American History Hotline

Twenty-five years after 9/11, America is once again at war in the Middle East. So what—if anything—have we learned? This week on American History Hotline, Bob Crawford talks with Peter Bergen, one of the country's leading experts on Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda and America's post-9/11 wars. Bergen is the New York Times bestselling author of Manhunt and the new book All the President's Wars: Twenty-Five Years of America's War on Terror. Bergen takes us inside the warning signs before September 11, recalls interviewing Osama bin Laden years before the attacks, and explains why he knew almost immediately who was responsible when the second plane struck the World Trade Center. Then we follow the consequences: bin Laden's escape from Tora Bora, the decision to invade Iraq, the rise of ISIS, and the expanding power of American presidents to wage war. Finally, Bergen asks what those lessons can tell us about the latest U.S. war with Iran. After 25 years of the War on Terror, has America gotten better at deciding when—and how—to go to war? Have a question about American history? Visit AmericanHistoryHotline.com to send us a voice memo or video, and your question could be featured on a future episode.

President Donald Trump recently released his own ranking of America's presidents—placing himself at the top while labeling figures such as Barack Obama and Ulysses S. Grant failures. But how does his list hold up to history? Presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky joins Bob Crawford to examine Trump's rankings, identify their biggest surprises and omissions, and reveal her own five greatest presidents. She explains why George Washington and Abraham Lincoln belong at the top, why Grant deserves a historical reassessment and why John F. Kennedy may be overrated. Bob and Lindsay also explore the complicated legacies of Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon. Plus, Lindsay explains why historians may need at least 30 years—and access to a president's classified records—before they can fairly assess a presidency. Did Trump get any of his rankings right? And who would make your list of America's best and worst presidents? Lindsay Chervinsky is a presidential historian, executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library and author of "Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic." She also appears in the Netflix documentary series "The American Experiment." Have a question about American history? Send a voice memo, video or email to [email protected] or visit AmericanHistoryHotline.com Your question could inspire a future episode.

Why does the United States use the Electoral College instead of a national popular vote? Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me! Or, actually, DO tell me.  To get answers, Bob calls up Peter Sagal, longtime host of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! and host of the PBS series Constitution USA, to unpack what some have called "America's Worst Idea."   Where did the Electoral College come from? Why did the Founding Fathers create it? How did slavery, the Three-Fifths Clause, and the political compromises of the Constitutional Convention shape the system we still use today? And why can't we get rid of it?  Peter traces the surprising history of the Electoral College from 1787 to the present day, explaining how presidential elections work, why swing states receive so much attention, and why the Electoral College remains one of the most controversial institutions in American politics. Guest: Peter Sagal  

The history of the Army Rangers isn't one continuous story, it's a cycle of creation, disbandment, and revival that stretches back before the United States even existed. In this episode of Bob calls up Brian Halstead, President of the U.S. Army Ranger Association, about the remarkable history of the Rangers. Together they trace their evolution from frontier scouts during the French and Indian War to George Washington's reconnaissance units, the Civil War, World War II's legendary D-Day assault at Pointe du Hoc, and the creation of today's 75th Ranger Regiment. Along the way, you'll discover: • Why the Rangers were repeatedly shut down after America's wars • The surprising connection between Robert Rogers, frontier warfare, and modern special operations • Whether Abraham Lincoln really served as an Army Ranger • How Native American fighting tactics influenced Ranger doctrine • Why the Rangers became one of America's premier special operations forces • The origin of the famous motto: "Rangers Lead the Way." Have an American history question you'd like answered? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline.com and it could become a future episode.  

