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 perspective almost no one on earth can have when it comes to the fall of Iraq and its leader.

Since the Iraq War grew out of 9/11, this is an episode worth listening to as we explore how that horrible day changed American history.

John Nixon is available on Twitter @JohnNixon

"Axelbank Reports History and Today" is on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory

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. We talk about how he sowed his career, his time as a general and president, and also about slavery at Mount Vernon. How would Coe re-design the Washington Monument? Should we be proud of GW? Which other presidents need a book like this one? This is a fun and thought-provoking episode!

She can be reached on Twitter @alexiscoe

Axelbank Reports History and Today is on Twitter and Insta @axelbankhistory

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Koritha Mitchell about her book, "From Slave Cabins to the White House: Homemade Citizenship in African American Culture." Dr. Mitchell's book explores the ways in which African-Americans have had to look within themselves and their own homes to find a sense of belonging. She argues that while citizenship is bestowed on white Americans from birth, African-Americans face public backlash when they strive. Instead, she has found that their citizenship must come from within. We explore the antebellum period, Reconstruction, key Supreme Court cases and Michelle Obama. The answer of how African-Americans went from slave cabins to the White House is truly fascinating.

You can connect with Dr. Mitchell on Twitter @profkori

Our show is on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory

In this episode, listen as author Julie Satow takes us on a historical tour of The Plaza Hotel. Her book, "The Plaza: The Secret History of America's Most Famous Hotel," takes an unforgettable dive into the world of luxury, celebrities, scandal and ambition. The Plaza isn't just a hotel, it's where guests, condo owners and workers have converged for over a century as they grapple for power and prestige. Of course, it's also the hotel that a future president just had to have, except it didn't go as planned. And wait until you hear how a publicity stunt for a movie overloaded their phone lines...

Julie Satow can be found on Twitter @juliesatow

Axelbank Reports History and Today can be found on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory 

In this episode, we talk with one of the foremost historians on modern Europe, Dr. Robert Gellately, about his book, "Hitler's True Believers: How Ordinary People Became Nazis." He explains not only how Hitler took power, but how his personality, economic program, and world events helped him win the support of millions of people. Dr. Gellately describes how Germany's post-WWI shame and struggling economy left a void for Hitler to fill. Was anti-Semitism a feature or a side-effect of Hitler's rise?

Dr. Gellately also explains what ordinary Germans knew about concentration camps and when they knew it, as well as whether the people of Germany regretted their country's actions even after WWII was over. His explanations will surprise you.

Reach us on Twitter and Insta @axelbankhistory

In this episode, we talk with the author of, "Oh, Florida! How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country." Listen as the veteran newspaper reporter and one of the foremost experts on "The Sunshine State" explains the origins of the "Florida Man." From scary animals, to Disney World, to hurricanes to climate change, Florida makes news day-in, day-out, just for being Florida. It's where one-of-a-kind politicians, too much humidity, too many drugs, gated communities and retirees mix, to form the perfect storm. But don't worry, he says, it's still a wonderful place to live!

He can be reached on Twitter @craigtimes

Axelbank Reports History and Today can be found on Twitter at @axelbankhistory

In this episode, we talk with former Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer about what it was like to endure his time in office as his city was targeted by the "Unite the Right" rallies. He describes how an inefficient government arrangement make it difficult to keep people safe, and how First Amendment law effectively hamstrung the city as it tried to allow for free speech but keep conflict from boiling over. He became the target of both threatening Internet trolls and white supremacist terrorists. He is thoughtful candid of not only his city's failings, but of his own. 

In this episode, we speak with Keri Leigh Merritt, the author of "Masterless Men: Poor Whites and Slavery in the Antebellum South." While much of southern history rightly focuses on the impact slavery had on African-Americans, Merritt explains how important it is to also understand the impact it had on poor whites. Her scholarship shows how slavery's echoes are heard today not just in the descendants of slaves, but in those who lived alongside the system.

She is active on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kerileighmerritt and her book is available on her website kerileighmerritt.com

Axelbank Reports History and Today is active on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axelbankhistory and on instagram @axelbankhistory

On this episode, we speak with author Chris McGreal, a brilliant reporter who wrote, "American Overdose: An American Tragedy in Three Acts." You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't felt the impact of America's most dangerous drug. McGreal explains how it was a crisis that was manufactured by greedy salespeople eager to get people hooked. How did living pain-free become essential at any cost? McGreal's answers are shocking, but crucial.

He can be found on social media at www.twitter.com/ChrisMcGreal 

Our show can be found at www.twitter.com/axelbankhistory and on Instagram @axelbankhistory

In this episode, we speak with author Sarah Milov about America's relationship with cigarettes. She wrote "The Cigarette: A Political History," which explores why they're still legal, how their sizable lobby operates and how the industry has battled the "non-smoker." Cigarettes kill many times more people than cars and guns, yet they still hold a sizable place in American life. Why?

You can check out Professor Milov on social media at www.twitter.com/allofmilov

Our podcast is on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axelbankhistory

It is on Instagram @axelbankhistory