American Prestige Special - Radio War Nerd in Print! w/ Mark Ames
Nov 24, 2025
Mark Ames, co-host of the Radio War Nerd podcast and insightful writer, joins the conversation to delve into John Dolan's new collection of essays on the U.S. Civil War. They discuss Dolan’s pro-Union perspective and its clash with countercultural views, the roles of Southern elites in provoking war, and the evolution of narratives surrounding slavery and Indigenous experiences. With a blend of humor and practical insights, Ames highlights the thought-provoking criteria Dolan suggests for handling insurgent leaders in historical contexts.
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John Dolan's Serious Head Injury And Recovery
- John Dolan suffered a severe head injury from a fall in southern Italy and is in recovery over months.
- Mark Ames describes John relearning things and expecting a gradual return to podcasting in a few months.
Unusual Pro-Union Sympathy
- John Dolan has long been a Union supporter and wrote about the Civil War from that perspective.
- Mark Ames emphasizes that pro-Union views were uncommon in the post-hippie era and stand out in Dolan's writing.
Northern Elite's Reluctance To Fight
- The Northern ruling class contained significant treasonous sympathy for Southern interests before and during the war.
- Ames highlights figures like Buchanan and McClellan who resisted aggressive prosecution of the war and impeded Union efforts.
