Few presidents have been as mocked and vilified as Warren G. Harding, but few have examined the difficult circumstances he faced upon entering office -- an economic depression, social unrest, and violent extremism. During the 1920 election, Harding had pledged to address these problems and lead America into an era of "normalcy." In this episode, we…

Franklin Roosevelt, the only president to serve more than two terms, is one of the most popular and beloved leaders in American history. At the same time, he is also one of the most hated. Critics often point to what they consider to be his many violations of Americans' civil liberties. In this episode, we interview David Beito about some of FDR's …

There are few things more nostalgic than a train. Politicians know this all too well, so it's no surprise that trains have played a prominent role in American political campaigns. In this episode, Edward Segal explains how presidents have used trains to connect with the American people. WHISTLE-STOP POLITICS: CAMPAIGN TRAINS AND THE REPORTERS WHO C…

America has an unmatched record when it comes to the peaceful transfer of power. According to legal scholar Roy E. Brownell II, however, our country is not that far off from a presidential succession crisis. In this episode, Mr. Brownell covers the history of presidential succession and the flaws in the current system. HOW TO AVOID A PRESIDENTIAL S…

To his critics, he was a drunkard and a butcher who failed his way upward in life. To his admirers, he was nothing less than the savior of the nation. Few presidents have had their reputation fluctuate so dramatically as Ulysses S. Grant. In this episode, we interview author John Reeves to find out who the real Ulysses Grant was. SOLDIER OF DESTINY…

In 1920, Warren G. Harding was elected president in one of the greatest landslides in American history. His margin of victory* over his opponent James Cox exceeded those of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama. In this episode, we explore how this former newspaperman rose to become a popular …

Theodore Roosevelt is often described as America's first modern president, setting a standard by which future presidents would be judged. In this episode, we interview historian Michael Patrick Cullinane about how Roosevelt transformed both the nation and its highest office. REMEMBERING THEODORE ROOSEVELT: REMINISCENCES OF HIS CONTEMPORARIES https:…

Original Title: The Septuagint – It Really is Greek to MeOriginal Release Date: 6/30/2023Transcript URL: https://share.descript.com/view/S74PWXbhjWZ Description: The Septuagint is the most important translations you’ve never heard of. In this episode of the 10th Anniversary of the History of the Papacy series, Steve Guerra and his special guest Gar…

Jimmy Carter has lived a remarkable life. He was on his way to becoming a Navy admiral, but instead became a peanut farmer. He had one of the unlikeliest rises to the presidency, but saw his popularity plummet and was voted out of office in a landslide. He then had one of the most active retirements in American presidential history. In this episode…

Ulysses S. Grant is famous as the victorious general of the Civil War, but as president, he successfully waged another war -- one to defeat the infamous Ku Klux Klan. In this episode, we interview Fergus M. Bordewich about this forgotten chapter in American history. KLAN WAR: ULYSSES S. GRANT AND THE BATTLE TO SAVE RECONSTRUCTION https://www.amazon…

When Woodrow Wilson left office in 1921, the first era of American progressivism came to an end. By then, however, he and former President Theodore Roosevelt had forever altered the course of American history. They had transformed the federal government and America's role in the world. In this episode, we examine their legacies and how they impact …

It's one of the great what-ifs in American history: had President John F. Kennedy not been assassinated, would he have escalated involvement in Vietnam in the same way his successor Lyndon Johnson did? Some say yes, while others say that JFK would have pulled out, sparing the nation the trauma of the war. In this episode, we interview Marc J. Selve…

Today is the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. To commemorate this pivotal event in American history, we are releasing this excerpt from our episode "The Price of Ambition Part 3 | John F. Kennedy". Follow Website: thisamericanpresident.com Twitter: twitter.com/ThisAmerPres Facebook: facebook.com/ThisAmerPres Suppo…

Few Americans know much about William McKinley, but one could argue he did more for civil rights than almost all of his predecessors. In this episode, we interview Benjamin R. Justesen about the 25th president's forgotten crusade for racial equality. FORGOTTEN LEGACY: WILLIAM MCKINLEY, GEORGE HENRY WHITE, AND THE STRUGGLE FOR BLACK EQUALITY https:/…

SHOW NOTES: In this episode of Key Battles of American History, host James Early and Sean follow a long-established Key Battles tradition by giving brief overviews of the postwar lives and careers of the major leaders, Axis and Allies, discussed in the series. Subscribe to Key Battles of American History! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3nCfZZy Sp…

We tend to see events like the founding of America as inevitable, but as Bret Baier observes, it was anything but. It took a great deal of blood and treasure and even a little bit of luck to establish the United States. No less important was the wisdom, character, and leadership of George Washington. In this episode, we interview Mr. Baier about hi…

American schoolchildren learn one thing about Richard Nixon: that he's the only U.S. president in history to resign. He's been portrayed in countless books, movies, and documentaries as the most disturbed, paranoid, and corrupt president of all time. Paul Carter, however, says that we've gotten Nixon all wrong. In this episode, we interview Mr. Car…

In this special compilation episode, Josh Cohen of Eyewitness History shares his favorite interview moments and stories from people who witnessed some of history’s most extraordinary events. First up, revisit his conversation with Frank DeAngelis, former principal of Columbine High School, recounting the harrowing events of the 1999 massacre.Apple …

Original Episode Title: Teddy Roosevelt Nearly Died in a Cavalry Charge Against German Machine Guns in WW1 Suggested Show Notes/Description: Teddy Roosevelt faced many challenges at the end of his life. Racked by rheumatism, a ticking embolism, pathogens in his blood, a bad leg from an accident, and a bullet in his chest from an assassination attem…

It was the most controversial election in American history. Was it 2016? Or 2020? No -- according to Luke A. Nichter, it was 1968. In this episode, we interview Professor Nichter about that pivotal election and how it changed the United States. THE YEAR THAT BROKE POLITICS: COLLUSION AND CHAOS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1968 https://www.amazon…

In his first term, Woodrow Wilson succeeded in remaking the United States. In his second term, he had even grander ambitions: to remake the world and end, once and for all, the scourge of war. In this episode, we examine whether Wilson succeeded in his lofty vision. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US ww…

HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA: Explore one of the most glorious Mesoamerican societies and encounter the Pre-Hispanic Mexico ancient culture & civilization that was the Aztec Empire with this special episode from the History of North America podcast, hosted by Mark Vinet. Subscribe to History of North America: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NMEUTz Sp…

Harry S. Truman, a former haberdasher from Missouri, presided over the final victory in World War II, but a new conflict emerged: the Cold War. This episode explores how he responded to the unprecedented challenge of containing communism. Follow Website: thisamericanpresident.com Twitter: twitter.com/ThisAmerPres Facebook: facebook.com/ThisAmerPres…

In 1945, Harry S. Truman made one of the most fateful decisions any president has ever had to make: to use the atomic bomb as a weapon of war. This episode examines the unique circumstances and earthshaking consequences of that choice. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpreside…

Have you ever learned about a historical figure or event and thought to yourself, this would make a great movie? The guys from the Parthenon Podcast Network recently got together to discuss exactly that. In this episode Mark Vinet (Historical Jesus and History of North America), Steve Guerra (History of the Papacy and Beyond the Big Screen), Richar…