The Saber and Scroll Journal: Volume 9, Number 4, Spring 2021

This issue of Saber & Scroll is a veritable grab bag of historical research and arguments, ranging from the aforementioned survey of American comic books during war to another look at why the British lost the American Revolutionary War. That article presents six ways things went wrong in London at the time that led to a historic loss by the most powerful maritime force in the world.

If you are into late nineteenth century social and culture history like this author, check out the selection on Wild West shows and Native American culture. The article explores how these types of shows were not only some of the most popular forms of entertainment during this time, but how they also gave a safe platform for Native Americans to showcase their customs, traditions, and culture. If you are looking for a new post-pandemic travel destination, there is a piece about the Skagway Commercial Club's efforts to attract more tourists to the Alaskan city in the early twentieth century. Then there is a look at the evolution of American foreign policy in Puerto Rico from the turn of the century through the mid-twentieth century, including how those policies contributed to opinions about the island's culture and tourism. In another article, early Jewish history takes center stage in a study of the significance of the archive of two-thousand-year-old documents found in a Judaean desert cave in the 1960s.

Rounding out the Spring 2021 issue are three book reviews on various topics including the evolution of the Commonwealth of Virginia's politics, laws, and infrastructure in the twentieth century; how George Washington brought his military expertise to the creation and running of his Cabinet; and a comprehensive look at the "forgotten" Philippine War from 1899 to 1902.