Boom Goes the History

We gave you "Why Gettysburg?" with Garry Adelman and now we present "Why Stonewall?" with our good friend and frequent American Battlefield Trust personality Chris Mackowski. Learn why a proud Upstate New Yorker has such a fascination with the famed Confederate General. Garry and Kris White join him on this week's episode of BOOM Goes the History.

In this episode of Boom Goes the History, hosts Garry Adelman and Kris White dive into Lee's critical decision-making during the failed Maryland Campaign. They explore the context surrounding Lee's actions, the strategic options he considered, and the outcomes of his campaign.

What do you think? Was Lee's gamble worth it? Listen in!

What really happened at the Little Bighorn? In this special episode of Boom Goes the History, hosts Garry Adelman and Kris White saddle up with in-house Custer expert Dan Davis to tackle one of the most famous—and debated—battles in American history: The Battle of the Little Bighorn—on its 150th anniversary.

From big personalities and battlefield blunders to myths, legends, and last stands, the crew dives into the drama surrounding George Armstrong Custer and the fight along the Little Bighorn River. Along the way, they also show off incredible resources that let history fans virtually explore the battlefield from anywhere. It’s history, humor, battlefield exploration, and plenty of lively discussion packed into one fast-moving episode. Saddle up—boom goes the history!

What happens when two of America’s biggest revolutionary minds become one of its most famous political rivalries? In this episode of Boom Goes the History, Kris White, Chris Mackowski, and Dan Davis dive into the fascinating feud between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams—friends, rivals, frenemies, and eventually something more. From politics and personality clashes to the legacy of their remarkable relationship, this is a lively look at one of the premier showdowns of the Revolutionary era. History, debate, and plenty of fun—boom!

In this episode of Boom Goes the History, historians Tim Smith and Garry Adelman dive into the powerful world of Civil War photography at Gettysburg. This isn’t about how to take a better photo—it’s about the men behind the camera and the haunting, iconic images they left behind.

From the work of Alexander Gardner to Mathew Brady, we explore how these early photographers documented the aftermath of battle, shaped public perception of the war, and created some of the most enduring images in American history. What’s real, what’s staged, and what stories do those famous photos actually tell?

It’s a fascinating, sometimes surprising look at Gettysburg—not as you walk it, but as the world first saw it. History, storytelling, and a few myth-busting moments along the way… boom!

What happens when the capital falls—but the fight is far from over?

In this episode of Boom Goes the History, co-host Kris White is joined by historian Dan Davis and producer Andy Poulton to dive into the dramatic Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. From the shock of losing the American capital to the hard lessons learned on the road to Valley Forge, the crew unpacks how setbacks helped shape the Revolution’s resilience. It's one of the most trying chapters in George Washington's storied career. 

It’s a fast-paced, fun, and insightful look at a pivotal moment—and a reminder that even in defeat, the story was far from finished.

What happens when modern historians react to historians of the past? In this episode of Boom Goes the History, Garry Adelman brings a wild idea to the table: watching and reacting to old clips of legendary historians. First up—Douglas Southall Freeman. We dive into Freeman’s thoughts on respecting the enemy, but the real surprise? Hearing his voice! Join us for a fun, slightly stunned, and occasionally irreverent look at how historians of yesterday sound to historians of today. History, reactions, and a few laughs—boom.

Why Gettysburg? What makes one battle capture a lifetime of curiosity? On this episode of Boom Goes the History, we sit down with American Battlefield Trust Chief Historian Garry Adelman to talk about his lifelong obsession with the Battle of Gettysburg. From the dramatic three days of fighting to his love of Civil War photography, Garry shares how he became completely hooked on Gettysburg—and why this pivotal moment in the Civil War still matters today. Whether you’re a seasoned history buff or just Gettysburg-curious, this conversation will show you why the battle keeps pulling Garry back over and over again. 

The American Battlefield Trust’s Boom Goes the History podcast is back—and it’s louder, livelier, and more fun than ever. In this reboot of the fan-favorite show, we dive headfirst into the stories, personalities, and surprising moments that shaped American history. From the drama of the Revolutionary War to the high stakes of the War of 1812 and the epic clashes of the Civil War, no battlefield—or historical rabbit hole—is off limits.

But this isn’t your typical history lecture. Boom Goes the History mixes serious storytelling with plenty of laughs, unexpected trivia, and the occasional irreverent tangent. Our hosts pull back the curtain on how the American Battlefield Trust creates its videos, maps, and educational content, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from filming trips, battlefield visits, and the occasional historical mishap.

Whether we’re breaking down a famous battle, debating if Star Wars is a Civil War or swapping stories from the road, the goal is simple: make history entertaining, approachable, and fun!

If you love great stories, fascinating history, and a healthy dose of fun, grab your headphones and join us. History has never sounded quite like this.

Join Kris White for this in-depth tour of the Bennett Place State Historic Site in North Carolina, where Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his Confederate forces to William T. Sherman in late April, 1865.