How did the Cold War really end? Most Americans know about the Berlin Wall and the fall of the Soviet Union—but few know about the extraordinary meeting that helped make it all possible. On this episode of American History Hotline, host Bob Crawford speaks with filmmaker Michael Russell Gunn, writer and director of The Brink of War, about the dramatic 1986 Reykjavik Summit between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Together, they explore how two longtime rivals came closer than ever to eliminating nuclear weapons, why one word nearly derailed the negotiations, and how this little-known diplomatic breakthrough helped bring the Cold War to an end. Along the way, Michael shares behind-the-scenes stories from making the film, including filming in the actual room where history was made and using newly declassified transcripts to recreate the conversations. You'll learn: Why the Reykjavik Summit became a turning point in the Cold War How Reagan and Gorbachev built trust despite decades of hostility The true story behind Reagan's famous phrase, "Trust, but verify" How close the world came to eliminating nuclear weapons Why these events still matter in today's world Whether you're fascinated by Cold War history, Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, diplomacy, nuclear weapons, or untold stories from American history, this episode brings one of history's most important—and least understood—moments to life. Guest: Michael Russell Gunn, writer and director of The Brink of War American History Hotline is the podcast where your questions about American history are answered by leading historians, authors, filmmakers, and experts—all with a fun, entertaining, and educational approach.

Guns, germs and steel. Emphasis on GERMS. When Europeans arrived in the Americas, they brought all sorts of diseases!   A listener asks: Why did diseases like smallpox devastate Native American populations but not European colonists? Was it simply a lack of immunity, or is the story more complicated? To get answers, Bob calls up bestselling author and journalist Charles C. Mann, author of 1491 and 1493, to explore one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—chapters in American history. Together they discuss: • What North America looked like before Columbus • Why Native societies were far larger and more sophisticated than many people realize • How diseases such as smallpox, malaria, and yellow fever spread across the Americas • The role of immunity, genetics, and prior exposure • The Great Dying in New England before the Pilgrims arrived • How epidemics shaped the fall of the Aztec and Inca empires • The connection between disease and the transatlantic slave trade • Why historians estimate that Indigenous populations declined dramatically after European contact This fascinating conversation reveals how microbes became one of the most powerful forces in American history—and why understanding disease helps us better understand colonization, survival, and the world we live in today. Guest: Charles C. Mann, author of 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus and 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created

Who knows? Not me. Why wasn't Kyoto destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II? Rumor has it, the Secretary of War at the time, Henry Stimson, had fallen in love with the city during his honeymoon years earlier. But is this a STORY or REALITY?   To get some answers, Bob calls up historian Alex Wellerstein.  Was Kyoto spared because of military strategy? Political calculations? Or the personal intervention of Stimson? And if Kyoto was spared, which city took its place?  It's a fascinating story about war, power, culture, and one of the most consequential decisions in American history. Guest: Alex Wellerstein, historian of science at Stevens Institute of Technology and author of The Most Awful Responsibility: Truman and the Secret Struggle for the Atomic Age.

In Part 2 of our Amelia Earhart series, Bob examines one of the most controversial and fascinating theories surrounding aviation's greatest mystery. Last week, former Smithsonian curator Dorothy Cochrane argued that Amelia Earhart likely crashed into the Pacific Ocean after failing to locate tiny Howland Island. This week, Earhart expert Ric Gillespie, shares his theory.  Drawing on decades of research, radio logs, navigation records, and expeditions to the remote Pacific island of Nikumaroro, he argues that Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan may have successfully landed after becoming lost—and that Earhart may have survived for weeks as a castaway. In this episode: • The communication failures that doomed the flight • Why Earhart may never have found Howland Island • The mysterious radio signals reported after her disappearance • Evidence linking Earhart to Nikumaroro Island • Why researchers still debate what happened in July 1937 Nearly ninety years later, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart remains one of history's most enduring mysteries. Could the answer have been hiding in plain sight all along? Listen now and decide for yourself.

