Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars

Send us a text Today we talk about the state of the show and what's coming. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2025

Send us a text Just an update about a change or two and where we are headed. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 30 November 2025

Send us a text Over the past four episodes, we've traced how American political discourse became weaponized, how both parties learned to delegitimize elections, how political violence gets selectively remembered, and how two incompatible constitutional orders came to govern American life simultaneously. Today we're exploring how this transformation happened—not just through laws and court decisions, but through a systematic ideological takeover of American institutions. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2025

Send us a text Civil rights vs. civil liberties—what happens when rights collide? Today we discuss. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2025

Send us a text Over the past two episodes, we've traced how American political discourse became weaponized decades before Trump, and how both parties learned to delegitimize elections they don't win. Today we're examining something even more fundamental: how Americans think about political violence. The story we tell ourselves about political violence in America goes something like this: We're a peaceful democracy where political disagreements are settled through debate and voting, not riots ...

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2025

Send us a text Today we dive into the election of 2000. This is when both parties learned to delegitimize elections they don't win. Want to support the show and gain access to bonus episodes? Follow the link below: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1169162/supporters/new Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2025

Send us a text We interrupt season 4 to bring you a special mini series (never fear I already have several WWII episodes written and one is already recorded). This series is based on the events of September 10, 2025, and the aftermath of that day. The purpose is to look into how the US got to this point and hopefully find a way for us to get out of it. I hope you all find it informative. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2025

Send us a text This is the American History Podcast, Season 4, Episode 37. I'm your host, Shawn, and welcome to "The Track of Ghosts" - the second of four episodes on the New Guinea Campaign. Questions: email [email protected] The Education News Comedy Quiz -- Some of the AbovePlay along with guest contestants from the education world. Laugh some & learn some...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 24 August 2025

Send us a text Guess who's back? Yep. We have a new WWII episode. I wasn't sure this day would arrive, but it has. In this episode we begin a four part look at one of the forgotten aspects of WWII in the Pacific. The Education News Comedy Quiz -- Some of the AbovePlay along with guest contestants from the education world. Laugh some & learn some...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2025

Send us a text Today we have a special treat. Author Samuel Marquis joins the show to discuss his latest book, "Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal." This is a fantastic book, and one I know you'll love. You can purchase it on Amazon or at your local bookseller, including Barnes and Noble. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 12 July 2025

Send us a text We are getting close to the conclusion of the series. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Send us a text Finally we delve into the events of the year 1983. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2025

Send us a text Ronald Reagan Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025

Send us a text title says it all. In the 1970s it seemed like the United States was on the decline, but the story wasn't over. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025

Send us a text We continue with Jimmy Carter and the Cold War. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2025

Send us a text The title sort of says it all. Enjoy Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

Send us a text Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

Send us a text Another bonus episode from our now discontinued Patreon. Enjoy Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

Send us a text Welcome back to 1983: The Year the World Almost Ended. In this episode, or miniseries of episodes within the main series, I want to take a look at the Worker’s state, specifically the Soviet Union, but also some of the “workers paradises” that were built in Eastern Europe in the aftermath of World War II. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

Send us a text This bonus episode covers the Cold War in the 1960s Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

Send us a text Part two of what was a "Patreon only series" on the Cold War. Enjoy Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2025

Send us a text This is a bonus episode introducing "1983" which was a pattern only show about how the world almost ended in 1983 and none of us really knew it. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2025

Send us a text Today's episode is a bonus one I did for Patreon members WAY back in 2020. I thought it had some relevance to today so here it is. Enjoy. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2024

Send us a text This bonus episode was originally made available way back in 2021 to Patreon members and now it is available for you. Enjoy Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2024

Send us a text It was January 16, 1991. Your humble host was an undergraduate in college, and like others in the dorms, watching events unfold live on TV. US media had begun broadcasting the start of the air campaign to “free Kuwait” from the clutches of the evil Saddam Hussein. Looking back on these events 3 decades later, I have to admit, it made for compelling, if disgusting, television. Why do I say disgusting? People were dying in front of our very eyes, and we were treating it like it w...

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2024

Send us a text Today we have a treat! Author Stuart A. Reid is here to talk about his just released book: "The Lumumba Plot" which is a fantastic Cold War era book . Just click the title and you can order your copy via Amazon. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2023

Send us a text Finally, we are back into the narrative about WWII. In this episode we continue to look at the war in China. Enjoy! Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2023

Send us a text Today we have the last episode until September. This book is "Disunion Among Ourselves: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution." It's the perfect book for this time of year, plus it's quite timely. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3rasdKB Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 28 June 2023

Send us a text Welcome back to the main narrative. Today we continue our look at China in WWII. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2023

Send us a text Today we have an interview with Dr. Katherine C. Mooney. She is a professor at Florida St. University and the author of the fantastic new book, Isaac Murphy: The Rise and Fall of a Black Jockey. Get your copy of this fantastic new book here. Check out the Luxurious bastard and all of the fantastic products he has here (use coupon code American10 for 10% off each and every order!) Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 7 June 2023

Send us a text We have a special treat today. Historian Craig Nelson has a new book coming out on May 23. V is for Victory: Franklin Roosevelt's American Revolution and the Triumph of World War II. I think this is a great book for listeners who are fans of WWII (or even if your aren't). I don't agree with everything the author states (his take on FDR's New Deal is one), but overall the book is well written and quite enjoyable. Follow the link to have your copy delivered via Amazon and help su...

