Axelbank Reports History and Today

We promise this won't be a podcast about nothing! Join us, as we talk with Jennifer Armstrong, the author of the New York Times Bestseller, "Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything." Jennifer explains how Jerry Seinfeld created "Seinfeld," and how the brilliant Larry David created a world inside of a world inside of a world! She explains why "Seinfeldi...

We talk with Richard Bell about his prizewinning book, "Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped Into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home." It explains how five boys in Philadelphia were abducted by slave smugglers and taken to the Deep South, away from their families, and forced into slavery. Bell writes not only about their horrific journey, but about how they were the lucky few who eve...

As America watches the inauguration of the 46th president, we talk with presidential historian Kate Anderson Brower about her book, "The Residence: Inside the Private World of The White House." After Donald Trump vacates the White House, but before the Bidens arrive, an incredible symphony will be going on in the West Wing. Members of the permanent White House staff will be removing the...

We talk with Pulitzer Prize finalist Edward Achorn about his book, "Every Drop of Blood: The Momentous Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln." He explains how Lincoln sought to bind the nation's wounds after the bloodiest years in its history. Lincoln's unique ability to understand both politics and public sentiment allowed him to write and deliver one of the greatest speeches...

We talk with noted author Matthew Algeo about his book, "The President is a Sick Man: Wherein the Supposedly Virtuous Grover Cleveland Survives A Secret Surgery At Sea and Villifies The Courageous Newspaperman Who Dared Expose the Truth." In what has to be considered one of the biggest scandals in presidential history, Grover Cleveland and a batch of physicians stole away from the White...

One of America's most formidable historians, Harold Holzer, discusses his newest book, "The Presidents vs. The Press: The Endless Battle Between the White House and the Media, from the Founding Fathers to Fake News." He explains how presidents from Washington to Trump have not only been disappointed in the coverage they get, but in how they tried to squash stories they didn't l...

We talk with A'Lelia Bundles, the author of, "On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam CJ Walker." Her biography of her own great-great grandmother explains how Madam CJ Walker became the first female self-made millionaire in the United States. Battling both racism and sexism, Walker became a giant of American business through her perseverance and ingenuity. Bundles explains h...

We talk with Neal Gabler about his book, "Catching the Wind: Edward Kennedy and the Liberal Hour, 1932-1975." Neal explains how Ted Kennedy's beginnings were different from his famed brothers, partly because their personalities were different, but also because they grew up during different times altogether. He explains how one of the most effective and longest-serving senators of al...

We talk with counterintelligence expert Catherine Grace Katz about her book, "The Daughters of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War." She explains how what some call, "The Most Important Meeting of All Time," featured not just Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, but also the daughters of FDR, Churchill and Averell Harrima...

We talk with prominent historian and political commentator Jonathan Alter about his new biography of Jimmy Carter, "His Very Best." Alter explains why it's time to reassess Carter's presidency, in that it's political difficulties should not mar its long-term policy gains. From the 1978 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, to the environment, to human rights to normalizing relations...

We talk with Dr. Erika Lee about her book, "America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States." Some say America is a place for anyone and everyone. We learn in elementary school that America was started by people seeking a new life, where they could have religious freedom, that it is a place that accepts, "poor, huddled masses." But at the same time, there is...

This episode is the perfect companion to Barack Obama's new autobiography, "A Promised Land."  We talk with one of America's greatest writers, David Maraniss, about his stunning biography of Barack Obama. "The Story," explores not only Obama's early years, but his background that makes him the quintessential American. Maraniss argues that Obama's upbringing...

We talk with prolific sportswriter Wayne Coffey about his book, "They Said It Couldn't Be Done: The '69 Mets, New York City, and the Most Astounding Season in Baseball History." The longtime New York Daily News writer explains how the Mets shocked the world during a time of social upheaval and scientific discovery. The Mets went from worst-to-first just as the United States bla...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Matt Grossmann, the author of, "Red State Blues: How the Conservative Revolution Stalled in the States." He is a political scientist and contributor to fivethirtyeight.com, so he is perfect to dissect the results of the presidential election and our increasingly fractured and contentious political landscape. What is causing our divisions? Why do things f...

On the sixth and final 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. He explains how t...

Our fifth episode in our series on the presidency features A.J. Baime and his book, "Dewey Defeats Truman: The 1948 Election and the Battle for America's Soul." Baime explains how President Truman revived his political fortunes with the most aggressive campaign in American history. He embarks on a "Whistlestop Tour" pledging to visit every county in the country. The "...

In this special episode, we speak with one of history's most prolific podcasters, "Professor Buzzkill." Without a doubt, he is among the most listened-to history podcasters on the World Wide Web. His show influences all of us who have taken to this medium to discuss history. We asked each other ten questions about our shows, history, podcasting technique and our favorite books. His...

Our fourth episode in our series on the presidency is with Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, the author of, "The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution." Her book explains how early political battles led George Washington to create the cabinet as a board of advisors representing each of the Federal departments. She argues that although the cabinet itself is not expl...

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." His book explains how presidents have promised too much in an effort to "stir the passions" of the American people. He argues that lofty rhetoric, while great at helping candidates win...

Our series on the presidency begins with two biographical episodes of the major-party candidates. For our episode on Donald Trump, we interviewed James Poniewozik, the author of, "Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television and the Fracturing of America."  As opposed to criticizing or applauding his presidency (which you can find anywhere), Poniewozik discusses Donald Trump through the def...

Our series on the presidency begins with two biographical episodes of the major-party candidates. For our episode on Joe Biden, we interviewed Steven Levingston, the author of, "Barack and Joe." As opposed to analyzing every step of his political career, Levingston's book examined Biden through his relationship with the man who selected him to be vice president in 2008. Levingston e...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Benjamin Railton about his book, "Of Thee I Sing: The Contested History of American Patriotism." We explore the roots of patriotism, how patriotism is weaponized politically and how we should react internally to forms of patriotism or protest that we may not agree with. Dr. Railton explains how patriotism has evolved and what key events have led to chang...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Regina Bradley about her new book, "Chronicling Stankonia: The Rise of the Hip Hop South." She explores the famed hip hop group, Outkast, and how they fueled a new kind of rap music in America. Atlanta was not always an international city, and Outkast rose just as the city was taking the world stage. She describes how black artists used to be stripped of...

In this episode, we talk with John Nixon, the author of, "Debriefing the President: The Interrogation of Saddam Hussein." Nixon is one of only a few Americans to speak to the former Iraqi dictator since the first Gulf War. He describes what it was like to question him and then bring intelligence back to the Oval Office and President Bush. He had numerous sessions with Saddam, and has a p...

On this episode, we talk with NYT bestselling author Alexis Coe about her biography of George Washington. As the first woman in eons to write a cradle-to-grave bio of America's foremost Founding Father, she explains why it is so important that the legend be reexamined. Sure, she does some myth-busting, but she also explains his humanity in fresh tones, giving us a new way to think about him....