American History Hotline

Scratch Track Productions

Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history — from the Revolutionary War to rock & roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com.

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Wednesday · 39 min
Trump Ranked the Presidents. A Historian Responds
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 AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com or visit AmericanHistoryHotline.com Your question could inspire a future episode.
August 26 · 45 min
Why Does America Have the Electoral College? Peter Sagal Explains
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
August 19 · 30 min
Why Did the U.S. Army Keep Disbanding the Rangers?
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.
August 12 · 24 min
How Did the Cold War End? Reagan, Gorbachev & the Secret Summit That Changed History
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.
August 5 · 32 min
Why Did Disease Devastate Native Americans—but Not European Colonists? | Charles C. Mann
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
July 29 · 40 min
The Man Who Saved Kyoto?
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.
July 22 · 17 min
Did Amelia Earhart survive her disappearance? (Part 2)
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.
S2 · E4
July 15 · 33 min
What Happened to Amelia Earhart? Inside the World's Greatest Aviation Mystery (Part 1)
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!
July 8 · 45 min
Do Americans Have a Right to Know the President's Health?
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.
July 1 · 46 min
Did Jim Morrison's Dad Start the Vietnam War?
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.
June 24 · 47 min
Who Invented School? The Surprising History of Education in America
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.
June 17 · 41 min
Was Abortion Always Controversial? From the Pilgrims to Dobbs v. Jackson
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.
June 10 · 39 min
Why Is Congress So Old? And How Can We Change This?
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.
June 3 · 28 min
The Pequot War: Native American Diplomacy and Warfare
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.
May 27 · 30 min
What was Ellis Island Really Like?
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.
May 20 · 47 min
Did JFK Save a Man's Life?
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.
May 13 · 44 min
Is it Time for a Third Party?
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.
May 6 · 29 min
Did Thomas Jefferson Steal the Declaration of Independence?
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.
April 22 · 41 min
What's the Real Story of Disney's "Newsies"?
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.
April 15 · 37 min
John Quincy Adams: From President to Anti-Slavery Firebrand (Live in DC)
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.

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