A few weeks ago, this blog published Jim Livingston’s savage critique of Paul Murphy’s new book.  The critique was part of a roundtable organized by Tim Lacy, our outgoing book review editor.  I am our current book review editor.  When I read Livingston’s piece, I thought, What the hell have I gotten myself into? I wasn’t just wondering about the book review editing gig, or doubting the wisdom of the blogging gig (from which I was taking a working break).  What I really had in mind was the entire field and practice of U.S. intellectual history.  That review scared me Read more