American History

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 characters who played key roles: Confederate General Henry Heth, the man who initiated the battle of Gettysburg and Union General Edward Sickles, one of the most…

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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 famous (yet unrelated) quote, “What potent blood hath modest May,” which Mark will show is an applicable description when considering the outcome of some such events…

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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, Civil War and World War II, he features a range of heroines from Joan of Arc, who at age 17 led a French army in the…

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January: There’s a Lot of Historical Heat!

Often we think that historically, not much has happened in the middle of winter. However, that’s far from the truth. From Charlemagne to Henry VIII, Secession in the Civil War to the Soviets battling the Finns in the snow during WWII, there has been a lot of historical heat generated in January over the centuries….

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Learning About the Essential Qualities of Leadership – Part II

What essential leadership lessons can you learn from history’s greatest military commanders? Prof. Harry Laver returns to continue the discussion on the qualities of Leadership and his book edited with Jeffrey J. Matthews, The Art of Command: Military Leadership from George Washington to Colin Powell. Buy The Art of Command: Military Leadership from George Washington…

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Kick Off the New Year Learning About the Essential Qualities of Leadership

What essential leadership lessons can you learn from history’s greatest military commanders? Mark welcomes Professor Harry Laver, author of The Art of Command: Military Leadership from George Washington to Colin Powell, to answer this question. Laver and his editor Jeffrey J. Matthews assembled a list of contributors from military, academic, and professional circles, which allows…

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Predicting Pearl Harbor

As the 80th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor during WWII approaches, Mark revisits his interview with historian Ronald J. Drez. They discuss his book, Predicting Pearl Harbor: Billy Mitchell and the Path to War. Gen. Billy Mitchell recognized the signs and foresaw the eventual showdown between the two nations―eighteen years before the tragedy…

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Civil War: The Fall of New Orleans

Continuing his discussion of the fall of New Orleans during the Civil War, Mark discusses the Union bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip by David Dixon Porter’s mortar boats. The rest of the Union fleet under David Farragut is able to steam past the forts. After a duel with the few effective Confederate gunboats…

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Civil War New Orleans

Mark discusses New Orleans during the Civil War. General Mansfield Lovell assumes military command of New Orleans and begins to shore up the defenses. He affirms that the threat will come upriver from the Gulf of Mexico, despite Richmond’s insistence that he transfer men and boats north. Construction begins on two super CSA gunboats, the…

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Civil War New Orleans: Prelude to Conflict

New Orleans fell to the Union on April 29, 1862. As we approach the anniversary of this historic moment, Mark takes a comparative look at developments leading up to the Civil War and the importance of the city of New Orleans to the Confederacy. Civil War New Orleans: Prelude to Conflict A comparative look at…

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