Are we close to finding out what happened to Amelia Earhart? Some experts say "yes!"  Nearly 90 years after her disappearance, researchers believe they are are getting closer to solving one of the world's greatest mysteries. But, what do they think happened?  In Part 1 of this special two-part episode, Bob calls up aviation historian Dorothy Cochrane to explore the remarkable life and career of Amelia Earhart before her disappearance in 1937. How did Earhart become the most famous female aviator in the world? What made her transatlantic flights so groundbreaking? And how did her ambitious attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world set the stage for one of history's biggest mysteries? Dorothy takes us through Earhart's rise to fame, her record-breaking flights, her partnership with navigator Fred Noonan, and the challenges of planning a round-the-world journey in the early days of aviation. We'll also hear what Dorothy thinks happened to Earhart ... and why we haven't found the truth yet.  In this episode: • How Amelia Earhart first fell in love with flying • The flight that made her an international celebrity • Why she insisted on proving herself as a pilot • The ambitious around-the-world flight of 1937 • The communication problems that may have sealed her fate Next week in Part 2, Ric Gillespie of TIGHAR explains his theory surrounding Earhart's disappearance and explains why he thinks she was marooned on a deserted island.  If you've ever wondered what really happened to Amelia Earhart, this is where the story begins!

How much should Americans know about the health of their president? From secret illnesses and hidden disabilities to modern debates over transparency, the health of the commander in chief has long been a subject of controversy. But where should we draw the line between medical privacy and the public's right to know? In this episode, Bob calls up presidential historian Barbara A. Perry to explore how presidents and their administrations have handled serious health issues throughout American history. You'll hear the remarkable story of Woodrow Wilson's debilitating stroke. The hidden realities of Franklin D. Roosevelt's declining health during World War II. John F. Kennedy's secret medical conditions. Questions surrounding Ronald Reagan's later years. And the ongoing public debates about the health of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. When a president's health affects the nation, how much information should be public? And what can history teach us about the consequences of secrecy? Guest: Barbara A. Perry, author of the book Reconcilable Differences: The Unlikely Political Alliance of John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are strange. But Jim Morrison is no stranger to conspiracy theories. And we've got a juicy one!  Well, we're in the history business (not the conspiracy business). So, this episode is all about the TRUTH behind The Doors. And, yes, you CAN handle the truth!  In this episode, Disgraceland host Jake Brennan (enter shameless plug HERE) tells Bob how the father of Jim Morrison was a U.S. Navy admiral linked to one of the most controversial events in American history: the Gulf of Tonkin incident. But did he really help start the Vietnam War? Well, this is the end ... of this conspiracy.  We'll also dive into the mystery surrounding the death of Jim Morrison. Did he fake his own death? Was he connected to government secrets? And was he the Zodiac Killer? Wait, what?!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Americans always send their children to public school? Not even close. In this episode of American History Hotline, Bob calls up historian and author Dixie Dillon Lane to explore the surprising history of education in America. From colonial classrooms and the self-taught education of Abigail Adams to the rise of public schools, compulsory education laws, and the modern homeschooling movement, this conversation reveals how Americans have thought about learning for more than 250 years. Why did reformers like Horace Mann champion public schools? How did immigration, industrialization, the Great Depression, and the Cold War transform education? And why are more families today choosing alternatives to traditional public schools? Dixie's book is Skipping School: A History of American Homeschooling and How It Went Mainstream See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, abortion has been one of the most divisive issues in American politics. But was it always that way? Bob calls up Georgetown Law Professor Dr. Michele Goodwin to learn about the surprising history of abortion in America. From colonial midwives and herbal remedies to the rise of the Christian Right, Roe v. Wade, and the modern political battle over reproductive rights, this episode explores how abortion went from widely accepted to hugely controversial.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The average age of a U.S. Representative is in the 50s. In the Senate, it's in the 60s. Many Congressional members are also white and wealthy. And this is not representative of the country as a whole. So, what's keeping Congress from being more reflective of nation's population, and therefore, actually getting things done? So. Many. Things.  