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2023

Send us a text Last episode we spent our time looking at the final aspect of Guadalcanal and that was the naval battles that took place in November 1942. It’s been a while since we discussed China, but I don’t want us to forget that aspect of the war, so we will spend several episodes talking about what was the Second Sino Japanese War. Now before I confuse anyone, let me remind you that yes, we did two episode on that conflict this season: episode 5 and 9. However, we left off with December ...

Transcribed - Published: 4 May 2023

Send us a text Today we wrap up our look at Guadalcanal by discussing the naval battle that took place in and around the waters of that island. Enjoy. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2023

Send us a text Today we delve into the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and a few other issues as we FINALLY leave the Battle of Guadalcanal. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2023

Send us a text Today we have one more interview (last for a while). This is author Kathy Joseph, author of the book The Lightning Tamers. It's one of my favorite books of the last few years and I think you will love it as well. Get your copy here. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2023

Send us a text Today we finally get to the worst fighting (or some of the worst) on the 'canal. Enjoy! Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2023

Send us a text Here is an interview episode with author Debra Yates, the author of "Woman of Many Names" a book about her 7th great grandmother. Enjo Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 2 January 2023

Send us a text The last in our series of bonus author interviews features historian Matthew Delmont of Dartmouth. In this episode we discuss his latest book which deals with African Americans and World War II titled Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad. This is another fine work of history and I think it's another book you really should add to your collection. Check it out at the link below. Half American This episode is sponsored by t...

Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2022

Send us a text Today we have a special treat, an interview with Author Alexander Rose about his just released book, The Lion and the Fox. This is a true story about two spies during the Civil War, and it's one you won't be able to put down. Grab a copy for yourself or the history buff in your life (it is Christmas!) and I assure you, you will thank me later. Follow the link below. The Lion and the Fox This episode is sponsored by the Grey History podcast. Check them out here: GreyHistory S...

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2022

Send us a text Today we have a very special bonus episode featuring scholar William Inboden, the author of a fantastic new book on Ronald Reagan and his foreign policy. There has not been a comprehensive survey (believe it or not) of this subject until now. This fantastic new book is available now, so after you hear the interview, click on the link below. This book is not to be missed! The Peacemaker This episode is sponsored by the Grey History podcast. Check them out here: GreyHistory Sup...

Transcribed - Published: 28 November 2022

Send us a text Today we get into some fierce fighting on the 'canal. The Marines will have their hands full trying to hold on to their gains. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2022

Send us a text It's my birthday week so you all get a special bonus episode. It's been 10 months since we last had Horton on the show, and a LOT has happened in that time. Just an FYI: I don't listen to many podcasts these days. Mainly because I don't want to be influenced by anyone, but, I ALWAYS listen to Horton. So here ya go. Enjoy. Get Scott Horton's book on the "War on Terrorism" here: https://amzn.to/3DfPfDK Or his book on the war in Afghanistan here: https://amzn.to/3sdLGHO Support ...

Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2022

Send us a text Today we continue our deep dive into the Guadalcanal campaign. This promises to be a long "series" within the overall series, possibly as long as 6-8 episodes by the time we finish our discussion. Enjoy. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2022

Send us a text Today we get even more into the weeds of the Guadalcanal campaign. This time the action is focused on the fight at sea, and the USS Enterprise is in the thick of it. This famous ship takes a beating, and the question is, will she survive? Listen to find out. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2022

Send us a text Today we being a multi part look at the Guadalcanal campaign. There is a lot to it, hopefully I can keep it interesting without making it too complicated. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2022

Send us a text It is summer, 1942. Midway was a disaster for the Japanese, but the war is far from over. The Americans, at the insistence of Admiral King, have decided to challenge the Japanese in the Solomons. Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 6 September 2022

Send us a text Perhaps the most important battle of the early war, Midway was the make it or break it point for the U.S. Navy. The Japanese were determined to put the pressure on Nimitz, and the admiral himself rolled the dice. Would the Americans stop the Japanese? Well, here is that story. Enjoy. Fable Beard Company is the official beard products company of the American history podcast. For great oils, beard balms and butters as well as beard wash and conditioner check out the link below....

Transcribed - Published: 17 August 2022

Send us a text Today we move the narrative forward and find the U.S. Navy determined to hit the Japanese in the south Pacific, hopefully to stop their advance in the region. Failure to do so could mean the Japanese will threaten the shipping lanes to Australia. This battle is historic in that the two fleets, for the first time, will not actually see each other. Fable Beard Company is the official beard products company of the American history podcast. For great oils, beard balms and butters...

Transcribed - Published: 9 August 2022

Send us a text Today we present the last of our "author interviews" for the year. William Taylor was a Marine who served in Vietnam for 13 months, earning 3 Purple Hearts and 2 Presidential Unit citations in the process. His book about the experience is a well written one which will take you into the thick of the action. It was a pleasure to interview Bill and read his book. I know you will enjoy it just as much as I did. Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3QaS5NP Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 3 August 2022

Send us a text Since it's been a while, I'm releasing this WWII episode a few days early. Today we get back to the main narrative and discuss events in spring 1942 which led up to the Battle of the Coral Sea. Enjoy! Support the show

Transcribed - Published: 29 July 2022