Sometimes, I need a breath of fresh air. Back in February, I discovered that one of my favorite writers, the late David McCullough, was coming out with a new book, edited by his daughter, Dorie McCullough Lawson. The book, History Matters, came out today and I began listening to it with delight on my morning […]| Jamie Todd Rubin
There are, from time to time, books I attempt to read that I am simply not ready for. They seem interesting, I start them, but I don’t make it very far. Years later I might come back to them, and find that I am ready, and I read the book with joy and delight that […]| Jamie Todd Rubin
Note: I’m cleaning up the blog for its 20th anniversary. This episode of my Vacation in the Golden Age only appeared on Medium, at a time when I was experimenting with that platform. I am moving here where it belongs. I wrote Episode 40 of this Vacation in the Golden Age in October 2012. Four years later, […]| Jamie Todd Rubin
At a recent back-to-school night, I was astonished to learn that science education takes a back seat to Virginia Studies in 4th grade. Part of the reason seems to be that 4th grade students take a standardized test on Virginia Studies, and there is much to pack in to prepare students for the test. I […]| Jamie Todd Rubin
There is something both exciting and comforting about having a large stack of books you are eager to read. Here is the “stack” in no particular order: In addition to these there are some books “coming soon” that I am eagerly awaiting: What’s in your stack?| Jamie Todd Rubin
Just a quick note to say I have made a few minor updates to the new minimalist theme here. When I introduced the theme last week, I knew it wasn’t 100% complete, and I also knew I would be ma…| Jamie Todd Rubin
Among my favorite types of books in my collection are ex-lib books—or as I like to think of them, retired library books. I received one in the mail recently, Force of Nature: The Life of Linus Paul…| Jamie Todd Rubin
I’m terrible when it comes to book ratings. I used to use them, but these days I’ve given up on them completely. I think of a 0-to-5 star rating as a bell curve where 3 stars fall right…| Jamie Todd Rubin
On a recent walk, I saw in the distance a Commodore Vic-20, perched on a rock at the side of the bike path. I was first introduced to the VIC-20 in my 5th grade math class (ca. 1982). Our math teac…| Jamie Todd Rubin
Sometimes, when I am close to finishing an old notebook, I get eager to start scribbling in a new one. There is something so encouraging about a blank notebook, so many possibilities. It is a fresh…| Jamie Todd Rubin
Just a heads-up for folks–I’m working on a new custom theme for the blog. I’ve been using the same theme for years now and I’ve gotten a little tired of it. I’m aiming…| Jamie Todd Rubin
