15-Minute History

Join us for the second part of our Interviews with Heroes. In this episode, we speak with an ICU/Trauma Nurse and Advanced EMT. Note: Some of the content in these interviews is graphic. Listener discretion is advised.

• 0:40 ICU Trauma Nurse
• 29:04 Advanced EMT

We close out this season with a two-part episode with interviews that highlight those who voluntarily go into professions we naturally take for granted – until we need them. Some of these professions are dangerous. Others are gross, uncomfortable, and thankless. None of these people have YouTube channels or millions of followers. They are gritty, graphic, and authentic. Those that choose such careers are a different breed of person, and as we end the season, we want you to hear from them, listen to their stories, and understand that no matter where you are, you are surrounded by heroes every day.

Season 7 of the 15-Minute History podcast will begin in October 2023.

We close out this season with a two-part episode with interviews that highlight those who voluntarily go into professions we naturally take for granted – until we need them. Some of these professions are dangerous. Others are gross, uncomfortable, and thankless. None of these people have YouTube channels or millions of followers. They are gritty, graphic, and authentic. Those that choose such careers are a different breed of person, and as we end the season, we want you to hear from them, listen to their stories, and understand that no matter where you are, you are surrounded by heroes every day.

Part Two will be live next Monday, July 17.

Join us in this exciting discussion as we walk through the life of General George Patton, his leadership, heroism, and his effect on the world we know today.

The dull hum of aircraft filled the morning air. German soldiers looked up from the French town of St. Lô, expecting to see a few enemy fighters bearing down on them. Their hearts froze in their chests as nearly a thousand bombers emerged from the clouds. They had heard of the devastation wrought by their enemy on the Fatherland’s cities, but St. Lô was only a tiny provincial settlement far from the Paris metropolis. In minutes, their world was aflame as Allied bombs exploded around them and tore flesh and metal apart in equal measure. The panzer division holding St. Lô was nearly annihilated in the first of three waves, and little was left as the sun reached its noon height. Then, the survivors heard engines approaching from the north and east in the direction of the Normandy beaches. Tanks and half-tracks bearing white stars swarmed through the town, finishing off the defenders and ripping open the Nazi left flank that had held the Allies back for over a month.

The Third United States Army is one of the best-known units of the Second World War. From the opening move on St. Lô in August 1944 to the war’s end nine months later, it liberated an area of Nazi-occupied Europe roughly the size of Afghanistan. Its soldiers were the best-trained men in the US Army, its officers and NCOs among the most professional in American military history, and its record of battle remains unsurpassed in enemy casualties inflicted and land covered. Most of the credit is due, of course, to the soldiers in tanks and trucks, but even the proudest of these would point to their commander as the man who made the Third Army such a terrifying weapon of war: General George S. Patton, Jr.

Join us for this special, double-length episode of 15-Minute History as we teach you about General George Patton, his life, leadership, heroism, and his effect on the world we know today.

World War 1 had lasting consequences that can be seen in the world we know today. Join us as we discuss one part of that great conflict, the Arab Revolt, and the work of Thomas Edward Lawrence, who is known today as Lawrence of Arabia.

The riders sat on their mounts, horses and camels, and gazed across the desert toward the shimmering sea and a small village on its shore. An old fortress dominated what passed for a skyline, the only building that stood more than two stories above the ground. Clusters of palm trees waved in the hot, dry wind, and the soldiers could see knots of people moving about in the town's plaza. No enemy troops were visible and no defenses prepared. The long journey across the desert toward their target had yielded a strategic surprise. Fifty men on horseback stayed in place, while the larger group of four hundred men riding camels began to move left and right. The soldiers on foot rested, knowing they would soon have to run across rocky ground to keep up with the cavalry. Two men had planned this attack; one would lead the horsemen straight toward the target while the other rode his camel around to hit the flanks. With only a nod from their leader, the men charged toward the town of Aqaba. Most students of the First World War know of the great campaigns by mighty armies on the Western and Eastern fronts. Some know of smaller battles fought in Italy, Greece, and on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. But few—apart from some movie buffs—know the story of the Great Arab Revolt of 1916-18 that brought down an empire that had lasted for over six centuries and gave us the modern Middle East with all its glories and terrors. The revolt was a minor affair in the minds of generals in London, Paris, Berlin, and Constantinople, and its impact on the overall course of the Great War was small. But it produced some of the greatest heroes of that war, men whose deeds shaped the future course of millions of lives around the world.

