Axelbank Reports History and Today
Evan Axelbank
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"Axelbank Reports History and Today: Conversations with America’s top non-fiction authors and why their books matter right now" approaches our past and present in a way that makes anyone want to listen. National-award winning TV news reporter Evan Axelbank interviews writers of history and current events to explore how America works and how it has been shaped by both the powerful and the powerless. In conversational and engaging fashion, listeners learn about the most important events, themes and figures in American history. This podcast shows why we have no choice but to understand where we have been, to know where we are going.
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Mar 21, 2023
#118: Gautam Mukunda - "Picking Presidents: How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World"
When you vote for president, Gautam Mukunda says you are making the most important decision in the world. With the power presidents wield over the US and the world, picking the wrong person can bring disaster - or wonderful things - to billions of people. On this episode, Gautam Mukunda explains how we can spot candidates that will do well in office, and also ones who are likely to fail. His "filtered vs. unfiltered" test, he says, is a prescription for doing your duty, and doing it right. We walk through some of the history of good choices by the American people, some bad ones, and also how we could change the process to improve our chances of success. This former "Jeopardy!" champion also explained how he wound up on the show, and how an unusual resume led him to presidential history.
Gautam Mukunda's website is at https://www.gautammukunda.com/
Information on his coursework at Harvard can be found at https://www.hks.harvard.edu/about/gautam-mukunda
Information on Gautam Mukunda's book can be found at https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520379992/picking-presidents
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
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Mar 14, 2023
#117: Kate Andersen Brower - "Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit and Glamour of an Icon"
There are four women who shaped the 20th Century: Queen Elizabeth II, Jacqueline Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. In the first biography of the hard-nosed, beautiful, iconic movie star that draws on Taylor's massive trove of personal correspondence and photographs, best-selling author Kate Andersen Brower explains how Taylor evolved from child star to storied activist. Brower interviewed her family members, friends, celebrities and assistants who provided the clearest picture yet of what drove Taylor to conquer the movie industry, search for true love and lend a powerful voice to the fight against AIDS. She also explains how Taylor handled money, fame and defeat, while never losing sight of her core values. We also chatted with Kate about an upcoming Netflix series that is based on her book on life in the White House, "The Residence."
Kate Andersen Brower's website can be found at https://www.katebrower.com
She is on social media at https://twitter.com/katebrower
Information on her book from Harper Collins can be found at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/elizabeth-taylor-kate-andersen-brower?variant=40262544228386
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
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Mar 7, 2023
#116: Kelly Weill - "Off the Edge"
One of the biggest myths in the history of human discovery is that the idea of a spherical earth is new. In fact, it is the opposite. The incorrect idea that the world is flat is what's new. In this discussion with Daily Beast reporter Kelly Weill, we discuss her book, "Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything." She explains how most of us have misconceptions about those who think the earth is a disc, and how those misconceptions can lead to missed opportunities to reign in dangerous conspiracy theories. She also explains how the idea of a flat earth was born in the 19th century and how conspiracy theories endanger those who believe in them, as well as everyone else. She shows how followers of flat earth ebbed and flowed, until Donald Trump took over the American presidency. Then, her reporting has found, belief in flat earth skyrocketed.
Information on her book from Workman Publishing can be found here https://www.workman.com/authors/kelly-weill
She is on social media at https://twitter.com/KELLYWEILL
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory
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Feb 28, 2023
#115: Lindsay Chervinsky - Mourning the Presidents
When a president dies, it often feels as though a piece of the nation is gone with them. Americans are often witness to days of memorial services, eulogies, processions and burial ceremonies. But as Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky and Dr. Matthew Costello argue in their co-edited book, "Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture," the way a president is mourned immediately after their death often evolves as their legacy in both policy and personality become more fully understood. As society and scholarship change, so do the reputations of those who held the nation's highest office. On this episode, Dr. Chervinsky discusses the burials and historiography behind presidents who left both giant footprints, but also those who are seldom discussed today. From Washington to Taylor to Lincoln to the Roosevelts, this is an episode chock-full of reflection on what presidential loss says about our culture.
Our previous episode with Dr. Chervinsky about her book, "The Cabinet," can be found here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000494574017
Dr. Chervinsky's website can be found at https://lindsaychervinsky.com
She is on social media at https://twitter.com/lmchervinsky
Dr. Matthew Costello's website at the White House Historical Association can be found at https://www.whitehousehistory.org/staff/matthew-costello
Information on their book from the University of Virginia Press can be found at https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/5740/
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory
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Feb 21, 2023
#114: David Marchick - "The Peaceful Transfer of Power"
For decades, it was a given in American news media and political leadership that those who held power, upon the selection of new leaders, would give up their positions. Until 2020, the American presidency had an unbroken string of over 225 years of transferring power peacefully. Despite personality or political party, the outgoing president always left the stage, to give way to a new person at the top. But in 2020, David Marchick watched, flabbergasted, as the work he tried to foster as a conduit between the outgoing Trump Administration and the incoming Biden Administration, was undone by the personality and power of one man. There was blood in America's sacred Capitol. We talked with seasoned political operative David Marchick about his new book, "The Peaceful Transfer of Power," about the oral history he has compiled, as well as advice he has to make sure what happened between the election of 2020 and Inauguration Day of 2021 never happens again.
Dean David Marchick is on social media at https://twitter.com/deanmarchick
His website at American University can be found at https://www.american.edu/profiles/staff/dmarchick.cfm
Information on his book from the University of Virginia Press can be found at https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/5816/
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory
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Feb 14, 2023
#113: Philip Bump - "The Aftermath"
In "The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America," Washington Post correspondent Philip Bump explains how America's largest generation became America itself. Their considerable demands on schools, infrastructure, culture and communication defined the second half of the twentieth century, and set up a generational conflict with millennials. The data-driven journalist explains how the scale of America's population growth from 1946 to 1964 remade power and politics, and how long their influence will be felt. We also discussed his life as a national correspondent for a major newspaper and how writing a book is different from writing columns.
Philip Bump's website is at https://philipbump.com
He is on social media at https://twitter.com/pbump
His columns in the Washington Post can be found at https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/philip-bump/
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory
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Feb 7, 2023
#112: Stacy Schiff - "The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams"
If you Google "Samuel Adams," the first result that pops up is about beer. Centuries after Thomas Jefferson called Adams, "the man" of the Revolution, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Stacy Schiff reclaims the history of perhaps the key force behind American independence. In "The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams," she explains how Adams built a shadow empire of propaganda and incitement after the British went too far in their demands of the colonies. We also discuss how the story of Samuel Adams has been largely forgotten, as men like Washington, Jefferson and his cousin, John, have taken a more leading role. And, we chatted about her legendary writing career and what project she might take on next!
Stacy Schiff's website can be found at https://stacyschiff.com
She is on social media at https://twitter.com/stacyschiff
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory
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Jan 17, 2023
#111: Adam Mendelsohn - "Jewish Soldiers in the Civil War"
Until now, the story of Jews who served in the Civil War has been incomplete. Dr. Adam Mendelsohn's book aims to showcase their contributions and sacrifices while explaining how their time in the Civil War differed from that of other soldiers. From rations that were not kosher, to lack of opportunity to fully celebrate holidays, to relatively few comrades, it was not always easy for Jewish soldiers to practice their religion. He also shows how their views of race and slavery often depended on the side to which they pledged their allegiance. Mendelsohn also describes how the story of their service is still evolving, thanks to the work of scholars and archivists who are generating a database of every Jew who served and sacrificed.
Information on "Jewish Soldiers in the Civil War" can be found at https://nyupress.org/9781479812233/jewish-soldiers-in-the-civil-war/
Professor Mendelsohn's website can be found at https://humanities.uct.ac.za/department-historical-studies/people-academic-staff/associate-professor-adam-mendelsohn
The Shapell Roster of Jewish soldiers in the Civil War can be found at https://www.shapell.org/roster/
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory
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Jan 10, 2023
#110: Natalia Petrzela - "Fit Nation"
Why does exercise come with an outfit, a soundtrack, a gimmick and a social media post? In her book, "Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America's Exercise Obsession," scholar and fitness coach Dr. Natalia Petrzela explains the history behind exercise, the inequalities the fitness industry has created, and how America has been shaped by the social pressure to work out. She also explains how her childhood fear of the gym turned into a lifelong pursuit to get fit and stay fit. Petrzela's book reveals how those who are considered "in-shape" went from cultural curiosity, to societal heroes.
Dr. Petrzela is on social media at https://twitter.com/nataliapetrzela
Her website can be found at https://nataliapetrzela.com
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory
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Jan 3, 2023
#109: Neal Gabler - "Against The Wind: Ted Kennedy and the Rise of Conservatism"
Biographer Neal Gabler argues Ted Kennedy's life can be divided into two sections. The first is when Kennedy catches the tide of liberalism and used that momentum to advance liberal policy goals. And the second is when he pushes against the prevailing feeling that the government should no longer protect the New Deal as stringently as before. Gabler argues that Kennedy, despite his well-known personal shortcomings, understood the dire needs of Americans who were less-well-off than he, and that his fights for gay marriage, universal health insurance and against the Iraq War were parts of his effort to protect those in need.
Our discussion about vol. 1 of Neal’s biography of Ted Kennedy, “Catching the Wind,” can be found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000502463586
More information on his book from Penguin Random House can be found here
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory
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Dec 20, 2022
#108: Keri Leigh Merritt - "After Life"
In this episode, historian Keri Leigh Merritt explores how a pandemic exacerbated simmering inequalities in American society to produce mass death at an unprecedented scale. The book she co-edited with Rhae Lynn Barnes and Yohuru Williams, "After Life: A Collective History of Loss and Redemption in Pandemic America," is a collection of essays where authors explore the damage that grief and fear had on our collective psyche. We discussed the impact that politics, race and class had on who died and on who was left behind.
Keri Leigh's website can be found at https://kerileighmerritt.com/
More information about "After Life" can be found at https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1927-after-life
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory
https://faceb…
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Dec 13, 2022
#107: Andrew Rice - "The Year that Broke America"
In his book, "The Year that Broke America," Andrew Rice doesn't just argue that the year 2000 changed things, he argued that it broke everything. From the presidential election, to the seeds of the 9/11 plot, to Elian Gonzalez to reality TV, he explains how a confluence of unfortunate incidents led America down a path from which it has never recovered. It's also easy to forget that Donald Trump waged a presidential run that year, a run that showed him how the country wasn't yet ready for his brand of politics. In sixteen years, it would be. Rice reconstructs how media, politics and violence became places to fight, as opposed to places to come together. We didn't get Y2K in the way we expected, but we did get permanent PTSD.
Andrew Rice's website can be found here
More information on his book from HarperCollins can be found here
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports…
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Dec 6, 2022
#106: Jeremi Suri - "Civil War by Other Means"
In this episode, Dr. Jeremi Suri explains how the Civil War was only the most violent part of the attempt to subvert American democracy by southern states. During the late 1860s until the 1890s, he explains how southern politicians, white supremacists and Confederate veterans stopped Black Americans from participating in public life. In his book, "Civil War by Other Means: America's Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy," Suri shows how violence and political will destroyed the American creed of "one person, one vote." Suri also discusses how American democracy is facing echoes of those decades today, and what can be done to ensure our government is truly, "of the people."
Jeremi Suri's website is https://jeremisuri.net
More information on his book can be found at https://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/titles/jeremi-suri/civil-war-by-other-means/9781541758544/
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children'…
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Nov 22, 2022
#105: Stephen Knott - "Coming to Terms with John F. Kennedy"
There are few presidents as highly regarded and as misunderstood as John F. Kennedy. The horrific death of the 35th president froze him in time, allowing his legacy to be crafted by those who wished to see him lionized, while squeezing out the critique all presidents must face in order for the nation to learn from their successes and failures. In "Coming to Terms with John F. Kennedy," Dr. Stephen Knott explores his personal journey in understanding JFK, while also examining the most hotly-debated aspects of the Kennedy Administration, which lasted less than three years. From Civil Rights to Vietnam to Kennedy's personal life, Knott parses the myths to give us a more complete picture of one of the most complicated men to ever serve as America's chief executive.
