Substacks recommended by Jim Buie | Slender Threads / Global Citizens / Public History

Recommended by Jim Buie

A Substack of subjects of interest to me...history, politics, writing, family, Asperger's, weird stuff, animals, and humor. For folks to enjoy. Angry trolls can go elsewhere.

Often humorously expressed obsessions with history, politics, baseball, writing from a professional with an MFA who claims to be on the spectrum but shows remarkable insights into human behavior.

- Jim Buie

Persuasion

By Yascha Mounk

The community for those who believe that a free society is worth fighting for.

an online community of thinkers hoping to persuade others to think differently. "We believe in the importance of the social practice of persuasion, and are determined to defend free speech and free inquiry against all its enemies,"

- Jim Buie

So What

By Chris Cillizza

An independent news creator. I call balls and strikes no matter what uniform the batter at the plate is wearing. Fair and fearless. Not owned by a billionaire or a massive media conglomerate.

Political junkies come here for relatively objective insights into national politics.

- Jim Buie

New Branchhead

By Alex H. Jones

Thoughts on North Carolina and national politics.

Explaining NC politics with historical perspective.

- Jim Buie

PoliticsNC

By Thomas Mills

Analysis, commentary, and opinion of North Carolina and national politics from the perspective of a center-left, 30-year veteran of the campaign battlefield.

Excellent insights into North Carolina politics from a former candidate and longtime observer.

- Jim Buie

Slack Tide by Matt Labash

By Matt Labash

Taking life as it comes, not necessarily in that order

A really witty magazine writer on the human comedy.

- Jim Buie

A User's Guide to History

By H. W. Brands

Everybody uses history, some better than others. This User's Guide offers suggestions on how the past shapes the present, and how the present shapes what we think about the past.

History Professor H.W. Brands offers insights into the present as well as the past.

- Jim Buie

The Weekly Dish

By Andrew Sullivan

"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle," - George Orwell.

Enlightened "conservative." Cogent arguments.

- Jim Buie

Life, A Series of Experiments

By Nathaniel Drew

An active exploration into our sometimes confusing and contradictory behavior as human beings, one experiment as a time.

Global citizen and YouTuber Nathaniel Drew explores the meaning of life.

- Jim Buie

I Ain't Dead Yet: Oldandintheway's Substack

By Oldandintheway

I Ain't Dead Yet. I still have things to figure out.

Well-written and often humorous insights into aging, psychology and politics from someone who has seen it all.

- Jim Buie

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter

A newsletter about how publishers create, distribute, and monetize their digital content. This newsletter is free to subscribe to.

Insights into the business of media.

- Jim Buie

Thinking about...

By Timothy Snyder

Opening the future by understanding the past.

Yale University History Professor. Knows Ukraine, Russia and Eastern Europe.

- Jim Buie

Lucian Truscott Newsletter

By Lucian K. Truscott IV

I've covered everything from three wars, a few presidential campaigns, the Stonewall riots and the Rolling Stones. This column reflects that history and is about politics, culture, personal stories, and the nation's descent into anti-democratic madness.

This descendant of Thomas Jefferson is a longtime journalist who has strong opinions on the news.

- Jim Buie

The Warning with Steve Schmidt

Explains what is happening, and why in our turbulent era. Delivers 1 WRITTEN and 1-2 videos PER DAY, 365 DAYS/YEAR.

A former advisor to George W. Bush and John McCain, the author offers pungent warnings about the dangers of Trump and his movement.

- Jim Buie

The Life. Epic. In Turkey.

By James Dittes

Teaching, learning, and writing in Turkey through exploration and experience.

Living and teaching in magical Turkey, the author reminds me why I fell in love with the country when I lived there 2009-11.

- Jim Buie

Backbencher

By Timothy Noah

Politics, economics, domestic policy, and a smattering of culture.

Timothy Noah's thoughtful posts often link to The New Republic, where he's editor.

- Jim Buie

Information Bank

By Sharon Lawrence

A Resource Center for People Passionate About Democracy, Facts & Good Governance

A resource center for people passionate about democracy, facts and good governance.

- Jim Buie

Paul Krugman

Notes on economics and more

Steven Raymer

Steve Raymer is an educator, author, and National Geographic photographer. A professor of journalism at Indiana University, Raymer studied at University of Wisconsin–Madison and Stanford University. He also served as a US Army officer in Vietnam.

Casey's Catch

By Maura Casey

Casting a wide net on family, humanity, politics and the search for balance from a former NY Times editorial writer. Author of "Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery" (Skyhorse Publishing, 2025)

Fine writing and wise reflections from a longtime opinion writer who lives on a farm in New England. Reminds me of E.B. White's 20th century reflections from a farm in Maine.

- Jim Buie

PastPresentFuture

By Dan Gardner

Exploring history to understand today and shape a better tomorrow.

Dan Gardner writes about history and communicates with readers of his books.

- Jim Buie

Steady

By Dan Rather

Dan Rather's steady take on a complex and chaotic world.

Dan Rather is still going strong in his 90s, with a couple of assistants who are beautiful writers creating a legacy online community.

- Jim Buie

The Caucus with Bryan Anderson

By Anderson Alerts

Bryan Anderson is a politics reporter for The Assembly, covering state government and anchoring our twice-weekly politics newsletter, The Caucus. He previously covered elections, voting access, and state government for WRAL, the AP, and News & Observer.

Original reporting on NC politics, often breaks stories.

- Jim Buie

Civil War Memory

By Kevin M. Levin

Reflections on the History and Legacy of America's Bloodiest and Most Divisive Conflict

The civil war still lives in the hearts and minds of Americans. Fascinating posts from a scholar of the period.

- Jim Buie

Navigating the Drift

By Steve Scherer's Substack

My compass is broken. After spending almost three decades abroad as a journalist, I'm back in the United States. I have returned to a far darker place, compelling me to explore my American identity and the struggles of my generation.

The Liberal Patriot

By John Halpin

Political and policy analysis from the vital center.

questions conventional wisdoms in the Democratic Party, yet dedicated to renewing liberal values and advancing American interests.

- Jim Buie

Borja Garcia - The Archetype Atlas

In The Archetype Atlas, we map out timeless patterns—heroes, villains, mentors—and explore what makes them unforgettable. narratives. Subscribe to dive into The Archetype Atlas.

Insights into mythology, character and how they shape psychology and culture.

- Jim Buie