Bob calls up political scientist Maya Kornberg, author of Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress, to unpack why Congress feels frozen in place ... and how we can fix it.  From campaign money and social media to political violence and the rise of "performative politics," Maya explains why younger leaders struggle to break through.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maybe we can add another guarantee, besides "death" and "taxes" ... "trade wars."  In the early days of America, Native Nations were fighting over trade and power. And they saw the arrival of the Europeans as a tool to defeat their rivals. It's a period that led to shifting allegiances in a fight for dominance.  And the clearest example of this early diplomacy is The Pequot War of the 1630s.   To learn how this war depicts Native American alliances and shifting allegiances, Bob calls up Kathleen DuVal, author of Native Nations: A Millennium in North America.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was it really like to come to America through Ellis Island? For millions of immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this little spit of land in New York Harbor was the gateway to a better future … IF they could pass a physical exam. To get the real-life experience of coming through Ellis Island, Bob calls up historian Vincent Cannato (author of American Passage: The History of Ellis Island – A Sweeping Epic of Immigration at the Nation's Landmark Port of Entry). From quick and dirty medical exams to some weird name changes, Cannato separates fact from fiction, and explains why Ellis Island is synonymous with American immigration. We'll also explore how Ellis Island marked a turning point in American immigration policy — with power shifting from the states to the federal government. And why is Ellis Island viewed with such nostalgia while Angel Island in San Francisco Bay is not? We've got all that and more in this episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can't spell "hero" without JFK. Ok, so you can. But that doesn't take away from the fact that a young John F. Kennedy saved a man's life in WWII — a war he wasn't even supposed to be in! Bob calls up Alexis Coe, New York Times bestselling presidential historian and author of Young Jack: A Biography of John F. Kennedy, 1917–1957, to uncover the thrilling true story of JFK towing an injured crew mate through shark infested waters (by his teeth!) to safety.  Alexis also helps us understand why JFK fought so hard to serve in WWII, despite serious health problems and a free pass out of the conflict. It's this bravery and selflessness that made JFK a dreamboat to the ladies and ultimately our 35th president.  GUEST: Alexis Coe, author of Young Jack: A Biography of John F. Kennedy, 1917–1957 (to be released in 2026) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are our two main political parties so toxic that a third party may soon takeover American politics? Don't count on it. We'll dive into why right now is the opportune time for a third party to rise to power ... and why that party is destined to fail.  But who knows?! Anything is possible.   GUEST: Michael Cullinane, professor of U.S. History and the Lowman Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. He's also author of the soon-to-be released book: Theodore Roosevelt and the Tennis Cabinet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good artists borrow, great artists steal. Apparently, Thomas Jefferson got the memo. It turns out some North Carolinians penned their own Declaration of Independence nearly a year before TJ scribed his.  So, if Thomas Jefferson stole (borrowed/homaged) the language for the Declaration of Independence, why have we never talked about this? Well, there was one heck of cover up!  To get the full story, we call up David Fleming, author of Who's Your Founding Father?: One Man's Epic Quest to Uncover the First, True Declaration of Independence.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clara Barton spent the Civil War kicking butts and taking names … except she was actually SAVING butts. In fact, her efforts to treat injuries on the battlefield and identify missing soldiers changed war forever. But what led Clara Barton to become the “Angel of the Battlefield”?  Bob calls up historian Susan Rosenvold to get some answers. From the chaos of Antietam to the creation of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton redefined nursing, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief in the United States. Oh yeah, and she did it all with no formal training. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clara Barton spent the Civil War kicking butts and taking names … except she was actually SAVING butts. In fact, her efforts to treat injuries on the battlefield and identify missing soldiers changed war forever. But what led Clara Barton to become the "Angel of the Battlefield"?  