Almost Immortal History Podcast

Thanks for joining us for the fourth and final part of the James Monroe story. When we left off in part three, Monroe had help double the size of the nation through negotiating the Louisiana Purchase and risen to become President Madison’s Secretary of State in a time of war. Now, with British soldiers poised to destroy the capital city of Washington, the country will once again call on Monroe where the survival of the republic and Monroe’s own legacy will hang in the balance.So, sit back and enjoy the conclusion of American President and Founding Father, James Monroe.   

Thanks for joining us for the third part of the James Monroe story. When we left off in part two, Monroe had taken his fame from the battlefield into the world of politics to help shape his new nation at home and abroad. Now, as one of America’s most distinguished citizens, Monroe will be called upon to prevent America’s collapse, not just once but repeatedly. In so doing, he will rise to become perhaps the most famous man in America.So, sit back and enjoy the continued story of American President and Founding Father, James Monroe.   

Thanks for joining us for the second part of the James Monroe story. When we left off in part one, Monroe had risen from an orphaned Virginia farm boy into a hero of the American Revolution. Now with his military career behind him, Monroe will enter the uncertain world of early American politics, help shape the young republic and forge its position on the world stage. All of this amidst the backdrop of revolution abroad, deepening divisions at home and a nation still struggling to define what it would become. So, sit back and enjoy the continued story of American President and Founding Father, James Monroe.    

Many of us know the stories of America’s Founding Fathers. The lives and accomplishments of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, the nation’s first, third and fourth Presidents are familiar. Though many might not know the story of the fifth President, also a Virginian and a close friend and trusted ally of his predecessors. But this President would become the last of the Founding Fathers, a hero of the Revolution who bled for his country, a master diplomat who helped double the size of his new nation and a leader who defined America’s place in the world for generations.So, sit back and enjoy the story and the focus of today’s episode, American President and Founding Father, James Monroe.   

Thanks for joining the second and final part of the Asa Candler story. When we left off in part one, Candler had transformed a popular local Atlanta medicine called Coca-Cola into one of the most recognizable beverages and brands in the country. Now one of the wealthiest men in the America, Candler faces a new century with unexpected challenges. With his business thriving, his beloved city stands on the brink of crisis and his country on the verge of war. Rather than retreat into the security of his success, Candler will rise to not only meet the challenges ahead, but help shape his company, his city and even his country and the world for decades to come. So, sit back and enjoy the story’s conclusion in today’s episode, Coca-Cola founder, Asa Candler.   

There are very few people in the world today who have not heard of Coca-Cola, let alone many who haven’t consumed one themselves. Though as famous as the product is, many might not know the person most responsible for making it one of the most recognized brands in the world. Founding one of the most iconic products in history would be more than enough to cement a legacy for most, but this innovative entrepreneur and deeply religious and devoted family man sought to ensure his success would uplift millions, in his beloved city of Atlanta and far beyond, leaving a legacy long after he was gone. So, sit back and enjoy the story and the focus of today’s episode, Coca-Cola founder, Asa Candler.   

Thanks for joining the third and final part of the Hannibal Hamlin story. When we left off in part two, just weeks into their term in office, Vice President Hamlin and President Lincoln witness the secession of the southern states and the beginning of the American Civil War. Now, facing an uncertain future, can Hamlin’s character, influence and moral compass help win the war and whatever peace may look like on the other side? So, sit back and enjoy the story’s conclusion in today’s episode of former United States Vice President Hannibal Hamlin. 

Thanks for joining the second and final part of the Hannibal Hamlin story. When we left off in part one, Senator Hamlin had risen from a small town in Maine to become one of the nation’s most powerful Senators. Now, with the country on the brink of Civil War, the country will need Hamlin’s character, voice and mind more than ever. Though even he could not imagine what his future and the future of his country would have in store.  So, sit back and enjoy the story’s conclusion in today’s episode of former United States Vice President Hannibal Hamlin.  

