This is my first solo podcast, and in it I gave a big-picture summary of the context around the battle, which began in September 1944, and talked some about the battle itself and why it does not deserve its status as one of the forgotten battles of World War 2. I recommend the following readings and resources if you're interested in learning more:

Books:

• Last Man Standing: The 1st Marine Regiment on Peleliu, September 15-21, 1944, Dick Camp - written by a Marine turned author based on interviews and research

Websites:

• Storming the Point at Peleliu, Dick Camp

James Madison, and many of the Founders, were deeply concerned about factions - groups of people who would use the power of government in ways that would trample on the rights of others - and sought to explain how the proposed Constitution would address this problem. He also addressed concerns over the potential size of America, and how such a huge country could be governed along republican principles. There's a lot to this one that's relevant to our view of competing political groups and our fellow citizens.

Suggested Reading:

• Federalist 10 - James Madison, 22 NOV 1787

The Antifederalists, often written off as the losers of the debate over ratifying the Constitution, were a part of the political culture of the times, and offered claims and arguments that shaped what went into the Constitution, how it was eventually ratified, and some of the first steps taken by the new government. Thus, understanding their concerns and arguments is no only essential to understanding the Constitution and early republic, but also to many political and constitutional debates (and fights) since.

Suggested Readings:

• Cato I

Homegrown terrorism was a big problem in Europe in the 1970s and 80s, and yet it's an era of terrorism about which Americans typically know little, if anything at all. Lee and I discuss the origins of these groups and individuals, and their early connections, at least ideologically and sometimes directly, with Middle East terror groups at the same time.

Suggested Readings:

• Who were the Baader-Meinhof Gang? - BBC article

This is the first in a series I am going to do on Federalist and Antifederalist documents, arguments, and ideas, and what we can learn from them to help navigate our current political climate.

Suggested reading:

• Federalist 1, Alexander Hamilton, 27 OCT 1787

The first in a multi-part series on terrorism, in this episode Dr. Lee Eysturlid and I focused on the roots of terrorism in the Middle East after WW2, up to the end of the "Golden Age of Terrorism," which ended around the time of the fall of the Soviet Union.

Suggested Readings:

• Jewish Insurgency in Mandatory Palestine - Wikipedia article

I have a firm belief, based on experience, that most Americans don't fully understand how the Electoral College works, and why it's supposed to work that way. At the request of some family members, I offer this episode as a way to dispel some of this misunderstanding. I might do another, focused on the politics of the EC and proposals for its replacement.

Suggested Readings:

• Constitution of the United States, Article II (go find a copy!)

The age of the airship, with dreams of worldwide routes, trade and transport, and designs of using them in war to bomb opponents into submission, was short, really comprising only about two decades. Take a short walk through this era, with a few stories about the most prominent vessels (and their tragic endings), and some talk about why this seemingly promising technology didn't stick.

Suggested readings:

• Airships.net - website with great historical information and pictures

The second part of our discussion, about North Korean attacks on South Korea over the years, and the troubling continuity between the three leaders of North Korea over the years: Kim il Sing, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un.

Suggested Readings:

• The Blue House Raid: North Korea's Failed 1968 Commando Assault on Seoul, Militaryhistoryonline.com article

The episode in which we discuss the evolution of NK's capacity to intimidate and control its people.

Suggested Additional Readings:

• VICE Article about North Korea, with video links - website