Paths to the Present
I’m Jonathan Sherry, a former history professor turned geopolitics editor who moonlights as an anonymous long-distance hiker when time allows (trail name: Trotsky). Paths to the Present is a project with two purposes: sharing my published work in geopolitics and history, and posting reflections on wilderness thru-hiking based on daily trail logs, in preparation for a book manuscript on the Appalachian Trail.
The through line of my work—whether it’s political and historical analysis or reflections on thru-hiking—is a commitment to understanding the world as it is, cutting through the ideology and abstractions that conceal the real structures shaping politics, history, and everyday life.
Geopolitical Analysis
Short-form strategic analysis, situation reports, and op-eds focused on political economy and global power dynamics, with particular attention to China, Europe, and the United States. Many of these pieces first appear in outlets such as Eagle Intelligence Reports.
Historical Writing
Longer-form historical analysis, book and film reviews, and archival scholarship focused on 20th-century Europe, the history of Communism, and the Spanish Civil War. This work examines how power and ideology function and change over time.
Thru-hiking logs
Creative non-fiction based on daily trail journals I kept during long-distance hikes, including the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, GR-11, and others. These posts blend the physical and psychological rigors of wilderness thru-hiking with reflections on history, politics, landscapes, and the people and places encountered along the way.
Note for Readers:
Whether you are here for geopolitics, history, or thru-hiking, this is a space for readers who value careful analysis, historical perspective, and thoughtful reflection. Subscribers are encouraged to engage in the comments, offer feedback, and take part in ongoing conversations about ideas past and present.
About Me:
I grew up in Kentucky and completed a PhD in European & Russian history in Pittsburgh, conducting extensive research in archives across Europe, especially in Spain. I held research posts at universities in Barcelona and London and spent six years teaching as a professor in the United States. My scholarly work focuses on 20th-century Europe and the history of Communism, and I’ve recently finished a book on Soviet intervention in the Spanish Civil War. I’m based in Bucharest, Romania, where I work as Senior Editor and Contributing Writer at Eagle Intelligence Reports.
To learn more about my professional work, visit jonathansherry.com.
To order a copy of my recent book, click here: Stalinism on Trial: Communism and Republican Justice in the Spanish Civil War (Liverpool University Press, 2025).