Dr. Knott can be reached on social media at https://twitter.com/publius57
His website is https://www.stephenfknott.com/
More information on his book from University of Kansas Press can be found at https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9…
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Nov 15, 2022
#104: Bryan Appleyard - "The Car"
The car is the ultimate two-sided coin. It takes you where you want to go, but it pollutes. You're outside, but trapped inside. It's easier than walking or biking, but MUCH more expensive. And the history of it is loaded with incredible technological advancements, but it brought mass death to our society. In his book, "The Car: The Machine that Made the Modern World," Bryan Appleyard explains the rise of the world's most useful machine, but also why it is doomed to fail. You'll never see your car, or anyone else's, the same way!
For more information on his book, check out https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Car/Bryan-Appleyard/9781639362301
He is on social media at https://twitter.com/BryanAppleyard
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory
https://instagram.com/axelbankhist…
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Nov 8, 2022
#103: Carole Adrienne - "Healing a Divided Nation"
The beginning of the movie "Lincoln" shows a horrific battle scene, where men in blue and gray are locked in hand to hand combat. There are fists, spears and guns. The division and the brutality are apparent, as soldiers discard the humanity of their opponents. Some of them died on the battlefield. We have certainly spent our fair share of time honoring the giants of the war itself. But in her book, "Healing a Divided Nation: How the American Civil War Revolutionized Medicine," Carole Adrienne celebrates the war's medical heroes. She explains that for the most part, the most dangerous aspect of being wounded came after you were carted away. More died from infection than from the battle itself. But, by the end of the War, there were major advancements in medicine and in procedure that still impact how medicine is practiced today.
For more information on Carole Adrienne's book, click here: http://pegasusbooks.com/books/healing-a-divided-nation-9781639361854-hardcover
She is on social m…
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Nov 1, 2022
#102: Paul Fischer - "The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures"
The next time you watch a movie, give credit where credit is due. No, it wasn't Thomas Edison who invented movie cameras, it was a now-forgotten fellow named Louis Le Prince. Only two years after he designed his groundbreaking camera and filmed the "Roundhay Garden Scene" (which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAiYFEHI9o8), he disappeared, leaving others to grapple for position in the new medium.
In our episode, we chatted with author Paul Fischer about his book, "The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures: A True Tale of Obsession, Murder and the Movies." He describes how Le Prince invented his miracle camera, and how history forgot him. Fischer also explains what Le Prince might think of today's movies, and what moviemakers could learn from Le Prince. Fischer also describes how his career has led him to different kinds of writing, and what his next movie-centric book project is!
Paul Fischer's website can be found at: https://www.paulfischerauthor.com
He is on social m…
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Oct 18, 2022
#101: Peter Baker - "The Divider"
Many attempts have been made to understand the insurrection at the Capitol Building. But to fully grasp what happened January 6th, 2021, to see how Donald Trump incited a mob that temporarily stopped the counting of electoral votes, chief New York Times White House correspondent Peter Baker argues we must grapple with all four years of the Trump administration. He and co-author Susan Glasser argue January 6th was inevitable. Baker describes how Trump used the power of his office to pit cabinet secretaries, advisors and even family members against one another, to the point where the entire government of the United States was at risk. During our conversation, he also pulled back the veil on what it is like to cover the White House, and what happens behind the scenes in one of the world's most important institutions.
More information on Peter Baker and Susan Glasser's book can be found at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/80731/peter-baker/
Peter Baker can be found on social me…
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Oct 11, 2022
#100: A Celebration of History
We made it to a hundred episodes! Our celebration features a discussion between four hobbyists who have taken their passion for history to a whole new level.
Listen as host Evan Axelbank chats with Alicya Asai of the podcast "Civics and Coffee," Jeremy Anderberg of the newsletter "What to Read Next," and Steve Floyd of the website "Best Presidential Bios." We all explain why we love history and why we wanted to take our passion public!
“Axelbank Reports History and Today” could not have made it to this milestone without our listeners, Patrons, guests and their publishers. Thanks to each of you, and we will see you next week for episode #101!
Listen to Alycia Asai's "Civics and Coffee" at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/civics-coffee/id1527172324
Read Jeremy Anderberg's "What to Read Next" at https://readmorebooks.substack.com/
Peruse Steve Floyd's book reviews at https://bestpresidentialbios.com/
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of ev…
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Oct 4, 2022
#99: Cody Keenan: "Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America"
The president of the United States stood at the podium, faced members of a Black church who had just lost nine parishioners in a racist attack, and offered comfort, not only with words, but with silence. After twelve seconds, Barack Obama sang the hymn that had been a comfort in moments of crisis for generations. Amazing Grace.
In his new book, "Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America," former White House Chief Speechwriter Cody Keenan recounts how he and the president collaborated on writing what would become the 44th president's most memorable speech. He describes how he worked with Obama to "find the silences," and how he spent several long days crafting the eulogy for Clementa Pinckney, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton and Myra Thompson.
Cody is also filled with nuggets about what it was like to work closely with the president, and has numerous insights into how hi…
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Sep 20, 2022
#98: Kostya Kennedy - "True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson"
Jackie Robinson's #42 is the only number retired across Major League Baseball, as his contributions to baseball and to American society can hardly be calculated. As Kostya Kennedy describes in his book, "True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson," he became a hero to generations of Americans thanks to his stoic, determined and thoughtful approach to dealing with the horrors of racial injustice. Kostya chose four key "seasons" that defined Robinson's life both on the field and off, and describes them in vivid detail. Kostya also describes his encounters with Rachel Robinson, who has survived Jackie by five decades. For baseball fans, there are detailed analysis' of Jackie's swing, of the area around Ebbet's FIeld, and of some of the biggest plays in his career. For those who want to understand how one man can change so much, this episode is for you.
Kostya Kennedy's website can be found at: http://www.kostyakennedy.com/
He is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/kostyakennedy
More infor…
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Sep 13, 2022
#97: James Kirchick - "Secret City"
On this episode, we talk with veteran journalist James Kirchick about his new book, "Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington." He explains how government officials who were gay became the focus of investigations, campaigns to out them, and even lost everything. He shows how Washington attracted gay men and women who hoped to serve their country, but who found that it was both the most dangerous place for them to be, but in some ways, the most liberating. He organizes his book chronologically by president, so we also get a real sense of how different administrations reacted to the prospect that gay public servants were among them. Kirchick explains how that reveals their broader character. From FDR to JFK to Nixon to Reagan, this is a discussion that will pull the veil off an aspect of life in Washington that has seldom been reported. Sadly, we will never know how many patriots never shied away from serving their country over the fear that their deepest secret could be exposed…
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Aug 23, 2022
#96: Leah Sottile - "When the Moon Turns to Blood"
In her new book, "When the Moon Turns to Blood: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell and a Story of Murder, Wild Faith and End Times," Leah Sottile describes how a history of belief in the supernatural can be deadly. Although the story of how Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell allegedly killed their children is not too far into the past, the history of religion, missing children and deception are front and center in the tale Sottile tells. An independent investigative reporter, Leah explains how she discovered this story, how she reported on it, and why she felt the history behind Lori and Chad's lives must be understood by us all.
Her website can be found at https://www.leahsottile.com
She is on social media at https://twitter.com/Leah_Sottile
You can subscribe to her substack at https://leahsottile.substack.com
Information on her book can be found at https://www.twelvebooks.com/titles/leah-sottile/when-the-moon-turns-to-blood/9781538721353/
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory…
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Aug 16, 2022
#95: Eric Jay Dolin - "Rebels at Sea"
In his book, "Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution," Dr. Eric Jay Dolin explains how a previously unheralded force, independent boat captains, played a crucial role in helping the colonists win the Revolutionary War. He explains how they captured British ships, upset shipping routes, upset their financial system and contributed to their weariness in fighting the patriots. He also shows how fighting at sea changed the dynamic of politics in the continental congress and why understanding maritime fighting is essential to analyzing American conflict. Dr. Dolin's passion for the environment shines through in his writing, and he also provided a fascinating recap as to how he produced this book.
Dr. Dolin's website can be found at: https://www.ericjaydolin.com
Information on his book can be found at: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631498251
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's lite…
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Aug 9, 2022
#94: Justin Tinsley - "It Was All a Dream"
On all our gravestones, there will be a date of birth, a dash, and a date of death. The dash (-) will represent the entirety of our lives. In his new book, "It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World that Made Him," Justin Tinsley argues that the life of Notorious BIG is important for every American to understand because "the world that made him" is the one that made all of us, but especially young, Black men. How did an exuberant drug dealer go from navigating the streets of Brooklyn to the top of the charts with seemingly blinding speed? How did his unforgettable lyrics and beats tell the story of a young man who had come so far, but who had a chip on his shoulder over how it all started? How did New York City of the 80s impact him, and how did he change the Big Apple forever? Tinsley answers all those questions, and shows us why the life of Christopher Wallace is just as important to understand as his untimely and sinister death. And yes, he tells the story of how, "Juicy," one of the…
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Aug 2, 2022
#93: Natalie Jacobson - "Natalie Jacobson Reporting"
Who ARE the newsmakers who we see on TV or the web? What makes them tick? Who are they when they aren't running for office, starring in Hollywood or battling criminals in court? In this episode, we talk with legendary Boston anchor Natalie Jacobson about the technique she used to document Boston's newsmakers over her four-decade career as a journalist. She explains how she realized that it was just as important to visit with political bigwigs in their homes as it was to cover their policy proposals. Her memoir also describes how she went from the daughter of an immigrant family in Chicago to become one of the most-well-known people in one of America's most important cities. She also talks about the history of the news business and what its future may hold. While she became famous for her, "At Home," segments, during this episode, Natalie was the one answering the questions!
Information on her book can be found here: https://perpublisher.com/portfolio-item/every-life-a-story/
Support…
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Jul 19, 2022
#92: Daniel Levy - "Manhattan Phoenix"
It has become cliche to say that the roots of modern New York City can be found in the 1970s. But in his book, "Manhattan Phoenix: The Great Fire of 1835 and the Emergence of Modern New York," Daniel Levy argues that the leveling of 700 buildings in lower Manhattan is truly the key moment. The fire devastated lower Manhattan, left thousands homeless or out of work and exposed several ways New York was being held back from becoming great. From improvements in firefighting to a public water system, Levy argues that the time period before the Civil War should be remembered for how New Yorkers banded together to build their city into one that would become America's signature metropolis. We also discussed how fires and devastation have often set New Yorkers on the path to renewal, Levy's writing career, and how research can be a painstaking but worthwhile process.
Information on his book from Oxford University Press can be found here
Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory…
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Jul 12, 2022
#91: Marc Lamont Hill and Todd Brewster - "Seen and Unseen"
If George Floyd had been killed by police in almost any other era of American history, before we all carried high definition cameras in our pocket, there's a good chance the perpetrator would have escaped justice. In "Seen and Unseen: Technology, Social Media and the Fight for Racial Justice," BET news anchor Dr. Marc Lamont Hill and longtime reporter Todd Brewster explore how changing media has leveled the playing field between those who have power, and those who historically have not. During our discussion, we explored not only the life and death of George Floyd, but also how media helped build and then tear down segregation. We discussed how access to technology has shaped white supremacy and the effort to eradicate it. They also explained their writing process and what it was like to write the book as a duo, with one author being Black, and the other being white.
Information on their book, from Simon and Schuster, can be found here
Marc Lamont Hill's social media feed can be foun…
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Jul 5, 2022
#90: Mark Arsenault - "The Imposter's War"
During the 2016 presidential election, we got an up-close look at how a foreign nation can influence domestic politics. US intelligence has found that Russia worked to spread disinformation, poison social media and steal documents. But that was not the first time America has been manipulated by a foreign power.
In the run up to World War I, Boston Globe "Spotlight" reporter Mark Arsenault explains how a reporter for a small newspaper broke numerous stories about supposed German efforts to meddle in American affairs. What readers didn't know is that Great Britain intelligence agents had planted the stories with the willing editor of the Providence Journal, John Rathom, to turn the Wilson Administration and the American people against Germany. Arsenault argues it was a critical piece in Wilson deciding to send American troops "to make the world safe for democracy."
