Southeastern Louisiana University Dept of History and Political Science

Coming this summer from Dr. Samantha Perez of Southeastern and Dr. Matthew Paul Smith of Tulane University, a revolutionary addition to European and Japanese historiography. Paperback edition on sale for $46 from Routledge, available for preorder July 27, ships after August 17. https://www.routledge.com/Cross-Cultural-Encounters-in-Early-Modern-Japan-Foreigners-within-the-Samurai-Class-c-1550-1900/Perez-PaulSmith/p/book/9781041060482

Recognizing the significance of cross-cultural exchange across newly established frontiers, this edited volume explores the purpose and relevance of non-Japanese individuals who operated with or within the samurai class and their role in constructing and communicating identity in early modern Japan.

The volume proposes a largely unexplored methodological lens through which to examine Japanese engagement with foreign others: the samurai class. These chapters locate instances of cross-cultural influence, by non-Japanese who conformed to Japanese society or by Japanese people who adopted foreign practices, and identify those individuals responsible for creating such fusion – and, at times, confusion – of values, loyalties, and traditions. This project serves as an examination of foreigners within the warrior class, gathering such studies in a singular volume, to yield vital and timely insight into power dynamics, the performance of identity, and the transmission and translation of cultural ideologies in the early modern world. Topics explored include samurai and the Japanese military class; Portuguese, Dutch, and English merchants in eastern Asia; Jesuit activity in Japan; Japan’s invasions of Korea; the reopening of Japan to western contact; European travel accounts; artistic and textual representation of Japan; and the Boshin War.

This volume appeals to a range of scholars, both those from European and eastern Asian studies and of the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries. The collection is well suited for graduate students of Japanese history, identity in the early modern period, and global exploration and commercial enterprise.

Cross-Cultural Encounters in Early Modern Japan: Foreigners within the Samurai Class, c. 1550–1900 Recognizing the significance of cross-cultural exchange across newly established frontiers, this edited volume explores the purpose and relevance of non-Japanese individuals who operated with or within the samurai class and their role in constructing and communicating identity in early modern Japan....

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a cover and an ISBN. Unfortunately, the price is absurd. Check it out of a library if you want to read it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/06/14/historian-gordon-s-woods-influence-supreme-court/

Opinion | How a great historian influenced the Supreme Court Justices often cite the work of Gordon S. Wood, who had a deep understanding of America's founding.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/02/my-father-german-refugee-who-fought-nazis-as-secret-listener?CMP=GTUK_email

My father, the German refugee who fought the N***s as a ‘secret listener’ As the far right fulminates about who ‘belongs’ in Britain, let’s remember Fritz Lustig, who arrived here in 1939, just months before war broke out. Initially jailed as an ‘enemy alien’, he played a vital role in a top-secret military intelligence unit

Hi, folks! Keep an eye out for my editorial collaboration with prolific Tudor scholar Valerie Schutte, "The Tudors, Myth, and Mystery: Embroidered Tales, Outright Falsehoods, and Popular Belief," coming from Palgrave Macmillan (Springer Nature) just in time for Christmas 2026! Featuring contributions by Tracy Adams, Caroline Armbruster, Michaela Baca, Conor Byrne, Carolyn Colbert. Sarah Duncan, Theresa Earenfight, Kavita Finn, Courtney Herber, Jessica Hower Carole Levin, Samantha Perez, William Robison, Valerie Schutte, Anne Throckmorton, Kristen Walton, and Michael Winkelman. More details and cover art coming soon!

https://link.springer.com/book/9783032285799

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/may/26/medieval-king-arthur-manuscript-auction

Medieval King Arthur manuscript could fetch £2m at auction Book containing early versions of the Merlin and Grail legends has remained in private hands for 700 years

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2026/05/22/why-did-britain-lose-american-revolution-ask-howe-brothers/?utm_campaign=wp_todays_headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F4742823%2F6a117aa75491555f36b25d34%2F5977f5269bbc0f6826c7ed02%2F29%2F61%2F6a117aa75491555f36b25d34

Opinion | Why did Britain lose the colonies? The reason was clear since 1776. Richard and William Howe were told to crush the rebels — and bring peace.

https://www.history.com/shows/world-war-ii-with-tom-hanks/season-1?ef_id=Cj0KCQjw_b_QBhCSARIsAP6hR4fK6IuXK28NFRhejL-HrZubd-zVJW0MXPrLkZiyRnQ3EBVO0Wpm5DgaAnN9EALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!4850!3!808978172041!e!!g!!world%20war%20ii%20with%20tom%20hanks&cmpid=paidsearch_&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23856972616&gbraid=0AAAAAD3zebrQJLoTQ0XlnU7RvNqRHaP95&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_b_QBhCSARIsAP6hR4fK6IuXK28NFRhejL-HrZubd-zVJW0MXPrLkZiyRnQ3EBVO0Wpm5DgaAnN9EALw_wcB

Watch World War II with Tom Hanks Full Episodes, Video & More | HISTORY Catch up on World War II with Tom Hanks, only on HISTORY. Get exclusive videos, pictures, bios and check out more of your favorite moments from seasons past.

The Department of History and Political Science, which houses Southeastern Louisiana University's otherwise independent ROTC program in its Fayard Hall offices, is proud to recognize the commissioning on May 15, 2026 of 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Smith of Mandeville (left), a Supply Chain Management major assigned to the Louisiana Army National Guard Charlie Battery, 1-141st Field Artillery, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and 2nd Lieutenant Bryan Lunsford of Abita Spring (right), an Industrial Technology major assigned to the Louisiana Army National Guard HHB, 1-141st Field Artillery, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Congratulations and thanks for your service to our country! Participating in the ceremony were Southeastern President Dr. William Wainwright, Director of Military and Veteran Success Captain Emily Anthony, Lieutenant Colonel Gary Brooks, Captain Steven Honore, and guest speaker Colonel Dean Smith.

This year there was a three-way tie for the Roman Heleniak Award for the Outstanding Graduate in Social Studies Education, with all three winners posting a 4.0 GPA. With Dr. Bill Robison in the first photo is Averie Bradley of Baton Rouge and in the second photo Austin Nelson of Albany and Layla Meng of Denham Springs. All three also received the President's Medal for Academic Excellence at the May 2026 Commencement Ceremony.