Bob calls up historian Susan Rosenvold to get some answers. From the chaos of Antietam to the creation of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton redefined nursing, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief in the United States. Oh yeah, and she did it all with no formal training.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have seen it on Broadway ... or maybe your high school gym. The Tony Award-winning musical Newsies is a favorite for school productions because the story centers around newspaper-hawking kids who stand up to titan-of-industry Joseph Pulitzer.  Of course, we've learned that we shouldn't take our history lessons from Disney. So we've called up Vincent DiGirolamo (Crying the News: A History of America's Newsboys) to give us the REAL story of the famous 1899 newsboys strike that inspired the Disney film.  You can find DiGirolamo's newest essay in the collection Newsies, Newsies — Read All About It!: Essays on the Film and Broadway Productions.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Quincy Adams may have been a failed one-term president, but he had one of the most amazing second acts in American political history. From the House of Representatives, he steered our new nation through one of its most tumultuous eras ... carrying the torch of American democracy from the Founding Fathers to Abraham Lincoln.  In this special episode, Robert Costa interviews Bob about his new book: America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick. It's an amazing conversation recorded live in D.C. at Politics and Prose.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And everywhere that Mary went, the typhoid was sure to go. The story of Mary Mallon (AKA Typhoid Mary) is one we're living every day to a small degree: the balance between public safety and personal liberty. Luckily for us, we'll never be imprisoned for being an symptomatic carrier of a disease. Well, never say never.  To learn more about the life of Mary Mallon we call up author Susan Campbell Bartoletti (Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America). Why was Mary's story so popular in the early 1900s? And why is her name so familiar even today?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can be scary to learn how much our democracy relies on norms and convention when the rule of law is put to the test. But, at least our Founding Fathers had an excellent understanding of authoritarianism when they drafted the U.S. Constitution. Are the guardrails they created enough to prevent a dictator, though?  Bob calls up Jeffrey Rosen (former President and CEO of the National Constitution Center) to answer this question.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the Great Depression, millions of Americans were out of work, but they still managed to make it to the movies. In fact, Hollywood didn't just survive one of our country's greatest economic downturns, it thrived.  So how did movie studios stay afloat when audiences could barely afford food? And why did people keep buying movie tickets during one of the darkest economic periods in U.S. history? We dial up Rotten Tomatoes correspondent Mark Ellis to explore how Hollywood weathered the Great Depression and how this period changed filmmaking for rest of the 20th century. From the rise of sound films and lavish musicals to monster movies, gangster films, and sweeping epics like The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind, film became a national escape during a difficult decade. It's a historical look at Hollywood that resonates today with new threats (like AI and consolidation) constantly emerging.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She was just 16 years old when she rode nearly 40 miles through the night rallying the militia as the British attacked during the American Revolution. Bob calls up Karen Romano Young (Sybil Ludington: Revolutionary War Hero) to get the story of Sybil Ludington. They explore what parts of her story are fact or fiction, and why she was nearly forgotten. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in the most infamous duel in American history. But what happened next? Did Burr face murder charges? Was he convicted? And why did he go full Gary Busey? (You'll have to listen to understand that reference!)  Bob calls up Yale historian Joanne Freeman (The Essential Hamilton: Letters and Other Writings) to unpack the astonishing second act of Aaron Burr's life. From criminal indictments to conspiracies, a treason trial and exile, the duel was just the beginning for Aaron Burr.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No, Benjamin Franklin did not invent Daylight Saving Time. But he did muse about its practicality in a 1784 essay. So, if Franklin didn't invent DST, where did all this springing forward come from?  Bob calls up Chad Orzel (A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks) to get to the bottom of this question.  Oh, and don't forget to change your clocks on March 8th!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was the Disney movie Balto actually based on a true story? A listener wants to know if this heroic snow dog was real—or just a Hollywood invention.  