History Unplugged Podcast

Throughout the war on the Eastern Front, there were two consistent trends. The Red Army battled to learn how to fight and win, while involved in a struggle for its very survival. But by 1944 it had a leadership that was able to wield it with lethal effect and with far more effective equipment than before. By contrast, the Wehrmacht had commenced a slow process of decline after the invasion of the Soviet Union. Hitler became increasingly unwilling to delegate decision-making to commanders in the field, which had been crucial to earlier success. The long years of fighting had also taken a heavy toll. Thousands of irreplaceable junior officers and NCOs were dead, wounded or prisoners.Today’s guest is Prit Buttar, author of “Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive.” We look at these trends, which culminated in the huge battles of Bagration. In 1944, the Red Army finally put together a campaign that utterly destroyed the German Army Group Centre. The Wehrmacht suffered the loss of over 300,000 men killed, wounded or taken prisoner and the Red Army rolled forward across Belarus to the outskirts of Warsaw. The end of the war was still many months away, and the Germans managed to reconstruct their line on the Eastern Front, but final victory for the Soviet Union was now only a matter of time as a direct consequence of Bagration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pilgrimages are a universal phenomenon, from China’s bustling Tai Shan to the ancient Jewish treks to Jerusalem. But why? What is it about a grueling penitent march to an isolated temple that has become a prerequisite for a civilization of any size, whether Chicen Itza in the Mayan Empire or the holy sites of Mecca? To explore this is today’s guest, Kathryn Hurlock, author of “Holy Places: How Pilgrimages Changed the World.” We also look at whether pilgrimages have become too easy in the 21st century. Has jetting off to Mecca or Rome for a quick indulgence turned them into spiritual tourism, a la Disneyland?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Jarvis, a historian and archaeologist known for his extensive work on Bermuda, reveals the island's surprising significance in colonial America. He discusses how Bermuda became England’s first profitable plantation by pioneering tobacco cultivation and using enslaved labor. With insights from his 14 years of archaeological work, he highlights Bermuda's role in supplying Jamestown and its influence on early colonial practices. Jarvis argues that far from being a mere footnote, Bermuda is a crucial cornerstone of America's origin story.

Jennifer Bennie, host of the Walk With History podcast, dives into the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud, which erupted over a stolen pig. The conversation reveals how a simple argument spiraled into violent confrontations that nearly escalated into regional war. Bennie highlights the pivotal moments, including the brutal New Year's Day massacre and the deeper cultural implications of the conflict. Listeners also learn about the feud's legacy, its reflection of rural justice during a lawless era, and its lasting impact on American folklore.

Padraic Scanlan, author of "Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine," delves into the catastrophic Irish Potato Famine of 1845. He explains how a biological blight resulted in an unprecedented human tragedy, uniquely devastating Ireland while other regions fared better. The discussion reveals the complex interplay of British imperial policies that exacerbated the famine, transforming Ireland into a nation reliant on potatoes and critiquing the inadequate governmental response. Scanlan highlights the legacy and modern implications of this historical crisis.

Caleb Franz, author of 'The Conductor', dives into the life of Reverend John Rankin, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in the abolitionist movement. He highlights Rankin's role as a 'conductor' on the Underground Railroad, providing refuge for escaping slaves while facing violent opposition. The discussion sheds light on Rankin’s ability to present abolitionism as a centrist cause, bridging divides among fervent abolitionists and more moderate supporters. Franz also explores Rankin’s enduring legacy and influence on prominent figures like Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Joyce Chaplin, author of "The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution," discusses Benjamin Franklin’s ingenious stove invention designed to combat the Little Ice Age. She reveals how Franklin blended science with practicality, addressing heating challenges and deforestation. The conversation highlights the global spread of the stove and its influence on early American life. Chaplin also draws parallels to today's climate crises, emphasizing the relevance of Franklin's innovations in contemporary environmental debates.

For much of Christian history, the Church had little involvement in marriage, which was primarily a contract between families. It wasn’t until the fourth century that church weddings emerged, and even then, they were mostly reserved for the elite. Fast forward to the High Middle Ages, and marriage became a sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church. Since then, the church has been seen as inseparable with matrimony. What changed over the centuries? To explore this dynamic is today’s guest, historian Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of “Lower Than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity.” We explore how Christianity’s views on sex, marriage, and gender evolved over time; that early Christian marriage was not a universal sacrament but a social institution governed by authority figures. He highlights how for much of history, the Church was more concerned with celibacy than marital sexuality. The Reformation reshaped these ideas, introducing new roles for women in religious life, from pastor’s wives to Quaker preachers. We uncover how Christianity’s past can inform its present and future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the night of September 5, 1942, the USS Gregory (APD-3), a converted destroyer turned high-speed transport, was caught in a deadly ambush near Guadalcanal. The ship had been supporting U.S. Marine forces, ferrying troops and supplies, when it was mistaken for a larger threat by a group of Japanese destroyers. Outgunned and unable to escape, Gregory was hammered by shellfire, set ablaze, and ultimately sank in Ironbottom Sound. Lieutenant Commander Harry F. Bauer, refusing to abandon his men, fought to the end and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. As the surviving crew struggled in the water, Mess Attendant Charles J. French emerged as an unlikely hero, tying a rope around his waist and towing wounded shipmates for hours through shark-infested waters to safety. Against overwhelming odds, he kept them together until they were finally rescued. Join us as we uncover this harrowing tale of sacrifice, heroism, and the unbreakable spirit of the USS Gregory’s crew. To discuss this story is today’s guest Carole Avriett, author of “Midnight in Ironbottom Sound: The Harrowing WWII Story of Heroism in the Shark-Infested Waters of Guadalcanal.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Henry Gee, author of "The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire," dives into the precarious state of humanity's future. He discusses the alarming slowdown of population growth and its potential consequences, including resource depletion and ecological threats. Highlighting the urgency for space colonization, he argues we have a mere 10,000 years to adapt or face extinction. With insights from paleontology, Gee underscores the need for cooperation and innovation to navigate these challenges. Can we change our course in time?