Axelbank Reports History and Today

Axelbank Reports History and Today Our show is dedicated to interviewing authors of books on American history and current events.

We engage in conversational fashion about why their books matter right now.

Had some headshots taken for a new logo! Which one do you think I chose?! 😀
05/23/2023

Had some headshots taken for a new logo! Which one do you think I chose?! 😀

We made it to 100 episodes!To celebrate, we did something a little differentWe had a roundtable with three others who ha...
10/16/2022

We made it to 100 episodes!

To celebrate, we did something a little different

We had a roundtable with three others who have taken their history hobby and made it something more

We chatted with the host of the podcast
Civics & Coffee, the publisher of books newsletter https://readmorebooks.substack.com and the book reviewer at bestpresidentialbios.com about why making history accessible is crucial for our society

Listen!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000582232937

‎Show Axelbank Reports History and Today, Ep #100: A Celebration of History - Oct 10, 2022

01/06/2022

How many times have you said, “I need to tell ___ about this book!” or how often do you ask, “Did you read ___?”

In our new episode, we talked with book historian, Dr. Leah Price Basic Books about her fascinating history of books themselves

In “What We Talk About When We Talk About Books” she explains how books, while seemingly inanimate, are in fact living documents. She also explains how even though we consider ourselves sentimental about books, it’s often impossible to give them away. And why are they just so much fun to talk about?

For book lovers out there, this is the episode for you!!

Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000546852260

09/08/2021

We are back after a few months off spent welcoming my new daughter to the world!

Check out our new episode with Ken Ellingwood about his book “First to Fall: Elijah Lovejoy and the Fight for a Free Press in the Age of Slavery.” As a journalist, Lovejoy’s story is inspiring to me because he gave his life to speak truth to power. He died in 1830s Illinois, a free state, while defending his printing press from a pro-slavery, terrorist mob.

Hopefully it doesn’t have to come to that for modern reporters, but the risk is always there. And indeed, many have been killed on-assignment since the attack on Lovejoy.

Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000534526150

We are so glad to have made our first donation to THANK YOU to our wonderful Patrons, who were able to help get books fo...
06/21/2021

We are so glad to have made our first donation to

THANK YOU to our wonderful Patrons, who were able to help get books for children in need and make reading a part of their health care experience!

Visit Patreon.com/axelbankhistory to contribute to the next one!

05/10/2021

Our episode with Glenn Stout is about his new book, “Tiger Girl and the Candy Kid: America’s Original Gangster Couple,” explains how Margaret and Robert Whittemore grew up in Baltimore as working class kids, then went on to a life of organized crime.

In doing so, they shaped generations of Hollywood characters, even though their names had largely been forgotten. They were “Bonnie and Clyde” even before anyone knew it.

Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000520093868

01/19/2021

As America waits to hear Joe Biden’s inaugural address, take a listen to our episode with Ed Achorn about maybe the greatest opening speech by a president: Lincoln’s Second Inaugural.

Achorn explains how Lincoln used the speech to capture the suffering the nation had just been through, and explained how slavery was a black mark that could never be erased. But he also tried to begin the process of bringing the south back peacefully.

Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000505150893

01/19/2021

On Wednesday, the White House might be the busiest place in the world, as the permanent White House staff remake the Oval Office and residence, as they transition from Trump to Biden

Pictures, furniture, toothbrushes and any of their personal effects will be swapped out so that by the time Biden walks into the White House as President, all his stuff will be there too

Donald Trump’s things will be packed and shipped to South Florida as he begins his post-presidential life

Listen to our episode with the great presidential historian Kate Andersen Brower as she describes what will be happening behind the scenes while Biden takes the oath of office

Her book, “The Residence” is a masterful look at the public servants who make the White House go, regardless of who is president

Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272 =Buzzsprout-7337257

12/31/2020

On this week’s episode, we talk with master historian Harold Holzer about his new book, “The Presidents vs. The Press: The Endless Battle Between the White House and the Media, from the Founding Fathers to Fake News.”

He describes how treatment of the press has never been worse... except when it was. He argues that presidents have long-sought to suppress unfavorable coverage in efforts to gain power politically and militarily.

Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272 =Buzzsprout-6719566

12/18/2020

On our episode this week, we talk with Neal Gabler about the first volume of his new biography on Ted Kennedy, “Catching the Wind.”

