Myths
Gun Country: Gun Capitalism, Culture, and Control in Cold War America
In the wake of yet another gun tragedy in Gun Country USA, we interview Dr. Andrew McKevitt, whose new book is a must-read this year. He shows why so many guns flooded onto the American market after World War II, and how this developed into “gun consumerism.” We discuss the various attempts to stem the…
Read MoreHalloween Myths
Early in the horror movie, Halloween II, a kid is shown being admitted to a hospital emergency room, a razor blade stuck in his gums. It’s gruesome and reminds us of the warnings we all heard about sickos putting sharp objects into Halloween candy. The third installment of the Halloween franchise includes references to the…
Read MoreDracula in Fiction and History
Dracula tales, legends, and myths fly around faster than a vampire fleeing from sunlight. Dr. Gemma Masson explains Bram Stoker’s famous novel, “Dracula,’ and then goes on to explain the various histories behind Dracula’s namesake – Vlad Dracula, the Romanian Prince. Along the way, she discusses how attributes from Count Dracula have been attributed to…
Read MoreClement Attlee, 1945, and the Year of Hope in Britain
Professor Richard Toye talks about a pivotal year in British history – 1945. The end of war, a landslide election for the Labour Party under Clement Attlee, and the start of the modern British welfare state. He explains why Labour won the election, why Churchill and the Conservatives lost, and what the Labour government of…
Read MoreColumbus and the Taino People
The story of Columbus and the Taino people is fascinating, and is made even more fascinating by Kate Messner’s analysis of it in this episode. She explains who the Taino people were, how they discovered Columbus, and what happened during and after their encounter. Kate’s “History Smashers” series is a fantastic way to understand history…
Read MoreChristopher Columbus Myths Large and Small!
Sebastian Major, the producer and host of the “Our Fake History” podcast, explains the myths about Christopher Columbus, who “discovered” the New World. Sebastian schools Professor Buzzkill about where the myths came from and about their larger significance for American history. You will learn dozens of new things about the history of Columbus, and about…
Read MoreHands of Time: a Watchmaker’s History
Dr. Rebecca Struthers, an academic expert on horology and an award-winning watchmaker, guides us through the fascinating history of wristwatches, and their importance to social history. These seemingly mundane and utilitarian objects can tell us a fascinating story about our changing attitudes toward keeping track of time. From Elizabethan fashion, to World War I battlefields,…
Read MoreHeather Cox Richardson on Saving Democracy – Wisdom Wednesday!
Listen to “Heather Cox Richardson on Saving Democracy – Wisdom Wednesday!” on Spreaker. When it comes to the crush of the American daily news cycle, Heather Cox Richardson has always taken the long view. The New England-based historian gained wide popularity writing casual, history-informed summaries of the news — a perspective millions of readers were…
Read MoreMcCarthy and McCarthyism: American Demagoguery During the Cold War
Senator Joseph McCarthy was one of the most notorious politicians in American history. He made wild accusations, ruined the lives and careers of countless people, and stained American politics with investigative tactics similar to those in Stalin’s Soviet Union. Just as important, however, was McCarthyism. Professor Philip Nash explains all in this gripping episode that…
Read MoreNaming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues and Heroes Behind New York’s Place Names
Why are New York’s roads, bridges, buildings, and institutions named after certain people? Who were those people and why did they matter so much? Professor Rebecca Bratspies explains all in this fascinating romp through not only New York history, but also the history of the practice of naming things after individuals, and the complex specifics…
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