Even more shocking though, is that in his book, "The Imposter's War: The Press, Propaganda, and the Newsman who Battled fo…
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Jun 21, 2022
#89: Philip Dray - "A Lynching at Port Jervis"
Lynching is often and understandably thought of as a southern problem. But Philip Dray's new book, "A Lynching at Port Jervis: Race and Reckoning in the Gilded Age," explores the only lynching that occurred in New York State between 1882 and 1899. He explains why northerners must come to grips with not only the violent incident that happened in the "idyllic" Delaware Water Gap village of Port Jervis, but with the racism that permeated many of the states that were first to outlaw slavery. He explores what happened on June 2nd, 1892, and how the justice system reacted to it. He also shows how the small town has begun to confront their difficult history.
Information on Dray's book can be found at https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374194413/alynchingatportjervis
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
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Jun 14, 2022
#88: A.J. Baime - "White Lies"
What does it mean to be white in America? What does it mean to be Black? Is it merely the color of our skin? How does the history of how different races have been treated by the law and by fellow Americans weigh on those labels? What would it be like to straddle both worlds?
In "White Lies: The Double Life of Walter F. White and America's Darkest Secret," AJ Baime explains how an African-American man who looked white infiltrated the south to investigate lynchings and write reports for the NAACP. Baime explains how Walter White exposed the horrors of lynchings in a way no one else could, while also defining a new era of culture in New York City. Baime came of age as Jim Crow took hold, and sadly died before the Civil Rights movement would achieve its greatest legislative successes.
Baime also describes the emotional journey he traveled to write this book, and why he says it is time for him to take a break from non-fiction!
This is AJ's second appearance on our show. He joined us in t…
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Jun 7, 2022
#87: Kate Clifford Larson - "Walk with Me"
Where do rights come from? Do they come from the Constitution? The Supreme Court? From God? The voting booth?
Bestselling author Dr. Kate Clifford Larson argues in her biography of Fannie Lou Hamer that rights also come from those willing to fight for them, from heroes who risk their lives while demanding the full promise of what America offers. Hamer was born a Mississippi sharecropper who would insist on the right to vote, speak at public hearings and - at times - face violence for her efforts. Dr. Larson traces the roots of Hamer's bravery, her beliefs and the moments where her life took drastic turns. Dr. Larson also describes the moments where this Civil Rights icon captured the nation's attention, to the point where even the President of the United States was forced to listen. We also spoke with Dr. Larson about the future of biography and what project she might consider next.
She is on social media at https://twitter.com/KCliffLarson
Her website is https://twitter.com/KCliffL…
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May 24, 2022
#86: Edward Renehan - "Deliberate Evil"
Before the phrase, "the trial of the century," became a cliche, there was New England slave trader Joseph White and the greatest whodunit of the 19th Century. The wealthy, powerful and supremely disliked shipping magnate had apparently swam with too many sharks to escape justice forever. But who would go into a man's bedroom and kill him in his sleep? Edward Renehan's book, "Deliberate Evil: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Daniel Webster, and the 1830 Murder of a Salem Slave Trader," shows how the murder drew titans of history into what was already a famous, albeit small, town. He also explains how the trial and the coverage of it still echoes today, and why we should pay close attention to how the story faded from memory as key figures passed away. It's a story of mystery and power in a town that had already been shaped by one of the most famous events in American history.
Edward Renehan's website can be found at here
He is on social media here
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory…
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May 17, 2022
#85: Richard Cohen - "Making History"
"To study history, you must study the historian."
Are the writers who make history also a part of history? Are the stories they tell what actually happened, or have we all been had? What motivates a historian to practice her craft?
In "Making History: Storytellers Who Shaped the Past," veteran writer and publisher Richard Cohen explains how the earliest historians built their narratives and distributed their work. He goes era by era, highlighting the most impactful non-fiction writers of all time like Thucydides, the authors of the Bible, Shakespeare, Julius Caesar and Ulysses Grant.
He also considers modern authors like Ibram Kendi and today's journalists. He explains how stories are found, told and most of all, how historians themselves shape them.
Information on Richard Cohen's book, "Making History," can be found here
He is on social media here
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"…
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May 3, 2022
#84: J.D. Dickey - "The Republic of Violence"
The end of slavery came thanks - in part - to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans. At the Civil War's conclusion, the abolitionist movement had finally achieved its most sacred goal. But in, "The Republic of Violence: The Tormented Rise of Abolition in Andrew Jackson's America," JD Dickey argues that movement gained momentum decades before, during the 1830s, as abolitionists were violently confronted by the pro-slavery movement.
In both north and south, Dickey argues white supremacists stopped at nothing to prevent abolitionists from having their voices heard. He catalogues America's most violent period, with riots so commonplace, they seemed to blend into one another. He describes the lives of the abolition movement's foot soldiers and how they came to blows with followers of Andrew Jackson. Dickey argues Jackson deliberately inspired violence to tamp down those who argued America's slaves should be freed.
Dickey's website is jddickey.com
He is on social media at twitt…
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Apr 19, 2022
#83: A.K. Fielding - "Rough Diamond"
In "Rough Diamond: The Life of Col. William Stephen Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton's Forgotten Son," A.K. Fielding explains why understanding his life is essential to understanding the first half of the nineteenth century. Though his dad gets the attention for being one of the most famous and influential people in American history, Fielding argues that by understanding the relatively "average" life of Hamilton's sixth child, we are able to grapple with migration patterns, the impact of the powerful on the powerless, the economy, and even how political forces changed between the Founding generation and the decade before the Civil War. Col. William Stephen Hamilton tried his hand at politics, the military and mining, before winding up in California during the Gold Rush.
We also spent a lot of time discussing her path to publishing this book, the challenges the publishing industry presents to independent historians, and the sexism she encountered while shopping her proposal. She also expla…
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Apr 12, 2022
#82: Jeffrey Frank - "The Trials of Harry S. Truman"
Harry Truman took over the presidency during a sea-change in American history. Along with becoming the first nuclear power, the US was about to begin a massive relief effort in Europe and grapple with racial injustice. Though he left office with low marks, during the last several decades, Truman's handling of the many crises he inherited has been applauded more loudly. Jeffrey Frank's new book, "The Trials of Harry S. Truman: The Extraordinary Presidency of an Ordinary Man," explains how a seemingly simple midwesterner went from growing up on a farm to become president of the United States at the height of its power. During our episode, he explains what today's leaders could learn from him, as well as what the rest of us can learn about the importance of choosing responsible, humble leaders.
His website can be found at jeffreyfrank.com
He is on social media at twitter.com/jeffreyafrank
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a c…
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Apr 5, 2022
#81: Amanda Frost - "You Are Not American"
There are few scenes as emotional as when someone gains their citizenship. They often take place after long, painful journeys that determine whether someone has a right to hold a job, live near family or vote. But as Professor Amanda Frost explains, it is emotional for an entirely different reason when someone loses their citizenship, or as she puts it, has their citizenship, "stripped.” She argues that it happens much more often than people realize, and documents in her book, "You Are Not American: Citizenship Stripping from Dred Scott to the Dreamers," that the fight to regain it is critical to understand. We also discussed the meaning of citizenship and the future of the battle to be considered fully American.
Her website can be found at amandafrost.me
She is on social media at twitter.com/amanda_frost1
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be f…
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Mar 29, 2022
#80: William Hazelgrove - "One Hundred and Sixty Minutes"
The story of the most famous shipwreck in history, the Titanic, is not complete without Bill Hazelgrove's book, "One Hundred and Sixty Minutes: The Race to Save the RMS Titanic." The basics of the crash into the iceberg are well known. The heart-wrenching details of the half-full lifeboats and the frigid waters are enough to make anyone feel for the victims and their families. But Hazelgrove explains how they all could have been saved, and the missteps that led the nearby boats to shy away from getting involved to save the doomed passengers. He also explains what a certain movie got right... and wrong... about the events on board. The story of the RMS Titanic has been irresistible for over a century, and finally, we have a full picture of why so many were doomed to an unnecessary death.
His website can be found at williamhazelgrove.com
He is on social media at twitter.com/rocketman46
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a cha…
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Mar 15, 2022
#79: Neil Lanctot - "The Approaching Storm"
To understand how America became involved in World War I, we have to transport ourselves to a different America. Troops had never been sent overseas, progressivism was the primary political force and three presidents were battling to chart the nation's future. In Neil Lanctot's new book, "The Approaching Storm: Roosevelt, Wilson, Addams and their Clash Over America's Future," he explains how the life of Jane Addams intersected with that of Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson to bring the country's mindset from isolationist to interventionist. The decisions made during the run-up to American involvement in "The Great War," would pave world history for at least the next century. While many may be familiar with TR and Woodrow Wilson, Lanctot paints a vivid picture of Jane Addams, one of America's most prominent and accomplished peacemakers.
Lanctot's website can be found at neillanctot.com
More information on his book can be found at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/539530/the-ap…
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Mar 8, 2022
#78: Blake Scott Ball - "Charlie Brown's America"
What stories can comic strips tell in a way that nothing else can? Dr. Blake Scott Ball explains in his book, "Charlie Brown's America: The Popular Politics of Peanuts," how Charles Schultz famed comic strip not only reached Americans in a way few others have, but also told the country's story when his readers were least expecting it. Dr. Ball argues Schultz used Charlie Brown as a vehicle to take on the most sensitive topics of the second half of the twentieth century. From race, poverty, disease, war and mental health, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and Franklin were always there to make readers think while they were being entertained. We also chatted with Dr. Ball about his current study of Batman, and why super heroes still hold a place in our imagination.
Dr. Ball is on social media here
"Charlie Brown's America" is available from Oxford University Press here
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's lit…
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Mar 1, 2022
#77: Meriel Schindler - "The Lost Cafe Schindler"
Tall tales are nothing new when it comes to family "history." Meriel Schindler's new book, "The Lost Cafe Schindler: One Family, Two Wars, and the Search for Truth," is her effort to determine the veracity of her dad's claims about their ancestors. Were the Schindlers really related to famed-Nazi foiler Oscar Schindler and a host of other artists, doctors and important people in western Europe? She focuses on a cafe her family owned in WWI-era Austria and finds it was the center of life in a lovely town before it was stolen from them. She uses a treasure trove of documents left behind by her father, and discovers how he stretched the truth in an effort to place his family in the center of the action during the most consequential period in world history. Not even writing a book could rectify her complicated feelings towards him.
Meriel Schindler is on social media here
Her website is here
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a…
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Feb 22, 2022
#76: Megan Kate Nelson - "Saving Yellowstone"
If you've been there, you'll never forget it. If you haven't, you probably want to go. But what makes Yellowstone National Park a destination in the first place? Dr. Megan Kate Nelson explores how one of America's crown jewels, the two million acres that make up the one-of-a-kind place, was preserved for all of us. In her new book, "Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America," she explains how the array of trees, geysers and animals was "discovered" by white men, and how the effort to keep Yellowstone as-is, intersects with Reconstruction-era politics, race and mystery. Contemporary Americans are used to Yellowstone as a hotspot for mystery, and the 1870s were no different. She also describes how Native peoples' were not able to share in the glory that Yellowstone would provide for so many. Spend an hour with us as one of America's most-brilliant nature historians takes us on a journey through the wildnerness, and explains how it's never far from any of…
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Feb 1, 2022
#75: Andrew Roberts - "The Last King of America"
With his shining red, white and gold getup, The King walks on stage and sings a rhyming but pathetic number about how the American colonies just don't realize how good they have it living as subjects of Great Britain.
"You'll be back, soon you'll see, you'll remember you belong to me... you'll remember that I served you well."
