History Nerds United: Recent Episodes
Brendan Dowd
Let's make history fun again! Come listen to interviews with award winning authors, the rantings of a history nerd, and various other things. Enjoy!
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He's back! James M. Scott joins me to talk Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito, and the Descent into Total War.
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Another month, another list of books I don’t want you to miss just because they didn’t get to come on the pod!
How to Rule the World by Theo Baker – or as I like to call it, how to make college more difficult than it needed to be. Baker tells the story of going to Stanford University where he expects to become another tech billionaire but somehow ends up on a collision course with the president of the university. Oops!
Stolen Revolution by Yeganeh Torbati and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin This book follows a few people in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. It puts so much in perspective and is one of those books which feels like so much is jammed into the book, but it never gets overwhelming.
They Stole a City by Lauren Collins – speaking of overwhelming, in 1898 the legitimately elected and appointed government of Wilmington, North Carolina was overthrown by a bunch of White supremacists who proceeded to terrorize the Black community. Everyone collectively shrugged like it was somehow okay for that to happen. Collins follows the lives of many affected through the generations.
Kingdom of Devils by Katherine Grandjean – post- American Revolution serial killers! You probably never heard of the Harps (and neither had I), but in 1797 they went on a killing spree in the Kentucky and Tennessee countryside. This one was mind-blowing and proves there is still plenty of true crime left to discover.
The Gospel According Hobby Lobby by Michael Blanding – I think we have all at least driven by a Hobby Lobby or two. However, the founding of the stores is more fascinating than I ever expected, and Blanding writes a book that is balanced but will also probably cause some tense conversations around the house. The Greens are not just founders of a billion dollar store chain, but also the money behind a national movement.
Catherine the Great by Robert Massie – Massie was the master of Russian history as far as I am concerned, and Catherine the Great was one of my favorites. Love her or hate her, Catherine was powerful, intelligent, and unafraid to take a big swing. You know, like killing your spouse (allegedly!) for instance.
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Let's not say it! Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor joins me to talk Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me.
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Let's go on the run! Zayd Ayers Dohrn joins me to talk Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young: A Fugitive Family in the Revolutionary Underground.
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Let's set him free! Pamela Colloff joins me to talk Catch the Devil: A True Story of Murder, Deception, and Injustice on the Gulf Coast.
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Let's get lit! Jonathan Vigliotti joins me to talk Torched: How a City Was Left to Burn, and the Olympic Rush to Rebuild L.A.
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Let's compromise! Lawrence Goldstone joins me to talk Imperfect Union: How Errors of Omission Threaten Constitutional Democracy.
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Let's celebrate 250! The legendary Rick Atkinson joins me to talk The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780.
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Here they are, the books I don’t want you to miss for June 2026!
First, we have The Summer of Death by Geoff Williams. Did you know that in 1936 there was a deadly heatwave that killed thousands of Americans? Of course, you didn’t and neither did I! Thankfully, we have Geoff Williams to not only tell this story, but to know when to crack a joke and when to take things seriously.
Next is the Wreck of the Mentor by Eric Jay Dolin. Dolin is one of my favorite writers and he has done it again. In 1832, the whaleship Mentor wrecked on a remote reef in the Western Pacific and then it somehow got worse for those who survived. It’s simple folks, if you are into maritime survival stories like the Wager or Dolin’s previous book Left for Dead, you have to pick this one up.
Next we have the Longest Hardest Race by Eric Moskowitz. Today, we have NASCAR, but back in 1909 long distance races were all the rage. They were also absolutely insane as Moskowitz describes in this one. And of course, if we are talking early automobiles, Henry Ford is going to be a big part. And as always, he won’t be keeping his hands clean, literally or figuratively.
Next is Fires in the Night by Matthew Wolfe. In the 1990s, there was a group known as the Earth Liberation Front of ELF. They liked setting things on fire, especially in the Pacific Northwest where Wolfe tells the story about how it all happened and what was the fallout. Wolfe nails this book because he never takes sides, but he’s not above pointing out where both sides can fail in a cultural divide.
For our final new book, we have the American School of Spies by Stephan Talty. Talty is another one of my favorites and you should read anything with his name on it. In this one, he looks at the Americans flung into Greece during World War II to wreak some havoc while also protecting some priceless art. This one has got everything!
For my classic pick of the month, I am going with Island of the Lost by Joan Druett. If you aren’t familiar with Druett, she is a New Zealand writer who might as well be crowned the queen of maritime history, especially around Australia and New Zealand. Island of the Lost rekindled my love of reading back in the day. It’s part survival, part leadership parable. In 1864, the schooner Grafton wrecks on Auckland Island. The survivors have no hope of rescue. It comes down to whether or not the captain can keep the men together, survive, and find a way home. Sounds crazy enough, but guess what? At the same exact time the Grafton survivors are battling for their lives, a ship called Invercauld wrecks on the same island. The survivors never mingle, but the actions of each captain would be the difference between life and death. One for good, one for bad.
That’s it for this month! Let me know what you think of these books and if you read them yourself. Until next time nerds, stay cool.
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Let's go down to the river! True Crime King Gregg Olsen joins me to talk By the River's Edge: A True Story of Identity and Serial Murder.
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Let's make some money! Megan Gorman joins me to talk All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money.
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Let's set sail! David Reynolds joins me to talk Two Ships: Jamestown 1619, Plymouth 1620, and the Struggle for the Soul of America.
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Let's crash! Liaquat Ahamed joins me to talk 1873: The Rothschilds, the First Great Depression, and the Making of the Modern World.
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Stalin's Apostles by Antonia Senior
Hammer of the Gods by Don Hollway
The Fallen by Louise Brangan
American Men by Jordan Ritter Conn
Margaret Beaufort by Lauren Johnson
One of Us by Asne Seierstad
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Let's survive! Thomas Asbridge joins me to talk The Black Death: A Global History of Humanity's Most Devastating Pandemic.
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Let's strike oil! Douglas Brunt joins me to talk The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel: Romanovs, Revolutionaries, and the Forgotten Titan Who Fueled the World.
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Let's go for a run! Martin Dugard returns to talk The Long Run: Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, and the Decade That Made the Marathon Cool.
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Let's Greek it up! Adrian Goldsworthy joins me to talk Athens and Sparta: The Rivalry That Shaped Ancient Greece.