Many of us know the story of the assassination of American President Abraham Lincoln and the failure of his Vice President and successor, Andrew Johnson, the first American President to be impeached by Congress and to come within one vote of removal from office.  Though many might not know the story of the man who was Vice President just one month earlier for Lincoln’s first term in office. A man wholly different in character and values that almost surely would have set the course of American history on very different path. So, sit back and enjoy the story and the focus of today’s episode – former United States Vice President, Hannibal Hamlin.   

Thanks for joining us for the second and final part of the Eunice Carter story. When we left off in Part 1, Carter’s unprecedented rise to a seemingly unimaginable role on Thomas Dewey’s team of criminal prosecutors made her a household name across America. Now, Carter’s courage and tenacity will be tested as she takes on the most dangerous mob boss in the country. Despite being surrounded by an entire team of brilliant legal minds, it will be Carter’s intuition and intelligence that Dewey will need most of all if they are to stop the underworld from continuing its reign of terror across New York City.So sit back and enjoy the conclusion of today’s episode, New York City Prosecutor, Eunice Hunton Carter.  

Many of us know the stories of famous criminals like Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde or the famous lawmen who helped bring them to justice. Though many might not know the story of the lawyer who was most responsible for brining down the most powerful mob boss in the world, Lucky Luciano, making the streets of New York safer and nearly propelling her boss to the American Presidency. This story would be remarkable regardless of who it was about, but because this particular lawyer was one of the only black female lawyers in 1930s America, her story is one of the most remarkable of them all. So sit back and enjoy the story and the focus of today’s episode, New York City Prosecutor, Eunice Hunton Carter. 

Thanks for joining us for the second and final part of the Nancy Wake story. When we left off in part one, Wake had traveled an unlikely path to becoming a wealthy socialite in France and an even unlikelier path as a leader in the French and British resistance efforts in World War II. Now, as the stakes increase, Wake will have to make difficult choices that will put her in even greater danger but will see her legend grow and her contributions to the Allied war effort become legendary. So sit back and enjoy the conclusion of today’s episode, World War II spy, Nancy Wake. 

Many of us know the stories of World War II heroes. Leaders like Winston Churchill and FDR or soldiers from books and shows like Band of Brothers. Though many might not know the story of the war’s most decorated woman who the Nazis despised so much they had codenamed her the White Mouse because of her inexplicable elusiveness. The Nazis did everything they could to find her and stop the havoc she was wreaking, but they had no idea who they were up against, in every sense of that phrase.   So sit back and enjoy the story and the focus of today’s episode, World War II spy, Nancy Wake. 

Thanks for joining us for the second and final part of the Thomas Nast story. When we left off in Part one, Nast was coming into his own as a famous sketch artist covering America’s Civil War.Now, Nast will find his true calling as he takes his talent and growing fame to new heights, helping to elect Presidents of the United States and take on the most corrupt city government the nation has ever seen. So sit back and enjoy the conclusion of today’s episode, Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast. 

Many of us know the stories of Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. Or the images of political symbols like the Republican elephant or Democratic donkey. Though many might not know of the artist and political cartoonist who created the latter and help elect the former all while being most responsible for taking on and taking down the most corrupt politician in New York City’s history and even finding time to create the modern image of Santa Claus.So sit back and enjoy the story and the focus of today’s episode, Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast. 

Thanks for joining us for the second and final part of the John Pershing story. When we left off in Part 1, General Pershing was chasing feared rebel Pancho Villa throughout the Mexican countryside while the rest of the world was at war.  Now, all of Pershing’s experience and leadership will be called upon as a reluctant America gets drawn into World War 1 and he is asked to help overhaul a military that is not ready but is so desperately needed. All while he continues to endure the incompressible loss of his own family.  So sit back and enjoy the conclusion of today’s episode, General of the Armies John J. Pershing, 

Many of us know the stories of military Generals like George Washington, Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower. All won critical wars and went on to become Presidents of the United States.  What many might not know is the story of the General who led American forces in the First World War whose vision and perseverance was most responsible for bringing a young nation from isolation to a world power. All while enduing an unimaginable personal tragedy and defying overwhelming odds as the commander of a military that was ill-prepared for the momentous challenges they faced.  So sit back and enjoy the story and the focus of today’s episode, General of the Armies John J. Pershing. 

