History Author Show

December 2, 2019 - Why would a Gilded Age woman climb the tallest mountains in the world? For the same reason a man would, of course: Because it's there. We meet the pioneer whose ambitions shattered glass ceilings on the very top of the world in Queen of the Mountaineers: The Trailblazing Life of Fanny Bullock Workman. Our sherpa as we climb through this compelling woman's life is Cathryn J. Prince whose previous books include American Daredevil, Death in the Baltic, and Shot from the Sky. She has worked as a correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor in Switzerland and in New York, where she reported on the United Nations, and is a frequent contributor to The Times of Israel and fine magazines everywhere.          

November 18, 2019 - What if you woke up to find your 12-year-old daughter dead, and the local police destroyed your house looking for evidence to pin the murder on your innocent son? Attorney Donald E. McInnis introduces us to the real-life family that endured this nightmare in She's So Cold: Murder, Accusations and the System that Devastated a Family. On a winter day in 1998, the town of Escondido, California, awoke to the terrible news that 12-year-old Stephanie Crowe had been brutally savaged by a knife-wielding killer. Putting the verdict first and trial afterwards like the Queen of Hearts, investigators launched an inquisition to prove their conclusion rather than follow the evidence, employing a cruel array of psychological manipulation tools to force two of Michael's friends to confess to parts in a murder they hadn't committed. This book is a cautionary tale for anyone, dismissing the comforting notion that if we have done nothing wrong, we have nothing to hide. It's also a reminder that great injus

November 4, 2019 - How did a "spinster" who declared, "I don’t care for children," and called them "little wretches," launch an organization that not only saved millions of them, but changed the way the world treats young people to this day? Clare Mulley returns to introduce us into this enigmatic force for good in The Woman Who Saved the Children: A Biography of Eglantyne Jebb, Founder of Save the Children. Proceeds from sales goes to support Save the Children. Beginning in 1919, the charity that celebrates its centennial in 2019 has fought to uphold the human rights of children worldwide. Although today the charity is promoted by big-name stars and enjoys widespread recognition, it's origin traces back to a forgotten founder, Eglantyne Jebb, who lived a short life but left an enduring legacy. Clare Mulley joined Save the Children as a corporate fundraiser in the 1990s. We last caught up with Clare to discuss her book, The Women Who Flew for Hitler: A True Story of Soaring Ambition and Searing Rivalry. F

October 21, 2019 - Our time machine travels back to the Jazz Age, where we'll meet gambling mastermind Arnold Rothstein, whose lust for a sure thing inspired the most audacious and infamous scam in sports history: Fixing the World Series 100 seasons ago. The Chicago White Sox took a dive on baseball's biggest stage against the Cincinnati Reds in the infamous "Black Sox" Scandal, in a scheme manipulated by A.R. (known as "The Brain" and "The Big Bankroll"), who spread cash around to everyone from bookies and judges to cops and politicians. Returning to share his Cracker Jack historical wisdom is David Pietrusza, who brings us his award-winning book, Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed the 1919 World Series. We last chatted with the legendary historian about his latest title, TR's Last War: Theodore Roosevelt, the Great War, and a Journey of Triumph and Tragedy.  You can find that interview at HistoryAuthor.com, iTunes, our iHeartRadio Channel, or wherever you enjoy on-dema

October 7, 2019 - What's a "honeyfuggle," and why did Theodore Roosevelt call William Howard Taft one? In this episode, presidential historian Mike Purdy checks in with the 44 men who've served as our presidents as they roast, criticize, and belittle fellow commanders-in-chief in a manner that would make Don Rickles smile. And who wouldn’t want to hear Benjamin Harrison mock Grover Cleveland on two, non-consecutive occasions? The book is 101 Presidential Insults: What They Really Thought About Each Other - and What It Means to Us. Mike Purdy is the founder of PresidentialHistory.com, where you can find his award-winning presidential history blog. He's also a regular opinion contributor to TheHill.com. As the 2020 presidential election heats up, look for his work everywhere from CNN and the Wall Street Journal to USA Today, Reuters, Bloomberg, The Huffington Post, and the BBC. You can also today's special guest at Presidential Historian on Instagram, on Twitter @PresHistory, or toss him a like at Mike Purdy

September 23, 2019 - What if your family name was infamous? What if you were the only loyal American in a clan where everyone -- even your little, old grandmother -- backed treason? Jane B. Singer introduces us to just such a man in The War Criminal's Son: The Civil War Saga of William A. Winder. It’s the true story of Confederate General John H. Winder and his son, Union Captain William Andrew Winder, who served as prison commandants on opposite sides of the Mason-Dixon line. Jane previously joined us to chat about another book from the period, Lincoln's Secret Spy: The Civil War Case That Changed the Future of Espionage. She is a Civil War scholar and author of The Confederate Dirty War, the basis of the History Channel special, Civil War Terror. Visit her online at JaneSinger.com, follower her on Twitter @JaneBSinger1, or toss her a like on Facebook at Jane Singer Author.