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Let's revolt! Anand Gopal joins me to talk Days of Love and Rage: A Story of Ordinary People Forging a Revolution.
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Let's go north! Peter Stark joins me to talk The Lost Cities of El Norte: Coronado's Quest, the Unconquered West, and the Birth of American Indian Resistance – A Narrative History of Exploration, Conquest, and Resistance.
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Can't interview them all! Don't miss these books:
These Divided Isles by Stephen Phillips –Phillips tells the story of the relationship between Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Britain from independence to now. (Pegasus Books)
The Oracle’s Daughter by Harrison Hill – it’s the story of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps cult. It’s a wild story about a woman who truly goes off the deep end and the daughter who tries to break away. (Scribner Books)
This Dark Night by Deborah Lutz – it’s the life of the author of Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë. (W. W. Norton)
Madman by M.F. Gross – Florida true crime story in 1949. Enough said.
A Terrible Intimacy by Melvin Patrick Ely – a look at six different court cases in antebellum Virginia where people from each side of the racial divide are involved. (Henry Holt and Co.)
For my classic pick of the month, I am going with Ballad of the Whiskey Robber by Julian Rubenstein – I don’t believe in trying to improve on perfection. So here is the official synopsis of this book: “A true story of bank heists, ice hockey, Transylvanian pelt smuggling, moonlighting detectives, and broken hearts.” All of that is in there and all of that is true. I laughed, I cried. This is a book I can hand to absolutely anyone and know they will like it. Get it yesterday.
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Let's bring back the fun! Breeze Barrington joins me to talk The Graces: The Extraordinary Untold Lives of Women at the Restoration Court.
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Objection! Sarah Isgur joins me to talk Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme Court.
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Let's get weird! Antony Beevor joins me to talk Rasputin: The Downfall of the Romanovs.
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Let's talk about the neighbors. Patrick Radden Keefe joins me to talk London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth.
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Let's call them out! Brooke Newman joins me to talk The Crown's Silence: The Hidden History of the British Monarchy and Slavery in the Americas.
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Another month, another list of books I don’t want you to miss!
The Next One is For You by Ali Watkins the story of the gun runners from the U.S. who were trying to supply the IRA during the Troubles of Northern Ireland.
Kennedy’s Coup by Jack Cheevers –a look at JFK and his decision makers as the U.S. descends into the Vietnam War.
Arsenio by Arsenio Hall – a lot of great behinds the scenes stuff and overall a positive book which will put you in a good mood.
Charles Sumner by Zaakir Tameez – a dig into the life of the guy you probably only remember as the one who got whooped with a cane in Congress right before the Civil War. Yes, there is more!
Running Deep by Tom Clavin – the submarine USS Tang was deadliest submarine in World War II. Need I say more?.
My Classic Pick: Diamonds, Gold, and War by Martin Meredith – the story of South Africa but more specifically the British occupation of it, the discovery of diamonds, and the Boer wars.
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Let's hear it for the sisters! Veronica Buckley joins me to talk Seven Sisters: Captives and Rebels in Revolutionary Europe's First Family.
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Let's ring the bell! Alison Lyn Miller and Hollywood Hunter James join me to talk Rough House: A Father, a Son, and the Pursuit of Pro Wrestling Glory.
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Let's go to paradise! Sara Kehaulani Goo joins me to talk Kuleana: A Story of Family, Land, and Legacy in Old Hawai'i.
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Let's talk about a legend! Keith O'Brien joins me to talk Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird.
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We can't interview them all, but I can for sure tell you the best books out there. Here is the latest release of books I don't want you to miss.
Rebel of the Regency by Ann Foster
Until the Last Gun is Silent by Matthew Delmont
The Science of Second Chances by Jennifer Doleac
Heiresses by Miranda Kauffman
Empire of Orgasm by Ellen Huet
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Let's avoid an incident! Chris Jennings joins me to talk End of Days: Ruby Ridge, the Apocalypse, and the Unmaking of America.
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Let's talk about bloodbaths! Shelley Puhak returns to talk The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster.
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Let's return to the 80s! Elliot Williams joins me to talk Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive '80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation.
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Let's place a bet! Danny Funt joins me to talk Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling.
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Let's object! Elizabeth Chamblee Burch joins me to talk The Pain Brokers: How Con Men, Call Centers, and Rogue Doctors Fuel America's Lawsuit Factory.
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And now for something a little different! We can't always get an author on the pod, but it doesn't mean their books aren't amazing. Here are 5 new releases I don't want you to miss plus a bonus classic that is one of my favorites.
Covered in this installment:
The Traitor's Circle by Jonathan Freedland
Kings and Pawns by Howard Bryant
A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls by Adam Morgan
The Rembrandt Heist by Anthony Amore
Useless Etymology by Jess Zafarris
The White Cascade by Gary Krist
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Let's find some treasure! Julian Sancton joins me to talk Neptune's Fortune: The Billion-Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire.
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Let's have some common sense! Jack Kelly joins me to talk Tom Paine's War: The Words That Rallied a Nation and the Founder for Our Time.
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Let's do some invention! Graham Watson joins me to talk The Invention of Charlotte Brontë: A New Life.
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Let's lead an army! Helen Castor returns to talk Joan of Arc: A History.
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Let's throw them back! Noah Rothbaum joins the entire History Nerds United team to talk The Whiskey Bible: A Complete Guide to the World's Greatest Spirit.
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Let's ascend! Gareth Russell joins me to talk his book The Six Loves of James I.
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Let's ride the wind! Simon Winchester joins me to talk The Breath of the Gods: The History and Future of the Wind.
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Let's get a close up! Scott Eyman joins me to talk Joan Crawford: A Woman's Face.
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Let's launch! Jeffrey Kluger joins me to talk Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, the Untold Story.
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Let's succeed! Tracy Borman joins me to talk The Stolen Crown: Treachery, Deceit, and the Death of the Tudor Dynasty.
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Let's act like a bull moose! Bret Baier joins me to talk his book To Rescue the American Spirit: Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower.
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Let's get him out! Pulitzer Prize Winner Gilbert King joins me to talk his book Bone Valley: A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida.
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Let's start a movement! Siddharth Kara joins me to discuss The Zorg: A Tale of Greed and Murder That Inspired the Abolition of Slavery.