The audience of the show, "Hamilton," is left with the impression that King George III was a misinformed, bumbling, bozo of a king, who passively let anti-crown sentiment bubble up to the point of no return. But in his majestic biography, "The Last King of America," Dr. Andrew Roberts describes a very different man. Rather, our faulty impression of King George, the "tyrant," is rooted in American propaganda born of the 1770s, when antagonists like Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson needed a villain to rally support for The Cause. Dr. Roberts explains how King George III rose to power, presided over Britain's sizable empire, misread the situation in America, and…
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Jan 25, 2022
#74: Warren Milteer - "Beyond Slavery's Shadow"
For this episode, lets look at slavery in another way. While we rightfully spend a lot of time on this show grappling with the impact of slavery both on the enslaved and on our society today, this week's show explores what it was like to be a free person of color in the South. Dr. Warren Milteer's book, "Beyond Slavery's Shadow: Free People of Color in the South," explains what it was like to live adjacent to those in bondage. He explains the threats they were under, how southern Blacks were used as political pawns, and how some cultivated success against long odds. Dr. Milteer also describes how his family lineage, which includes those who were enslaved and those who were free, inspired him to write this book. Towards the end of our episode, he discloses a piece of his family history that may be the most memorable personal story we have ever had on this show.
Dr. Milteer's website is warrenmilteer.com
His book is available from The University of North Carolina Press at https://uncpr…
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Jan 18, 2022
#73: Kyle Harper - "Plagues Upon the Earth"
For the last two years, we have gotten a lesson in how our world can be shaped by a disease. COVID-19 has changed our families, the economy, our social interaction and our psychology. Far from being a unique historical phenomenon, Dr. Kyle Harper argues disease and our efforts to steer clear of them are the central forces that have always shaped human history. He explains how diseases have defined our history, and until relatively recently, they were almost always able to overcome what people threw at them. He also explains how technology and disease work hand-in-hand to usher in a new era of viruses, but also advances in how we combat them. Still, they almost always win.
Kyle Harper is on social media at twitter.com/oklahomaharper
His website is kyleharper.net
"Plagues Upon the Earth" is available from Princeton University Press at https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691192123/plagues-upon-the-earth
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every…
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Jan 11, 2022
#72: Michael Holzman - "Spies and Traitors"
Who hasn't seen a spy movie that features a double agent who played their role so perfectly, even his best friends didn't know who he was working for? This is the real life story of how an MI6 agent played the role to a T.
Kim Philby was an MI6 agent during World War II, who took a young American, Jim Angleton, under his wing. Their friendship may have been real, but Philby's life was a sham.
Michael Holzman's book, "Spies and Traitors: Kim Philby, James Angleton and the Friendship and Betrayal That Would Shape MI6, the CIA and the Cold War," explains how Philby snookered the world's most storied intelligence services. and passed secrets to the Russians that endangered the colleagues he had worked with for so long. Angleton's own friend
Michael Holzman's page at Pegasus Books can be found at http://pegasusbooks.com/books/spies-and-traitors-9781643138077-hardcover
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's…
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Jan 4, 2022
#71: Leah Price - "What We Talk About When We Talk About Books"
When we pick up a book, what exactly are we holding? Is it a living document or etched in stone? How closely do the words on the page mirror what is in the author's head? Why have they lasted so long, and how much longer WILL they last? Dr. Leah Price is a book historian and on this episode, she answers those questions, and wrestles with whether an audiobook or a digital file can be considered a book. Where did books come from, and why have they always been so satisfying to talk about? Dr. Price argues they are very much alive, and explains why the predictions that books are near death - predictions that started eons ago - have always been wrong.
Dr. Price is on social media at twitter.com/leahatwhatprice
Her website is leahprice.org
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
twitter.com/axelbankhistory
instagram.com/axelbank…
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Dec 14, 2021
#70: Peter Coleman - "The Way Out"
Are you excited for big holiday gatherings where lots of politics are being discussed? No? Well Dr. Peter Coleman of Columbia University has just the solution for ending our polarized political culture, both at home and in the real world. His book, "The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization," offers numerous ways to approach our daily lives, the news, social media and our relationships to tone down the emotion and boost the parts of our brain that foster logical thinking. He also explains why we stick with the sides we like, and are seldom able to see another perspective. Ironically, he says the moment we are in, where accusations are flying that one group or another is leading America to the brink, offers hope that change is upon us.
***We are taking a few weeks off for the holidays. Our next episode will go live Jan 4th. Please have a wonderful and safe new year. I am forever grateful to every single listener. See you in a few weeks.***
Dr. Coleman is on social media at twitt…
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Dec 7, 2021
#69: Peter Bergen - "The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden"
Twenty years after the worst terrorist attacks in US history, we speak with Peter Bergen, one of the foremost authorities on the threat the United States faces from fundamentalists. Bergen is a journalist for CNN who has interviewed Osama bin Laden and has now written a biography that catalogues "The Rise and Fall" of the terrorist who spearheaded the 9/11 attacks. Bergen argues that bin Laden's turn to terrorism was not pre-ordained, and that key events like the death of his father and the opportunity to wage war against the Soviets drove the rigorous practitioner of Islam to adopt violence in hopes of influencing the United States to give up its presence in Saudi Arabia and the Holy Land. Bergen describes what it was like to interview bin Laden in Afghanistan in 1997 and to tour bin Laden's compound in Pakistan after he finally faced punishment for the deaths of thousands of people across the world.
Bergen's website can be found at peterbergen.com
He is on social media at www.twitt…
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Nov 30, 2021
#68: Amy Argetsinger - "There She Was"
A bunch of women line up wearing next-to-nothing in hopes of impressing a batch of strangers who are grading them on everything from the way they look to the way they think. The woman with the highest score gets to be called, "Miss America," and wears a crown - and the title - for the rest of her life. The history behind that process, and how it became a cultural icon is as fascinating as it is filled with twists and turns. In this episode, Amy Argetsinger from the Washington Post drops by to chat about her new book, "There She Was: The Secret History of Miss America." She explains how the women who get to be called, "Miss America" are the ones who saved the pageant from ruin as it endured America's various awakenings, including, racial, feminism and the, "Me Too," movement. To understand "Miss America" is to understand America.
Amy Argetsinger is on social media at twitter.com/amyargetsinger
Her website is amyargetsinger.com
Her Washington Post page is at https://www.washingtonpost…
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Nov 23, 2021
#67: Patrick Lacroix - "JFK and the Politics of Faith"
Will an American president take orders from the Pope? As the devoutly catholic Joe Biden ran for president, he faced no such question. But sixty years before, when John F. Kennedy was running, it was not only a question, but a controversy. Listen to our episode with historian of religion in America, Dr. Patrick Lacroix, as he explains how JFK not only grappled with how to handle the question, but how his presidency helped quell those questions once and for all, at least for catholics. He also explains JFK's religious influences and gauges whether his lifestyle matched with religious teachings. JFK's presidency is incomplete in many ways, and Dr. Lacroix argues, the study of it has been as well. He explains why so many historians missed the impact JFK had on American life when viewed through the transformation of catholicism during his brief tenure in office.
Dr. Patrick Lacroix is on social media at twitter.com/querythepast
His website is querythepast.com
Support our show at patreon…
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Nov 16, 2021
#66: Hadassah Lieberman - "Hadassah: An American Story"
That she came to within 537 votes of becoming Second Lady of the United States has been well documented, but Hadassah Lieberman says it's time for her to tell the story of the rest of her life. Listen in as she explains what it was like to be born into a family of those who survived the Holocaust, and those who did not. After immigrating to the United States when she was under a year old, the awful events of the 1940s gave way to a lifetime of hard work and of hope that those who come to America will get the same chance to live a successful life. She explains how difficulties in her personal life didn't stop her from building a large, loving family that played a critical role in our politics for several decades. She explains the emotional moments she had on the senate floor for the first time, when she finally found some measure of retribution for what her ancestors had been through.
Information on Hadassah Lieberman's book can be found at the website for the Brandeis University Press…
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Nov 9, 2021
#65: Robert Levine - "The Failed Promise"
There are few periods in American history that offered more hope than Reconstruction. There are also few periods that left behind such devastation. On this episode, we talk with University of Maryland Distinguished Professor Dr. Robert Levine about his book, "The Failed Promise: Reconstruction, Frederick Douglass and the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson." He explains how Andrew Johnson went from a figure of hope to a villain of America's attempt at a rebirth. Dr. Levine explains how his roots as a poor southern racist - who happened to speak out against slavery - led him to become Abraham Lincoln's successor. Johnson quickly disappointed advocates for Black enfranchisement like Frederick Douglass, which helped leave behind over a century of racial discord. Combined with white supremacist terrorism, we discuss how America again failed to deliver on its founding promise, that "All men are created equal."
Dr. Levine's website can be found at blog.umd.edu/robert-s-levine/
Support our show a…
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Nov 2, 2021
#64: Joseph J. Ellis - "The Cause"
One of America's most prominent historians, Joseph J. Ellis, joins us to discuss his new book, "The Cause: The American Revolution and its Discontents." The author of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning, "Founding Brothers," focuses this time on how the Revolution was viewed by Black Americans, slaves, Natives and women as the colonists waged war in hopes of scurrying the British out of America. Is America's dual failure to banish slavery and find peace with Native Americans a Greek tragedy or a Shakespearean one? In other words, would better leadership have led to different outcomes?
He also discusses if the strength of the Revolution built on the energy of those at the bottom of the political and social ladders, or at the top? He also explains the roots of the myths that surround the Revolution, and why many persist. He also argues that the roots of America's penchant for conspiracy theory and suspicion of Federal power are found in the country's earliest days.
Joseph Ellis has a websi…
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Oct 26, 2021
#63: Rebecca DeWolf - "Gendered Citizenship"
When women got the right to vote in 1920, the hope was that equal rights would be a natural byproduct. But in her book, "Gendered Citizenship: The Original Conflict over the Equal Rights Amendment, 1920-1963," Dr. Rebecca DeWolf explains how the ensuing fight for the Equal Rights Amendment left advocates frustrated, and women still clamoring for the right to earn a living, live independently, own a home and achieve political power. She explains how the first battles were waged through the court system, political process and in public opinion. How did those resisting the ERA find success, in the face of equal rights icons who wanted a constitutional amendment ratified right away? She explains the inspiring and heartbreaking stories of advocates, who to this day, are still hoping to see their hopes written on the Constitution's sacred parchment.
Rebecca DeWolf is on Twitter at twitter.com/outofthetowerh
Her website is rebeccadewolf.com
Her book is published by University of Nebraska P…
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Oct 19, 2021
#62: Joshua Scacco - "The Ubiquitous Presidency"
Hardly a day goes by when the President of the United States isn't a topic of conversation. From TV and Twitter to baseball games and surprise breakfast stops, the person sitting in the nation's highest office has the power to get attention almost no matter what they're doing. And increasingly so, they have made an effort to use their platform to drive politics, policy and power in the United States. In their book, "The Ubiquitous Presidency: Presidential Communication and Digital Democracy in Tumultuous Times," Drs. Joshua Scacco and Kevin Coe trace the history of the presidential platform, and how presidents came to realize they weren't just in the news, that it was to their advantage to BE the news. They describe how Bill Clinton's saxophone, Barack Obama's test drive with Jerry Seinfeld and Donald Trump's rallies formed a new force in American politics, that of the president who is everywhere.
Joshua Scacco is on Twitter at twitter.com/joshscacco
Kevine Coe is on Twitter at twitte…
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Oct 12, 2021
#61: Michael Bender - "Frankly, We Did Win This Election"
The President of the United States had been preparing for the moment for months, to claim he had won an election he actually lost. Early in the morning of November 4th, Donald Trump took to the TV cameras at the White House and said that despite early projections that Joe Biden had a chance to pull ahead in key states, he had indeed won reelection. With the now-famous phrase, "Frankly, we did win this election," Trump became the first president in history to claim that he had been victimized by fraudulent votes and tabulations. As soon as Wall Street Journal White House correspondent Michael Bender heard those words, he knew it had at least an outside chance of becoming the title of his account of the 2020 campaign.
