The Sons Of History

It's our first episode of the new season and Alan Winter, co-author of "Sins of the Fathers," joins the podcast to discuss the new book, how Adolf Hitler should be viewed by readers and historians, and how difficult it would be to stop the rise of Hitler (even with a second chance).  "Sins of the Fathers" is the sequel to "Wolf" that follows the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party in 1930s Germ...

James L. Haley, author of the naval adventure Putnam Series, joined the podcast to discuss his fourth installment in the series: "Captain Putnam for the Republic of Texas." Haley discusses the art of writing good historical fiction and why it's harder to write than nonfiction - which he has written immensely, including works on Jack London, Sam Houston, Hawaii, the Texas Supreme Court, and the Apa...

Arthur Herman has written another tremendous book entitled The Viking Heart. Herman joined the podcast to discuss his work and how the Scandinavians conquered the world through Viking conquest and later through trade, exploration, and sheer heart and brilliance. Herman's new book takes the reader on a journey of approximately 1,200 years, discussing the many historical figures from the lands of th...

This week's episode is very different from any other episode we've done before. Dustin Bass reads letters and speeches from some of our American ancestors, including Ben Franklin, Daniel Webster, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Listen to the perspectives of what those from long ago thought about the meaning of Thanksgiving, including a speech from a Wampanoag Indian. We hope that you enjoy...

The legendary Wilfred McClay joined the podcast this week to discuss his book "Land of Hope" and how his US history textbook is different than most. The Sons of History are big fans of the book because it gives perspective to the American story in a very balanced way. Along with the book, we discuss what has happened to history and civics education in America's schools, why a different demographic...

NEW UPLOAD after slight snafu.  Discover the most influential American woman you may have never heard of: Sarah Josepha Hale. Melanie Kirkpatrick joins the podcast to discuss her latest book, "Lady Editor: Sarah Josepha Hale and the Making of the Modern American Woman." In this episode we discuss Hale's hardships and tragedies that pushed her into the direction of becoming editor of the most...

Donald Frazier, of the Texas Center at Schreiner University and a newly appointed member of Texas's 1836 Commission, joins the podcast to discuss what the Commission is all about and why Texas history is so important to the American story. Supporters and detractors of the Commission are in abundance, but Frazier is working to ensure the proper historical balance is struck. The Sons of History disc...

More and more, advocacy is usurping an accurate telling of history. The question is can they actually work together? And how often was advocacy done with contemporary works in order to preserve certain views? The Sons of History discuss this and more with Justice Ken Wise, of the 14th Court of Appeals in Texas and the creator of the Wise About Texas podcast, and Dr. Stephen Hardin, prominent Texas...

Lenin. Mao. Castro. Mugabe. Khomeini. Donald Critchlow joins the podcast to discuss his new book "Revolutionary Monsters: Five Men Who Turned Liberation Into Tyranny." The Sons of History talk about how these five dictators came to power across five different regions, but in very similar ways. Dustin Bass and Alan Wakim discuss with Critchlow how the West (whether journalists, politicians, or acad...

Art Leach was a fighter pilot in the United States Navy during World War II was given credit for shooting down 3.5 enemy aircraft. Leach discusses the difficulties of launching and landing on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, shooting gunboats and Japanese Zeros in the Philippine Islands, and his experience of flying the F6F Hellcat. Art Leach was awarded two air medals and the Distinguished Flyi...

Denton Florian is one of the foremost experts on Sam Houston, the great Texas general, president, and governor (in that order); and Texas history in general. He was the executive producer of the five-time EMMY winning documentary "Sam Houston: American Statesman, Soldier, and Pioneer." Denton joined the podcast to discuss how the new book "Forget The Alamo" attempts to do as "The 1619 Project" did...

Mike Duncan, the creator of the highly successful podcasts "The History of Rome" and "Revolutions," joins the show to discuss his new book Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution . Learn how Lafayette was a revolutionary's revolutionary. His nickname Hero of Two Worlds comes from his high level involvement in the American Revolution and the French Revolution, and ther...

