The History Files

The History Files episodes:

• 09.08.2017

  The History Files #90: Pirates

  We’re back… and we brought pirates! Actually, that’s probably not such a great idea, what with all the stealing and pillaging and slow-matches in the beard and buckets of burning sulphur. Of course that’s only if we brought Edward Teach,...

  
• 05.25.2017

  The History Files #89: World War 1 – Part 2

  In part 2 of our series on World War 1, we take some time to talk about how the various Allied Countries armed up in the first months of the conflict, and how the United States basically became the “Arsenal...

  
• 04.29.2017

  The History Files #87: The Armenian Genocide

  Not all of our topics are hopeful or uplifting. Discussions of wars and man’s inhumanity to man are part of the study of history. In this episode we talk about a controversial chapter in world history, the Armenian Genocide, that...

  
• 04.13.2017

  The History Files #86: World War 1 – Part 1

  As we continue into the 100 year anniversary of the Great War, eventually known as World War 1, we thought it appropriate to begin a series discussing this turning point in history. In this episode we talk about the events...

  
• 03.26.2017

  The History Files #85: The Battle of Port Gamble

  While there are no records of large-scale wars or even battles in the Puget Sound area, there have been a few skirmishes over the years. Many people have heard of the Pig War (see HF ep. 53) , but fewer...

  
• 03.11.2017

  The History Files #84: The Spanish Civil War

  Civil wars are the ugliest wars, and one of the saddest was the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). It’s the subject and setting of many a novel and film, and it’s our topic in this episode. Show notes and links: * BRASS –...

  
• 02.17.2017

  The History Files #83: Andrew Jackson

  He’s “Old Hickory”, he’s the seventh President of the United States, the guy on the twenty dollar bill, and he founded the Democratic Party. He’s Andrew Jackson, he’s a cranky Scot, and we’re here to talk about him. Show notes and...

  
• 01.28.2017

  The History Files #82: Robert E. Lee

  This week we talk about one of the most beloved figures in American history, Gen. Robert E. Lee. He made a monumentally difficult decision to fight for the secessionists during the American Civil War (1861-65) and became world famous for...

  
• 01.14.2017

  The History Files #81: News: Real, Fake and Yellow

  We all want to know what’s going on in our world and elsewhere, but who can we trust to give us “all the news that’s fit to print” or tell us “that’s the way it was”? This week we look...

  
• 12.15.2016

  The History Files #80: World War 2 Ends

  Alt history is a great way to analyze the past and take a long look at how we arrived at where we are now. Many historians and fiction writers have speculated about what the world would be like if World...

  
• 12.08.2016

  The History Files #79: Cowboys Pt. 3

  We spent two episodes talking about the origins of the American cowboy, the golden age of the cattle drive, and some of the heroes of the old west. This week – in part three – we talk about the cowboy’s...

  
• 11.24.2016

  The History Files #78: Thanksgiving

  Thanksgiving, American style. What’s this holiday all about? Who were those “Pilgrims” and why were they so keen to get to North America? And what about Squanto? Find out in this week’s exciting episode of The History Files! Show notes and...

  
• 11.17.2016

  The History Files #77: Cowboys Pt. 2

  In part two of our short series on the cowboy, we dive into the peak years of the big cattle drives, the crystallization of American cowboy accoutrements, and take a look at some of the noteworthy personalities that made names...

  
• 11.10.2016

  The History Files #76: Cowboys Pt. 1

  Saddle up and stow your bedroll, it’s time to hit the dusty trail as we take a look at the history of the American cowboy. This week, in part one, we start in the early 19th century in the American...

  
• 11.03.2016

  The History Files #75: Election Shenanigans

  It is said that truth is stranger than fiction. When it comes to presidential elections, this is definitely the case. This week we take a look at elections shenanigans over the past couple hundred years and answer questions like “What’s...

  
• 10.21.2016

  The History Files #74: Witch Hunt

  As Halloween approaches, our thoughts turn to darker topics. This week we take a look at the history of witch hunts, which, it seems, were not always just about witches. Old World and New World, it seems folks just can’t...

  
• 10.14.2016

  The History Files #73: Westworld

  It’s dystopic, it’s cyber, it’s a thriller… and it’s a Western! Well, sort of. It’s the new (2016) HBO big-budget series Westworld, and we’re here to talk about it after seeing the first two episodes. Show notes and links: * Westworld (1973)...

