Latest Episodes
Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History
Actor Robert Shaw’s speech that he delivered in the movie Jaws in his legendary performance as shark-hunter Quint may be the first time that generations who didn’t grow up...
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The Civil War in July of 1863
Mark takes a quick look at two major Civil War events the took place in early July: the battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg. He also discusses some of the...
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The Environmental Impact of the Civil War
It’s been four months since Russia invaded Ukraine and reports show the environmental impact is already devastating. Mark looks back to the American Civil War to give listeners an...
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Civil War: What Potent Blood Has Modest May
Mark takes a look at some significant events that took place in May from the American Civil War era. He considers these events in light of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s...
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American Civil War: April Events
Events that occurred in April during the American Civil War lend credence to T.S. Eliot’s moniker of April as the “Cruelest Month.” The start of hostilities at Fort Sumter...
Women in History Month
To kick off Women’s History month, Mark takes a look at some of history’s notable women. Starting with Medieval times and jumping to the American Revolution, War of 1812,...
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Behind The Mic

Mark Bielski
Mark Bielski, Ph.D. is an historian, author, and the Director at Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours. As the host of the History with Mark Bielski Podcast, he discusses history from ancient to modern times with experts in their field, with special attention to the Civil War and WWII.

Steve Bourque
Steve Bourque, author of The Allied War Against France, is professor emeritus at the Army Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, Kansas. He lives nearby in Kansas City Missouri. He served for twenty years in the U.S. Army in the U.S. Germany and the Middle East. Dr. Bourque received his Ph.D. from Georgia State University. He has taught history at Cal State University and the School of Advanced Military Studies at the Command and General Staff College.

Gerald J. Prokopowicz
Gerry Prokopowicz, Ph.D. is the author of Did Lincoln Own Slaves? Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Abraham Lincoln as well as the online host of Civil War Talk Radio. He served for nine years as the resident Lincoln Scholar at the Lincoln Museum.

Rick Beyer
Documentary film-maker and history enthusiast Rick Beyer produced and directed the award-winning PBS documentary The Ghost Army, and co-wrote (with Liz Sayles) of The Ghost Army of World War II. The book is now being developed as a Hollywood movie by the producers of American Sniper.
What Listeners Are Saying
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Ford Porter
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“I wanted to send you a quick message to say that I’m thoroughly enjoying your D-Day podcast.”
Jim Lewis
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John Lindstedt
“Just a note to say how much I am enjoying the podcasts. It’s a great idea and really easy to listen to. I’ve shared it with a few homeschooling associations here in PA. It’s a great resource!” Connie Kennedy
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Encore Episode on the 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Second Manassas
On the eve of the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Second Manassas, which was fought from August 28-30, 1862, Mark presents an encore episode, The Battle of Second Manassas. In August 1862, after the Confederate victory in the Battle of Second Manassas, or the Second Battle of Bull Run as it was referred to in the North,...
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