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Let's bring him to justice! Jake Tapper joins me to discuss his book Race Against Terror: Chasing an Al Qaeda Killer at the Dawn of the Forever War.
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Let's remember the Mighty Fitz! John Bacon joins me to talk The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
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Let's strike gold! Peter Cozzens discusses his book Deadwood: Gold, Guns, and Greed in the American West.
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Let's get legal! CNN's Elie Honig talks his book When You Come at the King: Inside DOJ's Pursuit of the President, from Nixon to Trump.
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Let's revisit the 90s! Author Ross Benes joins me to talk 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times.
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Let's hang'em from the yardarm! Samuel Marquis joins me to talk his book Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal.
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Let's tell the Germans arrivederci! Suzanne Cope joins me to talk Women of War: The Italian Assassins, Spies, and Couriers Who Fought the Nazis.
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Let's get canonized! Kate Sidley joins me to discuss her book How to Be a Saint: An Extremely Weird and Mildly Sacrilegious History of The Catholic Church's Biggest Names.
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Let's make our own utopia! Joanne Paul joins me to talk her book Thomas More: A Life.
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Let's predict a revolution! Scott Anderson joins me to discuss his book King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation.
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Let's find family! Haley Cohen Gilliland joins me to talk A Flower Traveled in My Blood: The Incredible True Story of the Grandmothers Who Fought to Find a Stolen Generation of Children.
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Let's take to the skies! Laurie Gwen Shapiro joins me to talk The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon.
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Let's look a different way! Scott Ellsworth joins me to talk his book Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of America.
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Let's have two! In our first ever double episode, Amy Bell joins me to talk Under Cover of Darkness: Murders in Blackout London. Then Stan Haynes joins me to talk Roosevelt to Roosevelt: Presidential Nominating Conventions from 1904 to 1944.
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Let's find a panda! Nathalia Holt joins me to discuss her book The Beast in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers' Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda.
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Let's pillage (but also more than that)! Eleanor Barraclough joins me to talk her book Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age.
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Let's go monster hunting! Nicholas Jubber Returns to talk his book Monsterland: A Journey Around the World's Dark Imagination.
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Let's talk the age of serial killers! Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Fraser joins me to talk her book Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers.
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Let's pick a favorite! Helen Carr joins me to talk her book Sceptred Isle: A New History of the Fourteenth Century.
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Let's go sub hunting! Alexander Rose returns to talk his book Phantom Fleet: The Hunt for Nazi Submarine U-505 and World War II's Most Daring Heist!
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Let's turn the tide! Martin Dugard returns to talk his new book Taking Midway: Naval Warfare, Secret Codes, and the Battle that Turned the Tide of World War II.
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Let's track some art! Michelle Young joins the podcast to talk her book The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland. Come listen!
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Let's right a wrong! Kate Summerscale joins me to talk her book The Peepshow: The Murders at Rillington Place. Murder, yellow journalism, and justice denied. Come listen!
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Let's be happy! Author and bigwig at Doubleday Books, Todd Doughty, joins me to talk the publishing world and his own book, Little Pieces of Hope: Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World.
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Let's go shopping! Julie Satow joins me to discuss her book When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion.
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Let's do some renaming! Russell Shorto joins me to talk his book Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America.
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Hallie Rubenhold, celebrated author of The Five, joins me to talk her true crime book Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress, and Dr. Crippen.
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Let's boot up! Comedian and Writer (Full Frontal/The Tonight Show) Mike Drucker joins me to talk his book Good Game, No Rematch: A Life Made of Video Games.
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Let's play ball! On this special baseball opening weekend episode, Eric Vickrey joins me to talk his book Season of Shattered Dreams: Postwar Baseball, the Spokane Indians, and a Tragic Bus Crash That Changed Everything. Come listen!
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Let's make an exchange! Author William Geroux joins me to discuss his book The Fifteen: Murder, Retribution, and the Forgotten Story of Nazi POWs in America. Come listen!
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Let's bloom! NPR Correspondent Emily Feng joins me to talk her book Let Only Red Flowers Bloom: Identity and Belonging in Xi Jinping's China. I learned a lot and hope you do, too. Come listen!
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Let's go digging! Author Gary Krist joins me to talk his book Trespassers at the Golden Gate: A True Account of Love, Murder, and Madness in Gilded-Age San Francisco. Come listen!
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Toss a coin to your nerd! Author Gareth Harney joins me to talk his book A History of Ancient Rome in Twelve Coins. Come listen!
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Let's rebel! Author Nancy Goldstone joins me to talk her new book The Rebel Empresses: Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France, Power and Glamour in the Struggle for Europe. Come listen!
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Let's take to the skies! Richard Goodrich returns to talk L.A. Birdmen: West Coast Aviators and the First Airshow in America. Come listen!
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Let's talk about everything! Pulitzer Prize Winner Megan Marshall joins me to talk her new book After Lives: On Biography and the Mysteries of the Human Heart. So good. Come listen!
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Let's figure out who we are cursing in traffic! Rebecca Bratspies joins me to talk her book Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues, and Heroes Behind New York's Place Names. It's not just for city folk. Come listen!
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Let's go north! Buddy Levy is back to talk his new book Realm of Ice and Sky: Triumph, Tragedy, and History's Greatest Arctic Rescue. Enough said. Come listen!
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Let's investigate a drug empire! Journalist Patrick Winn joins me to discuss Narcotopia: In Search of the Asian Drug Cartel That Survived the CIA. It's as wild as you expect. Come listen!
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Let's jump into the forge! Mark Galeotti returns to talk his newest book, Forged In War: A Military History of Russia From Its Beginnings to Today. We talk wars, Putin, and how much we both enjoyed the Hulu series The Great! Come listen!
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Let's welcome back the Marquis! Elizabeth Reese joins me to discuss her book Marquis de Lafayette Returns: A Tour of America's National Capital Region. I finally found someone to nerd out with about my favorite Frenchman. Come listen!
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Let's make the call! April Balascio joins me to talk her book Raised by a Serial Killer: Discovering the Truth About My Father. Enough said. Come listen!
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Let's go to court! Marcia Clark joins me to talk her book Trial by Ambush: Murder, Injustice, and the Truth about the Case of Barbara Graham. Yes, a little about OJ, too. Come listen!
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Let's join the war on crime! John Oller joins the podcast to talk his book Gangster Hunters: How Hoover G-men Vanquished America's Deadliest Public Enemies! Come listen!
