Myths
The Press and Women Politicians from Victoria Woodhull to Kamala Harris
Professor Teri Finneman explains how the press has portrayed women politicians running for high office in the United State. From Victoria Woodhull in the 1870s to Kamala Harris in 2020, she enlightens us about how media discourse of women politicians has and hasn’t changed over this long period! Episode #390.— Buzzkill Bookshelf Teri Finneman, Press…
Read MoreElection Polling Errors in US History
The pollsters correctly predicted a Biden win in the 2020 Presidential election. But there was no Blue Wave, and Senate seats didn’t flip, as many pollsters predicted. Polling prediction errors are common in American history. Professor W. Joseph Campbell explains why! Episode #389 —Buzzkill Bookshelf W. Joseph Campbell, Lost in a Gallup: Polling Failure in…
Read MoreNative Americans in Film, 1941-1960
Professor Liza Black enlightens us about her new book, Picturing Indians: Native Americans in Film 1941-1960. She examines many misunderstandings and misconceptions about Native Americans working in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Episode #388 Get a copy of Picturing Indians at a 40% by going to https://blackli0.wixsite.com/picturingindians/book and using the code: GAF20 The Sovereign Bodies…
Read MoreThe Myth of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Panic
A 1938 radio play based on H.G. Wells’ novel, The War of the Worlds, supposedly panicked America. The Martians were invading! People went hysterical and ran for their lives! Or did they? Listen to Professors Jefferson Pooley and Michael Socolow explain what really happened. Episode #387. — J.E. Hayes, K. Battles, and W. Hilton-Morrow (eds.),…
Read MoreOctober Surprises in US Presidential Elections
There seem to have been a lot of October Surprises in American Presidential elections since the 1940s. And there have been different types of October Surprises, for different reasons, and with different motivations. But have they ever seriously affected the election results? Our political history genius, Professor Philip Nash, explains all! Episode #386 — Buzzkill…
Read MoreHow Americans Became Political Junkies
Dr. Claire Bond Potter explains how Americans became political junkies in the 20th and 21st centuries. From talk radio to Twitter, she shows us how alternative media hooked us on politics and broke our democracy. Listen right away! Episode #385 — Buzzkill Bookshelf Claire Bond Potter, Political Junkies: From Talk Radio to Twitter, How Alternative…
Read MoreThe Electoral College in US History
What is the “electoral college” and how does it work? Why was it created? Was it created to protect slavery and slave states in the 18th century? Is the current electoral college what the Founders intended? And what can Americans do about this broken and abused relic? Prof Philip Nash explains all! Episode #383. Here’s…
Read MoreFake News in American History
Professor Michelle Nickerson explains the complicated and compelling history of the news media in US history, and the changing development of “fake news.” She also helps us understand what to do about it! Episode #382. Our listeners get a free trial at The Great Courses Plus! Click here to go to thegreatcoursesplus.com/buzzkill !! —Buzzkill Bookshelf…
Read MoreMark Twain: “A Lie Can Travel Halfway Around the World Before the Truth Puts On its Shoes” – Quote or No Quote?
Like all good and sentient Americans, I have been reading Dr. Heather Cox Richardson’s “Letters from an American,” and watching her Facebook Live and YouTube “History and Politics” talks, where she ties current events to their historical backgrounds and puts them in context. Not only is Professor Richardson one of the most notable historians in…
Read MoreChurchill’s Wartime Speeches: the Untold Story
Professor Richard Toye explains the background and context of Winston Churchill’s famous World War II speeches, from how they were written, to how they were delivered, to how the public reacted. It’s the “untold story”! Episode #380. Our listeners get a free trial at The Great Courses Plus! Click here to go to thegreatcoursesplus.com/buzzkill !!…
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