Jeff Minick

Jeff Minick has four children and a passel of grandkids. He has written two novels, “Amanda Bell” and “Dust on Their Wings,” as well as “Learning as I Go” and “Movies Make the Man.” You’ll find more of his writing at JeffMinick.substack.com.

In the Shadow of Tragedy: The Quiet Strength of First Lady Lucretia Garfield

Beyond an assassination lies the story of Lucretia Garfield, who saved her marriage from its 'years of darkness' ...

American Essence June 5, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for June 5–11

This week, we feature a love story that influenced America's founding and a foray into the oft-overlooked shipbuilder ...

Book Recommendation June 4, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 29–June 4

This week, we feature a retro-sci-fi tale and an arrangement of Southern-inspired recipes for weeknight dinners, celebrations, and ...

Book Recommendation May 28, 2026
The Character We’ve Lost: Lessons of Accountability in an Age of Excuses

A willingness to admit failure and accept consequences is what marks true maturity.

Traditional Culture May 27, 2026
War, Loss, and Heartbreak: Man Adopted From Liberia Shares How He Survived It All Through Faith

An orphan from Liberia found comfort in song, and, today, feels blessed to have a loving family in ...

American Essence May 27, 2026
Why a Mother’s Nurturing Is Critical to a Child’s Development and Future Relationships

Psychoanalyst Erica Komisar explains why the mother's presence in a child's first three years of life has a ...

American Essence May 26, 2026
‘On This Memorial Day’: Books That Honor America’s Fallen

From the smoke-filled fields of Gettysburg to the desperate skies above Midway, books bring America's wars and heroes ...

Book Recommendation May 25, 2026
Telling Stories Can Reverse the Rise of Communism

Our young people need to know before they go off to college or the workplace that communism kills ...

Viewpoints May 23, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 22–28

This week, we feature a satirical tale of espionage and a no-holds-barred assessment of the real state of ...

Book Recommendation May 21, 2026
The Best War Movies to Watch This Memorial Day (and Why)

Through unforgettable characters and gripping battlefield scenes, war movies remind us of the sacrifices made by those who ...

Film & TV May 21, 2026
These Honored Dead: New and Old Traditions Can Strengthen Memorial Day and America

Decorating graves, flags at half-staff, red poppies, virtual tours, and a moment of silence are ways to honor ...

American Essence May 21, 2026
‘Jefferson Still Lives’: America’s Anniversary Parties From the Past

America's 50th and 200th birthday celebrations give us a taste of what to expect for its 250th.

America's 250th May 20, 2026
The White House Bride Who Won a Nation’s Heart

In this installment of 'When Character Counted,' we meet a first lady with several interesting ‘firsts’ all her ...

American Essence May 20, 2026
Jimmy Stewart: From Academy Award Winner to Wartime Hero

In this installment of 'When Character Counted,' we look at a man whose love of country superseded his ...

American Essence May 15, 2026
Taxes Down the Tubes

Commentary While filing my 2024 taxes, I joked with my accountant that this might be the last year ...

Viewpoints May 15, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 15–21

This week, we feature a compelling voice appealing for sanity in America’s universities and a stark warning against ...

Book Recommendation May 14, 2026
Dear Graduates: These 4 Choices Make a Rich Life

There are a few daily habits that call us to live fully, love deeply, and take the chances ...

Family & Education May 11, 2026
Standing Tall: One Man’s Moral Courage During the Vietnam War

This installment of 'When Courage Counted' features Hugh Thompson Jr. and his heroic crewmates who helped end the ...

American Essence May 8, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 8–14

This week, we feature a scholarly dissection of a popular writer’s works and a charming children's tale that ...

Book Recommendation May 7, 2026
Sentimental Journey: 19th-Century Poems About Mothers and Motherhood

Heartwarming verses celebrate the gentle, nurturing hand of a mother and the joy that fills a maternal heart.

Literature May 4, 2026
Compassion Unbridled by Prudence and Reason Is a Wrecking Ball

False or inauthentic compassion can lead to dire consequences.

Viewpoints May 3, 2026
Gerald Ford: Presidents, Principles, and a Pardon

This installment of 'When Character Counted' reveals the painful cost that sometimes comes with doing the right thing.

American Essence May 2, 2026
Here’s to All You Moms: A Bouquet of Quips, Stories, and Jokes for Mother’s Day

Moms' superpowers include eyes in the back of their heads, superhuman hearing, and love that never ends.

Family & Education May 1, 2026
Seer and Sage: The Speeches of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Solzhenitsyn's Harvard speech stunned the West, and his broader writings reveal a deeper critique of freedom and cultural ...

Traditional Culture May 1, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 1–7

This week, we feature a country singer’s nostalgic memoir on growing up in 1950s Texas and a revelatory ...

Book Recommendation April 30, 2026
Lady Washington

This installment of ‘When Character Counted’ focuses on First Lady Martha Washington, who sacrificed her longing for a ...

American Essence April 24, 2026
Call Me Mr. Pollyanna: America Is Still a Land of Hope

Commentary In a recent phone conversation about his latest book, “What Really Matters,” Tim Goeglein mentioned that he ...

Viewpoints April 24, 2026