Historically Thinking

Mount Fuji is at once instantly familiar and seemingly immutable, yet it always remains strange and changeable. Its postcard-perfect peak is known around the world as a wonder of nature and a symbol of Japan. But behind that outline lies a far more complicated history.Over the centuries, Fuji’s eruptions devastated farmland and terrified villagers. Revered as a sacred presence, its divine inhabitants changed with shifts in belief and power. Once locally known, Fuji later became claimed as a national emblem, its slopes inspiring poetry, painting, and pilgrimage—and serving as the stage for political and economic disputes.In Fuji: A Mountain in the Making (Princeton, 2025), Andrew Bernstein traces this layered story from the mountain’s surprisingly recent geological beginnings to its recognition as a World Heritage Site. The result is a portrait of a place both familiar and unsettled: a mountain still in the making, continually remade by the humans who live with it, use it, revere it, and visit it.For show notes and more, go to the Historically Thinking Substack page for this episode.

We reach for the Cold War as if it were a really good pocket tool: compact, familiar, ready to deal with any problem in today’s world. U.S.–China rivalry? “Cold War 2.0.” Russia and the West? “Cold War redux.” The appeal is obvious: the Cold War offers a story we already know how to tell—great-power tension, nuclear standoff, ideological blocs, and finally, a tidy ending.But as Francis J. Gavin argues, analogies always smuggle in assumptions. To label something a “new Cold War” is to commit to a whole strategic script: decades of rivalry, fixed blocs, and an expectation of how the story ends. But what if the conditions that defined the 20th-century Cold War—its nuclear stability, its institutions, even its duration—don’t apply now? And what if these words “Cold War”that you use do not mean what I mean by the words “Cold War”?Francis J. Gavin is the Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He is the author of Nuclear Statecraft: History and Strategy in America’s Atomic Age and Thinking Historically: A Guide for Policymakers.For notes, links, and a vast archive, go to www.historicallythinking.org

Cynthia Paces, a history professor at The College of New Jersey and author of "Prague: The Heart of Europe," takes listeners on a captivating journey through Prague's tumultuous history. She discusses its evolution from a fortified settlement to a cultural capital under Charles IV, highlighting its architecture and the legacies of figures like Good King Wenceslas and Jan Hus. Paces also sheds light on the city's experiences with antisemitism, Nazi occupation, and communism, ultimately revealing how these shape Prague's identity and resilience today.

In this engaging discussion, Francis J. Gavin, a professor at Johns Hopkins and author of several influential books, delves into how history can significantly enhance public policy. He highlights the necessity for a historical sensibility that nurtures curiosity and humility, helping policymakers navigate complex modern challenges. Gavin argues for the importance of understanding diverse cultural contexts and advocates for bridging the communication gap between historians and decision-makers. His insights reveal how historical narratives can inform contemporary strategy, even in high-stakes geopolitical scenarios.

In this engaging conversation with Barry Strauss, a renowned historian and author, listeners dive into the Second Jewish Revolt and its lasting legacy on modern Israeli identity. Strauss reveals how the revolts not only shaped Judaism but also influenced the rise of Christianity. The podcast explores the intricate dynamics between Jews and Romans, tracing their tumultuous history of rebellion, resilience, and cultural identity. Expect intriguing insights on everything from Simon Bar-Kosiba's legacy to the socio-political turmoil of Judea under Roman rule.

Amanda Roper, a dedicated public historian and advocate for underrepresented narratives, shares her insights into historic preservation. She discusses the evolution of public history and its engagement with wider audiences. Roper delves into the complexities of interpreting plantation history, focusing on the Gullah Geechee people's stories. She highlights the significant yet often overlooked role of women in preservation, advocating for emotional storytelling that connects today's visitors with the past. Her current research promises to shed more light on these vital contributions.

In this engaging discussion, John Shelton Reed, a sociologist and author, unpacks the history of the Ramos Gin Fizz, tracing its origins to 19th-century New Orleans. He shares insights into the city's cosmopolitan influences, from German immigrants to iconic bartenders. The episode highlights how this unique cocktail reflects the cultural fabric of New Orleans. Reed also reminisces about Prohibition's impact and shares the secrets behind the drink's perfect preparation, inviting listeners to savor its rich heritage.

Cara Rogers Stevens, an associate professor of history and author of 'Thomas Jefferson and the Fight Against Slavery,' delves into the complex legacy of Thomas Jefferson. She discusses how his Enlightenment influences shaped his evolving views on slavery and rights, revealing a duality between his philosophical ideals and practical entanglements in slavery. The conversation also tackles Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemings, shedding light on the themes of consent and hypocrisy that complicate his public persona. This engaging dialogue invites listeners to reconsider Jefferson’s role in American history.

Molly Worthen, a scholar of American religious and intellectual history, explores the profound impact of charisma on American society, from the Puritans to Donald Trump. She reveals how charismatic leaders provide deeper meaning and guidance during crises when traditional institutions falter. The conversation spans notable figures like Tecumseh, Andrew Jackson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, examining how their unique communication styles and stories resonate with audiences. Worthen also highlights the significance of movements like Pentecostalism and the lasting complexities of charisma in shaping America's identity.

Shipwrecks as events are probably humanity’s most common form of disaster”, writes my guest James Delgado “As such, shipwrecks–aside from epidemics, warfare on land, or great natural disasters—have been the cause of the greatest number of human deaths throughout history. Thanks to ships and other watercraft, humanity did not just walk across the globe from its ancestral home in Africa. We made use of the ocean as a source of food and as a means of travel on our global journey. Humanity’s relationship with the water has also been shaped by the reality that for as much as is taken from the sea, something is lost. Those losses are ships, the goods on them, and people. Shipwrecks as events therefore ­have ­inspired ­one­ of ­the­ oldest­ genres­ of ­human ­reflection ­on­ the nature of life; [they] have been and remain a muse for religious thought, literature, music, and art.”These are some of Delgado’s introductory observations in his new book The Great Museum of the Sea: A Human History of Shipwrecks, a deep dive into the surprisingly rich history of human disaster at sea, and what those wrecks can tell us, both about the past, and about ourselves. From the cause of shipwreck to the beginnings of maritime archaeology, Delgado offers a history, a meditation, and pieces of a maritime archaeologist’s autobiography. James Delgado is Senior Vice President of SEARCH, Inc., the leading cultural resources firm in the United States. Previously he has been Director of Maritime Heritage for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; President and CEO of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA); and host of the National Geographic international television series "The Sea Hunters". He was last on the podcast in Episode 292 to discuss his book The Curse of the Somers, in the course of which conversation he became the only guest in the over four hundred episodes of this podcast to break into song. He has a very pleasant baritone.For Further Investigation "The Blake Ridge Wreck: A Deepwater Antebellum Fishing Craft"Cynthia Kierner on disasters, including shipwrecks, in antebellum America