The Vichy Syndrome by Russo, Paxton's Vichy France: Old Guard and New Order, Jackson's France: The Dark Years, and Marianne in Chains by Gildea are all excellent histories of Vichy France. Vichy Syndrome (I think, it's been a few years since I've read it) covers how people *remember* Vichy, and Marianne in Chains…

Oh, I know. One of the (few) things the new Upstairs Downstairs has gotten right is the prevalence of fascism in the upper classes, plus the hot chauffeur's dalliance with fascist thuggery. (British fascism is my favorite fascism, which is a really weird thing to say but I'm a historian and I'll say it anyway. It's…

I find interwar European fascism fascinating. As Americans, we tend to see WWII as very black and white, Nazis vs. everyone else, when it was a lot more complicated. And a lot of countries (France and England in particular) had their own homegrown strains of fascism. I'm not surprised to learn that Chanel was a…

Like I said, I'm sure weight isn't the only factor. Family history/genetics, diet, environment— they all play a part. My point was that weight has been linked to early periods already (and weight has been linked to cardiovascular disease) so this study probably isn't saying early periods will *cause* cardiovascular…

I don't think weight is the only factor, obviously. Plus, I don't think 12 is "early"— I wish this article gave a range for what they determined as early, but I'm betting it's more like 9 years old.

Now, I'm not a doctor, but isn't the timing of your first period linked to weight already, in addition to a lot of other factors? Or maybe not weight, but the ratio of fat in your body? Hence why severely underweight women stop menstruating (or menstruate very late, if they haven't started?) I'm thinking this is…

We start out so classy, and then someone puts on Flo Rida.

And you win the "Make a history TA happy" contest.

Actually, I am. So clearly, the copious amounts of blood gushing from my uterus is impeding my judgment. I'm so lucky to have all these intellectuals here to set me straight about my inability to take responsibility for my own part in creating the patriarchy.

By participating in the conspiracy that benefits you without questioning it, sure.

As to Schwyzer's friend, who is mad that white men get "blamed" for everything: that's how it works, buddy. As a historian who does a lot of feminist/subaltern studies, I've dealt with your kind before. When you conspire— knowingly or unknowingly— to exclude everyone but men like yourself from real power in the…

I really want to invite him and Emma Stone to a dinner party. I bet they are hilarious, and not at all opposed to a fancy party turning into a drunk-dancing party, which is how all of my parties end.

Good lord. I think my favorite detail is Shirtless FBI Guy, because what man *hasn't* sent shirtless photos of himself to female friends?

Either Henry Cavill or Ethan Peck. I'm not picky. (I have a type, and that type is: hot).

Madeleine, I've suspected this for a long time, but it's time for me to come clean.

Okay, I've been thinking about this all morning here's where I come down on this one. I'm inclined to believe the accuser, because this is serious shit to throw out in public just for money/attention/whatever. However, I will say that it will look less bad for Clash if someone comes forward and says he/she knew…

Man, I know. I've refrained from facebook gloating because I remember how angry it made me post-Walker recall (I grew up in rural WI and there were SO MANY "haha teachers" posts that day). So instead, I've been doing my gloating in more private venues, like the email I sent to my husband that just said "HAHAHAHA…

Oh whatever, they're his daughters. Dads are SUPPOSED to say shit like that.

I want someone to point out to him that we *aren't* a democracy. We're a republic.

She's one of those celebrities where you ONLY hear nice things about her. She and Amy Poehler are apparently the nicest people on the planet, and that's awesome.