He explains that for the first half of Kennedy’s life, he rode a tide of liberal sentiment in the United States. Gabler explores Kennedy’s early life, the roots of his political ideology and how his family losses shaped his drive to make an impact on the country.

Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000502463586

12/06/2020

Since Sunday is a great day to think about history, listen to our episode with Jonathan Alter about his new, ace biography of Jimmy Carter, “His Very Best”

We mostly discuss Carter’s presidency, but we did spent some time taking about his multi-layered personality, which Alter says is as biting as it is modest

Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272

11/30/2020

To understand America, we must know the history of immigration.

On this week's episode, we talk with Dr. Erika Lee about her book, "America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States"

All through American history, there have been groups of immigrants that have been demonized. Professor Lee describes Ben Franklin's role in the practice, along with the Know Nothings of the 1850s, the Chinese Exclusion Acts of the 1880s, the demonization of immigrants coming to Ellis Island, Japanese internment during WWII, and on and on...

Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272

11/16/2020

We are so honored to have one of America’s greatest writers, David Maraniss, as our guest on this week’s episode!

This episode is the perfect companion to Barack Obama’s new memoir, because it explains how both sides of Obama’s family came together over generations, only to quickly break apart, leaving the young boy yearning for a sense of belonging

Simon & Schuster

Listen here! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272

11/14/2020

There’s nothing like a good sports debate.

During our new episode with prolific sportswriter Wayne Coffey, we explore why the ‘69 Mets won the most unlikely championship in sports history.

He explains how Tom Seaver and Gil Hodges turned the franchise from lovable losers into an unstoppable force, and how New York City rallied behind them during a time of major social change in America.

Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272

11/10/2020

Who wants a break from politics?

I do!

Check out our new episode with Wayne Coffey as we discuss his book “They Said it Couldn’t be Done: The ‘69 Mets, New York City and the Most Astounding Season in Baseball History.”

Not only did the Miracle Mets make an unbelievable championship run, but it came as the country was plunging into the depths of the Vietnam War, launching astronauts to the moon and facing a reckoning over racial justice. Wayne’s book puts it all into a seamless narrative, and also explains how the Mets insisted that their time had finally come.

Listen here! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272 =Buzzsprout-6257314

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Videos

On this somber anniversary, here’s our new episode with Dr. Stephen Knott and his new book “Coming to Terms with John F. Kennedy” University Press of Kansas He explains why so many assumptions about the president - and man - need to be fleshed out Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000587064190

NEW book, NEW episode We chat with former White House chief speechwriter Cody Keenan about “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America” out today from Mariner Books Listen as he explains how the landmark speech was written! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000581493118

I try to do one baseball episode a year, and this is it! Our latest episode is with Kostya Kennedy and his new book “True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson” This is a great book filled with exciting baseball, amazing history and vivid detail about long lost Brooklyn Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000580015655 (And notice, our preview clip is perfect Dodger blue)

Our new episode is with James Kirchick and his new book “Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington” @HenryHolt He shows how dedicated public servants were scapegoated by national security agencies worried they could be blackmailed Listen/subscribe https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000579283676

Eric Jay Dolin: Rebels at Sea
Eric Jay Dolin: Rebels at Sea

Our new episode is with Eric Jay Dolin and his book “Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution” He explained how independent sailors supplemented the patriots’ effort to expel the British, and why they’ve been unheralded until now! Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000576207634

“It Was All a Dream”
“It Was All a Dream”

To this day, I go wild when his songs come on! Our NEW episode is with Justin Tinsley and his beautiful biography of The Notorious BIG “It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World that Made Him” ABRAMS Books Tinsley describes why the stunning rise and unique legacy of Christopher Wallace are quintessentially American Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000575453059

Dr. Leah Price on why we love books!!
Dr. Leah Price on why we love books!!

