History Author Show

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Rinker Buck – The Oregon Trail (Paperback Interview) Jun 06, 2016

Show notes

June 6, 2016 - Today, our time machine heads back to our show's past, serving up a special, all-new paperback interview with a familiar voice. Back in August of 2015, we kicked off the show with the words, "Three mules, two brothers, and a Jack Russell terrier named Olive Oyl." Our guest was Rinker Buck, and his book -- The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey -- recounted the trek he made with his brother Nick in a covered wagon, two thousand miles from Missouri to the great American Northwest. In the months since hitting shelves, The Oregon Trail has wended its way up the New York Times best-seller list to #1, and Amazon.com named it the best non-fiction book of 2015. When completing the first mule-powered crossing of this legendary pioneer trail in over a century, Rinker met a lot of people -- and he met them, in a new light, after they'd had a chance to see the enthusiastic response to how he shared their story. With the paperback edition of The Oregon Trail appearing in bookstores June 7, 2016, we thought, why not bring Rinker back to hear about his experiences on the tour following publication. After all, he only set out to write a book. But his pen sparked a national phenomenon, which you can share by visiting Facebook.com/RinkerBuck. Other books discussed on this episode include: Flight of Passage, by Rinker Buck. The Road from Coorain, by Jill Ker Conway. A River Runs Through It and Other Stories, by Norman Maclean. Young Men and Fire, by Norman Maclean. Angela's Ashes, by Frank McCourt. America Revised, by Francis FitzGerald. Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, by James W. Loewen. Also, we mentioned William L. Shirer's five books on Nazi Germany.

Harriet F. Senie – Memorials to Shattered Myths May 30, 2016

Show notes

May 30, 2016 - In this episode, we're going to cast our eyes back at how we memorialize those we lose in wars, tragedies, terrorist attacks and public outrages. It's a delicate topic, but we owe it to people who've lost their lives to get it right. Our guest is Harriet F. Senie, author of Memorials to Shattered Myths: Vietnam to 9/11. Professor Senie is Director of the M.A. Program in Art History and Art Museum Studies at City College of New York, as well as a professor at the CUNY Graduate Center. She is the author of several books and articles on public art, and co-founder of the international Public Art Dialogue organization, where she serves as co-editor of its journal: Public Art Dialogue. Also discussed in this episode was A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster.

Lynn Sherr – Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space May 23, 2016

Show notes

May 23, 2016 - Lynn Sherr's book is titled: Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space. It includes unique insights from her friendship with the astronaut, tennis player, astrophysicist, children's book author, and genuine American legend, as well as exclusives from Dr. Ride's family, partner, and countless friends and colleagues. You can enjoy more from our guest @LynnSherr on Twitter, or Facebook.com/SallyRideBio. And although Dr. Ride passed away in 2012, her mission to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering, and math -- and to promote STEM literacy -- endures at Sally Ride Science at UC San Diego. You can visit them at SallyRideScience.com, or follow them @SallyRideSci.

Betsy Harvey Kraft – The Fantastic Ferris Wheel May 16, 2016

Show notes

May 16, 2016 - Our time machine drops us off in December 1892, during the planning for Chicago's Columbian Exposition -- a forerunner of the 20th Century world's fairs -- with the perfect story for the boardwalks and carnivals of Summer 2016. At the ticket booth is Betsy Harvey Kraft, and she's sharing The Fantastic Ferris Wheel: The Story of Inventor George Ferris. You may have seen her several other nonfiction books for young readers, including Theodore Roosevelt: Champion of the American Spirit. The Fantastic Ferris Wheel is a book aimed at children ages 5 to 9, but it's fun -- as the saying goes -- for children of all ages. And it's beautifully illustrated by Steven Salerno. You can see some of the over 20 books he's brought to life at StevenSalerno.com.

Feather Foster — Mary Lincoln’s Flannel Pajamas May 09, 2016

Show notes

May 9, 2016 - In this episode, our time machine door opens into the wardrobe of our First Ladies, that Narnia of fashion that trends back to the very first days of our republic, when the role of the president's wife had -- like the role of the president himself -- yet to be defined. Our valet is Feather Schwartz Foster, a presidential historian who focuses on our First Ladies from Martha Washington to Mamie Eisenhower. She's here to share fun and little known stories from her new book: Mary Lincoln's Flannel Pajamas: And Other Stories from the First Ladies' Closet. You can find her @FeatherSFoster on Twitter, or at FeatherFoster.com, where you can sample a free chapter from today's book. Also discussed in today's episode, a sneak peek at our summertime read: Remarkable Women of the New Jersey Shore: Clam Shuckers, Social Reformers and Summer Sojourners.