Join us as we teach you about the Arab Revolt and Thomas Edward Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia.

Join us as we discuss the coronation of King Charles III with famed British historian, Dr. Dominic Selwood. In this special discussion, Dr. Selwood explains the impact of the coronation, what the world can expect from the new king, and the effect such events have had on world history.

Dr. Dominic Selwood is a historian, journalist, and barrister. Most recently, he is a bestselling author of the critically-acclaimed, "Anatomy of a Nation: A History of British Identity in 50 Documents". In addition to being a bestselling author and novelist, he is a frequent contributor to national newspapers, radio, and TV including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator, The Catholic Herald, Sky News, and the BBC. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford and a master's from the Sorbonne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. He lives in London with his family.

Join us as we discuss the life and heroism of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in WW2.

On the morning of January 26th, Murphy and his men saw movement in the tree line ahead. As the morning fog cleared, over two hundred German infantrymen and six Mark VI Tiger Tanks appeared and began a counterattack.

I will stop here for a moment and give you an opportunity to take in this scene. First, consider eighteen men with two armored vehicles against two hundred infantry. Faced with just these odds, there is no strategic or tactical way Murphy’s men could hold the line. Second, add the armor. A single Tiger tank was near impossible to destroy by Allied armor. To put it in perspective, one Tiger Tank could take out more than twelve American Sherman tanks before being crippled enough to be put down. It fired an 88-millimeter shell, the most powerful of the German artillery, and could decimate an entire town without any support. Six of these advanced on Murphy and his eighteen men. Six. I don’t need to tell you the odds of the eighteen men winning against such a force, because there are no odds. It's zero. Listen now and join us in awe at what happened next. Remember…this is real history.

Join us as we teach you about the life and heroism of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in WW2.

Join us as we discuss Eisenhower's farewell address, the warnings he included, and the impact of what he got right.

The president sat at his desk in the Oval Office as technicians scurried about setting up lights and cameras. He looked down at the speech, his last to the nation he had served for almost a half-century, and his thoughts no doubt turned to the tumultuous events of his life. Two world wars, nations devastated and then reborn, and the constant menace of a new enemy armed with terrible weapons. But perhaps he also thought of the advancements he had witnessed: economic revival and a new standard of living, an unpopular war imperfectly ended, and a world still thriving despite the threat of atomic devastation. His long life was nearing its end, and America’s oldest president would soon hand power to the youngest ever elected. Change was upon the country, and its people deserved one last message from a man who had led it through many dangers. He took a breath and began to speak. “Good evening, my fellow Americans.”

Join us as we teach you about Eisenhower's farewell address, the warnings he included, and the impact of what he got right.

Join us as we discuss Sir Isaac Newton, his discoveries, his impact, and how he was a hero in natural philosophy.

The two men walked out the door and into the garden. The weather was warm, with the sun falling over the horizon, almost blinding them as it set. They talked and strolled to an apple tree and sitting beneath it, sipped their tea as they watched the tall grass move against the wind. One of the men turned to his friend and spoke.

“You know, I was just in the same situation not long ago, when the notion of gravitation came into my mind.

“I’m sure it weighed on you heavily,” said the man with a chuckle.

The other man merely smiled and looked out across the field in deep contemplation.

“It was occasioned by the fall of an apple,” he said finally. “And I wondered to myself, why should that apple always descend perpendicularly to the ground…?”

Join us as we teach you about Sir Isaac Newton, his discoveries, his impact, and how he was a hero in natural philosophy.