Bender's book, "Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost," describes behind-the-scenes moments as the president goes from seeming to have an advantage in the 2020 race to again playing catch-up. Bender describes Trump's responses to a global pa…
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Oct 5, 2021
#60: Claude Clegg - "The Black President"
How did Barack Obama shatter the quintessential barrier in American politics? Once he became the first Black president, did he help lower racial animosity, or did his presence incite an even-worse divide?
In his new book, "The Black President: Hope and Fury in the Age of Obama," Dr. Claude Clegg explores how the 44th president left his mark on those of different races, along with the obstacles that sprouted to block his path.
He is the only American president who could have created certain moments of healing, like when a young boy felt the president's hair, to see if it felt like his own. Or when he sang "Amazing Grace" during the eulogy for those killed in a racist attack.
But he is also the only to ever be questioned on the most basic credential for high office: whether he was actually an American.
Follow along as Dr. Clegg explores not only Obama's mixed background, but the complicated legacy his president left behind.
Claude Clegg is on social media at twitter.com/claudeclegg…
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Sep 21, 2021
#59: Amy Russo - "Women of the White House"
Listen as we tag along with Providence Journal reporter Amy Russo as she takes us on a history of America's First Ladies, as told in her book, "Women of the White House: The Illustrated Story of the First Ladies of the United States of America." She explains how visual representations have become so important in how we understand our first families, and how vital the role of First Lady has been to the presidency and American culture. She also explains how the role has taken on added meaning given Dr. Jill Biden is the first to carry a full time job during her time as First Lady. Russo shows how from Martha Washington to Sarah Polk to Mary Todd to Betty Ford, to understand America, you must know our First Ladies.
Amy Russo is on Twitter at twitter.com/amymrusso
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
twitter.com/axelbankhisto…
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Sep 14, 2021
#58: Robert Strauss - "John Marshall: The Final Founder"
On this episode, we talk with longtime writer, journalist and professor Robert Strauss about his new book, "John Marshall: The Final Founder." Strauss argues that America's fourth chief justice, John Marshall, deserves to be on a short list with Benjamin Franklin and George Washington as the nation's most important founders. Strauss explains how Marshall made the Federal court system worthwhile, and how the Founding Era wasn't over until Marshall's imprint was felt everywhere. Strauss also uses Marshall's life to explore how history is passed down, and how we can consume it to make our nation stronger. Strauss says Marshall played important roles in many of America's key moments in its first half-century. His life, Strauss says, is the vehicle by which we can understand how America solidified itself as a nation.
He is available on social media at twitter.com/rsstrauss
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children…
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Sep 7, 2021
#57: Ken Ellingwood - "First to Fall"
We are back!
Enjoy our first episode of the Fall as we talk with longtime journalist Ken Ellingwood about his new book, "First to Fall: Elijah Lovejoy and the Fight for a Free Press in the Age of Slavery." Lovejoy was an ardent abolitionist who used his mighty pen to demand an end to America's "original sin." Elllingwood's biography brings Lovejoy scholarship into the modern era with a vivid description of how Lovejoy, an up-and-coming newspaper publisher in the 1830s, battled terrorists who not only made him a target, but his sacred printing press. Indeed, he dies in a hail of gunfire trying to protect it, along with what he saw as his absolute right to utilize America's First Amendment. Ellingwood traces Lovejoy's abolitionist roots to religion and to our founding documents, that indeed call for free expression.
Freedom of the press isn't free. Lovejoy's story proves sometimes, it's deadly.
Ken Ellingwood is on Twitter at twitter.com/KenEllingwood
Support our show at patreon.com/…
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Jul 20, 2021
An Announcement - We’ll Be Back!
Hello folks - Just letting you know that our show is taking a hiatus until Labor Day. It's for the best possible reason: my family has been blessed with a new baby. I am trying to spend as much time with my wife and daughter as we adjust to our new lives, so our next episode won't go live until September 7th. We already have several tapings scheduled and new books on the way. So hang tight, we will see you soon.
Please be safe and healthy.
***Also, for you Patreon subscribers, please know that I have frozen your accounts, so you won't be charged until we start back up again in September. One thing that won't be changing?
A big portion of your contributions will go towards a charity for children's literacy!
See you September 7th!
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Jul 6, 2021
#56: Edward Achorn - "The Summer of Beer and Whiskey"
What's better than having a beer at a ballpark on a beautiful Sunday afternoon? Check out this episode with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Edward Achorn, as he explains the life of Chris von Der Ahe, the baseball owner who made that feeling possible. Achorn's book, "The Summer of Beer and Whiskey: How Brewers, Barkeeps, Rowdies, Immigrants, and a Wild Pennant Fight Made Baseball America's Game," explains how the summer of 1883 became the pivotal one in baseball history. Beforehand, he says baseball was a highbrow, humble and subdued affair. But after Chris von Der Ahe bought the St. Louis Browns, and he decided to sell beer and play on Sundays, baseball became acceptable to legions of baseball fans yearning to party while they watched America's Pastime. He also explains how von Der Ahe transformed Sportsman's Park into the model for how stadiums would be built. 1883 was also a time of social change, as Jim Crow took hold and baseball became further segregated. The Browns were truly on the cus…
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Jun 29, 2021
#55: Kate Masur - "Until Justice Be Done"
We are all familiar with images of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s: fire hoses, the Edmund Pettus Bridge, of Martin Luther King exclaiming, "I have a dream." Ultimately, that Civil Rights Movement led to advances like the order to desegregate schools, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act. But that was not the first time Black Americans demanded equality.
Dr. Kate Masur's book, "Until Justice Be Done: America's First Civil Rights Movement, From the Revolution to Reconstruction," explains how movements started to demand the end of Ohio's Black Codes, to reform voting rights and to ban the forced registration of those who were Black. Of course, there was also an organized effort to abolish slavery, and Masur expertly shows how the two movements were eventually inseparable. She also shows how the Reconstruction amendments were finally agreed to, and how for at least a few moments, America was made more whole.
Kate Masur is on Twitter at twitter.com/katemasur
Support ou…
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Jun 22, 2021
#54: Thomas Dyja: "New York, New York, New York"
New York is so nice, they named it twice.
So why did Thomas Dyja give the title of his forty-year history of the Big Apple THREE “New Yorks? “
On this episode, he takes us on a journey through the last forty years of NYC's triumphs, troubles, discord and devastation. Starting in the fires of the late 1970s, he explains how Ed Koch's "I love New York" became a mantra the city eventually lived up to. He explores how both racial discord and dropping crime under David Dinkins fueled Rudy Giuliani's administration and completed New York's epic comeback, while still foreshadowing division the entire nation would grapple with decades later. Then, he takes us through 9/11 and explains how it was the first time the city truly grieved as one. He explains how Bloomberg's New York brought unparalleled wealth, yet left millions behind.
Finally, we asked the question most New Yorkers think they already know the answer to: Is New York the greatest city in the world?
"New York, New York, New Y…
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Jun 15, 2021
#53: Heather Cox Richardson - "Letters From an American"
On this episode, we talk with Dr. Heather Cox Richardson, the author of the wildly popular "Letters from an American: A Newsletter About the History Behind Today's Politics," which is seen by over a million people every night. We not only discuss history, but why it is important to be historically literate as we try to understand what has become a firehose of news. She explains how she writes her daily "Letters" and why the project has gone on for much longer than she first predicted. Dr. Richardson explains why she believes understanding the history of American democracy is the key to saving it, and how today's battle over the right to vote echoes previous instances in American history when the system was "blinking red." We also discuss how she hopes her letters will inform future generations about, "The Greatest Story Ever Told," which is how she describes the effort by Donald Trump to win reelection and then keep power despite losing.
Dr. Richardson's newsletter can be found at: he…
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Jun 8, 2021
#52: Michael Burlingame - "An American Marriage"
Presidential marriages are subjects of intense fascination. How do they impact political history? Government policy? Is a scandal brewing? When it comes to Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd, Dr. Michael Burlingame - one of America's most prolific Lincoln scholars - argues their marriage is ripe for answers to all three questions.
Listen as we discuss his new book, "An American Marriage: The Untold Story of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd," and how their relationship changed both people, as well as how it shaped American history. Burlingame describes both characters at being inept at love, but for different reasons. Lincoln lost his mother, Mary Todd needed the love her father never provided. Despite physical and emotional abuse, the Lincoln marriage forged his political career, and helped meet her lifelong goal of becoming First Lady of the United States. Indeed, it is a story unlike any other.
Dr. Burlingame's website is michaelburlingame.com
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistor…
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Jun 1, 2021
#51: Serena Zabin - "The Boston Massacre"
On this episode, we talk with Dr. Serena Zabin about her groundbreaking book, "The Boston Massacre: A Family History." She explains why we have misunderstood the landmark event in America's founding as a battle between two sides. Rather, she argues, the Boston Massacre was an intimate moment among members of a community. Revolutionary-era Boston was a place where intermingling was unavoidable and where colonists, British soldiers and the enslaved were swept into a tide of events that led to commotion, and ultimately, death. She also helps us explore how Paul Revere made sure to use the media to stoke the embers they would eventually lead to revolution. She even tells us which single piece of evidence would help us even more-fully understand how the massacre happened!
Dr. Zabin is available on social media at twitter.com/serenazabin
Her website is serenazabin.com
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution will be given to a charity for children…
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May 25, 2021
#50: Zachary Schrag - "The Fires of Philadelphia"
Philadelphia is where America made its sacred pledge that "all men are created equal." Though there are many ways that pledge has not been fulfilled, one of the most striking came in Philadelphia, seventy years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Dr. Zachary Schrag's book, "The Fires of Philadelphia: Citizen-Soldiers, Nativists, and the 1844 Riots Over the Soul of the Nation" explains how the city containing Independence Hall became a hotbed of ethnic violence. Nativists did everything they could to run Catholics out of the city. The age-old question, "What does it mean to be an American" was at the forefront as they battled over the right to worship, public opinion and prayer in school. Schrag describes riots, church burnings and how a band of soldiers fought for the country's future as a place of acceptance.
Zachary Schrag is on social media at twitter.com/zacharyschrag
His website is zacharyschrag.com
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of e…
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May 18, 2021
#49: Vincent DiGirolamo - "Crying the News"
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!! Baruch professor Dr. Vincent DiGirolamo is here to talk about his fascinating book, "Crying the News: A History of America's Newsboys." He explains how they became an integral part of American life, journalism and of the history of labor. The boys had to be industrious and competitive, eager but wary of those hoping to abuse them. They slept in newspaper offices, battled for turf and even blazed a trail for those hoping to make more money for their hard work. Though their reign has largely come to an end, Dr. DiGirolamo argues their presence is felt across in American life. We can learn a lot about the journalism of today by understanding the way newspapers were distributed even a century ago!
Vincent DiGirolamo is on social media at twitter.com/vincentdigirol3
His website is vincentdigirolamo.com
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution will be given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports…
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May 11, 2021
#48: Paul Kendrick - "Nine Days"
Martin Luther King Jr. was sitting in jail, and the presidential campaigns of John Kennedy and Richard Nixon had no idea what - if anything - to do about it. Paul and Stephen Kendrick's new book, "Nine Days: The Race to Save Martin Luther King Jr's Life and Win the 1960 Election," explains how that moment became a watershed. Black voters in southern states had voted Republican, and Richard Nixon boasted of the better connection with some of the most prominent African Americans in the country. But the Kennedy campaign understood that the working class appeal of the Democratic Party could be harnessed to win critical votes in states with large Black populations.
Yet, working to get Martin Luther King out of jail was a risk. Both candidates were worried about appearing to go too far in cultivating the support of Black voters, because it could turn off white voters in the south. Indeed, after days of agonizing debate, the Kennedy campaign decided he should call Coretta Scott King and offe…
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May 4, 2021
#47: Glenn Stout - "Tiger Girl and the Candy Kid"
They were "Bonnie and Clyde" before Bonnie and Clyde was a thing.