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Let's enter the arena! Gladiator Historian Alexander Mariotti Talks Gladiator I and II, Spartacus, and the Glory of Rome! Why go to the movies when you can get everything you need right here? Come listen!
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Let's tell the whole story! Erik Rebain joins me to discuss his book Arrested Adolescence: The Secret Life of Nathan Leopold. Turns out murder was just the tip of the iceberg. Come listen!
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Let's seize the throne! Helen Castor joins me to talk her new book The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV. It's one of the best books of 2024. Come listen!
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Let's be cunning! Tabitha Stanmore joins me to discuss her book Cunning Folk: Life in the America of Practical Magic. She explains why cunning folk weren't burned at the stake like witches.
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Let's remember the nobodies! Social media titan and now author Adrian Bliss joins me to talk his new book The Greatest Nobodies of History: Minor Characters from Major Moments. It's hilarious and its got real history in it! Come listen!
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Let's get a confession out of him! Retired Homicide Detective Kim Mager tells the story of interrogating serial killer Shawn Grate and her book about it, A Hunger To Kill.
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Let's talk about more than just Agincourt! Dan Jones joins me to talk his new book Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King. He's more than just what the bard told you.
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Let's let the people decide! H.W. Brands joins the podcast to talk his book America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War. One of the best books of the year. Come hear about it!
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Let's remember some heroes! Authors Jack Carr (the Terminal List guy, duh) and James M. Scott join me to talk their collaboration and their new book Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror. Come listen!
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Let's take over an island! Author Abbott Kahler returns to talk about her bonkers new book, Eden Undone: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and Utopia at the Dawn of World War II. Seriously, how could you not want to hear more with that tagline? Come listen!
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Let's storm the building! One of my personal favorites, Ben Macintyre, joins the podcast to talk his new book The Siege: A Six-Day Hostage Crisis and the Daring Special-Forces Operation That Shocked the World. Need I say more?
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Let's head to the ocean! Author Rachel Kousser joins me to talk her book Alexander at the End of the World: The Forgotten Final Years of Alexander the Great. Come listen!
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Let's take to the skies! Author Martin Dugard joins the podcast to talk his new book Taking London: Winston Churchill and the Fight to Save Civilization. Come listen!
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Let's tell the whole story! Wall Street Journal Reporter and Author Valerie Bauerlein joins me to talk her new book The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty.
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Let's order up some fraud! The creators of McMillions (the documentary, podcast, and new book) James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte join the podcast! Come listen!
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Let's play a video game! Author and history professor Tore Olsson joins us to talk his new book Red Dead's History: A Video Game, an Obsession, and America's Violent Past. Come listen!
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Let's get kicked out of a country! Journalist and Author Larry Rohter joins me to discuss his exceptional book Into the Amazon: The Life of Cândido Rondon, Trailblazing Explorer, Scientist, Statesman, and Conservationist. It's one of the best biographies I have ever read. Come listen!
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Let's find love in the last place you'd expect! Author Keren Blankfeld joins me to discuss her book Lovers in Auschwitz: A True Story. It's as unbelievable as you think. Come listen!
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Let's cool it down! The host of the award winning Cold War Conversations podcast, Ian Sanders, joins me to nerd all the way out about history, how he got started, and what makes for a great podcast. Come listen!
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Let's save some art! Author and journalist Adam Brookes joins me to discuss his book Fragile Cargo: The World War II Race to Save the Treasures of China's Forbidden City. Come listen!
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Let's do it for Marm! Author Margalit Fox returns to talk her new book, The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Tise and Fall of an American Organized Crime Boss. So good. Come listen!
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Let's head to the second floor! Author Dean Jobb joins the podcast to talk his new book, A Gentleman and a Thief: The Daring Jewel Heists of a Jazz Age Rogue. Need I say more? Come listen!
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Let's call action! Pulitzer Prize winner Emily Nussbaum joins me to discuss her new book Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV. It's as good as it sounds. Come listen!
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Let's pledge! Author Max Marshall joins me to discuss his book, Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story. If you hate Greek life or love it, I think you'll love this. Come listen!
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Let's unmask a catfish! Author Anna Akbari returns to tell me who is the mysterious Ethan from her book There Is No Ethan: How Three Women Caught America's Biggest Catfish. We name names and you need to read this book. Either way, get ready for the unveiling.
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Let's catch a catfish! Author Anna Akbari joins me to discuss her book There Is No Ethan: How Three Women Caught America's Biggest Catfish. This episode does not contain any spoilers but look for Part 2 where we spoil the heck out of the book (that you need to read first because it's amazing).
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Let's head into the jungle! Author Keith Thomson returns to the podcast to talk his new book, Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold. Come listen!
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Let's blow it up! Author Steven Johnson joins me to talk his new (and incredible) book The Infernal Machine: A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective. It's a book of the year according to me so come listen!
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Let's remember the Challenger! Author Adam Higginbotham joins the podcast to talk his new book Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster at the Edge of Space! I can't say enough about Adam and this book so come listen!
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Let's win a kingdom! Author Don Hollway joins the podcast to talk his book Battle for the Island Kingdom: England's Destiny 1000-1066. It's crazier than Game of Thrones. Come listen!
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Let's talk about moms! Author Charlotte Gray joins me to discuss her book Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons; The Lives of Jennie Jerome Churchill and Sara Delano Roosevelt. It's awesome. Come listen!
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Let's find some wonder! Author and Presenter Bettany Hughes joins the podcast to discuss her book The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! She's amazing. Come listen!
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Let's overstay our welcome! Author Hampton Sides joins the podcast to talk his new book The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook. Come listen!
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Let's identify a killer! Author Henry Hemming joins the podcast to talk his book Four Shots in the Night: A True Story of Spies, Murder, and Justice in Northern Ireland. Come listen!
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Let's investigate a farm! Author Earl Swift joins me to talk his book Hell Put to Shame: The 1921 Murder Farm Massacre and the Horror of America's Second Slavery. Come listen!
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Let's do a heist! Author Michael Finkel joins me to talk his book The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession. It's our 100th episode and it's so good! Trust us!
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Let's play ball! Author Keith O'Brien joins me to discuss his new book Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose and the Last Glory Days of Baseball. Come find out about how Pete Rose's worst enemy is himself.
