While the lyrics to the "Ballad of the Baltimore Bridge" appear as captions in our music video, several people have asked that they be published separately. So here they are. Thanks to everyone for the interest in this song and for all the supportive comments we received on its release. If you know anyone who … Continue reading Lyrics: Ballad of the Baltimore Bridge
50th anniversary of a great book about the ‘Great War’
As a writer of non-fiction, the late Paul Fussell was one of the master distillers of the 20th Century, and by distiller I mean something like this: A writer who considers all -- not only the general history of an examined period, but the cultural, political, social and commercial environment -- and who extracts from … Continue reading 50th anniversary of a great book about the ‘Great War’
Among Maryland’s great citizens: Will Schwarz
I would nominate Will Schwarz for Marylander of the Year, and not because he's a friend of mine -- and producer of my 1990's TV show and director of my play, "Baltimore, You Have No Idea." But because of what he did to enlighten his fellow Marylanders and stir our collective conscience. Will, who had … Continue reading Among Maryland’s great citizens: Will Schwarz
Getting it right: The history of segregation and redlining in U.S. cities
"Blaming the HOLC maps suggests that we’ve found a villain for the complex web of social, economic, physical and environmental challenges facing low-income Black communities."
Essay and photos: Sunset and candles at Antietam
Sharpsburg, Md -- On Saturday, one thousand volunteers placed 23,000 candles on the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland. It was the annual illumination of grounds where nearly that number of Americans were killed, wounded or reported missing in the violent struggle to end slavery and preserve the union. The battle of Antietam took place on Sept. … Continue reading Essay and photos: Sunset and candles at Antietam
Memorial: A French homage to the Private John Kreiner who did not come home to Baltimore
As a columnist, I have interviewed many American combat veterans. That includes veterans of World War II, several of them when my editors in Baltimore sent me to Normandy to cover the 40th anniversary observances of the D-Day invasion and the beginning of the liberation of France. But, of all the stories I wrote -- … Continue reading Memorial: A French homage to the Private John Kreiner who did not come home to Baltimore
Comparing ‘cancers’ on the Republican Party, 1954 & 2021
Much is made of how, in 1974, Republicans in Congress forced President Richard Nixon to resign to end the Watergate scandal and remove "a cancer" on the presidency. Compared to Republicans of the Trump era, the GOP senators and representatives of Nixon's time were giants of principle and conscience. As a followup to my most … Continue reading Comparing ‘cancers’ on the Republican Party, 1954 & 2021
How the Founding Fathers Fished
I went to the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing and Film Show in Carlisle Saturday morning for the purpose of giving some exposure to Father's Day Creek in the commonwealth of the book’s setting. I was fortunate to be assigned a vendor table near Ye Olde Colonial Angler. While I’m sure I would have spotted him no … Continue reading How the Founding Fathers Fished
Dan Rodricks 