Michael J. Tougias – So Close to Home May 02, 2016

Show notes

May 2, 2016 - In this episode, our time machine touches down during the months after Pearl Harbor, as Hitler's U-boats bring the Second World War to the Gulf of Mexico. On board the doomed steam merchant ship Heredia, we'll bear witness to disaster with the Downs family, through the eyes of eight-year-old Sonny. We'll also meet the commanders of two U-Boats, dispatched by Germany's Admiral Dönitz, and see how they combine their duty to the Reich with offering mercy to survivors of their attacks. Our steward on this journey is Michael J. Tougias, co-author with Alison O'Leary of the book: So Close to Home - A True Story of an American Family's Fight for Survival During World War II. Mr. Tougias is the New York Times bestselling author and co-author of two dozen books, including The Finest Hours, which served as basis for the Disney movie out in January 2016. He's also given us Fatal Forecast. Overboard. King Philip's War, Rescue of the Bounty, and There's A Porcupine In My Outhouse: The Vermont Misadventures of a Mountain Man Wannabe. You can find him at MichaelTougias.com, or @MichaelTougias on Twitter.

Good Friday! It’s Eastern Orthodox Easter Apr 29, 2016

Show notes

April 29, 2016 - This weekend, the Greek and Eastern Orthodox Churches take us back in time to the early days of the church, when Christ’s resurrection was celebrated after Passover in order to be historically sequential. After all, the Last Supper was a Passover Seder -- which some of you might have celebrated a few days ago. This special episode is presented by Luke Historians, and features excerpts from Dan Arsenault’s lectures on "Messiah Factor" and "Is Jesus the Messiah?" Additional information on the dating of the crucifixion is well-sourced and compiled in James D. Agresti's book, Rational Conclusions.

Daniel L. Mallock – Agony and Eloquence Apr 25, 2016

Show notes

April 25, 2016 - In this episode, we'll step through the Guardian of Forever and meet two founding fathers who were best friends, then bitter enemies, and finally friends again: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third presidents of the United States, and the first and second vice presidents. Our guide on this journey is Daniel L. Mallock, and his book is Agony and Eloquence: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and a World of Revolution. Daniel L. Mallock grew up within walking distance of Peacefield, John and Abigail Adams' home in Massachusetts, and was also a member of the Quincy Historical Society in the Bay State. You may have seen his previous history work in North and South. But if not, check out his website: DanielMallock.com. And if you're going to be in the New England area this summer, catch Dan at Bunker Hill Day, June 17, 2016, where he'll speak about "John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Other Revolution" at the Adams National Historic Park in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Eric Nelsen – The Kearney House Apr 18, 2016

Show notes

April 18, 2016 - Today, we're traveling back in time by rappelling down the steep face of New Jersey's Palisades Cliffs, and down to the Alpine Boat Basin, just north of the George Washington Bridge. Our destination is the historic The Kearney House, formerly called the Cornwallis Headquarters, based on the local legend that the British general stopped here for a night during the American Revolution. The Kearney House dates back to the mid-1700s, and in the centuries since has been a home, a riverfront tavern, a police station, and a shrine to history itself -- surviving not only time and development, but Superstorm Sandy. You can tour The Kearney House, but also enjoy special events such as Punch & Pie Tavern Nights (April 23 and April 30, 2016) and Tales of the Macabre with readings from local fellow, Edgar Alan Poe. With music, mirth and libations, this is hardly your typical velvet-rope historical experience. Our guide on this visit is Eric Nelsen, historic interpreter for the Palisades Interstate Park and co-author of the book about this 100,000 acres of open space: New Jersey's Palisades Interstate Park. You can check out what's happening at The Kearney House and the park's many other attractions by visiting NJPalisades.org, liking their Facebook page, or following @PalisadesParks on Twitter.

Mark Braude – Making Monte Carlo Apr 11, 2016

Show notes

April 11, 2016 - Today, our time machine will wend its way through the tight mountain passes of Southern France, and across the blue seas of the Mediterranean to the principality of Monaco. Yes, Monaco. The name itself conjures up images of glamour and gambling, of royalty and race cars. But how did it get that way? It's about half the size of Central Park, the second-tiniest nation in the world. Yet it's played a big role as a destination of gambling and vice for the world's rich and famous. Dealing the cards today is Mark Braude, who sends us on our way with his debut book: Making Monte Carlo: A History of Speculation and Spectacle. Mark is a lecturer in history at Stanford University, having earned a Ph. D. in Modern European History from the University of Southern California, as well as a Masters in French Studies from our own New York University. Visit him at MarkBraude.com.

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