To get answers, Bob calls up Dr. Nicole Burt of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. It turns out, the real Balto is actually IN her museum. What?!  Bob and Nicole dive into the truth behind one of the most beloved animated films of the 1990s by exploring the real 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska. How did a deadly diphtheria outbreak create a hero sled dog? And what happened to Balto once the spotlight of fame dimmed?  It's an episode that will have you heading to Alaska and hop on a dog sled! Or, at least, pop in an old VHS of Disney's Balto. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roald Dahl is a beloved children's author. Turns out, he was also a British spy during WWII! So how does one transition from seducing prominent Americans' wives to writing Matilda?  Well, we're glad you asked! We called up the creator of a new docu-series called The Secret World of Roald Dahl to get all the dirt on this famous children's author.  Aaron Tracy, Creator of The Secret World of Roald Dahl See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of President's Day, we're sharing some of the best conversations we've had about Honest Abe and General Washington.  We speak with historian Alexis Coe (You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington) about George Washington myths, including whether or not his teeth were made of wood.  We also speak with Julian Zelizer about which party Abraham Lincoln would belong to today. Check out Julian's Substack, The Long View.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You gotta keep 'em separated. That's a lot of people's opinion about mixing sports and politics. But as the world turns its eyes to Italy for the 2026 Winter Games, you have to wonder if this is the ideal place to make a political statement.  To understand how acts of political activism have played out at the Olympics throughout history, we call up Jules Boykoff. He's the author of numerous books about the Olympics, including What are the Olympics For? So, are the Olympics fair game for protest? Or should athletes keep their eye on the ball ... or épée ... or curling stone? You get the point.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. That's a well known piece of history. But who integrated the NFL?  Well, it's an amazing story with lots of binge drinking, miraculous comebacks and hot dog eating. Seriously.  Just in time for the Super Bowl, we're calling up David Fleming, author of A Big Mess in Texas: The Miraculous, Disastrous 1952 Dallas Texans and the Craziest Untold Story in NFL History. He explains how one of the worst teams in NFL history shaped the game we know today.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who owns the White House? Is it the American people or the person who lives inside of it — AKA, the president?  If the President of the United States of America controls the White House, does ANYONE have say over what he does with it (we're looking at you, preservation societies and Congress)? Here to help us answer these questions (and weigh in on President Trump's renovations to the East Wing) is Robert Klara, author of The Hidden White House: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America's Most Famous Residence  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before he became president, Abraham Lincoln spent just one term in Congress. So how did "the best known two-time Senate loser in the country" become one of the greatest presidents in American history?  Bob calls up historian and author Chris DeRose (Congressman Lincoln: The Making of America's Greatest President) to help answer this question.   Together, they explore how Lincoln's short stint on Capitol Hill shaped his presidency — from his early and consistent resistance to the expansion of slavery to his firsthand experience of seeing men kidnapped and sold into bondage.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For centuries, the story has been told the same way: Montezuma surrendered to Hernán Cortés, and a small band of Spaniards conquered the Aztec Empire. But that story has always seemed a bit ... fishy.  To get the TRUE story, Bob calls up historian Matthew Restall to debunk one of the most enduring myths of the Spanish conquest of the Americas. As it turns out, when you dig into Indigenous sources a whole new story begins to emerge. Shocker, Montezuma did not surrender and Cortés was not viewed as a God-like figure.  In this episode, we'll revisit the famous meeting between Montezuma and Cortés, unpack the legend that Europeans were mistaken for gods, and explore how Spanish self-promotion shaped the history books for hundreds of years.  If you've ever wondered how a few hundred conquistadors were said to defeat an empire of millions — or why we've been telling this story the same way for 500 years — this episode offers a long-overdue reset. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It takes decades to build a new subway line in the United States. Meanwhile, China is building entire high-speed rail networks in just a few years. So, how did America's once-great love of trains get derailed?  