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Let's land on an asteroid! OSIRIS-REx Mission Leader Dr. Dante Lauretta joins the podcast to talk his new book The Asteroid Hunter: A Scientist's Journey to the Dawn of Our Solar System. Space! Asteroids! Come listen!
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Let's abdicate! Author Jane Tippett joins the podcast to talk her book Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII. Come listen to the drama!
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Let's visit the Hermit Kingdom! North Korea Expert and Author Sung-Yoon Lee joins the podcast to talk about his book The Sister: North Korea's Kim Yo Jong the Most Dangerous Woman in the World. Come listen!
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Let's shred! Author Eric Blehm joins the podcast to talk his book The Darkest White: A Mountain Legend and the Avalanche That Took Him. Come listen about the amazing life of snowboarder Craig Kelly.
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Let's make a speech! Author Michael Livingston joins the podcast to talk his book Agincourt: Battle of the Scarred King. Turns out Shakespeare made a lot up. Come listen!
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Let's join the brotherhood! Author Scott McGaugh joins the podcast to talk his book Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin: The Glider Pilots of World War II. I get invited to hop on a jet. Come listen!
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Let's find a cure! Author Maria Smilios joins the podcast to talk her book The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis. Come listen!
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Let's cast aspersions! Author James Conroy joins the podcast to talk his book The Devils Will Get No Rest: FDR, Churchill, and the Plan That Won the War. Come listen about how some of the most powerful men in history could complain about each other like teenagers.
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Let's cut through the propaganda! Time Magazine Correspondent Simon Shuster joins the podcast to talk his book The Showman: Inside the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky.
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Let's get nostalgic! The Ringer's Rob Harvilla joins the podcast to discuss his book and podcast 60 Songs That Explain the 90s. Need I say more? Come listen!
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Let's investigate! Author Kim Cross joins the podcast to talk her book In Light of All Darkness: Inside the Polly Klaas Kidnapping and the Search for America's Child. Come listen!
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Welcome to the jungle! Author William Carlsen joins the podcast to talk his book Jungle of Stone: The Extraordinary Journey of John L. Stephens and Frederick Catherwood, and the Discovery of the Lost Civilization of the Maya. It's a lot of fun. Come listen!
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Let's stand at attention! U.S. Army Colonel (and professor at my alma mater) Seanegan Sculley joins the podcast to discuss his book Contest for Liberty: Military Leadership in the Continental Army, 1775-1783. I promise I did not get hazed during this interview. Come listen!
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Let's dip into the archives! We wanted to give you a present this holiday season so here's the first one. Author Ed Lengel joins us to talk his amazing book, Never in Finer Company: The Men of the Great War's Lost Battalion. Come listen!
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Let's get cold! Author Gregory Wallance joins the podcast to talk his book Into Siberia: George Kennan's Epic Journey Through the Brutal, Frozen Heart of Russia. Come listen!
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Let's keep time! Watchmaker and author Rebecca Struthers joins the podcast to talk her book Hands of Time: A Watchmaker's History. We also talk about watchmaking and jolly old England. Come listen!
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Let's ship out! Author Steven Ujifusa joins the podcast to talk his new book The Last Ships from Hamburg: Business, Rivalry, and the Race to Save Russia's Jews on the Eve of World War I.
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Let's bring'em home! Authors Taylor Baldwin Kiland and Judy Silverstein Gray join the podcast to talk their book Unwavering: The Wives Who Fought to Ensure No Man is Left Behind. Come listen!
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Let's get dirty! Jessica Cale from the Dirty Sexy History podcast joins me to chat about her extensive history background, the amazing podcast name, and much more! Come listen!
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Let's get exiled! Author Scott Eyman joins me to talk his new book, Charlie Chaplin vs. America: When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided. We talk Hollywood, celebrity, and one of the most complex actors of all time. Come listen!
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Let's give it two thumbs up! Screencrush's Editor in Chief Matt Singer joins the podcast to discuss his new book Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel and Ebert Changed Movies Forever. Need I say more? Come listen!
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Let's take cover! Author Matthew Davenport joins the podcast to talk his new book The Longest Minute: The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. We talk five-star lawyers, the next Big One, and why location is so important. Come listen!
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Let's set an ambush! New York Times Senior Editor and Author Mark Bulik joins us to talk his book Ambush at Central Park: When the IRA Came to New York. This story is insane. Come listen!
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Let's road trip! Author Bob Thompson joins us to talk his book Revolutionary Roads: Searching for the War That Made America Independent...and All the Places It Could Have Gone Terribly Wrong from Twelve Books. Nerding out on the American Revolution is my favorite. Come listen!
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Let's start a newspaper war! Author Darrell Hartman joins the podcast to talk his book Battle of Ink and Ice: A Sensational Story of News Barons, North Pole Explorers, and the Making of Modern Media. We talk about the things you have to do in Maine and how fake news is not a new idea. Come listen!
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Let's take a trip on the Underground Railroad! Pulitzer Prize winner Scott Shane joins me to discuss his new book, Flee North: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery's Borderland. We discuss old Baltimore and some of the most amazing letters to the editor of all time. Come listen!
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Let's take on fake news! Former AP Bureau Chief for Mexico and Central America Katherine Corcoran joins me to discuss what makes for good journalism and how to spot the bad kind. Katherine is an amazing guest so come listen!
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Let's head up north! Author Amy Bell joins the podcast to talk her book Life Sentence: How My Father Defended Two Murderers and Lost Himself. We discuss family, Canada, mental health. Amy and the book are amazing. Come listen!
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Let's buy an island! Actor and Podcaster Chance Kelly joins me to discuss his podcast, Island, on the origins of Manhattan. We discuss Hollywood, New York accents, and why history is so cool. Chance is awesome. Come listen!
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Let's hit the trail! Former Park Ranger and author Andrea Lankford joins us to talk her book, Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail. We talk the life of a park ranger, trail etiquette, and how to stay safe out in the wilderness. She's amazing. Come listen!
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Let's get young again! Author Leah Redmond Chang joins us to talk her new book, Young Queens: Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power. We discuss one of the baddest, or maybe just most maligned, women in history and the other women in her orbit. I had so much fun. Come listen!
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Let's join up! CIA Military Analyst and author Lena Andrews joins the podcast to talk her book Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II. We talk about the book, but sorry, no CIA secrets. It's still a great interview. Come listen!