It’s Wednesday, October 26, 1881. The sun has begun its descent into the western sky, its light reflecting off the heat waves coming from the hot desert soil. Four men walk through the entrance to a corral. They have come to disarm five gunslingers who have openly broken the law and made threats against them. When they finally stop walking, the group of four stands six to ten feet away from the men they are there to apprehend. Few words are exchanged. The leader, Virgil Earp, commands the criminals to throw down their arms. Of the five, Ike Clanton and Billy Claiborne fled the scene. The remaining three draw their weapons. The four marshals draw theirs. Within thirty seconds, it’s over. As the smell of burnt powder and dust clears in the arid air, three outlaws are dead, three lawmen are wounded, and one stands coolly in the wake of the violent exchange. A close friend later in life quoted his demeanor, temperament, and lack of anxiety as, “a person whom I regarded as absolutely destitute of physical fear. His daring and apparent recklessness in time of danger is wholly characteristic.” This man was Wyatt Earp.

Join us in this redux episode as we teach you about Wyatt Earp, his demeanor, achievements, and what made him a man of legend. We will have an all-new episode next week.

Join us as we discuss the most decorated ship in the history of the US Navy, the USS Enterprise. 

The name “Enterprise” is not exclusive to fictional starships or the space shuttle; in fact, nineteen ships of the British Royal Navy and nine of the United States Navy have born the name (spelled either with an S or a Z). Undoubtedly, the most famous USS Enterprise is the World War Two-era aircraft carrier, which fought in more battles in the Pacific War than any other vessel, earned twenty battle stars, and is today the most decorated ship in American naval history. “The Big E,” (first of her many nicknames) was commissioned in May 1938 and attached to the Atlantic fleet for her first year of service. As tensions rose with Japan and the Navy Department realized the importance of aircraft carriers in the Pacific, the Enterprise was transferred to the Pacific Fleet and based first at San Diego and then at Pearl Harbor.

Join us as we teach you about the most decorated ship in the history of the US Navy, the USS Enterprise. We talk about her history, engagements, and why she was called, The Grey Ghost. When it comes to the United States Navy, names carry with them the legends of those ships which came before, and history will surely not forget the name Enterprise. 

Join us for our interview with the author, historian, and Emeritus Law Professor, Norman S. Poser about his book, "From the Battlefield to the Stage | The Many Lives of General John Burgoyne". In this special discussion, Professor Poser explains the origins of the book, discusses the character traits of General John Burgoyne, his many interests and assignments all over the world, and his impact on our world today (beyond the defeat at Saratoga). 

"Burgoyne is remembered today as the man who 'lost' America. His other roles - dashing cavalry colonel of the Seven Years War, satirical London playwright, reformer Member of Parliament, a gambler in the clubs on St. Jame's Street, conversationalist who graced London society for over thirty years - have been largely forgotten. A century after his death, George Bernard Shaw tried to correct the narrow legacy that history gave him. Recognizing Burgoyne's 'talent, artistic, satirical, rather histrionic, and his fastidious delicacy of sentiment, his fine spirit and humanity.' Shaw gave him...the nickname of 'Gentleman Johnny', which has stuck." - Norman S. Poser

Norman S. Poser's previous historical books are Lord Mansfield: Justice in the Age of Reason and The Birth of Modern Theater: Rivalry, Riots, and Romance in the Age of Garrick. An Emeritus Law Professor at Brooklyn Law Schook, he lives with his wife in New York. Before retiring and becoming a full-time author passionate about the Georgina era on both sides of the Atlantic, he was an internationally respected academic for many years. Prior to this, he was Chief of the Office of Regulation and an Assistant Director at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He was also a consultant to the World Bank in Central America, the Central Bank of Brazil, and the Ministry of Finance in India. He graduated Class of '49 at Harvard College, and from Harvard Law School in 1958. 

Join us as we discuss Horatio Nelson, his life, achievements, and why he is considered one of the greatest heroes in British (and world) history.

