Two Arms Are Better Than One: A Play in One Act

Second Glance History’s brand-new, ripped-from-the-headlines production has as much nail-biting suspense as 2019’s “Behind Enemy Lines” and as much heart as 2020’s “Letters from the Front Lines.” Five out of five stars! – A totally real and not at all imaginary theater critic Special thanks to the Stark Country Democrat (July 29, 1880) for the Read More

Diary of a Not-Wimpy Ambassador

If you found a diary left open and unguarded, conveniently transcribed, digitized and text searchable, would you snoop? If you said “no,” you’re a better person than I am.   When it comes to gleaning insights about the days of yesteryear—to say nothing of tantalizing gossip—you can’t beat diaries and letters (along with certain newspapers). Read More

Letters from the Front Lines

When this you see, remember me, though many miles between us be. – George Deal to Sarah Cole Deal; Memphis, Tennessee; February 1863 It is a truth universally acknowledged. . . that most people’s letters are insufferably boring. Mine included: If rambling on about the weather was an Olympic sport, I’d have several gold medals, Read More

Behind Enemy Lines

No matter how Andrew Valentine Farley and his three companions maneuver their boat, they’re fighting the tide, and the Confederates are gaining on them. When they initially spotted the other boat on their way back to the U.S.S. Ottawa, they assumed it was a fellow Union boat coming from Jacksonville, just north on the St. Read More

A Sampler of Courage, Part 1

Courage, n. Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. – The Merriam-Webster Dictionary Courage—and the feats humanity achieves because of it—have been on my mind recently. In the face of fear and oftentimes, commonsense, we slay monsters, we venture into uncharted territory, and we rescue kittens from trees. Don’t Read More

Five Signs Your Relationship is Impawsible

Here at Second Glance History, we’ve come across our share of unusual divorces but never one with quite so much furor. (I’d apologize for the cat pun, but I’m just getting started.) Inspired by the release of the nightmare-inducing trailer for “Cats,” let’s look at someone else’s version of feline purrgatory—I promise there’s no singing Read More