In this episode of History for Cocktail Parties, co-hosts James M. Ottley and Thornton Kennedy delve into the early life of Peter Buck, the guitarist of R.E.M., exploring the serendipitous events that led to the formation of the iconic band. The discussion begins with Buck's childhood in various locations due to his father's job, highlighting how his experiences shaped his musical influences. The emphasize the importance of Buck's journey, including his early exposure to music through a local record store and his eventual move to Athens, Georgia, where he would meet the other members of R.E.M. The narrative captures the essence of how Buck's life experiences intertwined with the band's formation, setting the stage for their first performance under the name Twisted Kites.

In this episode of History for Cocktail Parties, James M. Ottley and Thornton Kennedy reveal the key ingredient in R.E.M.’s origin story: a legendary Athens local named Kathleen O’Brien. The hosts swap stories of how a simple birthday party and O'Brien’s social matchmaking turned a group of shy musicians into a band, centered around a dilapidated, repurposed Episcopal church that served as their first concert venue.

In the debut episode of History for Cocktail Parties, hack historians James M. Ottley and Thornton Kennedy dive into the serendipitous rise of R.E.M. They trace the band’s DNA from Michael Stipe’s military brat upbringing and Peter Buck’s record store days to the local characters who fueled the legendary Athens, Georgia, music scene.

In this celebratory one-year anniversary episode of History for Cocktail Parties, hosts Thornton Kennedy and James Ottley step away from their deep-dive format to share the fascinating "misfit" stories discovered during a year of research. They revisit the Panama Canal to explore the scientific battle against the yellow fever mosquito, while also uncovering hidden gems like the influence of Jeremy Ayers on the Athens music scene and the mystery of the "Ghost Amendment." From the real Greatest Locomotive Chase to the business community's reaction to Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel Peace Prize, this episode is a curated collection of historical tidbits that are simply too good to leave on the cutting room floor.

In this holiday episode of History for Cocktail Parties, hack historians James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy explore the historical roots of the Christmas story, peeling back the layers behind one of the most familiar narratives in Western civilization. The hosts examine the arrival of the Magi and the meaning behind their famous gifts, the political and logistical implications of the Roman census, and the very real fear sparked in Jerusalem by rumors of a newborn king. Along the way, they unpack King Herod’s reaction, the importance of Bethlehem, and the mystery of the star that guided travelers across the ancient world.

In this gripping final installment of History for Cocktail Parties’ series on the Great Locomotive Chase, hosts James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy follow the story to its breathtaking climax. Picking up at full speed, the episode tracks James J. Andrews and his Union raiders as they attempt one of the boldest acts of espionage in Civil War history — stealing a Confederate train and tearing up the railroad behind them to choke off supply lines to Chattanooga. Ottley and Kennedy break down the razor-thin moments that defined the chase: Andrews’ smooth-talking cover story with station agents, the stolen switch key that saved the mission from an early collapse, and the relentless pursuit by Captain William Fuller, who hopped from foot to handcar to locomotive in an unbreakable chase across Georgia. As the raid barrels toward its final showdown at a half-burned bridge, listeners will feel the tension, ingenuity, and high-stakes gamble of a mission hanging by a thread. Though Andrews’ Raiders were ultimately captured — with some escaping and others becoming heroes — their daring operation left a legacy that reshaped America’s understanding of wartime courage and railroad strategy.

Just in time for the holiday, History for Cocktail Parties hosts James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy carve into the real story behind Thanksgiving — and it’s far more complicated (and interesting) than the version most of us learned in school. From the Pilgrims’ voyage on the Mayflower to the American Indian communities they encountered, the hosts discuss how disease, timing, geography, and mythology shaped one of America’s most enduring narratives.

Ottley and Kennedy explore why the Pilgrims weren’t the first settlers, how a devastating pandemic reshaped the New England coast before they arrived, and why many passengers aboard the Mayflower weren’t separatists at all — just everyday people looking for a better life. They dig into the debated intent of their landing site, the exaggerations around the “brutal first winter,” and the role Native Americans had already played in cultivating the land long before the famous feast.

In the second installment on the Great Locomotive Chase, hosts James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy take listeners into one of the most daring operations of the Civil War. James J. Andrews succeeds in stealing a Confederate locomotive, damaging Southern supply lines, and cutting lines of communication. But the relentless Conductor William Fuller pursues him through North Georgia by foot and pushcart. Packed with suspense, historical insight, and the kind of storytelling perfect for your next cocktail conversation, this episode captures the bravery, blunders, and brilliant moments that made the chase legendary — and sealed its place in Civil War lore.

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.