He was on the quarterdeck when he realized it. The smoke was thick between the two ships and it was hard to make any sense of the melee. His men pushed forward against the other crew as grenades and musket fire came from the masts. The sun was low on the horizon and the impending dark blended into a sea of undefined movement. The world was noise. One of the enemy sailors slashed at him. He parried the blow and drove the man’s sword into the deck of the ship. Turning the blade upward, he cut across the man’s gut and kicked him aside as he focused on the fight in front of him. The chaos slowed and his senses focused, giving him almost perfect clarity.

He immediately turned to his second in command and ordered them to keep engaging. He jumped onto the railing of his ship to bypass the hordes of men and ran across it before jumping back to his deck and going into his quarters. He burst into the main room and peered out the window to the other ship, gauged the distance, and then broke the windows of the cabin until all the shards were gone.

He backed up, took a deep breath, and ran to the window. Jumping through it, he crashed through the glass of the enemy’s captain’s quarters. Immediately after hitting the carpet, he did a forward roll, sprang to his feet, and surveyed the room. After a moment, he saw the other man standing in the corner, his eyes wide, his sword drawn.

He drew his own sword and pointed the tip at the man in the corner.

“You sir, are a coward.”

Not another word was spoken. And when he left the cabin and entered into the wider battle, he left nothing behind.

Join us as we teach you about Horatio Nelson, his life, achievements, and why he is considered one of the greatest heroes in British (and world) history.

Join us as we discuss the German resistance against Hitler, the bravery of those who gave everything to stop him and the Nazis, and the relentless push against the evil perpetrated by both.

The factory worker's back ached as he sat with his wife and daughter eating a meager breakfast. No enemy raids last night, so the family had actually slept well. His son entered the kitchen with the morning's mail in his small hands. His father took the stack from his boy, passed a letter to his wife from her mother—God protect her, he thought—and then opened the first envelope. His eyes widened as he read the words and then flickered to the door; he half expected Gestapo agents to burst through it. "Nothing is so unworthy of a civilized nation as allowing itself to be ‘governed’ by an irresponsible clique that has yielded to base instinct. It is certain that today every honest German is ashamed of his government." The man folded the paper and put it back in the envelope, then tucked it into his waistcoat pocket. But that night, in a candlelit cellar, he read every word. It spoke of German history, of morality and ethics, and cursed the Führer's regime to the hell from which it had emerged. His eyes were wet with tears as he read its final words, lines of poetry from the great German writer Goethe: "Now I find my good men | Are gathered in the night, | To wait in silence, not to sleep. | And the glorious word of liberty, they whisper and murmur, | Till in unaccustomed strangeness, | On the steps of our temple | Once again they cry in delight | Freedom! Freedom!"

Join us as we teach you about the German resistance against Hitler, the bravery of those who gave everything to stop him and the Nazis, and the relentless push against the evil perpetrated by both. 

Join us as we discuss the good and bad movies from the episode, What to Watch | History in Movies, Part III.

Back by popular demand - mostly Jon’s - is our “What to Watch” in historical movies series. This time, Joe got to review the good ones, while Jon suffered through the bad ones. The team also recorded this one together, so expect some words of affirmation, and maybe, disgust.

Join us as we discuss (with two very special guests) St. Nicolas, who he was in history, and how we became the jolly Saint we see depicted everywhere throughout the holiday season. Let us know if you would like our two special guests to return!

As the holidays approach and young children start writing their letters (or sending emails, tweets, and Tik Toks) to Santa, we here at 15-Minute History thought it would be fun to look back at the man who inspired generations to give gifts to friends and loved ones each Christmas. Parents, don't worry if you're listening to this with the kids--there won't be any spoilers. 

Join us as we teach you about St. Nicolas, who he was in history, and how we became the jolly Saint we see depicted everywhere throughout the holiday season. 

Join us as we discuss the history of social media, the reason for its popularity, and some ways to use social to influence the word around us in a positive way. 

