The Purcell Chronicles Closes In On 100,000 Views

I began this blog in September of 2013. I am a former journalist and wanted to continue writing, but did not want to deal with advertisers or promotions, politics or the like. So, from the very beginning, I was committed to The Purcell Chronicles not allowing any advertising, not seeking any advertising, not taking any advertising if it was offered. Further, I wanted this site to be free of the drama of politics, though I wanted to leave the door open, so to speak, in case there was a political topic I wanted to write about.

   Something else I wanted to make this blog was 'family-friendly.' If a young person, or any person for that matter, arrives on my blog, they will not see smut, foul language or anything shady or socially unacceptable. Saying something with a clear voice is all anyone needs to do; no one needs to curse, use foul language or display lewd content.

   When the blog started, I tried a wide variety of subjects. I promote my articles on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Linkedin. But, for the first two or three years, the site was not drawing a lot of views. Then, I started writing about what I know the best -- military history and militaria. Specifically, I wanted to create credible reports about these subjects from an informed and well-researched perspective. And, it was then that the blog really started finding its audience and its voice.

   Don't get me wrong, I want to branch out from the military history and militaria. However, I would add other topics without taking away the stream of articles I write about the military and militaria.

   I was a soldier during the 1980s and very early 1990s, and the Army has changed so much since then that I celebrate the armed forces in the latter Cold War and its weapon systems and equipment. I don't cover that much about the New Army, because I don't have first-hand knowledge of it. And, whatever I write about, I want to know what I am talking about.

   History is something altogether different. In college, I studied history at Georgian Court College, in New Jersey, and it captivated me. I brought my love of history to the newspapers I worked for after that, and continue to highlight historical events.

   Nowadays, so many people are trying to edit history for the sake of their politics or point-of-view. So, to combat this trend, I research historical articles with at least three good, secondary sources. Of course, if I can come up with a primary source then that is so much better.

   The most important thing I want to do with this column, though, is to thank the readers of this blog. You guys are the reason I write this. So many people have made this site a regular stop for their online news and features. The readers just make me want to do the best job I can.

   Again, thanks for coming around and seeing the articles here.


All the Best,

Jim Purcell
Publisher