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Let's go to the bottom! Author Susan Casey joins me to talk her new book, The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean from Doubleday Books. We talk about the weird things you can see in the deep ocean, the Oceangate disaster, and why we probably shouldn't dig up the ocean floor. This is one of my favorites. Come listen!
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Let's raise the flag! Author Tom Holm joins the podcast to talk his new book, Ira Hayes: The Akimel O'odham Warrior, World War II, and the Price of Heroism. We talk World War, drinking, and PTSD. Come listen!
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Let's take a dip! Shark expert Greg Skomal and co-author Ret Talbot joins the podcast to talk their book, Chasing Shadows: My Life Tracking the Great White Shark. We discuss Jaws, shark tracking, and how life never turns out the way you think. These guys are great. Come listen!
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Let's get dangerous! War journalist and author Jane Ferguson joins us to talk her new memoir, No Ordinary Assignment. We talk about sneaking into dangerous places, accents, and how she is similar to Spider-Man. Come listen and I'll explain.
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Let's open a museum! Museum owner and author H.H. Leonards joins us to talk about her book, Beyond the Bus, about her friend and civil rights icon, Rosa Parks. We also talk about the Marines and extreme credit card debt. Come listen!
Visit the Mansion on O Street
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Let's talk fake news! Author Richard Goodrich joins us to talk his book Comet Madness: How the 1910 Return of Halley's Comet (Almost) Destroyed Civilization. We define "peripatetic" and discuss how a comet might kill us under the right circumstances.
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Lets' get dark!Mark Dawidziak joins the podcast to talk his book A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe. We also discuss Columbo, Mark Twain, and the Twilight Zone because why not? Come listen!
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Let's light it up! Vanity Fair Contributing Editor and Author Maureen Ryan joins the podcast to discuss her new (and bestselling already!) book Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. We discuss why Orlando Jones is the most stand up guy in Hollywood, why Spartacus has the best series finale in TV history, and how do we fix the industry. This is one of my all time favorites. Come listen!
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Let's talk about the stepkids! Author Cassandra Good joins the podcast to talk about her book, First Family: George Washington's Heirs and the Making of America. We discuss inheritance, how the apple can fall far from the tree, and the nature of family. This was a lot of fun. Come listen!
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Let's not lose our money! Author Emily Lynn Paulson joins us to talk about her new book, "Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing." Come listen and find out how to spot an MLM, why to avoid them at all cost, and what to do if someone you know has been sucked in. I love this episode and bet you will, too.
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Let's get crooked! TV host and author Nathan Masters joins us to talk his book, Crooked: The Roaring 20s Tale of a Corrupt Attorney General, a Crusading Senator, and the Birth of the American Political Scandal from Hachette Books. We talk about his show, Lost L.A., how often he surfs, and a little bit of noir. Come listen!
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The doctor is in! Author Prit Buttar joins the podcast to talk about his book, Meat Grinder: The Battles for the Rzhev Salient 1942-43. We talk about Prit's retirement from being a doctor, our shared love of The Last of Us, and why dogs are the best. Come listen!
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Let's get knowledgeable! Author Simon Winchester joins me to talk his new book, Knowing What We Know. We discuss the 4th of July, becoming an American citizen, and American TV vs. the BBC. This is one of my favorites chats. Come listen!
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Let's play ball! New York Yankees Analyst and Author Jack Curry joins me to talk his new book The 1998 Yankees. We chat about why this book is about more than baseball, New Jersey diners, and how David Cone is one half of the best bromance in baseball. Come listen!
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Let's mutiny! Author David Grann joins us to talk his new book, The Wager. We also chat about Hollywood adapting his books, whether we'd survive a shipwreck, and to mutiny or not to mutiny. Come listen!
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Let's ride! Author Tom Clavin joins me to talk his new book, Follow Me to Hell. We talk the Texas Rangers, writing with other authors, and writing good stories. Hurry up and listen before Tom puts out a new book and you fall behind!
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Let's talk about Vernon, or as you probably know him, David Koresh. Author Stephan Talty joins us to talk about his book, Koresh, from Mariner Books. We cover, religion, cults, and Irish Catholic upbringings. Stephan is one of my favorite authors and Koresh is one of the best books of 2023. So come listen!
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Let's get stranger than fiction! Author Reid Mitenbuler joins the podcast to talk his book, Wanderlust, about the Arctic explorer Peter Freuchen. We discuss a love of whiskey, a restless life, and the grossest escape story ever. You'll love it. Come listen!
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Let's bust some gangs! Author and Journalist Alan Prendergast joins us to talk his new book, Gangbuster. We also talk about the coolest places he has written for and how maybe some things in Denver need to be renamed. Come listen!
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Author and journalist Christine Kenneally joins me to talk about her new book, Ghosts of the Orphanage. We talk about how writing is in her blood, the shocking criteria for ending up in an orphanage, and how to keep yourself sane when investigating the worst of humanity. She's amazing. Come listen!
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Let's talk about the Emerald Isle! Author Alexander Poots joins me to discuss his new book, The Strangers' House. We chat about his favorite poets, what's Northern Ireland like now, and whether or not they'd let me in. Come listen!
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Let's talk Russia! Russia expert (among other things) and author Mark Galeotti joins us to talk his book, Putin's Wars, why the Ukraine War is going the way it is, and how much vodka is too much vodka. You're going to love it. Come listen!
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Let's save some temples! The Queen of World War II literature, Lynne Olson, joins the podcast to talk about her new book, Empress of the Nile. We talk about branching out from World War II writing and what's it like being complimented by government officials. Come listen!
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Let's confide! Author Christopher Gorham joins us to talk his new book, The Confidante. We talk about old high schools, World War II, and how Anna Rosenberg is kind of like Forrest Gump. Come listen!
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Let's solve a cold case! Reporter and author Lou Raguse joins me to discuss his new book, Vanished in Vermillion, the perfect broadcast voice, and how to handle yourself when things go bad during an interview. You're going to love it so come listen!
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Let's evacuate! Military historian and author Robert Kershaw joins us to talk his book Dunkirchen 1940 and his time in the British military. Come learn everything you never knew about the Miracle of Dunkirk.
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Let's prepare for war! Author Steve Kemper joins us to talk his book, Our Man in Tokyo. We also discuss how you say, "Louisville" so you never have to get corrected again. Come listen!