We use New York City's Second Avenue Subway as a test case to answer this bigger question: Why is building trains in America so hard compared to places like China? Bob calls up Dan McNichol, author of Second Avenue Subway: Building the Most Famous Thing Never Built in New York City, and transportation expert Joe Stanford to break down how the U.S. went from a rail-building powerhouse to a country where major transit projects feel nearly impossible. In this episode we bore deep into:  America's century-long struggle to complete the Second Avenue Subway China's rapid expansion of subways and high-speed rail How politics, regulation, and Americans' LOVE for their cars shape infrastructure Why the cost of expanding passenger rail lines is so much higher in the U.S. (like, WAY higher) than in Europe and Asia All aboard! Next stop: a brief history of American rail. (Toot! Toot!) 🚂   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could a new president ever be carved into Mount Rushmore? It depends on who you ask. We call up historian Matthew Davis (author of A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore) to learn about the history of the monument and what its future might hold.  It's a story with a lot of surprising twists and turns, from the hills of Georgia to the sacred mountains of South Dakota. How does Mount Rushmore reflect America's battles over who and what America chooses to celebrate? In this episode, you'll learn: Why Mount Rushmore was carved, and who originally inspired the project The forgotten faces and ideas that never made it onto the mountain How Indigenous history and land rights shape Rushmore's legacy Whether a future president could legally (or physically) be added GUEST: Matthew Davis, author of A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the greatest movie of the 21st century? The New York Times says it's Parasite, but not everyone agrees. We call up Rotten Tomatoes correspondent Mark Ellis to debate the NYT's list of the 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century and explore how cinema has changed in the past 25 years. Mark says it's an era of "hopeless films in a time of hopelessness."  Grab some popcorn and silence your phone (unless you're using it to play this podcast) and sit back as we tear this list apart.  What do you think of NYT's list? Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected]  Oh, and here's our watchlist if you're looking for a good film:  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Predator: Badlands Spirited Away Weapons Creed  Spotlight  Marty Supreme See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix's Death by Lightning is gripping, dramatic and TRUE. Or is it?  We call up historian and New York Times bestselling author Alexis Coe for a lightning round fact check of Netflix's new James A. Garfield series Death by Lightning. What does the series gets right? What does it bend for dramatic effect? And how does it rank compared to other presidential biopic(esque) series?  We'll hit all the highlights: The assassination of President James A. Garfield The portrayal of Chester A. Arthur by Nick Offerman Political corruption 19th century medicine Should we have more stories about obscure presidents?  Did you have thoughts on the series? Send your thoughts to [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was Johnny Appleseed a real person or just another American tall tale? We get to the core of the issue with author William Kerrigan (Johnny Appleseed and the American Orchard: A Cultural History) to see how one man's true story inspired an enduring folk legend.  In this episode Bob and William explore how John Chapman's religious revival led him to pioneer apple nurseries across Pennsylvania and Ohio. Just like some hybrid apples, Chapman was a mix of naturalist and capitalist. He bought vast tracts of land for apple orchards but believed in America's lost simplicity and a connection to nature. So, kick off your shoes and put a pot on your head as we travel around spreading seeds of knowledge.  GUEST: William Kerrigan, author of Johnny Appleseed and the American Orchard: A Cultural History See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Americans have turned their backs on the vax, but early Early Americans would literally have killed for some vaccines. In this episode, we explore the history of America's first vaccines, which can be traced to a mandate from none other than General George Washington. Dr. Kathryn Olivarius (author of Necropolis: Disease, Power, and Capitalism in the Cotton Kingdom) explains the surprising story of how vaccines shaped American life — from smallpox inoculations during the Revolution to modern-day debates over public health and personal freedom. We're going to poke and jab at history to see why vaccine resistance isn't new, and how the fight between science, religion, and politics has defined 250 years of American medicine.  