About

I'm Tom Raleigh — Thomas J. Raleigh on the book covers, “Pops” to the people who matter most.

I've been writing my whole life, one way or another. Two books made it all the way to print: Time Enough for the Henchman, a novel about a Chicago gang man in 1929 who gets a second chance forty years late, and I'll Be Watching You, ninety-four pages of a grandfather's reflections on the things that matter most — call it a misguided guide, or rants from a troubled old man; I've heard both. There's also a drawer's worth of essays — on politics, family, and whatever else refused to leave me alone that week — that used to live in Word documents and Facebook posts. They live here now.

I studied political science at Marquette a long time ago, back when tuition and my patience were both considerably lower. I was raised in Cleveland, I ended up in Austin, Texas, and in between I succeeded at the only job I ever really wanted: father. My next goal is to qualify as a good grandfather. The jury's still out, but I like my chances.

What you'll find here is plain talk. I write about the country because I love it and it worries me, usually in that order. I write about family because it's the only subject I'm an expert in. And when I've said what I came to say, I stop — which is where the name comes from. For years I've ended my arguments the same way, and I see no reason to stop now:

Nuff sed.

P.S. — If you'd like new essays sent to your inbox, there's a box at the bottom of every page. No spam, no noise. Just the writing.