Michael Bellesiles in the News Again

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Is it possible that Michael Bellesiles has invented yet another story? Bizarrely enough, yes: it does seem at least possible, as Jim Lindgren documents here. (And I’d add that in addition to Lindgren’s factual issues, Bellesiles’ piece also strikes me as implausibly pat just purely as a story.) In the grand scheme of things this doesn’t matter much, but it’s sort of the blog equivalent of wondering whether Jennifer Aniston is really over Brad. If you’ve been following it, you can’t help but be fascinated. Hopefully, in fairness to Bellesiles (if he’s done nothing wrong) and to everyone else (if he has), the Chronicle of Higher Education will sort this all out shortly.