GUEST: Kathryn Olivarius, author of Necropolis: Disease, Power, and Capitalism in the Cotton Kingdom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was it the rise of hitchhiking? Lead in the water pipes? Or was it something a little darker in our culture? Bob rings up private investigator and host of the podcast Hell & Gone: Murder Line — Catherine Townsend — to learn why there were so many serial killers in America during the 1970s. From Ted Bundy to the Night Stalker and John Wayne Gacy, we dive into the "golden age" of serial killers to see how difficult it was to catch predators in a world before DNA testing, cell phones, and surveillance cameras. But that also begs the question: Are there fewer serial killers today? Listen, and find out!  GUEST: Catherine Townsend, host of Hell and Gone: Murder Line and Red Collar See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have that relative that tells us there was actually no green bean casserole at the first Thanksgiving. Yeah, we know, Grandma! But how much do we really know about that first feast between the Pilgrims and the Indians?  Well, a lot. But the story most of us learned in school is completely wrong. Author David J. Silverman, (This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving) joins us to carve up the myths about Turkey Day and serve a nice helping of truth.  In this episode, Bob and David explore the origins of Thanksgiving, from the Wampanoag people's strategic decision to ally with the English, to Abraham Lincoln's role in turning that footnoted feast into a national holiday.  Tell your family to turn down the yacht rock and play this episode of American History Hotline as you avoid talking about politics and stir the gravy.  GUEST: David J. Silverman, author of This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving. He has a new book coming out in February of 2026 titled, The Chosen and the Damned: Native Americans and the Making of Race in the United States   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1859, Congressman Daniel Sickles murdered Philip Barton Key (son of the man who wrote The Star-Spangled Banner) in a fit of jealous rage just steps from the White House. The resulting trial became America's first true media circus, and gave rise to the "crime of passion" defense. In short, it basically became legal to kill a man for sleeping with your wife. While this wasn't technically a law, it was the "Unwritten Law" for way longer than you might think.  Chris DeRose, author of Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America, joins Bob to talk about how this legal defense played out in America.  GUEST: Chris DeRose, author of Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You won't see it on the ballot, but it's always the winner in American elections. That's right, we're talking about big tech. From Facebook to Google and AI, technology not only has the power to affect the outcomes of our elections ... it's already doing it!  Who could have seen this coming? Well, we're glad you asked, because Roger McNamee has been ringing alarm bells since you were playing Snake on your Nokia.  Roger joins Bob to talk about the evolution of technology in politics, from the rise of data-driven campaigning in the 1970s to Facebook's influence on the 2016 election and the new threat of AI. Let's just say our future is beginning to look a lot like an episode of Black Mirror.  GUEST: Roger McNamee, author of  Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Set it and forget it! That's what most Americans want to do with their clocks. They want standard time year-round. So, why are we stuck with Daylight Saving Time? And where did it come from in the first place? Some say it was Benjamin Franklin. But if we Scooby-Doo this thing and pull off the mask to see who's really behind this whole clock caper it's ... (gasp) ... CAPITALISM!  Tune in an hour earlier ... or is it later? ... for this episode.  GUEST: Chad Orzel, author of the book, A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which witch is which? You probably heard a lot of lawyers saying that in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. That was the year of America's largest witch hunt ever. But what sparked this mass hysteria that led to false accusations, sham justice and wrongful executions? Teenagers, of course.  Bob is joined by historian Emerson Baker (A Storm of Witchcraft) to explore how religion, politics, and panic fueled the Salem Witch Trials. A time when no one was above suspicion!  Guest: Emerson Baker, author of A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did America's presidents really make—and manage—their money? Bob Crawford sits down with financial expert and author Megan Gorman to explore the personal finances of presidents from George Washington to Donald Trump. Drawing from her new book, All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money, Gorman reveals who thrived, who failed, and what their choices say about leadership, power, and legacy. Discover why Thomas Jefferson died in debt, how Abraham Lincoln overcame his impoverished childhood, why FDR's polio treatment transformed presidential fundraising, and how modern presidents like Obama, Clinton, and Trump built post-White House fortunes.  Also, do you have to be wealthy to become president? Or has the oligarchy already began?  GUEST: Megan Gorman: All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.