Dr. Mary Grabar joins the podcast to discuss her new book "Debunking The 1619 Project: Exposing the Plan to Divide America." Learn what some of the egregious claims are from The New York Times Magazine initiative. Grabar discusses how she dismantled The 1619 Project's claims through historical fact, contemporary sources, and historians from across the political spectrum.    WEBSITE &nbsp...

In the first episode of the new podcast season, Dr. Danel Olson joins to talk about his new book 9/11 Gothic: Decrypting Ghosts and Trauma in New York City's Terrorism Novels. Dustin Bass and Alan Wakim discuss how 9/11 affected civilians psychologically and spiritually and how the aftermath of the war on terror affected the military. This is a deep dive into the trauma that has followed the worst...

Happy Independence Day! Listen in to this episode (and blare it on the loudspeakers) and learn how the Declaration of Independence was written, and then stay tuned in for a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence. 

This is an episode chock full of information on what led to the American Revolution told in an entertaining way. Since July 4th is right around the corner, we figured we would go old school with the next two episodes. Get your pen and paper ready for notes, or watch it all here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWLZn3f88ps&t=

Father's Day is coming up and The Sons of History are celebrating early. Though Dustin and Alan aren't fathers, they are sons to some really great dads. Along with that, fathers and masculinity have been coming under attack for longer than you might think. The Sons of History discuss why masculinity is an absolute necessity for a society to survive...don't worry, femininity is discussed too (and b...

You may know about the famous battle on June 6, 1944 - but do you know about the other famous battles that happened on June 6, as well as other famous battles and wars that happened in the month of June? The Sons of History find it very interesting that some of history's most famous conflicts started during this month. There is something about the hot month that brings out the hot war. Dustin Bass...

Margalit Fox joins the show to discuss her new book about a World War I prison escape that is practically too strange to believe. It is a tale of war, the Ottoman Empire, prison breaks, and...Ouija Boards? In her fourth book, The Confidence Men, Fox brings to life a story that was all but forgotten, during a period that few know: World War I on the Ottoman Front. This is a conversation not to be m...

Most people know very little about Spain's assistance during the American Revolution, much less the important contributions during the Gulf Coast Campaign. Find out how Spain sought revenge from losses in the Seven Years War and how they got it, and how that benefited the Americans in countless ways.

Michael Walsh, the New York Times bestselling author, joins the podcast to discuss his latest book, Last Stands: Why Men Fight When All Is Lost. We discuss the virtues of honor and courage, and the necessity of masculinity. We cover the numerous battles discussed in the book and how masculinity is a must in a society.  In a world that is being turned upside down by claims of toxic masculinity...

Everyone knows about the French involvement during the American Revolution, but few know about the Spanish involvement. Spain proved to be a major help during America's fight for independence, and few individuals did more than the great Spaniard Bernardo de Galvez. It is time to give Spain and de Galvez the credit they deserve for helping the colonists defeat the British Empire. We talk with Micha...

Dr. Jody Edward Ginn joins the podcast to discuss his latest book East Texas Troubles . We also discuss the corruption that engulfed the Texas Rangers for a while under the Ferguson era during the early 1900s and the resurgence that took place under James Allred. Learn about the elite group of law enforcement officers called the Texas Rangers and why Chuck Norris probably wouldn't pan out as a rea...

The story goes that the Mexican Army was defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto. This is true for the army led by Santa Anna, but what about the other 4,000 soldiers? Were they defeated by the Texian Army, or something else? Gregg Dimmick, author of the Sea of Mud, joins the podcast to tell a part of the Texas Revolution you probably have never heard before.  You can purchase his groundbreakin...

Tim K., founder of The Veterans Project , joins the show to discuss the ironic story of launching The Veterans Project and how it is affecting veterans and how it is affecting him - a veteran himself of the Iraq War. This is a conversation you need to hear, and if you know a veteran, perhaps share this episode with them.