Introduction to the History of the Americans

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

On October 6, 2022, I re-recorded the original introduction to the podcast, which was first published on January 1, 2021, with a few small tweaks and interjections. This is that version.

Welcome to The History of the Americans Podcast.  I am your host, Jack Henneman.   We are telling the history of the lands now encompassed by the United States, from the beginning, without presentism.  We believe there is dignity in our national story, along with tragedy, triumph, brilliance, hypocrisy, magnificence, depravity, corruption, venality, inspiration, oppression, genius, defeat, and glory. 

It should be said up front that I am a retired corporate tool, not a professional historian.  I am, however, the son of a professor of history, grew up in a house lined with history books, and have done my share of reading over the years.  Unlike many academics of his era, my father was a big supporter of popular history. He believed that history should be fun and interesting and encouraged as widely as possible, even at the risk of errors that offend the professionals.  So let’s do this in that spirit, come what may. No doubt I will make mistakes or come to conclusions with which “the experts” take issue.  All feedback is, of course, welcome, including from professional historians, and I’ll do my best as we go along to acknowledge meaningful errors. 

What else about me?  I grew up in Iowa City in a family of New Yorkers, and lived and worked in Chicago and Princeton, New Jersey before moving to Austin, Texas on account of true love. My wife is a psychotherapist, which my friends think is pretty useful, and we and our dogs can often be found in New Orleans when we are not in Austin. I’ve been to 49 states in my time so far – sorry, North Dakota, I’ll get to you eventually – and seen enough of the world that I know what a good thing we have here. 

For more on my hopes for “The History of the Americans,” please listen to Episode 0, which explains why I think we Americans need to reinvigorate our national history with dignity.

Twitter: @TheHistoryOfTh2

Facebook: The History of the Americans Podcast

Selected references for this episode

Carl Degler, “In Pursuit of an American History”

Jill LePore, This America: The Case for the Nation