Bob Whitaker
@whitakeralmanac.bsky.social
Professor of History. Empire, Crime, Policing, and Video Games. Creator and host of historyrespawned.com (history in video games). Not communicating on behalf of my employer.
https://linktr.ee/bobwhitaker
https://linktr.ee/bobwhitaker
Post a movie from where you are from
November 24, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Post a movie from where you are from
I know things are tough all around, but this is a glorious morning for one Bob Whitaker. 120 out of 120! Public Service Loan Forgiveness secured. So relieved.
September 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I know things are tough all around, but this is a glorious morning for one Bob Whitaker. 120 out of 120! Public Service Loan Forgiveness secured. So relieved.
And, apropos of Sam Altman, if you're curious whether ChatGPT cites better than Tore, I've got an answer for you. Some hazy citing here (of course), but I'm sure you'll notice an important inclusion as well as an important absence. Thank you ChatGPT? Please don't take my job.
July 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
And, apropos of Sam Altman, if you're curious whether ChatGPT cites better than Tore, I've got an answer for you. Some hazy citing here (of course), but I'm sure you'll notice an important inclusion as well as an important absence. Thank you ChatGPT? Please don't take my job.
One more thing to add: the Oxford Academic site that hosts this syllabus from the American Historical Review also includes a "recommended reading" section generated by a TrendMD algorithm. This algorithm, thankfully, cites some good sources you should check out....
July 25, 2025 at 4:12 PM
One more thing to add: the Oxford Academic site that hosts this syllabus from the American Historical Review also includes a "recommended reading" section generated by a TrendMD algorithm. This algorithm, thankfully, cites some good sources you should check out....
I spent A LOT of time this week responding to emails about my negative review of Red Dead's History. I thought I would be done by now...but then the American Historical Association sent out this newsletter this morning on teaching recommendations for the upcoming semester. And guess who's there?
July 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I spent A LOT of time this week responding to emails about my negative review of Red Dead's History. I thought I would be done by now...but then the American Historical Association sent out this newsletter this morning on teaching recommendations for the upcoming semester. And guess who's there?
OK, so, I use my hands too much. I'm sorry.
July 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
OK, so, I use my hands too much. I'm sorry.
Back home for the week
June 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Back home for the week
Research finished for the day. Bonus activity: the Age of Empires exhibit in the museum (with sound effects)!
June 9, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Research finished for the day. Bonus activity: the Age of Empires exhibit in the museum (with sound effects)!
Day 1 of Summer Research. I’m using grant funds from my college to continue my research on historical games. Today it’s Age of Empires, Civilization, and Oregon Trail! Second trip to the Strong but my first since the remodel. Can’t wait!
June 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Day 1 of Summer Research. I’m using grant funds from my college to continue my research on historical games. Today it’s Age of Empires, Civilization, and Oregon Trail! Second trip to the Strong but my first since the remodel. Can’t wait!
First time watching the original Star Wars trilogy w/ the kids. My interest in Star Wars died w/ the prequels, but I try hard not to burden the kids w/ my fan baggage. The kids always pepper me with questions when we watch something like this, so my wife made me an incredibly helpful sign to hold up
May 25, 2025 at 2:14 AM
First time watching the original Star Wars trilogy w/ the kids. My interest in Star Wars died w/ the prequels, but I try hard not to burden the kids w/ my fan baggage. The kids always pepper me with questions when we watch something like this, so my wife made me an incredibly helpful sign to hold up
Some more gems from student evaluations. John Brown's Body on repeat, no skips.
May 22, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Some more gems from student evaluations. John Brown's Body on repeat, no skips.
Student evaluation day. I'm most interested in reading my evaluations for my history and games class. Six times? Really?!
May 21, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Student evaluation day. I'm most interested in reading my evaluations for my history and games class. Six times? Really?!
Finished my Christmas present. A strangely difficult build. Those tallneck legs…look but please do not try to adjust.
March 7, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Finished my Christmas present. A strangely difficult build. Those tallneck legs…look but please do not try to adjust.
Red Dead day in history game class. I bought Red Dead II on Steam but didn’t want to replay the snowy part at the start. So I’m stuck lugging my PS5 into class to share my old saves. It went well (also, I’m exhausted)!
February 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Red Dead day in history game class. I bought Red Dead II on Steam but didn’t want to replay the snowy part at the start. So I’m stuck lugging my PS5 into class to share my old saves. It went well (also, I’m exhausted)!
I don't think I'm in consideration for the Firaxis Historian gig, so I think it is safe to re-reveal that I'm writing a book about Sid Meier. As a result, I'm really thankful to the @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social for their new digital archive, which saves me from having to buy this PC Gamer on ebay.
January 30, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I don't think I'm in consideration for the Firaxis Historian gig, so I think it is safe to re-reveal that I'm writing a book about Sid Meier. As a result, I'm really thankful to the @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social for their new digital archive, which saves me from having to buy this PC Gamer on ebay.
Oregon Trail day in my history and games class! I got to share my grant research with my students and bring along my new Oregon Trail ornament.
January 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Oregon Trail day in my history and games class! I got to share my grant research with my students and bring along my new Oregon Trail ornament.
This was my first day of 2025. How was yours?!?
January 2, 2025 at 12:03 AM
This was my first day of 2025. How was yours?!?
Happy New Year! Survived last night’s movie marathon with the kids, which included their first time seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark (and answering my kids’ history/Ark questions every three minutes). My reward is getting the big TV for Dad’s college football marathon. Hook’em!
January 1, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Happy New Year! Survived last night’s movie marathon with the kids, which included their first time seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark (and answering my kids’ history/Ark questions every three minutes). My reward is getting the big TV for Dad’s college football marathon. Hook’em!
A drawing by my 6yo to commemorate the moment
December 30, 2024 at 7:34 PM
A drawing by my 6yo to commemorate the moment
My 10yo has defeated me in a Mario Kart Grand Prix for the first time…
December 30, 2024 at 7:12 PM
My 10yo has defeated me in a Mario Kart Grand Prix for the first time…
That end of the semester feeling. See you next year, Canvas!
December 16, 2024 at 7:28 PM
That end of the semester feeling. See you next year, Canvas!
Grading, grading, grading until my head falls off. Excellent work music is essential.
December 15, 2024 at 5:57 PM
Grading, grading, grading until my head falls off. Excellent work music is essential.
It has to charge for several hours, but it runs when it’s plugged in.
November 22, 2024 at 8:48 PM
It has to charge for several hours, but it runs when it’s plugged in.
What can I say? I had to have it.
November 22, 2024 at 8:47 PM
What can I say? I had to have it.