How many times have you said, “I need to tell ___ about this book!” or how often do you ask, “Did you read ___?” In our new episode, we talked with book historian, Dr. Leah Price Basic Books about her fascinating history of books themselves In “What We Talk About When We Talk About Books” she explains how books, while seemingly inanimate, are in fact living documents. She also explains how even though we consider ourselves sentimental about books, it’s often impossible to give them away. And why are they just so much fun to talk about? For book lovers out there, this is the episode for you!! Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000546852260 #podcast #podcastersofinstagram #history #books #booklovers #booklover #readingjournal #reading #podcastlife #shelfie

Ken Ellingwood on Elijah Lovejoy
Ken Ellingwood on Elijah Lovejoy

We are back after a few months off spent welcoming my new daughter to the world! Check out our new episode with Ken Ellingwood about his book “First to Fall: Elijah Lovejoy and the Fight for a Free Press in the Age of Slavery.” As a journalist, Lovejoy’s story is inspiring to me because he gave his life to speak truth to power. He died in 1830s Illinois, a free state, while defending his printing press from a pro-slavery, terrorist mob. Hopefully it doesn’t have to come to that for modern reporters, but the risk is always there. And indeed, many have been killed on-assignment since the attack on Lovejoy. Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000534526150

Heather Richardson: “Letters from an American”
Heather Richardson: “Letters from an American”

Our NEW episode is with the publisher of “Letters From an American” Heather Cox Richardson We did talk about the history behind today’s politics… But we mostly discussed how she puts together her newsletter that is read by over a million people each night Listen here! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000525535836

Jennifer Armstrong on “Seinfeldia”
Jennifer Armstrong on “Seinfeldia”

Can you spare a square? Just take one dip and end it! Can you parallel park front-first? Our episode this week features the brilliant Jennifer Armstrong and her book “Seinfeldia” Did we understand society’s unwritten rules before @SeinfeldTV existed? Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000507398655

Richard Bell on his book, “Stolen”
Richard Bell on his book, “Stolen”

Sam. Joe. Cornelius. Enos. Alex. Those are the names of five boys who were abducted from Philadelphia in 1825 and shackled into slavery Listen to our podcast with Richard Bell about his book “Stolen” which chronicles the efforts to bring them back to freedom https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272#episodeGuid=Buzzsprout-7357231

Kate Anderson Brower on “The Residence”
Kate Anderson Brower on “The Residence”

On Wednesday, the White House might be the busiest place in the world, as the permanent White House staff remake the Oval Office and residence, as they transition from Trump to Biden Pictures, furniture, toothbrushes and any of their personal effects will be swapped out so that by the time Biden walks into the White House as President, all his stuff will be there too Donald Trump’s things will be packed and shipped to South Florida as he begins his post-presidential life Listen to our episode with the great presidential historian Kate Andersen Brower as she describes what will be happening behind the scenes while Biden takes the oath of office Her book, “The Residence” is a masterful look at the public servants who make the White House go, regardless of who is president Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272#episodeGuid=Buzzsprout-7337257

N. Gabler on his new book, “Catching the Wind”
N. Gabler on his new book, “Catching the Wind”

On our episode this week, we talk with Neal Gabler about the first volume of his new biography on Ted Kennedy, “Catching the Wind.” He explains that for the first half of Kennedy’s life, he rode a tide of liberal sentiment in the United States. Gabler explores Kennedy’s early life, the roots of his political ideology and how his family losses shaped his drive to make an impact on the country. Listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000502463586

The impact of three women at Yalta
The impact of three women at Yalta

Our NEW episode features the brilliant Catherine Grace Katz and her book “The Daughters of Yalta” She explains why FDR, Churchill and Harriman brought their daughters to “The Most Important Meeting in History” Hear how the three women shaped the post-WWII world!! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272

Is the presidency too big to succeed?
Is the presidency too big to succeed?

Too big to succeed? On the sixth episode in our series on the presidency, University of Texas professor Dr. Jeremi Suri discusses his book, "The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America's Highest Office." He explains how the position was created, and how early occupants unwittingly set precedents that would lead to the job of president becoming too big to succeed.

Is lofty presidential rhetoric helpful?
Is lofty presidential rhetoric helpful?

Our third episode in our series on the presidency is with Dr. Stephen Knott, the author of, "The Lost Soul of the American Presidency: The Decline Into Demagoguery and the Prospects for Renewal." He argues that presidents have promised too much in an effort to "stir the passions" of the American people. Dr. Knott says that lofty rhetoric, while great at helping candidates win votes, is seldom matched by actual accomplishment. Dr. Knott explains that demagogues lead to a "tyranny of the majority," which is mostly good for bragging rights, but leaves the American people angry at their government... and each other.

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