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Let's get cold! Friend of the pod, Buddy Levy, returns to talk his new book Empire of Ice & Stone. We discuss Buddy becoming a pandemic grandpa, being mocked by John Oliver, and opportunist expedition leaders. Come listen!
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Let's talk España! Author Giles Tremlett joins the podcast to talk his book on the history of Spain, where you should stop if you go on a trip, and how he adopted the country as his own. ¡Este libro es genial! Come listen!
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Let's investigate! Season 2 starts off with retired Toronto homicide detective, reporter, and author Steve Ryan. Steve talks about his new book, what Canada is like, and becoming the media after being a cop for so many years. This was an amazing interview. Come listen!
*Warning - this interview does explicitly discuss cases which involve murder and torture. Please listen with care.
Buy The Ghost That Haunt Me
Let's wrap it up! For the first time, we turn the mic around. Producer Mike and I get interviewed by an old friend on the great things that happened to us in Season 1. We also thank some wonderful people, mock each other gently, and talk about what's going to happen in Season 2.
Thank you for listening, and see you January 11, 2023 for Season 2 Episode 1!
Let's get traitorous! Author and Journalist Alexander Rose joins the podcast to talk about his accent, having his book turned into the acclaimed TV Show Turn, and his new book The Lion and the Fox. Come listen!
Buy The Lion and the Fox
Check out Alex's newest stuff on Substack
Check out Alex's website
Let's get resistant! Author and journalist Tom Dunkel joins us to talk his new book, White Knights in the Black Orchestra. We muse on the life and death of writing publications, what real life as a freelance journalist is like, and we discuss the Germans who tried to bring down Hitler from the inside. You'll love it. Come listen!
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Check out Tom's website
He’s back! James Kirby Martin returns to discuss Benedict Arnold, Jim’s book about him, and the documentary Benedict Arnold: A Hero Betrayed which is based on the book. We even supersized the episode for you. Come listen!
Check out Jim’s website:
https://jameskirbymartin.com/
Watch Benedict Arnold: A Hero Betrayed
Let's get scandalous! Author Sarah Horowitz joins the podcast to talk her new book, The Red Widow. We talk about her path to the book and what is the actual definition of a courtesan. We had so much fun. Come listen!
Buy The Red Widow
Check out Sarah's Website
Let's get revolutionary! Pulitzer Prize Winner Stacy Schiff joins the podcast to talk her new book, The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams. We talk about awkward Adams family dinners, if Stacy gets special treatment at restaurants, and whether or not we feel sympathy for colonial governors now and then. Come listen!
Buy The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams
Check out Stacy's website
Let's talk Mexico! Journalist and author Katherine Corcoran joins me to talk her new book, In the Mouth of the Wolf. Listen as Katherine talks about the heroic life and mysterious murder of Regina Martinez. She also gives out some very important travel info while talking about her love of Mexico. Come listen!
Buy In the Mouth of the Wolf
Let's get high on history! Laurel from the Hightailing Through History podcast joins me to talk about the joys (and agonies) of podcasting and how she roped her sister and co-host KT into it.
Check out the podcast
Check out their Instagram
I don't know how Kate Winkler Dawson finds time for all the things she does, but thank goodness she found the time to write All This is Wicked. Kate joins the podcast to talk her new book and how maybe possibly she can find some time for questionable TV (and she names names!). I had so much fun and you will, too. Come listen!
Check out Kate's website
Buy All That is Wicked
Listen to her podcasts
Let's get positive! Actress, singer, author, and nurse Nita Whitaker joins the podcast to talk her book about her father, When Your Hand is in the Lion's Mouth. We also talk about her singing career and what it's like being an actress on Grey's Anatomy when you are also a real life nurse. You're going to feel good listening to this. What are you waiting for?
Check out Nita's website
Buy When Your Hand is in the Lion's Mouth
Whether she is going by Abbott Kahler or Karen Abbott, she is a great interview. Abbott joins the podcast to let us know why her name changed, all about her upcoming works, and we dive into her previous (and amazing) books like The Ghosts of Eden Park. This was a lot of fun. Come listen!
Check out Abbott's website
Buy her books here
Let's get religious! Kind of! Pulitzer Prize winner David Kertzer joins the pod to discuss his new book, the Pope at War, what it's like to get into the Secret Vatican Archives, and just what is anthropology really. You'll love it, come listen!
Buy The Pope at War
Visit David's Website
He's back! James M. Scott returns to the podcast to talk his new book, Black Snow, and whether or not I am still invited for porch drinking. It's even better than the last one because I kinda know what I am doing now. Allegedly.
Check out James' website
Buy Black Snow
Take a trip to the golden era of air travel and workplace sexism! Nell McShane Wulfhart joins the podcast to talk about her book, The Great Stewardess Rebellion. We talk about not making any money as a travel journalist, where to get the best steak, and of course, ridiculous workplace dynamics. I loved it, you will, too.
Check out Nell's website
Buy The Great Stewardess Rebellion
This episode is insaaaaaaaaane! Journalist, author, and all around great guy Gary Weiss joins the podcast to talk about his new book, Retail Gangster, about the life of Crazy Eddie. Who is Crazy Eddie? Oh, let us tell you. You won't be disappointed.
Check out Gary's website
Buy Retail Gangster
I don't know where the incomparable Margalit Fox finds the time, but she does. She chats with me about her years at the New York Times, her books, and her forthcoming movie based on one of her books! We talk about how to write an obituary and if we could ever pull off a long con. Come listen!
Check out Margalit's website
Buy her books here
Let's talk old timey scandals! Author Bill Shaffer joins the podcast to talk his new book, the Scandalous Hamiltons. We talk about Bills' path to becoming an author and how the media loved a good story back then and still does today. Don't worry, we won't spoil the twists for you, but trust me, this thing is nuts. Come listen!
Buy The Scandalous Hamiltons
Let's time travel back to old New York City. Author John Wood Sweet joins the podcast to talk about his new book, The Sewing Girl's Tale. We also talk about John's own sewing skills and how you research a criminal case which took place hundreds of years ago.
*Warning to our listeners: The Sewing Girl's Tale is about a sexual assault and its aftermath. While we do not talk about the assault explicitly, we here at HNU want to make sure you are aware of the subject matter up front. We will be happy to have you back next episode if you need to skip this one.
