On this episode of Trotsky & the Wild Orchids our hosts, Andrew and Ray, talk about Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. They consider  Michael Kazin's critique of Zinn and the larger implications A People's History has for the profession. Is Zinn a gateway drug for historians?

Ep Ten: Zinn and the Art of History

Two intellectual historians discuss politics, culture, and the history of ideas in the United States.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Andrew and Ray are back from summer break! In this episode Andrew provides an update on his book before the conversation transitions to the New Deal's legacy as well as sports and our contemporary moment. For this episode we read Michael Kazin's  review of Eric Rauchway's book Why the New Deal Matters and "You can't separate sports and politics," an  interview with Dave Zirin in Jacobin. 

EP44: Andrew & Ray Are Back from Break

Andrew & Ray check in about the Biden administration and discuss New Monetary Theory, the strategic objectives of the American military and how Andrew became a lefty. Kim Hjelmgaard's USA Today article "A Reckoning is Near" and Jed Purdy's "A Possible Majority" in Dissent Magazine. 

EP43: Andrew & Ray, unadulterated

Keith Pluymers comes on the show to talk about environmental history, wood in the early modern world, and contemporary environmental politics.

EP42: Keith Pluymers

Nicole Hemmer sits down with Ray and Andrew to discuss a range of topics from conservative media and the NYT to public history and "Welcome to Your Fantasy," a podcast about the Chippendales!

EP41: Nicole Hemmer

Harvey joins Andrew and Ray to discuss the inaugural address as well as Biden's bipartisan hopes. 

Ep Ten: Zinn and the Art of History

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