 days ago • 1 comment

Hey early Americanists/Caribbeanists/Atlanticists! If you're in the Philadelphia area this weekend, join PEAES for a discussion of where the field has been and where it's going! 🗃️ Please share widely: librarycompany.org/academic-pro...

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

Today, an earthquake shook my classroom as I was teaching about how we know what we know about the Earth's 4.5 billion year history. My PowerPoint failed, and I was so rattled that I did not notice the room rumbling. When I mentioned plate tectonics, students interrupted to announce the quake! 🗃️

submitted 32 days ago • 6 comments

So proud to be publishing "Canal Dreamers" with the good folks @uncpress.bsky.social!

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

Ooooh, apply! 🗃️📚

submitted 36 days ago • 1 comment

Pssst #skystorians 🗃️

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments

Did the marketing people really think through this product name?

submitted 37 days ago • 2 comments

In this morning full of big questions about the state of the world, I have a very small (and hopefully answerable) question about citation. When a website you reference is defunct but you have an archived copy of the webpage, how do you indicate this in Chicago-style endnotes? TIA 🗃️#skystorians

submitted 38 days ago • 4 comments

Nothing like a newly fallen snow to brighten your morning! I'm enjoying my last few hours of peace and quiet as I work on the copyedited files of "Canal Dreamers." 🗃️❄️📖💻

submitted 39 days ago • 1 comment

The start of the first real snow storm of the season seems like the perfect setting for my last quiet night with the copyedited files of "Canal Dreamers." 🗃️

submitted 40 days ago • 0 comments

Up bright and early for day two of diving into the copyedited files of "Canal Dreamers." After working on this project for two decades, I interpreted this morning's gorgeous sunrise as the metaphorical light at the end of the, um, canal.

submitted 41 days ago • 1 comment

The copyedited files of “Canal Dreamers” have arrived, and I have a quiet house for 72 hours! I have never been so excited to do so much work! Let’s go! 🗃️

submitted 42 days ago • 0 comments

My syllabi are printed. Ready for next week’s start to Spring 2025! 🗃️

submitted 44 days ago • 0 comments

The JER is looking for an advanced graduate student or recent PhD to serve as Senior Editorial Assistant. Please share with others who might be interested! thepanorama.shear.org/2025/01/14/w...

submitted 44 days ago • 0 comments

An interesting thing about "shifting baselines" (i.e., how much things have changed depends on when you start counting) is when scientists say "shark populations have declined by half since the 1970s" and fishermen say "I haven't seen this many sharks in more than 20 years," they can both be right!

submitted 45 days ago • 2 comments

My students need your help! I am looking for a short overview of the history of animals in scientific research to accompany my lecture based on Coral Lansbury's brilliant _Old Brown Dog_ for my spring gen ed course "History of Animals." Send me your suggestions! Thank you in advance! 🗃️

submitted 57 days ago • 5 comments