In this REDUX episode from our first season, we show you the history of social media from its inception to today, the reason for its popularity, and its possible impact on our society today.  

The first attempt at what would later be defined as “social media” took place in the fall of 1969. The United States military was conducting tests using the first proto-internet, called ARPANET, which was used to create connections between computer stations. This pre-internet attempt spawned the famous communication – or lack of communication – which occurred in October of 1969 from the campus of UCLA. An attempt was made to send the word Login between two computers on campus, but a computer crash resulted in the letters LO being received. This first miscommunication did not stop the developers from continuing their work and successfully sending the message a month later. This achievement, both the failed communication and the successful one, would have a lasting effect on social media, whether those developers intended it or not.

Join us as we discuss Fredrick Douglas, his early life, his escape to freedom, and his profound effect on ending slavery in the United States.

"I once knew a little boy whose mother and father died when he was six years old. He was a slave and had no one to care for him. He slept on a dirt floor in a hovel, and in cold weather would crawl into a meal bag head foremost and leave his feet in the ashes to keep them warm. Often he would roast an ear of corn and eat it to satisfy his hunger, and many times has he crawled under the barn or stable and secured eggs, which he would roast in the fire and eat.

That boy did not wear pants like you do, but a tow linen shirt. Schools were unknown to him, and he learned to spell from an old Webster's spelling-book and to read and write from posters on cellar and barn doors, while boys and men would help him. He would then preach and speak, and soon became well known. He became Presidential Elector, United States Marshal, United States Recorder, United States diplomat, and accumulated some wealth. He wore broadcloth and didn't have to divide crumbs with the dogs under the table. That boy was Frederick Douglas."

Join us as we teach you about Fredrick Douglas, his early life, his escape to freedom, and his profound effect on ending slavery in the United States.     

Join us as we discuss the history of civil rights in America through the bench of the Supreme Court, the lasting effect of Brown vs. Board of Education, and how such rulings have shaped our society today.

In early 1865, the Union and Confederate armies were locked in mortal combat around the city of Petersburg, VA, and in the humid forests of Georgia. The American Civil War's end was near, and the Lincoln Administration now faced the question of how to restore the Union and end slavery once and for all. The legal framework for equality between the races came with the passage of the three anti-slavery amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and each Confederate state would have to ratify them before they could rejoin the Union. Abraham Lincoln's message to the American people in his second inaugural address was clear: "With malice toward none, with charity toward all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

Join us in this redux episode as we share the history of civil rights in America through the bench of the Supreme Court, the lasting effect of Brown vs. Board of Education, and how such rulings have shaped our society today. 

Join us as we discuss heroism through the eyes of J.R.R. Tolkien, how he incorporated heroism into stories, and how history influenced his view of heroes in fiction and real life. Listen also as we answer your questions about Tolkien, his writing, his influences, and the Rings of Power. 

Familiar to millions as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien believed that myths used stories of heroes to inspire generations of readers. He began his writing career with a children’s book, and when his publisher asked for a sequel, Tolkien had to give it some thought. For much of his life, he had lamented the fact that much of English mythology had been destroyed by invading armies or imported from abroad. (For example, the most famous English myth, that of King Arthur, was a blend of Scottish and French stories.) On putting pen to paper for the first time on his magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien began to craft an alternate mythology for his homeland that would tell heroic tales that, he believed, were lacking in modern Britain.

Join us as we teach you about heroism through the eyes of J.R.R. Tolkien, how he incorporated heroism into stories, and how history influenced his view of heroes in fiction and real life. 

Join us as we discuss the three short stories of heroes and learn what you can expect this season as we show you the people, places, and events in history that have contributed to the good we see in our world today. 

Welcome to season six of 15-Minute History! Listen as we tell you three short stories of heroes. This season is about the people, places, and events in history that have contributed to the good we see in our world today. It is about showing the progression of the lives of those who came before and gaining insight into their motivations for taking action for the good of us all. It is about those who became a light in the dark, those who felt fear but still acted, and those who pushed past the confines of the moment to do that which we can take strength from today. It is about the person who might seem particularly ordinary, who, put into a situation where conviction trumps convenience, decides that action takes priority over words.