Buy The Sewing Girl's Tale
Why have one podcaster when you can have two? TK from For the Love of History podcast joins me to talk about how she ended up in Japan, how she got into podcasting, what's the best part, and of course what's the worst part. We geek out. She is an amazing human. You're going to love this.
Listen to For the Love of History
Let's talk religion! Sure, you avoid the subject at family dinners to avoid a brawl, but author Steven T. Collis joins us to talk about his book, The Immortals, which tells the story of four chaplains from different religions who collectively made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II. We also talk a little bit about his newest book, Praying with the Enemy.
Check out Steven's website
Buy all his books here
Let's get medical! Author Paul Craddock joins the podcast to talk his new book, Spare Parts. It gets wonderfully weird and gross as we dive into the history of transplants, crackpot science, and the massive egos of medical pioneers.
Check out Paul's website
Buy Spare Parts
These aren't the fairy tales you remember! Author Nicholas Jubber joins the podcast to talk about his new book, The Fairy Tellers, his many travels around the world, and his favorite stories. It gets weird and I loved every minute of it.
Check out Nick's website
Buy The Fairy Tellers
Privateers, pirates, whales, hurricanes, and lighthouses are just a few of the things Eric Jay Dolin has written about. Eric tells me how he made it all happen, what you need to become an author yourself, and how Covid affected his latest book, Rebels at Sea.
Check out Eric's webpage
Buy any of his books here
Dinosaurs! Author and Paleontologist Riley Black joins the podcast to talk her new book The Last Days of the Dinosaurs, the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World film series, and how a big asteroid made it possible for us to exist. It's okay. I know I already had you at "dinosaur."
Check out Riley's website
Buy The Last Days of the Dinosaurs
The fantastic Keith Thomson joins us to talk pirates, hand grenade throwing, and how even I can still live out my baseball dreams. We talk about Keith's new book, Born to Be Hanged, which is one of the craziest pirate stories you've never heard.
Check out Keith's website
Buy Born to Be Hanged
The wonderful Shelley Puhak joins me to talk her new book, The Dark Queens, how I can improve my poetry, and what I would wear back in the Dark Ages. Yes, really. She was very patient with me.
Buy The Dark Queens!
Visit Shelley's website!
Pulitzer Prize winner Debby Applegate joins us to talk about her new book, Madam, her addiction to research, and the things she's learned along the way. We also talk about winning the Pulitzer for The Most Famous Man in America and, of course, trashy TV.
Check out her website: https://debby-applegate.com/
Buy Madam
Buy The Most Famous Man in America
You know James Kirby Martin when he came on the podcast to talk about his novel, Surviving Dresden. Well, Russia invaded Ukraine and Jim had feelings he wanted to talk about. I did, too and the result is this special episode for you, nerds! We hope you enjoy it, and more importantly, we hope Ukraine keeps up the fight.
Check out his website: https://jameskirbymartin.com/
Buy Surviving Dresden
This episode is with author Catherine Grace Katz to talk about her book, The Daughters of Yalta. We also talk time management, baseball, 80s John Hughes movies, and whether or not I can play Joseph Stalin in a movie.
Check out her website: https://www.catherinegracekatz.com/
Buy Daughters of Yalta
This episode is with PEN New England and Truman Capote award winner Kevin Birmingham to talk about his newest book, The Sinner and the Saint. We also talk with Kevin about his previous book, The Most Dangerous Book and we even get into his thoughts on how colleges run their graduate programs.
Check out his website: http://www.kevinbirmingham.net/
Buy The Sinner and the Saint and The Most Dangerous Book
Another special episode for you, nerds! Dr. James Kirby Martin joins me to talk about his new book, Surviving Dresden. He talks about how the idea started, the Hollywood machine, and we do some dream casting for the inevitable miniseries.
Check out his website: https://jameskirbymartin.com/
Buy Surviving Dresden
Two for one episode for you, nerds! Husband and wife team Matthew and Tobey Pearl join the podcast to discuss mansplaining, how to balance being an author and parent, and their new books (Tobey - Terror to the Wicked and Matthew - The Taking of Jemima Boone)!
Make sure to check out their websites:
Tobey - https://www.tobeypearl.com/
Matthew - http://www.matthewpearl.com/
Don't forget to buy their books too. Use the links below to get a great read and support the podcast. Thanks in advance, nerds!
Terror to the Wicked
The Taking of Jemima Boone
Pulitzer Prize finalist and author James M. Scott joins the podcast to talk about Rampage, his book on the World War II Battle of Manila . James explains his writing process, where he gets his ideas, the challenge in getting children to pay attention to history, and how to make the perfect gin and tonic. Hint: the secret is in his yard.
Make sure to check James out on his website: http://jamesmscott.com/.
Don't forget to buy his books too. Use the links below to get a great read and support the podcast. Thanks in advance, nerds!
Rampage: MacArthur, Yamashita, and the Battle of Manila
Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor
The Attack on the Liberty: The Untold Story of Israel's Deadly 1967 Assault on a U.S. Spy Ship
The War Below: The Story of Three Submarines That Battled Japan
The Prankmaster General is in the house! In preparation for the upcoming Army/Navy football game, we welcome the king of Army/Navy pranks to the podcast. Mike talks about his path to being famous (infamous?) among military academy alumni, his rules for pranking, and which are his favorites.
Bestselling author Buddy Levy joins the podcast to talk about how he balances being an author while also being a college professor, TV host, and anything else that pops up. We talk about his books Labyrinth of Ice, Conquistador, and River of Darkness. We also delve into quarantine TV watching!
Make sure to subscribe and also check out Buddy's website at https://www.buddylevy.com/index.html.
Don't forget to buy his books too. Use the links below to get a great read and support the podcast. Thanks in advance, nerds!
Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition
Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs
American Legend: The Real-Life Adventures of David Crockett
River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana and the Deadly First Voyage through the Amazon
No Barriers: A Blind Man's Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon
New York Times bestselling writer Kate Moorejoins the podcast to talk about her life as a writer, editor, and about 100 other things she somehow finds time for. We focus on her two non-fiction releases, The Radium Girls and The Woman They Could Not Silence.
Make sure to subscribe and check out Kate's website at https://www.kate-moore.com.
Don't forget to buy her books too. Use the links below to get a great read and support the podcast. Thanks in advance, nerds!
The Radium Girls
The Woman They Could Not Silence
