

History in Focus
American Historical Review
Go behind the scenes with the world’s leading history journal as we explore the who, what, how, and why of doing history in the twenty-first century.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2025 • 33min
4.2 Soil and Memory [Revisited]
Historian Alexis Dudden and graphic artist Kim Inthavong discuss their collaborative work on history, memory, and activism in Okinawa, Japan. Their piece, “Okinawa: Territory as Monument,” appeared in the History Lab section of the September 2022 issue of the AHR. Inthavong’s graphic panels illustrating Okinawans’ present-day struggle over US military presence in the islands can be previewed below.

Sep 3, 2025 • 13min
4.1a State of the Field for Busy Teachers: African History
We kick of season 4 with a miniseries titled “State of the Field for Busy Teachers.” In four brief episodes we offer teachers—or really anyone crunched for time—a rapid review of a field of historical scholarship, including how the field has evolved, where it is now, and where one might go to learn more. This first installment features historian Jennifer Hart on the state of the field of African History.

Sep 3, 2025 • 17min
4.1b State of the Field for Busy Teachers: Native American History
This next installment in our series “State of the Field for Busy Teachers” features historian Ned Blackhawk on the state of the field of Native American History.

Sep 3, 2025 • 22min
4.1c State of the Field for Busy Teachers: LGBTQ+ History
This next installment in our series “State of the Field for Busy Teachers” features historian Don Romesburg on the state of the field of LGBTQ+ History.

Sep 3, 2025 • 12min
4.1d State of the Field for Busy Teachers: Graphic History
This final installment in our series “State of the Field for Busy Teachers” features historian Walter Greason on the state of the field of Graphic History.

13 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 42min
S3 E10 The Craft of Writing History with Drafting the Past’s Kate Carpenter
Kate Carpenter, creator of Drafting the Past and a Princeton PhD candidate, dives into the art of historical writing. She discusses her journey from journalism to academia, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and editing in crafting narratives. Carpenter explores the hidden labor involved in history, the struggles of historians in academia, and how storm chasing intertwines with American culture. Additionally, she reflects on the evolution of climate awareness in writing and shares her hopes for future storytelling projects.

May 7, 2025 • 23min
S3 E9 Big Asia
Nile Green, a historian from UCLA specializing in Iran and Islamic South Asia, dives into the complex identity of Asia. He discusses how the term 'Asia' has evolved from ancient Greece to today, highlighting its varied interpretations across cultures. The conversation examines the role of place names like 'Bharat' in shaping identity and geopolitics, and critiques the historical constructs of Asia, encouraging a broader understanding beyond typical Euro-American views. The episode invites listeners to rethink Asia's narratives through a hypothetical Martian lens.

18 snips
Apr 2, 2025 • 46min
S3 E8 Teaching the Vietnam War, Fifty Years On
In this discussion, Thy Phu, a media studies expert, reflects on the impact of visuals on war narratives. David Biggs, an environmental historian, explores how perceptions of the Vietnam War have evolved over fifty years. Wen-Qing Ngoei highlights U.S. foreign relations with Southeast Asia in teaching the conflict. Jana Lipman shares insights on using personal stories to connect students with history. Together, they delve into innovative teaching methods, including AI and graphic memoirs, to engage new generations with complex narratives and personal identities.

7 snips
Mar 5, 2025 • 29min
S3 E7 Archiving Loss, Learning, and Time in the Field
Historian Lily Pearl Balloffet, who studies South-South connections between Latin America and the Middle East, shares her insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vital human relationships in historical research. She reflects on emotional bonds formed through history, the profound loss of a mentor, and navigating grief during the pandemic. Lily also emphasizes the transformative power of friendships in academia, while intertwining themes of nature, memory, and the impact of personal connections in shaping one's scholarly journey.

4 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 21min
S3 E6 AHA 2025 and History Teachers
Katharina Matro, a high school history teacher specializing in U.S. History and AP World History, and Megan Porter, who teaches American Studies and Sociology, delve into the AHA 2025 K-16 Content Cohort. They discuss the importance of resilience in history education and how structured teaching approaches can foster meaningful dialogue amidst today's challenges. The conversation highlights collaborative workshops that integrate AI and emphasizes networking among educators for professional growth, ultimately enriching the teaching experience.