This season is about heroes. 

We are pleased and excited to welcome back Dr. Dominic Selwood to discuss the passing of Queen Elizabeth, her legacy, and the probable changes to the monarchy as a result. Dr. Selwood also provides historical context for the ceremony, the coming coronation of King Charles III, and explains the true power of the crown in Great Britain. We hope you enjoy every moment as Dr. Selwood provides his authoritative take on this monumental current event. 

Read more about British history through Dr. Selwood's new book, "Anatomy of a Nation:  A History of British Identity in 50 Documents", where he conducts a lively study of, and musings around, 50 documents – spanning 950,000 years of British history – which reads almost like a thriller as we follow the twists and turns of the country’s tumultuous fate. "Anatomy of a Nation" is available wherever books are sold. 

Dominic Selwood is a historian, journalist and barrister. He is a bestselling author and novelist, and a frequent contributor to national newspapers, radio and TV including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator, The Catholic Herald, Sky News, and the BBC. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford and a masters from the Sorbonne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. He lives in London with his family. 

In this redux episode, we detail the rich history of the English royal family, the House of Windsor.

The 15-Minute History team remembers Queen Elizabeth II. 

Join us for part two of our interview with Ray Boomhower about his book, Richard Tregaskis: Reporting under Fire from Guadalcanal to Vietnam. In this special discussion, Mr. Boomhower explains why Tregaskis felt compelled to go to the front, the reasons he felt the burden to tell the story of the soldier in combat, how he saw reporting change during Korea and Vietnam, and more.

Ray E. Boomhower is a senior editor at the Indiana Historical Society Press, where he edits the popular history magazine Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History. A former newspaper reporter, Boomhower has written extensively on World War II media history, including biographies of such noted war correspondents as Scripps-Howard columnist Ernie Pyle and Time magazine reporter Robert L. Sherrod. Boomhower has also published biographies of fighter ace Alex Vraciu, war photographer John A. Bushemi, Mercury astronaut Gus Grissom, long-form journalist, and political speechwriter John Bartlow Martin. Richard Tregaskis: Reporting under Fire from Guadalcanal to Vietnam is available wherever books are sold.

Join us for part one of our interview with Ray Boomhower about his book, Richard Tregaskis: Reporting under Fire from Guadalcanal to Vietnam. In this special discussion, Mr. Boomhower explains why Tregaskis is considered one of the bravest war correspondents of all time, what compelled him to take the dangerous assignments, breaks down what drove him to go back to the front lines after being severely injured, and more. 

Ray E. Boomhower is a senior editor at the Indiana Historical Society Press, where he edits the popular history magazine Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History. A former newspaper reporter, Boomhower has written extensively on World War II media history, including biographies of such noted war correspondents as Scripps-Howard columnist Ernie Pyle and Time magazine reporter Robert L. Sherrod. Boomhower has also published biographies of fighter ace Alex Vraciu, war photographer John A. Bushemi, Mercury astronaut Gus Grissom, long-form journalist, and political speechwriter John Bartlow Martin. Richard Tregaskis: Reporting under Fire from Guadalcanal to Vietnam is available wherever books are sold. 

Join us for part two of our interview with James Philips to discuss his book, Two Revolutions and the Constitution | How the English and American Revolutions Produced the American Constitution. In this discussion, we talk about taxation without representation, what it means to put principles ahead of prosperity, the Articles of Confederation...and more.

James D.R. Philips studied at the Universities of Oxford and Sydney and holds degrees in liberal arts and in law. He has been a successful mergers and acquisitions attorney for more than thirty years and is a visiting lecturer at the University of Sydney's Law School. He held leadership positions at two law firms and is now a non-executive director of several organizations, including a leading Australian public-policy-research institute. Philips first read the American Constitution in school and began reading about the English revolutionary and American colonial periods in 2005.

