In this episode of History for Cocktail Parties, James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy fire up one of the most daring and cinematic episodes of the Civil War: the Great Locomotive Chase. With Chattanooga’s rugged geography as the backdrop, the hosts break down why this region became a strategic prize and how Union operative James J. Andrews hatched a plan bold enough to change the war’s trajectory. Ottley and Kennedy explore Andrews’ first failed sabotage attempt, the high-stakes mission to sever Confederate supply lines, and General Mitchell’s sweeping vision for a coordinated strike. From runaway locomotives to relentless Confederate pursuit, the episode reveals how planning, execution, and pure luck shaped one of the war’s most dramatic moments — and why one of Andrews’ raiders became the first-ever recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Our second episode on Charleston, S.C. dives into how the Southern city became the flashpoint for America’s greatest conflict. History for Cocktail Parties Hosts Thornton Kennedy and James Ottley continue their journey through Charleston’s rich past, exploring the city’s architecture, symbols, and the events that set the stage for the Civil War. You’ll learn why Charleston’s famous Palmetto tree became a lasting emblem of strength, how clever residents built their homes “sideways” to outwit the tax man, and why the USS Yorktown and Fort Sumter remain powerful touchstones of American history. Ottley and Kennedy also unravel the string of near-misses and misunderstandings — from misfired cannons to misplaced ice shipments — that almost started the Civil War before Fort Sumter ever did.

Before it was a postcard-perfect city of pastel houses and cobblestone streets, Charleston, South Carolina, was a rowdy port town bursting with ambition, intrigue — and pirates. In this episode of History for Cocktail Parties, hosts Thornton Kennedy and James Ottley trace the city’s colorful origins from its 1670 founding under the Lords Proprietors to its golden age of piracy on the Carolina coast. You’ll hear how the restoration of King Charles II shaped “Charles Town,” why philosopher John Locke had a surprising hand in its early government, and how Charleston’s mix of taverns, churches, and brothels made it one of the liveliest — and most scandalous — colonial outposts in America. Then, Ottley and Kennedy dive into tales of high-seas rogues like Blackbeard and the “Gentleman Pirate” Steed Bonnet, whose escapades turned Charleston Harbor into a stage for swashbuckling drama.

In the latest episode of History for Cocktail Parties, James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy discuss one of the strangest chapters in American political history: Georgia’s “Three Governors Controversy” of 1946–47. When governor-elect Eugene Talmadge died before taking office, chaos erupted under the Gold Dome. In a spectacle equal parts tragedy, farce, and backroom brawl, three men — outgoing governor Ellis Arnall, lieutenant governor-elect Melvin E. Thompson, and Talmadge’s son Herman — each declared themselves the rightful governor. For weeks, Georgia had three governors with locked offices, a hidden state seal and even a state trooper standoff.

This episode of History for Cocktail Parties examines the FBI’s international pursuit of James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr. Hosts James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy follow Ray’s desperate flight across Canada and Europe, his paranoid search for new identities, and his ill-fated dreams of becoming a mercenary. The story highlights the unprecedented scale of the manhunt, the international collaboration it required, and the careless mistakes that ultimately led to Ray’s capture at Heathrow Airport. It’s a riveting blend of history, detective work, and true crime.

This episode of History for Cocktail Parties explores the largest manhunt in FBI history — the international search for Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassin, James Earl Ray. Hosts James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy trace Ray’s flight from Memphis to Canada, his use of fake identities, and the pivotal clues that ultimately unraveled his escape. It’s a gripping mix of history and true crime, highlighting both the FBI’s relentless pursuit and Ray’s fatal mistakes.

In this episode of History for Cocktail Parties, James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy examine the largest manhunt in American history—the pursuit of James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr. The hosts trace the events leading up to King’s assassination in Memphis, the FBI’s challenges in tracking Ray across international borders, and the racial and political tensions that shaped the investigation. From prison escapes to global chases, this story reveals the twists and turns behind a search for justice that gripped the world.

From soccer scrums to Bowl games, football’s journey is as fascinating as the game itself. In this episode, hosts Thornton Kennedy and James Ottley trace the evolution of the South's favorite pastime, spotlighting the legends who shaped it, the rivalries that defined it, and the cultural forces that turned Saturday afternoons and bowl games into national traditions.

In the final installment of our Panama Canal series, History for Cocktail Parties traces the disastrous opening chapter of America’s canal campaign. Tropical diseases, political missteps, and sheer stubbornness nearly doomed the United States to repeat the French failure. But under Teddy Roosevelt’s leadership, a new team of engineers and visionaries stepped in to change the course of history. William Gorgas conquered yellow fever and malaria, John Stevens reshaped the construction strategy, and the locks system became the key to success. It’s the story of how near disaster turned into one of America’s greatest engineering triumphs—and a legacy that still shapes global trade today.

In this episode of History for Cocktail Parties, hosts James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy unravel the astonishing story of the Panama Revolution — the chain of unlikely, cinematic events that allowed Panama to break free from Colombia and pave the way for the canal. From a revolutionary who won just enough at the gambling table to fund his mission to New York, to a railroad superintendent who cleverly stranded 500 Colombian sharpshooters without their general, every detail had to align perfectly — and somehow, every one did. With coded messages, political intrigue, and bold gambles, the revolution that created Panama is as gripping as any thriller, and a page-turner in its own right.