We talk with prolific author Glenn Stout about his new book, "Tiger Girl and the Candy Kid: America's Original Gangster Couple. Richard and Margaret Whittemore came of age as jazz was taking over America, and they set themselves on taking diamonds. Stout explains how pop culture of the Roaring 20s created the Whittmore's organized crime ring, and how the young lovers then became part of that very culture. His beautiful and fast-paced book describes how Richard became infatuated with crime, and how Margaret became infatuated not only with pulling off a heist, but with the life of having lots of money. They leave behind mayhem, death and plenty of newspaper clippings. In doing so, they created a new genre of Hollywood character: the young lovers who love life on the edge, and each other.
The life of crime doesn't end particularly well for Richard, but Stout's book shows how an imprint can last for generations.
Glenn Sto…
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Apr 27, 2021
#46: Annette Gordon-Reed - "On Juneteenth"
For this week's episode, we are delighted to welcome one of America's most important scholars, Annette Gordon-Reed. Her Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "The Hemingses of Monticello," explores the lives of Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and how their secret union defines America.
We spoke with the professor about her new book, "On Juneteenth," which is a reflection on her upbringing in Texas and how the sacred holiday was first celebrated in Galveston. From the moment on June 19th, 1865, when slavery was announced as extinct - to both cheers and disgust - Professor Gordon-Reed takes us on a journey through the holiday's evolution and how it guided her inspiration to become a historian. She also explains how recognizing the day as a Federal holiday would reshape the conversation around race. Juneteenth was - and is - an emotional day, one that calls for reflection and celebration. Who better to have that conversation with than Annette Gordon-Reed?
Professor Gordon-Reed can be found on s…
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Apr 20, 2021
#45: Dov Waxman - "Trouble in the Tribe"
In his book, "Trouble in the Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict Over Israel," Dr. Dov Waxman explains how criticizing Israel is no longer the third rail of being an American Jew. At one time, criticizing Israel was off limits, seen as essential to preserving the nation that was seen as a refuge for a group of people who were perennially under siege. Today, there is no conflict that divides American Jews more than Israel itself, and perhaps no bigger foreign policy debate in the United States. Professor Waxman explains how and why attitudes towards Israel shifted among American Jews, and whether it is supportive of Israel to critique Israel. Can one support Israel while criticizing the actions the Israeli government takes? How about questioning American support for Israel?
He explores how Israel came to be seen as a "real country with real problems," and how American Jews debate how Israel should approach their conflicts with people of the Palestinian territory, with the Iranian gover…
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Apr 13, 2021
#44: Megan Kate Nelson - "The Three Cornered War"
Learn about the Civil War from a whole new perspective. Dr. Megan Kate Nelson explains why you can't fully understand America's pivotal moment without grasping the role the West played in both the Union and Confederate sides. Her book, "The Three Cornered War: The Union, the Confederacy and Native Peoples in the Fight for the West," explores how the West became critical not only in the strategy of the war, but in the imagination of Washington and Richmond. She describes how Native peoples, Mexicans, anglos and African Americans collided on lands that now make up Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah as they sought to keep control of critical routes to California and Oregon. Their fight for gold, shipping and the future of slavery became all-important in securing the future of the continent, and the diverse peoples who live here.
Dr. Nelson is available on Twitter at twitter.com/megankatenelson
Her website is megankatenelson.com
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory…
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Apr 6, 2021
#43: Jamal Greene - "How Rights Went Wrong"
We talk with Jamal Greene about his book, "How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights is Tearing America Apart." He explains how courts have allowed disputes over rights to become zero-sum games that make future compromise impossible. Because of poorly-reasoned court decisions, where the content of the dispute is ignored in favor of literal readings of law, Professor Greene argues fights over abortion, education, homosexuality and guns have left each side to consider the other unworthy of existence. Whether its freedom of speech on campus or the right to purchase a cake for an LGBT wedding - or the right to refuse to bake it - Greene explains how both liberals and conservatives have been made to feel unwelcome in America.
Jamal Greene is available on Twitter at twitter.com/jamalgreene
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution will be given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on so…
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Mar 30, 2021
#42: Jonathan Cohn - "The Ten Year War: Obamacare"
Obamacare was THE political war of the last generation. Huffington Post reporter and longtime health care journalist Jonathan Cohn explains why that war happened and how it tore our nation apart. His new book, "The Ten Year War: Obamacare and the Unfinished Crusade for Universal Coverage," explains how then-President Obama decided to go for it, and how the opposition to it coalesced. But was it centered on dislike of the law, or dislike for the driving force behind it? Barack Obama wound up accepting the moniker "Obamacare" as if to turn the fight over it on its head, and eventually, the opposition realized they had miscalculated greatly. Obamacare was among the chief reasons Democrats lost the House in 2010, and why they took it back in 20-18. Cohn also describes the key moment of John McCain dashing the final attempt to put a nail in the law's coffin. To understand America, we must understand the fight for universal coverage, how Obamacare became a compromise push, and the fight it t…
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Mar 23, 2021
#41: David Head - "A Crisis of Peace"
We talk with Dr. David Head about his book, "A Crisis of Peace: George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the Fate of the American Revolution." Much like today, Revolutionary America was awash in conspiracy theories. As the War came to an end, fears of a coup rose as soldiers upset over their lack of pay seemed to be on the verge of taking drastic action. Head describes how Washington's masterful political skills calmed tensions and helped avoid a disastrous rift between the rank-and-file and top officers. Head has his own perspective on whether there actually WAS a conspiracy, but he also explains how leaders of today must address misinformation in the age of social media. George Washington, he says, would be a good role model!
David Head is available on Twitter at twitter.com/davidheadphd
His website is davidheadhistory.com
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution will be given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Report…
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Mar 16, 2021
#40: Julia Cooke - "Come Fly the World"
Come on an adventure! We talk with author Julia Cooke about her book, "Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am." She describes the lives of stewardesses - to use the vernacular of the day - as they embark on a career that gave them limitless opportunity to see the world. But they also endure endless sexism and are well aware that their opportunities will be limited to the role they signed on for. They become symbolic of the airline itself as they take part in the sexual revolution, the Vietnam War and the explosion of scientific know-how. Their stories of adventure are personal and transfixing as they took the opportunity to see more of the world than their parents could have ever imagined. Cooke explains how America's signature airline grew, how it failed, and how it left a mark on our perception of what flying used to be.
Julia Cooke is available on Twitter at twitter.com/juliaccooke
Her website is comeflytheworld.com
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhi…
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Mar 9, 2021
#39: Eric Rauchway - "Winter War"
We speak with Dr. Eric Rauchway about his book, "Winter War: Hoover, Roosevelt and the First Clash Over the New Deal." American history is filled with turning points: Obama to Trump, Clinton to Bush, Carter to Reagan, Eisenhower to Kennedy. But Rauchway argues few compare to the transition from Hoover to FDR. In 1932, America was embroiled in the Great Depression and watching the rise of fascism abroad. After Hoover became a Lame Duck, Rauchway argues the outgoing president did his best to fend off what he predicted would be an assault on conservatism. FDR not only succeeds in laying the groundwork for his programs, but eventually reshapes the role of government in American life for the next ninety years. FDR wins the Winter War, and Rauchway argues, the grand prize of American history.
Rauchway is available on Twitter at twitter.com/rauchway
His website is history.ucdavis.edu/people/rauchway
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution will be…
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Mar 2, 2021
#38: Cathryn Prince - "Queen of the Mountaineers"
In this episode, we talk with Cathryn Prince, the author of, "Queen of the Mountaineers: The Trailblazing Life of Fanny Bullock Workman." Workman was a record-setting mountain-climber who set records as well as she advocated for women's rights. She became famous for her rivalry with a fellow female climber, and for advocating for the right to vote. Prince explains how the feminist spent her life learning to climb mountains in less-than-ideal situations... and outfits! Born in the late 1850s, she did not have North Face jackets and industrialized climbing clips to help pave the way. She details Workman's near-death experiences, as well as her trips around the world where she immersed herself in culture, people and the environment. Workman's life is the perfect inspirational story for all who strive to be great at what they do.
Prince is available on Twitter twitter.com/cathrynprince
Her website is cathrynjprince.com
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of ever…
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Feb 23, 2021
#37: Kyle Riismandel - "Neighborhood of Fear"
We speak with Dr. Kyle Riismandel about his book, "Neighborhood of Fear: The Suburban Crisis in American Culture, 1975-2001." Suburbia is billed as the safe, quiet place to raise a family. But the New Jersey Institute of Technology profess argues that during the 70s and 80s, they became rife with social disfunction. Fear was the dominant factor as relatively wealthy neighborhoods wielded political power to try to maintain safety residents had been seeking. As fear of kidnappings, shootings, teenagers and drugs overwhelmed tree-lined streets and comfortable homes, suburbia became an unwittingly dangerous place. He also explains how suburbia's strength is impacting today's politics and social movements and what it all means for the future of the American Dream.
Dr. Riismandel is available on Twitter at twitter.com/accusedwizard
His website is kyleriismandel.com
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution will be given to a charity for children's…
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Feb 16, 2021
#36: Wendy Lower - "The Ravine"
We speak with Dr. Wendy Lower about her new book, "The Ravine: A Family, a Photograph, a Holocaust Massacre Revealed." She explains how she found the rare photograph of a Jewish family in the act of being killed during the Holocaust, and how she tried to track down everyone and everything captured in the scene. Most don't realize that while photo documentation of what happened in the Holocaust is extensive - especially upon liberation of the death camps - there are very few photos of the awful deeds taking place. That was by design, as Hitler's army knew photos could slow down their efforts at extermination. Dr. Lower takes us on a journey to Ukraine and into the archives to bring justice to those captured in the horrifying scene.
To see the picture this book is based on, please click here: https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory/status/1361573761468805121?s=21
Dr. Lower's website at Claremont McKenna College is here: https://cmc.edu/academic/faculty/profile/wendy-lower
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Feb 9, 2021
#35: William Sturkey - "Hattiesburg"
We talk with Dr. William Sturkey about his incredible study, "Hattiesburg: An American City in Black and White." His book explores how the history of Hattiesburg, MS, is critical to understanding America's history of racism and white supremacy. He also explains how conflict and reconciliation in Hattiesburg foreshadowed today's battle for racial justice. Hattiesburg was founded as Reconstruction is failing, and becomes a place where whites and Blacks collide in the push and pull over the right to live safely and prosperously. He describes why Hattiesburg never attained the same prominence of other small cities in the south, like Birmingham or Montgomery. Sadly, in plumbing the public archives of Hattiesburg, he discovers that African Americans were often erased from history. But his illustration of the family of Turner and Mamie Smith is unforgettable as they strive to be free of the strains of white supremacy.
Dr. Sturkey, a professor at the University of North Carolina, is available…
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Feb 2, 2021
#34: Jennifer Armstrong - "Seinfeldia"
We promise this won't be a podcast about nothing!
Join us, as we talk with Jennifer Armstrong, the author of the New York Times Bestseller, "Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything." Jennifer explains how Jerry Seinfeld created "Seinfeld," and how the brilliant Larry David created a world inside of a world inside of a world! She explains why "Seinfeldia" is actually a place, a place where we can explore the "gaps in society," as Seinfeld once put it. How much do you tip a chambermaid? Who withdraws from a mutually agreed upon party if there's a breakup? Who is spongeworthy? Should you ever park in a space for those who are handicapped?
She explains how the show was created and how it reshaped all of our minds in the process!! Do our top-five episodes jive with yours?
Armstrong's website is jenniferkarmstrong.com
Her Twitter page can be found at twitter.com/jmkarmstrong
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution will be given…
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Jan 26, 2021
#33: Richard Bell - "Stolen"
We talk with Richard Bell about his prizewinning book, "Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped Into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home." It explains how five boys in Philadelphia were abducted by slave smugglers and taken to the Deep South, away from their families, and forced into slavery. Bell writes not only about their horrific journey, but about how they were the lucky few who ever made it back to freedom. Their families and their community never stopped thinking about and fighting for them, while their case became a flashpoint for further division in America's violent and heartbreaking path to the Civil War. Professor Bell teaches at the University of Maryland.