Join us for part one of our interview with James Philips to discuss his book, Two Revolutions and the Constitution | How the English and American Revolutions Produced the American Constitution. In this special discussion, we talk about the origins of the book, the links between the US and British constitutions, the power of personality within history...and more.

James D.R. Philips studied at the Universities of Oxford and Sydney and holds degrees in liberal arts and in law. He has been a successful mergers and acquisitions attorney for more than thirty years and is a visiting lecturer at the University of Sydney's Law School. He held leadership positions at two law firms and is now a non-executive director of several organizations, including a leading Australian public-policy-research institute. Philips first read the American Constitution in school and began reading about the English revolutionary and American colonial periods in 2005.

Join us for part two of our interview with the eminent British historian, Dr. Dominic Selwood about his book, Anatomy of a Nation: A History of British Identity in 50 Documents. In this special discussion, Dr. Selwood continues explaining specific historical moments in British history, the importance of not looking for the simple answer to complex problems (historical and current), and tells us why everyone should be a student of history. 

Dr. Dominic Selwood is a historian, journalist, and barrister. He is a bestselling author and novelist, and a frequent contributor to national newspapers, radio, and TV including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator, The Catholic Herald, Sky News, and the BBC. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford and a masters from the Sorbonne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. He lives in London with his family. https://www.dominicselwood.com/ Twitter: @DominicSelwood.

Join us for part one of our interview with the eminent British historian, Dr. Dominic Selwood about his book, Anatomy of a Nation: A History of British Identity in 50 Documents. In this special discussion, Dr. Selwood explains the origins of the book, the power of story in history, and answers some of our questions about the different documents he covers. 

Dr. Dominic Selwood is a historian, journalist, and barrister. He is a bestselling author and novelist, and a frequent contributor to national newspapers, radio, and TV including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator, The Catholic Herald, Sky News, and the BBC. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford and a masters from the Sorbonne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. He lives in London with his family. https://www.dominicselwood.com/ Twitter: @DominicSelwood. 

Join us for our final episode of Season Five as we discuss the questions we missed, share some very exciting news, and gear up for interviews and special episodes during the summer. We will being our sixth season on Monday, September 5. 

Join us as we discuss Jack London, his life, his adventures, and his writings.

"Then the man drowsed off into what seemed to him the most comfortable and satisfying sleep he had ever known. The dog sat facing him and waiting. The brief day drew to a close in a long, slow twilight. There were no signs of a fire to be made, and, besides, never in the dog's experience had it known a man to sit like that in the snow and make no fire. As the twilight drew on, it’s eager yearning for the fire mastered it, and with a great lifting and shifting of forefeet, it whined softly, then flattened its ears down in anticipation of being chidden by the man. But the man remained silent. Later the dog whined loudly. And still, later it crept close to the man and caught the scent of death. This made the animal bristle and back away. A little longer it delayed, howling under the stars that leaped and danced and shone brightly in the cold sky. Then it turned and trotted up the trail in the direction of the camp it knew, where were the other food providers and fire providers." (an excerpt from, To Build a Fire)

Join us as we teach you about Jack London, his life, his adventures, and his writings. 

Join us as we discuss Gene Roddenberry, his life, his influence on science fiction and pop culture, Star Trek, and his vision for humanity.

Eugene Wesley Roddenberry was a legend of Hollywood in his day. He grew up reading science fiction serials and adventure novels like C.S. Forester’s “Horatio Hornblower,” and they inspired him to become a writer. After a career in the US Army Air Force, as a commercial pilot, and as a Los Angeles police officer, he started writing television scripts and shopping them around Hollywood. His antics in the office and in his personal life earned him respect and disdain in equal measure, and his stories reflected both the events of his life and the beliefs he held. The tales he told showed audiences a vision of humanity that was beyond greed, beyond war, beyond poverty, and largely beyond our reach even today.

Join us as we teach you about Gene Roddenberry, his life, his influence on science fiction and pop culture, and his vision for humanity.