The History Things Podcast

Pat and Matt are back in the Pacific with their colleague Avery Lentz! With the monster episode Avery provided the guys on the Pacific Theater in World War II, they just had to break it in two!
The twin campaigns of the Army and Navy in the Pacific often left the Empire of Japan at a loss for where the allies were headed next, or how to react. Join the guys as Avery describes the bloody slog of the island hopping campaign, as well as the war on the waves before the final air campaign against the Japanese home islands.
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Pat & Matt are back in the studio, this time with their friend and fellow ranger, Anthony Trusso. Anthony gives the guys a run down on the first large scale land battle of the American Civil War, First Bull Run. Also known as First Manassas, the Battle of Bull Run is infamous for how it ended and what was happening on the side lines. Looking beyond those tropes though, how well is the battle actually understood and just how close did Federal forces come to actually winning this first significant clash of arms?
The guys discuss these points, as well as the difficulties of building armies out of whole cloth for both sides. Where are the men coming from? Who was equipping them and was anyone really prepared for struggle when Federal forces marched out of Washington heading for Manassas Junction in July 1861? For those of you interested in how the national tragedy of the Civil War kicked off be sure to check this episode out as it drops on the 161st commemoration of the battle!
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Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoy the show!

Heading into the summer, Pat and Matt are joined by Melissa Winn, the now former Director of Photography Research for HistoryNet. Melissa provides the guys with details on a man who is often overlooked by history and was overshadowed by his boss during the American Civil War, John A. Rawlins, aide-de-camp of Ulysses S. Grant himself.
Rawlins, a prewar friend of Grant's, was an influential lawyer and democrat in Galena, Illinois prior to the war. Upon the outbreak of hostilities he famously declared that, "there were no parties anymore" and that he would enlist to fight for the Union. In August 1861 Rawlins was asked to join Grant's staff and was promoted to Captain. In this position he looked after the General, keeping on him about his pledge of temperance and keeping away many who would distract or tempt Grant.
Join us as we learn more about this fascinating man, how he kept Grant on the straight and narrow and what happened to him as the war dragged on.
What are your thoughts on John Rawlins? Comment on our social media @TheHistoryThingsPodcast or send us an email at [email protected]!
The History Things Podcast is brought to you by HistoryNet, publisher of 9 different historical magazines including; the Civil War Times, American History, & Military History! Visit HistoryNet.Com to learn more or follow them on social media by searching for @HistoryNet!
Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoy the show!

In our second follow-up episode, Matt and Pat hang out with guest Avery Lentz again to answer some of the questions and comments from YOU the listener related to our second MONSTER episode, HTP Ep 02: Battle of Fredericksburg!
This episode was recorded via ZOOM due to travel and stay at home restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

It's that time of year again, the Season 5 mid year review! Join hosts Pat, Matt and their producer Parker as they discuss the season this far, get into some rabbit hole shenanigans and provide a preview of the rest of the season.
It's been a great season already with fantastic guests covering a range of topics and that's going to continue with the rest of Season 5. Be on the lookout though for two different collaboration shows during the second half of the season as The History Things Podcast works with our colleagues to bring you new and interesting programs!
The History Things Podcast is brought to you by History Things with Pat & Matt Borders Books!
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