His website is richard-bell.com
He is available on Twitter at twitter.com/r_j_bell
Support our show at patreon.com/axelbankhistory
**A portion of every contribution will be given to a charity for children's literacy**
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at
www.twitter.com/axelbankhisto…
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Jan 19, 2021
#32: Kate Andersen Brower - "The Residence"
As America watches the inauguration of the 46th president, we talk with presidential historian Kate Anderson Brower about her book, "The Residence: Inside the Private World of The White House." After Donald Trump vacates the White House, but before the Bidens arrive, an incredible symphony will be going on in the West Wing. Members of the permanent White House staff will be removing the Trumps' belongings and installing the Bidens' personal effects. Everything from the Oval Office to the president's bedroom will be outfitted to the exact specifications of Joe and Jill Biden, from pens to toothbrushes. Her book looks at the hidden history of the incredible staff, including butlers, florists, chefs and anyone else who makes the White House a home office. They also take care of perhaps America's most precious building, filled with irreplaceable artifacts.
Also, the book has been optioned to Netflix!
This is Kate's second appearance on our show. She was our first guest, where she discuss…
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Jan 12, 2021
#31: Edward Achorn - "Every Drop of Blood"
We talk with Pulitzer Prize finalist Edward Achorn about his book, "Every Drop of Blood: The Momentous Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln." He explains how Lincoln sought to bind the nation's wounds after the bloodiest years in its history. Lincoln's unique ability to understand both politics and public sentiment allowed him to write and deliver one of the greatest speeches in American history. Not only did Lincoln use beautiful language, but he made it clear that the war had been fought over slavery. Yet he didn't "spike the football" in a way that would make it more difficult to heal. Achorn also shows how John Wilkes Booth became further radicalized in his quest to avenge the south's defeat.
Achorn's website can be found at edachorn.com
He is available on twitter at twitter.com/Ed_Achorn
We do want to invite listeners to our Patreon page, to ask for your support in keeping the show going, which is www.patreon.com/axelbankhistory
Axelbank Reports History and Today can be foun…
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Jan 5, 2021
#30: Matthew Algeo - "The President is a Sick Man
We talk with noted author Matthew Algeo about his book, "The President is a Sick Man: Wherein the Supposedly Virtuous Grover Cleveland Survives A Secret Surgery At Sea and Villifies The Courageous Newspaperman Who Dared Expose the Truth." In what has to be considered one of the biggest scandals in presidential history, Grover Cleveland and a batch of physicians stole away from the White House and boarded a yacht, where the president then endured a surgery to remove cancer from the roof of his mouth. The cigar-chomping, former Buffalo pub-hound then ordered the surgery hidden from the public to protect his political standing. His aides then blackballed a reporter who broke the story, only to admit he was right years later. Algeo explains why it's always important for the public to be kept abreast of the president's health, and why aggressive journalism has never been more important.
Algeo's website can be found at malgeo.net
He is available on twitter at twitter.com/malgeo
We do want…
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Dec 29, 2020
#29: Harold Holzer - "The Presidents vs. The Press"
One of America's most formidable historians, Harold Holzer, discusses his newest book, "The Presidents vs. The Press: The Endless Battle Between the White House and the Media, from the Founding Fathers to Fake News." He explains how presidents from Washington to Trump have not only been disappointed in the coverage they get, but in how they tried to squash stories they didn't like. He explains how even America's greatest presidents went out of their way to discredit and even suppress fair coverage, and also how the media fought back, and at times, beat presidential corruption. Holzer's specialty is Lincoln, but this book shows how every administration has looked after their public image, and how a few presidents used new kinds of media to bend history in their direction.
Holzer's website can be found at haroldholzer.com. He is available on Twitter at twitter.com/haroldholzer
Axelbank Reports History and Today is available on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory
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Dec 22, 2020
#28: A'Lelia Bundles - "On Her Own Ground"
We talk with A'Lelia Bundles, the author of, "On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam CJ Walker." Her biography of her own great-great grandmother explains how Madam CJ Walker became the first female self-made millionaire in the United States. Battling both racism and sexism, Walker became a giant of American business through her perseverance and ingenuity. Bundles explains how Walker, a daughter of slaves, became a genius of marketing, while also protesting across the country for social justice. Bundles also explains why she felt called to write this book, which has been made into a Netflix series, "Self Made," starring Octavia Spencer.
Bundles' website is aleliabundles.com
Axelbank Reports History and Today is available on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory
We do want to invite listeners to our Patreon page, to ask for your support in keeping the show going, which is www.patreon.com/axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
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Dec 15, 2020
#27: Neal Gabler - "Catching the Wind"
We talk with Neal Gabler about his book, "Catching the Wind: Edward Kennedy and the Liberal Hour, 1932-1975." Neal explains how Ted Kennedy's beginnings were different from his famed brothers, partly because their personalities were different, but also because they grew up during different times altogether. He explains how one of the most effective and longest-serving senators of all time started in politics, but also how the politics of the moment shaped him. In this first of two volumes, Gabler describes how Kennedy "rode the wind" of an America dominated by liberal political thought. Kennedy's efforts were shaped by a big-hearted America, and aimed at helping those who needed help because, as Gabler says, it was the right thing to do. Neal's second volume will be released next year, which is titled, "Against the Wind." He has already promised to join us for a discussion on that book!
His website at Penguin Random House is: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/9528/neal-gabler…
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Dec 8, 2020
#26: Catherine Grace Katz - "The Daughters of Yalta"
We talk with counterintelligence expert Catherine Grace Katz about her book, "The Daughters of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War." She explains how what some call, "The Most Important Meeting of All Time," featured not just Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, but also the daughters of FDR, Churchill and Averell Harriman. They brought them to Crimea not for sightseeing, but for their expertise and companionship. Katz explains how the three accomplished women were indispensable to their fathers, and thus, to world history. She says it's time for all of us to reexamine the role of women in history, especially through the lens of what these women accomplished during the conference. The stories of their political insight and helping hands are being told for the first time in Katz's book.
Catherine Grace Katz is available on Twitter @catherine_katz
Her website is catherinegracekatz.com
Axelbank Reports History and Today is availa…
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Dec 1, 2020
#25: Jonathan Alter - "His Very Best"
We talk with prominent historian and political commentator Jonathan Alter about his new biography of Jimmy Carter, "His Very Best." Alter explains why it's time to reassess Carter's presidency, in that it's political difficulties should not mar its long-term policy gains. From the 1978 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, to the environment, to human rights to normalizing relations with China, Alter argues that the caricature of Carter as a failure is too simple. Alter also describes how the 39th president revolutionized the office, both by elevating the role of First Lady to policy advisor, and by giving the vice president a role to play in major policy decisions. Alter also describes how Carter's personality, upbringing and approach to the job impacted how the White House operated. In the end, though Carter was swamped by events in Iran, the energy crisis and Ronald Reagan, Alter says Carter belongs on the list of impactful presidents.
His Twitter profile can be found @jonathanalter and his w…
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Nov 24, 2020
#24: Erika Lee - "America for Americans"
We talk with Dr. Erika Lee about her book, "America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States." Some say America is a place for anyone and everyone. We learn in elementary school that America was started by people seeking a new life, where they could have religious freedom, that it is a place that accepts, "poor, huddled masses."
But at the same time, there is talk of border security, of legal immigrants, of undocumented immigrants, of which countries we should accept immigrants from. Along with talk, there are also actions. Over the course of American history, we have seen the Chinese, the Japanese, people from majority-muslim countries, Jews and Catholics and just about everyone else, questioned about whether they belong.
This episode wrestles with the question: Why does America continually ask, "who belongs?"
Dr. Lee is available on Twitter @prof_erikalee and her website is erikalee.org.
Axelbank Reports History and Today is available on Facebook, Twitter and I…
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Nov 16, 2020
#23: David Maraniss - "Barack Obama: The Story"
This episode is the perfect companion to Barack Obama's new autobiography, "A Promised Land."
We talk with one of America's greatest writers, David Maraniss, about his stunning biography of Barack Obama. "The Story," explores not only Obama's early years, but his background that makes him the quintessential American. Maraniss argues that Obama's upbringing left him yearning for stability and for an answer to the question: Who am I?
His biography traces both sides of Obama's family. How did a suicide in a Topeka garage lead the Dunhams on a westward journey that would eventually take them all the way to Hawaii? How did Barack Obama's dad wind up there at the same time his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was studying there? Why is there a slab of concrete near Barack Obama's high school with the word, "OBAMA" etched in it? Maraniss also explains the future president's journeys to Jakarta and Kenya. To understand Obama is to understand the remarkable, against-all-odds journey he has been on…
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Nov 10, 2020
#22: Wayne Coffey - "They Said It Couldn't Be Done"
We talk with prolific sportswriter Wayne Coffey about his book, "They Said It Couldn't Be Done: The '69 Mets, New York City, and the Most Astounding Season in Baseball History." The longtime New York Daily News writer explains how the Mets shocked the world during a time of social upheaval and scientific discovery. The Mets went from worst-to-first just as the United States blasted off for the moon and found itself buried in the quagmire of Vietnam. Their hometown was going through tremendous difficulties as well, which is why it was the perfect time for the loveable losers to become the Amazin' Mets. Coffey describes how The Franchise, Tom Seaver, and one of the greatest managers in baseball history, Gil Hodges, changed baseball forever. Through the many magical moments like Tom Seaver's near-perfect game, a spooky black cat and miraculous World Series plays, the story of the '69 Mets is one for lovers of baseball, history and ripping-good yarns.
Coffey can be reached on Twitter @wrc…
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Nov 5, 2020
#21: Matt Grossmann - Election Analysis
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Matt Grossmann, the author of, "Red State Blues: How the Conservative Revolution Stalled in the States." He is a political scientist and contributor to fivethirtyeight.com, so he is perfect to dissect the results of the presidential election and our increasingly fractured and contentious political landscape. What is causing our divisions? Why do things feel so hopeless? What are the impacts of our increased polarization and second-by-second media environment? Why is counting the votes taking so long? Is it healthy for supporters of both major parties to walk away unsatisfied?
Grossman is a professor of political science at Michigan State University, and can be reached at twitter.com/mattgrossmann or his website, which is mattg.org. He is the host of the podcast, "Science of Politics."
Axelbank Reports History and Today is available on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory
We do want to invite listeners to our Patreon page, to ask for your support i…
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Oct 27, 2020
#20: Jeremi Suri - "The Impossible Presidency"
On the sixth and final episode in our series on the presidency, University of Texas professor Dr. Jeremi Suri discusses his book, "The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America's Highest Office." He explains how the position was created, and how early occupants unwittingly set precedents that would lead to the job of president becoming too big to succeed. He explains how the slew of presidential responsibilities, from domestic and foreign policy, the economy, acting as the head of party, the voice of the people and the commander-in-chief of a gigantic military has weighed down presidents to the point where they're essentially overwhelmed. He also explains how the American people should adjust their expectations of the president, and how the contours of the job can be changed to make it possible to succeed.
Dr. Suri can be reached on Twitter @JeremiSuri
His podcast, "This is Democracy" can be found @https://podcasts.la.utexas.edu/this-is-democracy
Axelbank Reports History a…
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Oct 20, 2020
#19: A.J. Baime - "Dewey Defeats Truman"
Our fifth episode in our series on the presidency features A.J. Baime and his book, "Dewey Defeats Truman: The 1948 Election and the Battle for America's Soul." Baime explains how President Truman revived his political fortunes with the most aggressive campaign in American history. He embarks on a "Whistlestop Tour" pledging to visit every county in the country. The "common man" president insists that victory is inevitable, even though the newspaper pundits considered him a goner. Baime describes Truman's personal strength in willing himself back into contention, as he argues in favor of Civil Rights, the recognition of Israel, and pledges to fight for everyday people. Especially in an era where COVID has precluded traditional campaigning, Truman's inspirational story is a reminder that politics is about people.
AJ Baime is available on social media @facebook/AJBaime
Axelbank Reports History and Today is available on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory
Here is a schedule of relea…
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Oct 15, 2020
#18: Special Episode - Ten Questions with Professor Buzzkill
In this special episode, we speak with one of history's most prolific podcasters, "Professor Buzzkill."
