Webblog

OK, I see the initial comments about the Webb text. Now, let me point you to the study guide for the first lecture. Notice where Webb enters the outline of the lecture. From this I think you'll get two things: first, what Webb's major point, the so-called Great Plains Thesis, is; and second, why he spends so much time talking about plants and animals in a work of History. I notice, too, Molly's mention of repetitiveness in the text. Repetitiveness, narrowness alternated with wild speculation, seasoned with good old-fashioned bigotry, all these things, and yet Webb was hailed as the greatest historian in the land and elected president of the American Historical Association. We're going to have to talk about what makes a great, meaning landmark, work of History. Obviously, it's not factual perfection, or intellectual objectivity, or many of the other things that we might think. Something to keep in mind: The Great Plains was published in 1931, and it's never been out of print.