  
• 10.10.2016

  The History Files #72: Exploration

  The exploration of the New World, what we now call North America, is a long and many-faceted story. If Columbus wasn’t the first from the Old World to set foot in the Americas, then who was? The Norse? The Chinese?...

  
• 10.01.2016

  The History Files #71: Magnificent 7

  Grab your shooting irons, saddle up, and ride out with The Magnificent Seven. This week we give our opinions of this dusty, shooty Western in theaters now in Fall of 2016. Spoiler: we liked it. Show notes and links: * Ancient Roman...

  
• 09.22.2016

  The History Files #70: Movie Adventures

  What’s almost as interesting as actual history? Why, making historical movies, that’s what. Today we get into a bit of Gordon’s background working on various film and television projects over the years, and finally answer the age-old question, “What’s more...

  
• 09.16.2016

  The History Files #69: Aaron Burr

  Leaked correspondence! Mudslinging! Dirty politics! No, this week we’re not talking about the 2016 US presidential election season. How about the 1800 election? Yep, it’s time to talk about… Aaron Burr. I’ll bet you thought I was going to say...

  
• 09.08.2016

  The History Files #68: 1450s Turning Points

  The 15th century was a time of tumult, war, and change both social and technological. This week we look at five events that changed the course of history around the globe: the end of the 100 Years War, China’s switch...

  
• 09.01.2016

  The History Files #67: Cavalry Q&A

  Given the nature of horses, how in the world did cavalry ever become a thing? Is cavalry a terrible idea? In this episode we delve into the crazy world of mounted combat, real and Hollywood style, by turning the tables...

  
• 08.25.2016

  The History Files #66: Afghanistan pt. 4

  In part four of our series on Afghanistan we endure the horrors of Maiwand and make it all the way through the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919) to reach a lull in the endless skirmishing, invasion, and revenge ops. Show notes and...

  
• 08.18.2016

  The History Files #65: Afghanistan pt. 3

  In part three of our series on Afghanistan we get fully into the second Anglo-Afghan War, picking up where we left off, in 1878. Will the British have learned valuable lessons from previous decades? Will they consequently learn anything from...

  
• 08.12.2016

  The History Files #64: Afghanistan pt. 2

  In part two of our series on Afghanistan, we discuss the devastating consequences of colonizing attempts in a region that really, really doesn’t want outside influence. With a healthy dose of home court advantage, the 1st and 2nd Afghan wars...

  
• 08.04.2016

  The History Files #63: Afghanistan pt. 1

  Afghanistan has been called the “graveyard of empires”. This week we look far back into the origins of this concept and make it as far as the beginning of the 1st Anglo-Afghan war in the first half of the 19th...

  
• 07.28.2016

  The History Files #62: Lee Christmas

  It’s Christmas time. No, not the holiday, and not Jason Statham’s kick-butt character from the “Expendables” movie trilogy; we’re talking about the real deal, here. The historical General Lee Christmas was a larger-than-life character who made a name for himself...

  
• 07.21.2016

  The History Files #61: las Navas de Tolosa

  This week we go full Medieval, all the way back to 1212 A.D., King Alfonso VIII of Castile, and the Battle of Los Navas de Tolosa. It’s the Moors vs. the Spaniards: who will win? Tune in and find out! Show...

  
• 07.15.2016

  The History Files #60: Crisis and Law

  This week is a bit of a double-header. Part 1 is all about how nations deal with a major crisis especially in the area of technological development. Part 2 is about the Rule of Law, a topic we’ve touched on...

  
• 06.23.2016

  The History Files #58: Letter from 1916

  Encill Tener was a yeoman on the USS New Jersey in May of 1916. One day he sat down at his typewriter to write home, and the result was a mini time-capsule explaining the ups and downs of life in...

  
• 06.16.2016

  The History Files #57: Western Martial Arts

  It’s our first “live” edition of the show; a spirited discussion with Nathan Barnett, talking about the resurgence in Western Martial Arts, which it turns out has a lot to do with swords and fists. We recorded this episode in...

  
• 06.09.2016

  The History Files #56: Model T

  We’re excited to welcome back special guest Dr. Morgan Blanchard, adventurer archaeologist, to talk about the most iconic of all automobiles, the Ford Model T. Show notes and links: * Gustav I of Sweden becomes king of Sweden (1523) * First drivers’ license...