Thanks for joining the second and final part of the Benjamin Rush story. When we left off in part one, America was in the midst of Revolution and a thirty-year old Dr. Rush was at the center of it all. Now, Rush and America will be tested like never before as they face the most feared military in the world, build a new government and try to survive a deadly disease. All of which will have a profound impact on the new nation for centuries to come. 

Most of us know the names and stories of America’s immortal founding fathers like George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. What many might not know is the name and story of the founder who was friends with each of those individuals and was involved in just about every major event in America’s founding from the Boston Tea Party, to the book Common Sense, the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War and the creation of the Constitution. Even with all of those accomplishments and famous friendships, what makes this founder stand out even more is that he was the only one who was a practicing medical doctor; and not just any doctor, but the most famous physician in country. And he would put his fame and skills to the test and his life on the line to help his country through war and the worst health epidemic the young nation had ever seen. So sit back and enjoy the story and the focus of today’s episode, founding father, Dr. Benjamin Rush. 

Thanks for joining the second and final part of the Satchel Paige story. When we left off in part one, Paige was entering his prime as one of the baseball’s best pitchers.Now his career and charisma will take him to even greater heights than he could have ever imagined. Including playing a significant role in what once seemed unlikely, but will become a reality during his career, the integration of baseball.

Many of us have heard of Cy Young, whose immortalized name adorns the award given to the best pitchers each year in Major League Baseball. When we debate who’s the greatest pitcher of all time, we hear names like Young, Nolan Ryan, Walter Johnson and others. What many might not know is that if baseball had been integrated twenty years sooner than it was in 1947 by the immortal Jackie Robinson, it is not out of the question that the Cy Young award might today be named the Satchel Paige award and there would be plenty arguing for his name to be included in, or at the very top of, the list of the greatest pitchers. As talented as he was with the ball, he was an equally talented showman and personality who did more than most to help bring about baseball’s long overdue integration.  

Thanks for joining the second and final part of the Margaret Chase Smith Story. When we left off in part one, Congresswoman Smith had just made history by becoming the first woman in America to win election to both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Now as a Senator in her first year, she will face her strongest test and rise to her greatest moment as she takes on Joe McCarthy and McCarthyism that gripped Washington and the country in so much suspicion and fear. So sit back and enjoy the conclusion of today’s episode , Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. 

The first Senator to stand up to Joe McCarthy and McCarthyism of the 1950s. The only female Senator in 1950 and a member of the same party as McCarthy. Smith’s courage was a refreshing dose of conscience and character for the nation and the world.The first woman to be elected and re-elected to both the U.S. House and Senate. The first woman to run for and have her name placed in nomination for President of United States. Her story stretches from the Industrial Revolution of 1897 to the rise of the internet in 1995. A pioneer and trailblazer, her story is captivating and inspiring to all. 

Famous figures. Forgotten stories - a history podcast that brings them back.History at its best is telling a compelling story that moves its audience. We all have our favorites whether in books, movies, tv shows or podcasts.We immortalize figures like Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Winston Churchill and rightfully so. But what about all of the other incredible people in history whose birthdays we don’t observe or who don't have movies made or dozens of books written about them?They were famous in their time, but their stories for some reason are less known today. They are "almost" immortal.  They are politicians, athletes, scientists, military and business leaders and many more. They are from every generation. They all are worth knowing about and a lot of fun to get to know.  So if you love a good story, please join us at the Almost Immortal History Podcast.