About Zim
You don’t hate history, you hate the way it was taught to you in high school.
– Stephen Ambrose
To some, history is just the memorization of name and dates. However, history is much more than that. Through history, we can begin to make connections between the past, present and future. These connections, whether it is through the study of personal, local or national history, allow us to view our life and society in a new light. In addition, when you begin to pull back the layers of time, interesting events and people began to emerge. The purpose of this blog is to explore some of these people and events that standard textbooks either gloss over or miss entirely.
About Me
My name is Jess Zimmerman, my friends call me Zim, and perhaps it is because my last name is long and difficult to say, or more reasonably, they are just lazy. Regardless of their original intention, the nickname stuck and honestly, History by Zim rolls off the tongue better.
Education
I have a BA in History with a minor in Art History. I also have a MA in American History. My concentration was 20th Century United States Social History, which means that I focused on people and events more so than political or religious aspects even though historical events are an amalgamation of many issues.
Writing Style
Over the years, I have encountered my fair share of pretentious writing. Have you ever come across articles or books that sound like you are reading a thesaurus instead? Or you feel like you accidentally stepped into philosophical discussion on the meaning of life? I mean no offense to thesauruses or philosophers, because I love a good “word of the day” and the occasional debate on life, but this blog is about history and history does not have to become overly complicated. I intend for the writing style of this blog to be straightforward and clear-cut so that the focus is on the people and events rather than the wording and structure. I am passionate about what I write but also I am very conscious not to impart my own bias into my writing.
Topics
The topics will vary but there may be underlying patterns. Since my background is in American history, it will usually be my focus. Specifically, I also have a background in women’s history and World War II. Additionally, since art history is also a passion of mine, it will be discussed frequently in its own section.
Your Involvement
I would love to get suggestions or comments about possible upcoming blogs. Whether you have a question about something I wrote, or you are interested in learning more about a specific thing, feel free to either leave a comment under the blog post or email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you!
Blog Posts: Zim’s Ramblings
History By Zim around the web:
Twitter – @historybyzim
Facebook – “Like” History By Zim page
Pinterest
Photo by Zim
Hey Jess, looks good, can’t wait to see more, keep it coming.
Thank you!
Excited to see what I didn’t learn in school! Love your writing style already!
Thanks, I hope you find some things that you never saw in textbooks!
Love it! Keep going
Thanks, I will
great job zim keep up the good work. You make history come alive.
One of the best compliments! Thanks!
This site is amazing!! No other words can describe it. Well written and informative!
Thank you Brody!!
Zim, your site and information is thrilling and fun to read. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge, I can’t wait to check back and read more!
I hope you keep checking back in for some more fun posts!
Zim, this is Zim…
I’m a hysterical person, too… Love your site! I’m adding it to my rolls when I get home tonight. I’m about to retire after 45 years military and civil service – and some of that time was as an Air Force official historian.
Anyhow, thanks for sharing your knowledge. I wish I could get my archivist nephew in Virginia to do this sort of thing. He’s got the degrees, and so does his wife. But I think he only publishes what his college pays him to do…
Be yakkin’ back at you soon from the house… – Zim
Thank you for your service Zim!
I think a website/blog is a great way for historians/writers to express what moves them and not what other people want to read.
I look forward to more “yakkin’” – Other Zim
Hi Zim! I’m so glad I stumbled on your site – it was via Pinterest.
I have my MA in history with a focus on WW2. Glad to find a fellow history lover!
I also completely agree with you about the pretentious writing of history – that (and the additional ivory tower mentality) is exactly why I didn’t continue my studies and earn my PhD. I’d rather write history for the general population than other professors.
Yeah for Pinterest, I’m completely hooked on it! I agree with you on the ivory tower mentality. Your blogs are great; I really enjoy checking them out!
Zim, I’m glad to have found your site as well. I also have a keen interest in the 20th century (specifically 1900-1950) and consider myself to be a perpetual student of WWII. I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts!
Valerie
It’s nice to meet a fellow 20th century/WW2 student! Thank you for stopping by and I really love how you have used your Uncle as an inspiration for your blog! I bookmarked it and look forward to popping by!
Hi Zim, looks good but I’m afraid you’ve got it wrong with the picture of Red Cloud because it’s not him. The man in the picture is the grandson of Chief Red Cloud, James Red Cloud. And James is the son of Jack Red Cloud.
Ahh!! Thank you Roland for the correction. I’ll make sure to change it!
More on the information on the pioneer column in the late 1890
Sounds like an interesting topic Naboth! History By Zim mainly does United States history since that is what I am educated in. Perhaps, in the future, I will expand into non-US history topics. Thank you for your suggestion though!