  
• 06.02.2016

  The History Files #55: The Battle of Jutland, pt 2

  This week we finish our discussion of the Battle of Jutland on its 100th anniversary, with special guest Duncan Clark. If you haven’t listened to episode #54 yet, you’ll want to do that first to get the background and context...

  
• 05.26.2016

  The History Files #54: The Battle of Jutland, pt 1

  This week we welcome special guest Duncan Clark to tackle the sprawling drama of the naval Battle of Jutland on its 100 year anniversary. With great loss of life and materiel, it is one of the most significant engagements of...

  
• 05.18.2016

  The History Files #53: The Pig War

  Ah, springtime, when a young man’s thoughts turn to dealing with wandering livestock…at least that’s the way it was on San Juan Island in June of 1859. Things didn’t go well for the marauding pig, and it almost led to...

  
• 05.12.2016

  The History Files #52: Tanks

  The heavily-armored, heavily-gunned, tank is a ubiquitous part of modern warfare, but it’s a relative newcomer in the large scale of history. In this episode we look at the development of this tracked vehicle and its debut on the battlefields...

  
• 05.05.2016

  The History Files #51: Jousting

  This week we take a look at the wild world of jousting, historical and modern. Originally a diversion for bored cavalry soldiers, it evolved into a pro sport and way of life for a whole class of people, then died...

  
• 04.28.2016

  The History Files #50: Pirates

  Pirates; romanticized or despised, they are a cultural icon scattered through history and a probability wherever there is merchant shipping. Let’s grab a pitcher of grog and set sail through a rogue’s gallery of swashbucklers, political opportunists, and entrepreneurs, and...

  
• 04.20.2016

  The History Files #49: British Colonialism in India

  This week, we are joined by special guest David S. Baker as we don our pith helmets and visit the phenomenon that is and was British Colonialism in India. We tried to keep this episode under an hour but failed....

  
• 04.15.2016

  The History Files #48: Abraham Lincoln

  Let’s take a look at the real Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States and eventually known as, amongst other things, “The Great Emancipator”. How much of what is popularly known about him is the truth, and how much...

  
• 04.04.2016

  The History Files #47: Pancho Villa

  This week, we take a look at the larger-than-life Mexican rebel Pancho Villa, and what was going on in Mexico in the first decade of the 20th century that would produce characters like him and other would-be military leaders. For...

  
• 03.08.2016

  The History Files #46: Sutter’s Fort

  Have you ever wondered what a Swiss-German immigrant and a handful of Hawaiians were doing in central California in the early 19th century? If you have, join us this week as we take a look at the up and down history of...

  
• 02.28.2016

  The History Files #45: Alternate History

  This week, we take a look at Alternative History, a growing genre of speculative fiction. So much of it is dark and dystopian, but it can be hopeful, too, as demonstrated by the Steampunk radio drama “Brass”, written by today’s...

  
• 02.21.2016

  The History Files #44: Information Explosion

  This week, we take at the Law of Accelerating Returns, or the exponential explosion of information over the centuries. It’s a big topic and we just skim the surface of a fascinating area of study, beginning with the development of...

  
• 02.13.2016

  The History Files #43: Revolutions

  This week, inspired by last week’s discussion of the Count of Monte Cristo, we take a look at some real revolutions. If you ever wondered about what makes a successful revolution, or about the difference between a revolution vs. a...

  
• 02.05.2016

  The History Files #42: The Black Count

  This week we take a look at the origins of Alexander Dumas’ legendary literary figure, the Count of Monte Cristo. New writers are often told “write what you know”, and Dumas did exactly that. The heroic protagonists in his epic...

  
• 01.27.2016

  The History Files #41: The Donner Party

  This week for our main topic we take a look at the ill-fated Donner party and their misbegotten attempt to cross the Sierras into California in… October. Although these tragic events later found a place in the folklore of the...

  
• 01.22.2016

  The History Files #40: MK Ultra

  This week, in one of our bi-weekly, shorter episodes, we take a look at the super secret government program popularly known as MK Ultra. One of several clandestine operations generated during the Cold War, this one is notorious for its...

  
• 01.14.2016

  The History Files #39: The AR15

  In this episode we take a look at that most ubiquitous of modern rifles, the M16 variant of the AR15. Whether the select-fire military-issue variant or single-shot civilian model, Eugene Stoner’s revolutionary design has become the iconic long arm of...