Without a doubt, he is among the most listened-to history podcasters on the World Wide Web. His show influences all of us who have taken to this medium to discuss history.
We asked each other ten questions about our shows, history, podcasting technique and our favorite books.
His show is available at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/professor-buzzkill/id980285277?mt=2
His website is professorbuzzkill.com
He is available on Twitter at twitter.com/buzzkillprof
He is available on Facebook at facebook.com/buzzkillprof
Axelbank Reports History and Today is available on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory
We do want to invite listeners to our Patreon page, to ask for your support in keeping the show going, which is www.patreon.com/axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Oct 13, 2020
#17: Lindsay Chervinsky - "The Cabinet"
Our fourth episode in our series on the presidency is with Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, the author of, "The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution."
Her book explains how early political battles led George Washington to create the cabinet as a board of advisors representing each of the Federal departments. She argues that although the cabinet itself is not explicitly called for in the Constitution, that George Washington recognized how important it was to soothe discord in the early republic. She explains how Washington ran his cabinet meetings, how the various secretaries battled, and how his management style lent itself to debate. She also explains how the modern cabinet could better serve the American citizens, the president and how George Washington's legacy is felt in this most-important tool in presidential authority. Dr. Chervinsky also explains how she would re-design the Washington Monument!
Dr. Chervinsky is reachable on Twitter @lmchervinsky
Her…
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Oct 6, 2020
#16: Stephen Knott - "The Lost Soul of the American Presidency"
Our third episode in our series on the presidency is with Dr. Stephen Knott, the author of, "The Lost Soul of the American Presidency: The Decline Into Demagoguery and the Prospects for Renewal."
His book explains how presidents have promised too much in an effort to "stir the passions" of the American people. He argues that lofty rhetoric, while great at helping candidates win votes, is seldom matched by actual accomplishment. Dr. Knott explains that demagogues lead to a "tyranny of the majority," which is mostly good for bragging rights, but leaves the American people angry at their government. Dr. Knott argues that the downfall begins with Thomas Jefferson, accelerates under Andrew Jackson, and that it becomes an art form in the 20th Century, to a point where Donald Trump can take power in the 21st. While, yes, he is critical of President Trump, he leaves no stone unturned in describing how even our most revered presidents, from FDR to Reagan, to modern ones like Clinton, Bush and…
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Sep 29, 2020
#14: Steven Levingston - "Barack and Joe"
Our series on the presidency begins with two biographical episodes of the major-party candidates.
For our episode on Joe Biden, we interviewed Steven Levingston, the author of, "Barack and Joe."
As opposed to analyzing every step of his political career, Levingston's book examined Biden through his relationship with the man who selected him to be vice president in 2008. Levingston explains how they go from being very different types of senators (one young and reserved, the other older and loquacious), to rivals in the presidential race, to forming a careful friendship and then forming a bond that both have called familial. What does his relationship with President Obama reveal about his character and his approach to governing? How did viral pictures and videos impact the perception of their partnership?Levingston explores Biden's wounds and how Obama helped him through unimaginable loss. He also discusses what type of president Biden would be and his lifelong battle to attain America…
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Sep 29, 2020
#15: James Poniewozik - "Audience of One"
Our series on the presidency begins with two biographical episodes of the major-party candidates.
For our episode on Donald Trump, we interviewed James Poniewozik, the author of, "Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television and the Fracturing of America."
As opposed to criticizing or applauding his presidency (which you can find anywhere), Poniewozik discusses Donald Trump through the defining medium of his life: television. He describes how Trump honed his TV skills in creating what Poniewozik calls the "character" we see everyday. He also describes how the TV industry changed over the course of Trump's life. How did it become conducive for someone with "strong" views, as the future president described himself on his first national TV interview in 1980. Poniewozik's study of Trump is fascinating, fresh and crucial to understanding how he went from a kid gazing at the TV in Queens to the person who defined it almost 75 years later.
James Poniewozik is available on Twitter @poniewozik…
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Sep 24, 2020
#13: Benjamin Railton - "Of Thee I Sing"
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Benjamin Railton about his book, "Of Thee I Sing: The Contested History of American Patriotism." We explore the roots of patriotism, how patriotism is weaponized politically and how we should react internally to forms of patriotism or protest that we may not agree with. Dr. Railton explains how patriotism has evolved and what key events have led to changes in how symbols are perceived. We also discuss the impact of Sept. 11th and how President Trump has attempted to cultivate patriotism.
He can be reached on Twitter @AmericanStudier
Our show can be reached on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory
Please feel free to support the show @patreon.com/axelbankhistory
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Sep 17, 2020
#12: Regina Bradley - "Chronicling Stankonia"
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Regina Bradley about her new book, "Chronicling Stankonia: The Rise of the Hip Hop South." She explores the famed hip hop group, Outkast, and how they fueled a new kind of rap music in America. Atlanta was not always an international city, and Outkast rose just as the city was taking the world stage. She describes how black artists used to be stripped of their cultural identities by pop music promoters, and how Outkast avoided that trap. She and I explore Outkast's relationship with the Civil Rights Era, with segregation and with the current, complicated moment. We also examine how this uniquely-American genre allows for a special kind of expression for black artists.
Dr. Bradley is on Twitter @redclayscholar
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" is on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Sep 11, 2020
#11: John Nixon - "Debriefing the President"
In this episode, we talk with John Nixon, the author of, "Debriefing the President: The Interrogation of Saddam Hussein." Nixon is one of only a few Americans to speak to the former Iraqi dictator since the first Gulf War. He describes what it was like to question him and then bring intelligence back to the Oval Office and President Bush. He had numerous sessions with Saddam, and has a perspective almost no one on earth can have when it comes to the fall of Iraq and its leader.
Since the Iraq War grew out of 9/11, this is an episode worth listening to as we explore how that horrible day changed American history.
John Nixon is available on Twitter @JohnNixon
"Axelbank Reports History and Today" is on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Sep 4, 2020
#10: Alexis Coe - "You Never Forget Your First"
On this episode, we talk with NYT bestselling author Alexis Coe about her biography of George Washington. As the first woman in eons to write a cradle-to-grave bio of America's foremost Founding Father, she explains why it is so important that the legend be reexamined. Sure, she does some myth-busting, but she also explains his humanity in fresh tones, giving us a new way to think about him. We talk about how he sowed his career, his time as a general and president, and also about slavery at Mount Vernon. How would Coe re-design the Washington Monument? Should we be proud of GW? Which other presidents need a book like this one? This is a fun and thought-provoking episode!
She can be reached on Twitter @alexiscoe
Axelbank Reports History and Today is on Twitter and Insta @axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Aug 28, 2020
#9: Koritha Mitchell - "From Slave Cabins to the White House"
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Koritha Mitchell about her book, "From Slave Cabins to the White House: Homemade Citizenship in African American Culture." Dr. Mitchell's book explores the ways in which African-Americans have had to look within themselves and their own homes to find a sense of belonging. She argues that while citizenship is bestowed on white Americans from birth, African-Americans face public backlash when they strive. Instead, she has found that their citizenship must come from within. We explore the antebellum period, Reconstruction, key Supreme Court cases and Michelle Obama. The answer of how African-Americans went from slave cabins to the White House is truly fascinating.
You can connect with Dr. Mitchell on Twitter @profkori
Our show is on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Aug 21, 2020
#8: Julie Satow - "The Plaza"
In this episode, listen as author Julie Satow takes us on a historical tour of The Plaza Hotel. Her book, "The Plaza: The Secret History of America's Most Famous Hotel," takes an unforgettable dive into the world of luxury, celebrities, scandal and ambition. The Plaza isn't just a hotel, it's where guests, condo owners and workers have converged for over a century as they grapple for power and prestige. Of course, it's also the hotel that a future president just had to have, except it didn't go as planned. And wait until you hear how a publicity stunt for a movie overloaded their phone lines...
Julie Satow can be found on Twitter @juliesatow
Axelbank Reports History and Today can be found on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory Remnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Aug 14, 2020
#7: Robert Gellately - "Hitler's True Believers"
In this episode, we talk with one of the foremost historians on modern Europe, Dr. Robert Gellately, about his book, "Hitler's True Believers: How Ordinary People Became Nazis." He explains not only how Hitler took power, but how his personality, economic program, and world events helped him win the support of millions of people. Dr. Gellately describes how Germany's post-WWI shame and struggling economy left a void for Hitler to fill. Was anti-Semitism a feature or a side-effect of Hitler's rise?
Dr. Gellately also explains what ordinary Germans knew about concentration camps and when they knew it, as well as whether the people of Germany regretted their country's actions even after WWII was over. His explanations will surprise you.
Reach us on Twitter and Insta @axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Aug 7, 2020
#6: Craig Pittman - "Oh, Florida!"
In this episode, we talk with the author of, "Oh, Florida! How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country." Listen as the veteran newspaper reporter and one of the foremost experts on "The Sunshine State" explains the origins of the "Florida Man." From scary animals, to Disney World, to hurricanes to climate change, Florida makes news day-in, day-out, just for being Florida. It's where one-of-a-kind politicians, too much humidity, too many drugs, gated communities and retirees mix, to form the perfect storm. But don't worry, he says, it's still a wonderful place to live!
He can be reached on Twitter @craigtimes
Axelbank Reports History and Today can be found on Twitter at @axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Jul 31, 2020
#5: Mayor Mike Signer - "Cry Havoc"
In this episode, we talk with former Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer about what it was like to endure his time in office as his city was targeted by the "Unite the Right" rallies. He describes how an inefficient government arrangement make it difficult to keep people safe, and how First Amendment law effectively hamstrung the city as it tried to allow for free speech but keep conflict from boiling over. He became the target of both threatening Internet trolls and white supremacist terrorists. He is thoughtful candid of not only his city's failings, but of his own. Remnant Stew
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Jul 24, 2020
#4: Keri Leigh Merritt - "Masterless Men"
In this episode, we speak with Keri Leigh Merritt, the author of "Masterless Men: Poor Whites and Slavery in the Antebellum South." While much of southern history rightly focuses on the impact slavery had on African-Americans, Merritt explains how important it is to also understand the impact it had on poor whites. Her scholarship shows how slavery's echoes are heard today not just in the descendants of slaves, but in those who lived alongside the system.
She is active on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kerileighmerritt and her book is available on her website kerileighmerritt.com
Axelbank Reports History and Today is active on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axelbankhistory and on instagram @axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Jul 17, 2020
#3: Chris McGreal - "American Overdose"
On this episode, we speak with author Chris McGreal, a brilliant reporter who wrote, "American Overdose: An American Tragedy in Three Acts." You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't felt the impact of America's most dangerous drug. McGreal explains how it was a crisis that was manufactured by greedy salespeople eager to get people hooked. How did living pain-free become essential at any cost? McGreal's answers are shocking, but crucial.
He can be found on social media at www.twitter.com/ChrisMcGreal
Our show can be found at www.twitter.com/axelbankhistory and on Instagram @axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Jul 10, 2020
#2: Sarah Milov - "The Cigarette"
In this episode, we speak with author Sarah Milov about America's relationship with cigarettes. She wrote "The Cigarette: A Political History," which explores why they're still legal, how their sizable lobby operates and how the industry has battled the "non-smoker." Cigarettes kill many times more people than cars and guns, yet they still hold a sizable place in American life. Why?
You can check out Professor Milov on social media at www.twitter.com/allofmilov
Our podcast is on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axelbankhistory
It is on Instagram @axelbankhistoryRemnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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Jun 27, 2020
#1: Kate Andersen Brower - "Team of Five"
On our first episode, we speak with Kate Brower, the author of "Team of Five: The Presidents Club in the Age of Trump." She is the perfect first guest for our show, because presidential history is my favorite. Her books are filled with incredible behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the lives of presidents. Listen in as we explore why "The presidents club" matters to us all, in a time of extraordinary change in the office of the presidency.
You can check out Kate on social media at www.twitter.com/katebrower
Our show is on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axelbankhistory and on Instagram @axelbankhistory
Remnant Stew
Remnant Stew is a fortnightly podcast featuring all things intriguing, bizarre, but...
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